How to win at the International level: Learn from Debjani Kurchi

Age can never be a barrier to getting wings in the sky as big as a dream. Instead, the intense desire of the little mind for the unknown becomes more conducive to these butterfly-like wings.

Today's story is about the little knop Debjani Kurchi. Debjani is a 2024 HSC batch from Mirpur Cantonment Public School and College.

She has already won three international medals for the country, making Bangladesh more proud in the world arena.

She has overcome all the odds with her strong will and mind to fight with young talent at the international level and achieve victory. She has already won two gold medals and one silver medal.

However, Debjani's path to this achievement took a lot of work. She had to convince her family and teachers.

Was her struggle that easy? How did she manage all the situations and achieve the success she had always wanted?

Her journey started in 2018 when she was a student in Class 7. That year, she participated in the Science Olympiad for the first time.

Before that, she was a child athlete. However, due to physical illness, she had to withdraw from the sport. Her academic results also deteriorated due to illness.

And not all students would have the opportunity to participate in such competitions in Khulna city. But after fighting many battles that year, Debjani finally registered for the Science Olympiad for the first time. Seeing her strong desire, her mother also helped her in this journey. 

After that, she was the only girl selected from Khulna in that Olympiad. Though she didn't achieve any national title, it was the first step in testing her talent. 

Immediately after the first competition, Debjani established herself well in the debate arena. For a long time, she debated in both Bengali and English. Her parents wanted good academic results, so she did not have the opportunity to participate in any Olympiad.

Participating and performing well in numerous national and international events needs preparation. Debjani never took any formal preparations. However, she took the best out of the internet. She was constantly updated with science-based news and information. She prepared herself with several online learning platforms.

As a famous quote says, "Practise makes a person perfect" It applies perfectly to her. Debajani's constant participation in several competitions made her strong and sharp as a participant. From an early age, she has competed in several competitions, including Swarna Kishori and Banglabid. She worked with UNICEF on Little Doctor. She knew everything about biology.

After coming to Dhaka, she appeared in the British Biology Olympiad, organized by the UK Biology Competitions (UKBC) in 2024.

She secured first place among 15,000 students from 1000 international schools and won the gold medal. She got a total of three medals in a year. After the Biology Olympiad, she appeared in the International Applied Physics Olympiad, which the Indonesian Scientific Society organized. She stood second among 80 participants from eight countries and got the silver medal. 

Regarding winning the medal and celebrating after success, Debjani said, "When I came home after winning this medal, the July movement was going on in the country.  With my broken arm, I participated in two competitions and won a medal in the name of my country. The main reason behind it was my mental strength and preparation."

She started her education at a government school in the divisional city. Many other talents like her need more opportunities. So, with some of her friends, she started an organization in 2017 named 'Aparajita Foundation'. 

Initially, the organization worked on women's sexual health and awareness. Currently, the organization works with religious minorities and tribals.

But now, she wants to become the bridge between barriers. Through this organization, she wants to make a smooth path for everyone to fulfil their wishes.

She wants those interested in the field to participate quickly, get the opportunity to use their talents and build a healthy and prosperous young society in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh will get many more talented young people if she succeeds in this goal. The name of merit will be written in golden letters in the world.

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