Gayathri Muthukumar from Bengaluru won the 7th Indian National Brain Bee (INBB) finale held on Sunday. It is a quiz competition on neurosciences for students who have exceptional credentials in biology and have an interest to pursue careers in healthcare. It was held at SevenHills Hospital, Mumbai, and saw the participation of 12 students from across India in the grand finale. These Class 11 students are winners of the regional Brain Bee competitions held in their respective cities – Chandigarh, Kolkata, Mumbai, Noida, Delhi, Allahabad, Pune, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Cochin, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.
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Gayathri Muthukumar
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The event was judged by eminent neurologists from across the country, namely Dr Susheel Wadhwa, Narayan Hrudayala – Bengaluru, Dr Subhash Kaul, Head of Department of Neurology at Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences – Hyderabad, Dr Suvarna Alladi, Additional Professor of Neurology, Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences – Hyderabad and Brig SP Gorthi, Prof and Head of Department of Neurology Army Hospital R&R – New Delhi. Participants had gathered in Mumbai on Saturday, 19 April, where they were trained in different segments of neurology by the specialists. The Indian National Brain Bee champion – 2014 from Bengaluru walked away with a trophy, a laptop and a certificate of appreciation. She would also be sent on a paid trip to Washington DC to further participate in the 16th International Brain Bee finals, scheduled from 7-10, August 2014 along with the 122nd American Psychology Association Convention.
The Brain Bee contest is conducted on a regional level and subsequently the winners in these levels contest in the national competition. The competition tests the knowledge of students about brain and includes activities that along with testing student’s knowledge would also engage them in learning about neuroscience.
Dr Harleen Luther, Senior Consultant – Brain, Spine & Peripheral Nerve Surgery, Dept of Neurosurgery, SevenHills Hospital conducted the contest in Mumbai. Dr Luther said, “The purpose of Indian National Brain Bee-Championship is to motivate young students to learn about the brain and inspire them to seek careers in basic and clinical neurosciences to help treat and cure diseases of the brain and nervous system. Witnessing this talent and competition at such a young age in India is a satisfying experience.”
Anand Garg, CEO, SevenHills Hospitals, further added, “We saw young minds who are inspired to take up neurosciences as career paths participate in this unique competition. We are happy to organise this finale and hope the students enjoyed interacting with eminent neuro specialists from across the country. Also, good wishes to the champion for the International Brain Bee.”
Over the last few years, India has seen some stellar performances from its national champions at the International level. Notably among these, the winner of the 3rd INBB from Mumbai had won the 12th International Brain Bee Championship held at San Diego in 2010, the first time ever since India’s participation at the international level since 2005.