Sudarshan | Chapter 4 | Project Shield

Sudarshan | Chapter 4 | Project Shield

Few years later…

 

Sudarshan was very good in studies and this is why he had received a scholarship and he also gets admission in the Mumbai-based institution of India's highest engineering institute "Indian Institute of Technology". Becoming a scientist was Sudarshan's biggest dream and the first step towards fulfilling it. He had so far won all sponsored competitions in his school. Whether it was in science or mathematics, whether it was sports or art, he had a lot of knowledge in every subject at a very young age. This was the reason that he got the highest marks in the entrance examination. He was just 14 years old, but he was far ahead of the children of his age in the matter of knowledge. 

He also benefited from this in his engineering studies. The syllabus for the first year of engineering is similar to that of the 11th and 12th grades of the school. And he used to know it very well, so when all the students were studying for the first year, he used to study for 2nd year. This kept him one year ahead of all the students. Time passed and in the third year of engineering, Sudarshan started working on his final year project. All the teachers of the institute had full confidence in Sudarshan's knowledge and that is why he successfully received the financial assistance of the Indian government for his final year project. He presented his project documents to research units of Government of India such as Bhabha Atomic Research Center and Indian Space Research Organization. Impressed by his presentation, both the units gave consent for his financial and other types of assistance.

Sudarshan got involved in his project work with a lot of effort. Now it was not just for graduation, now it was much bigger than that. What he imagined was to turn it into reality. He got his work done with hard work. Over time, he also gets support from schools and scientific institutions. The final year examination of Sudarshan is over and today all the students will demonstrate their project. Like every year, this was not a common test because many people were waiting for Sudarshan's project and it was being discussed many days in advance. His colleagues were talking about it on Facebook and other blogs. Because of this, it got media attention as well. And when it was reported in the media that few reputed scientists of the country were also coming to see the Sudarshan's work, then they became interested and many media persons also reached there. It was not yet the turn of Sudarshan's project, so all the other students were presenting their projects. The time of 5 o'clock in the evening was fixed for Sudarshan.

All other projects have been presented, everyone is eagerly waiting for Sudarshan's project. His project is not to be presented in any classroom, but to be in a field where the huge crowd can gather. Everyone takes their place and sits down. Chairs have been placed at the forefront for teachers and guest scientists so that they can review the project properly. Now Sudarshan arrives at his place, all clapping and welcoming. Sudarshan greets all the teachers and guests before presenting his product and thanks them for supporting him. 

Sudarshan said, since childhood, I heard many times in the news that sometimes Pakistan prepares to attack on us or sometime China, many times Pakistan tries to settle the terrorists in India so that it can fulfil its worse purposes. And few times they succeeded too. I could feel pain when someone shoots a bullet in the chest of our country. Because of all these events, I thought if it could happen that someone could not look at our country with an eye, and this thinking formed the foundation of my project. The presentation was shown to our honourable scientists some time ago, all of whom helped me and believed in it. Due to this, I could successfully complete my project. Now I will present my project in front of you without taking much time. 

And saying that he removes the cover placed on top of the table. Everyone was looking carefully at the desk. A thin paper was placed in a stand on that table. He asks everyone what they see on that table. All together answer, that a paper in the stand on this table. He calls one of his teachers, and asks him to check this paper, sir. That teacher looked at it very carefully. 

And after seeing it, “you are completely satisfied that it is just a paper.” Then asks Sudarshan “what will happen if we hit a pebble on this paper?” 

The teacher answers him and says that “this paper will get pierced or this paper will be torn.”

Sudarshan urges him that if you throw a pebble towards this paper, the teacher feels very strange. He cannot understand why Sudarshan is saying this. But on his excessive request, he picks up the pebble and throws it towards the paper. As soon as the pebble hits the paper, that paper bursts. All students started laughing. They think Sudarshan is making fun of the teacher. And teacher also found this very strange. 

He asks, is it a joke? Is this your project for which the scientists and media, from all over the country have come here all the way and you are throwing stones on paper. 

Sudarshan apologizes to him and says that sir this is not my project but a way of showing it. I wanted to tell all of you that it is paper and if you hit a stone on it, it will explode because it is fragile. Now he replaces the paper and puts a new paper there again. And again urges his teacher, who again he asks to test it and asks if it is the same paper. The teacher answers by saying yes. 

And everyone believes that it is the same kind of paper, nothing new. He then presses a small button placed near the table. By which some kind of device turns on, but no one sees the change. It was not visible.  Now he again urges the same teacher to hit the paper again with a pebble. The media was recording all these incidents. The teacher felt Sudarshan agrees to do that, and keep a small pebble nearby and throw it towards the paper. As the pebble approaches the paper, it suddenly collides with something and moves in another direction. 

Everyone is shocked to see this. No one can understand how this happened, there was neither a wall nor any glass box but before the paper was hit away from something, it went into another direction. Now that table becomes the centre of attraction for everyone, everyone looks carefully towards that table, but no one can see any change in this table, Sudarshan asked everyone if they saw anything, all the answered “no”. Sudarshan said if you think something is wrong, the pebble had not gone to the right place. Anyone of you can see it again. Now a scientist from a group of scientists gets up and came to that side and picks up a pebble again and hit the paper from the other side. This time again the pebble collides with something and changes its direction. 

Sudarshan called one of his friends and urges him to bring a big stone and throw it on this paper. His friend went and picks up a big stone and threw it towards that paper, but as soon as that stone went towards that paper, it falls away as it collides with something but the paper had nothing it was safe. It surprises everyone because it was not like a college project, it was something different. This was not understood by the rest of the regular students. Now Sudarshan says this is my project "an impregnable protective shield" which no one can detect. And the name of this technology is “Abhedy”. And everyone stood up with loud applause and praises Sudarshan's work. His teachers and all his friends felt proud of him. Everyone was happy for him.

                                                                                                                                to be continued...

Click here for Chapter 3                                                                       Click here for Chapter 5                                                                                                   

                                                                                                   Written by - Vineet Kumar Saraswat

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