Angul: Perseverance and strong willpower can overcome all adversities and a 14-year-old boy from Odisha is a perfect example.

When Subhranshu Nayak, a Class IX student of Saraswati Sishu Vidya Mandir, Gandhi Marg in Angul district, developed a drone, little did he know that it will get selected in Ames Space Settlement contest organised by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

Subhranshu’s modern drone named ‘Mavic’ bagged second position among the projects submitted from all over the world. He is among the two students from India who have been selected for the competition. Subhranshu will leave for NASA on November 27.

“We had received the project planning from your student. The planning of this project is better in his age. So our team has selected your student to participate in international competition -NASA Space Settlement Contest,” a letter from the NASA to the principal of Saraswati Sishu Vidya Mandir read.

“The drone developed by me is auto-controlled. After setting the destination address through an application, we need to click the go button and the drone will take off automatically and land on the particular destination. In order to ensure that the drone does not encounter obstacles, I have installed an ultrasonic sensor to maintain safe distance from objects,” said Subhranshu.

“I got inspiration to develop a drone after watching Bollywood movie 3 Idiots. Later, I watched in YouTube that one person in Hyderabad got selected in NASA competition by developing a drone model.”

“I contacted him and uploaded my project on NASA website. After three days I learnt that a NCC camp was organised. Four days after attending the NCC camp, I received another message that I have been selected for the competition,” Subhranshu said adding, “My father provided everything I needed for the project.”

“I sell bags to sustain my family. I brought everything he needed for the project to ensure that he becomes successful. I hope he will fulfil my dream,” Subhranshu’s father said.