Rayagada (Odisha): A young girl hailing from Rayagada, one of the remote districts in Odisha, made the country proud after being selected as the first Indian student to pursue her research work in the coveted Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) in Munich, Germany.
Preeti Prava Sahu, daughter of Sangita Sahu and Prabhakar Sahu had applied for pursuing her PhD in Microbiology in the 600-year-old university.
She was among 14 students from across the world who were shortlisted by the university for the final interview.
By getting selected, Preeti became the first Indian woman to research in one of the top universities in the world which has illustrious alumni of Nobel laureates such as Wilhelm Röntgen, Max Planck, Werner Heisenberg, Otto Hahn and Thomas Mann.
Speaking to ETV Bharat, Preeti said, "Ever since I was a child, Biology always interested me. During my time at NISER, I got the opportunity to better understand Microbiology in which I will be conducting my research."
"I was the only Indian student to have been selected for an interview. I also became the first-ever girl from India to study at the university. My parents have been my pillars of support. They have always pushed me to follow my dreams and encouraged me in all manners. I would also like to thank my teachers at various stages of my academic career who polished my knowledge and guided me in reaching where I am today," quips Preeti.
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"Since the plants are unable to produce Nitrogen Phosphate, the same is being made available to them through the application of fertilizer. As a result, not only the fertility of the soil is going down, but also the human beings are falling victims to several diseases by consuming the crops and vegetables produced by using excessive fertilizer. Gradually this is turning out to be a killer for the plant world besides creating other problems. With my research, I wish to understand and stop the use of nitrogenous fertilizer," Preeti said.
"I will start my research work from September 14 and I will be leaving for Germany on September 8. I will be doing my research work under the guidance of renowned Scientist of Germany Professor Martin Panis Ke. I wish to return to India and work in betterment of the agriculture sector with my research work," she added.
"Preeti was very much attracted to science from her childhood days. She has also persuaded her masters in the National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER). There she emerged as the topper of 2015-2020 batch and was awarded the gold medal," said Prabhakar Sahu, Preeti's father.
"After finishing her curriculum, she had applied to Ludwig Maximilian University for her PhD and the authorities of the LMU University had called her for an interview. Fourteen persons from the whole world were selected and only three of them were nominated by the University to undertake research there. My daughter was one of those three persons," he added.
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Preeti's father Prabhakar Sahu is a senior clerk in the Education Department while her mother Sangita Sahu is a teacher in Rayagada Girls’ High School. Both the father and the mother have stated that they are very happy and proud of the achievement of their daughter. On the other hand, Priti’s teacher also feels proud of her feat and has conveyed his good wishes to her for her bright future.
