Hyderabad boy flies to USSRC

Hyderabad: It is not for nothing that it is called as an experience that is once-in-a-lifetime learning process. And it comes courtesy of Honeywell Leadership Challenge Academy (HLCA).

For students in the 16-18 years age-group with an overwhelming obsession to make a name in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) HLCA spells magic as it is the passport for youngsters to embark on an educational voyage that takes-off and revolves around the acclaimed US Space and Rocket Center (USSRC) in Huntsville, Alabama.

This year, global industry major Honeywell took as many as 23 Indian students from among 325 from 35 countries for the uniquely conceptualised programmes. Of course, the privilege is only open to children of employees of Honeywell. Incidentally, a Hyderabad teenager has been on-board the ‘dream’ flight.

For starters, Rohith Tirumalasetti has an impressive track-record both in academics and extra-curricular activities. Pursuing second year diploma in Automobile Engineering at SGMA Govt Polytechnic in the city, he is passionate about automobile engineering and dreams of soaring skies as a pilot or astronaut, a dream that gained ground when he was a student at Hyderabad Public School in Begumpet.

Right now he has taken the first positive step towards the bigger league with the USSRC adventure from where he returned this week. The program offers interactive technology, science-oriented workshops, and team exercises to instil leadership skills.

‘I could meet astronauts and also indulge in mock exercises with several peers from all over the globe. The trip was spectacular and has furthered my aspirations to become an astronaut. HLCA (which took-off in 2010) has helped me focus in the field of space, particularly after I happened to interact with scientists, engineers and astronauts. Like is will be for hundreds of others, this has reinforced my core leadership competencies,’ explains Rohith, bubbling with enthusiasm.

That he is one who is determined to achieve his goals gets evidenced by his having joined NCC as a cadet in the Air force wing when he was in school. In a way, what bolstered his craving for the skies was that he was awarded the outstanding cadet of Air wing (National Cadet Corps) in 2014-2015 for achieving highest aggregate. The avid football and gaming enthusiast also has a NCC air wing grade ‘A’ certification.

Speaking of his latest experiences, he points out, “It was exciting to meet people who share the same passion for rockets, jets and space shuttles. Teamwork is one of the most important lessons I learnt.” His dreams are typical of the observation made by his batch-mate, Sharon Evangeline.

On her interactions with people who have been there and done that, she recalls that “they stressed that we are the Mars Generation and the ones who are likely to travel to Mars." Well, Rohith, fresh from his ‘exhilarating’ US Space camp, belongs to that very Mars Generation.