MY INTERVIEW IN CITY PLUS (6TH - 12TH MARCH, 2014) : IN FOCUS COLUMN : Advocating SPACE SCIENCE... by Sanjeevani Didmishe Strap: She is todays Space Advocate, a science enthusiast and a hard-core Science Communicator, emerging to become a future space leader! Leena Bokil is a multi-faceted, young and a dynamic achiever! She is a role model for many youngsters and her students. Yet, for her, the iconic, late ‘Kalpana Chawla’ is an idol and a role model. She wishes to continue the legacy of this legendary astronaut, when it comes to space travel. Today, she moves around with the same enthusiasm and zeal to spread the awareness on science across the globe and in India as well. Speak of the topic and she is ready to talk about her favourite passion, she doesn’t mind how big or small the target audience is. That is why she never feels it below the status while addressing even the women’ club in her society, because she knows the seeds she is sowing are going to definitely bear fruits... Glance at the organizations that she has worked in a short span of time to know her contribution. She is an alumna of NASA (Marshall Center), and she is a Honeywell Educator by designation; Founder Secretary of the National Space Society -India Chapter, Hon. Treasurer - IETE (The Institution of Electronics & Telecom Engineers) - Pune Centre, Member of TEAM-SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) in the USA, and a Member of Clinton Foundation-USA. Early days: Born and brought up in Belgaum in an affluent family, with engineering and technocratic background, she gives credit to her beloved father (for her feat), who is an industrialist and presently, a technical consultant. This engineering background boosted a love for Science within her, since childhood, and gave her an impetus to do multifarious projects in sci & tech field, she says. When passion and suitable environment clubbed together, the results were obvious. She did her entire studies with National Merit Scholarship, secured highest in Mathematics and English in SSC & HSC Exams. She has been a keen quizzer and has won many awards in Quiz Competitions, besides receiving various awards for social service and Drawing competitions as well. Education: During her college education, she chose to work on an award winning project for B.E. on Agri-electronics on Infrared Thermometry and Remote Sensing, for which she won numerous accolades. After securing B.E. (Electronics & Telecommunication) with a First Class, she initially worked for TIFAC (Technology Information Forecasting and Assessment Council) project on Sensors, Transducers and Actuators for the DST (Dept. of Science & Technology), GoI (Govt of India). During this time, her out-of-the-box thought process, led her to visit ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) at Bangalore and Ahmedabad Centres, in connection with this techno-market research. After coming back to Pune, she took a job with Electronica Mechatronics as R&D (Research & Development) Officer, until she switched to teaching profession as a Sr Faculty & Coordinator in the IETE. Through various media, she has been conducting lectures at many schools and colleges in the city. Achievements: Eventually, her quest for space science took her to NASAs Honeywell Educators - Space Training Program at Huntsville, Alabama. She got selected in 2008, at the US Space & Rocket Center (USSRC), at the NASAs Marshall Centers Education Resource Center, thus participating at the premier space agency in Space Technology. Leena participated in National Space Societys (NSS) Annual Conference at Orlando in Florida in 2009 too. During this period; she visited NASAs Kennedy Space Center (KSC) at Cape Canaveral. The following year, she attended an International Conference where leading Scientists and Hollywood Film Directors and sci-fi script writers and authors were talk of the town. The conference was organized by the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) Institute in Mountain View (California). The prestigious NASA invited her yet again to Ames Space Center as well, for a visit in 2011. Then came the most memorable moment of her life for which she longed rather a long time. She visited NASAs Ames Center in Silicon Valley where Kalpana Chawla did the beginning of her career. “She is my role model. And I am fascinated, not only by her work but also by the philosophy of her life. Surprisingly, many, including late KCs Dad say that both of us have some degree of resemblance,” Leena an amused explains. Awards: Leena has been felicitated by former Mayor of Pune, Mrs Rajalaxmi Bhosale Madam, for her contributions to Science and Technology in 2009. She has been honoured by awarding a Life Member and Office Bearer of IETE-Pune Centre. She is a Member of William Jefferson -Bill Clinton Foundation, USA, Member of Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) and the Joint Secretary of Association of Left-handers, Pune. Recently, Leena was felicitated by Joan Higginbotthom, a colleague of Astronaut- Ms Sunita Williams’. Her future plan includes a making of a biographical Film on the life of Kalpana Chawla. For this, Leena is in constant touch with Kalpana’s Father, Paapaji, for his support. She is also the recipient of Vidya Ratna Award from Rotary Club of Pune, Westside. Moreover, Leena has been nominated for this year’s ‘Young Scientist Award’. To sum up, Leena has got the right stuff in her, and her holistic approach has moulded her into a commendable Science Communicator. Above all, her mentor is ace Nuclear Scientist - Dr S R Gowariker, and a great source of inspiration to her...
Posted on: Mon, 10 Mar 2014 13:55:23 +0000