Ultra-marathon champ, space science entrepreneur shine

Vishal Joshi

Tribune News Service

Kurukshetra, January 11

Two young and promising alumni of Kurukshetra University stole the show during the 64th foundation day of the oldest university of Haryana on Friday.

Last month, 28-year-old Apoorva Chaudhary had created a national record by completing 176.8 km in the women’s event at the 24-hour stadium run, held under the aegis of Athletics Federation of India in Delhi. She was invited for the event that was celebrated for the first time since KU was established in 1956.

The ultra-marathon champion told The Tribune that she was preparing to participate in the forthcoming world championship to be held in France. After completing studies from KU’s University Institute of Engineering and Technology (UIET) in 2013, she now works as assistant manager (marketing) at a Gurugram-based private firm.

“Since my school days, I was very fond of athletics but discontinued it in college. As I decided to resume my passion for running, I faced resistance from my family, which is of a rural background. But fortunately, I came in contact with Raman Jain, the youngest ultra-marathon runner, who coached me to realise my dream,” said Apoorva, who hails from Bijnore in UP.

As she offered to assist KU in promoting sports, the athlete urged the gathering, comprising of faculty members and select KU alumni, to support girls in fulfilling their dreams.

Another UIET pass out (2015 batch) Ankit Bhateja shared his experience of being the only entrepreneur in space science in India. Founder of Xovian, a private entity, Bhateja has been supported by the ISRO on a few projects.

“Our indigenously developed “passive radar” offers solution to navy and maritime trade in high seas. The technology uses GPS signals to identify the conditions of waves, storms, tsunami, humid conditions etc promptly for the best analysis in the oceans. We have applied for intellectual property (IP) right for our innovation that can also be used in the cultivable land to gauge humid conditions etc,” said the entrepreneur.

In his brief address, Bhateja urged the KU authorities to use verified social media platforms to connect to alumni and market the institute.

Lauding the achievements of Apoorva and Bhateja, OP Galhotra, a senior IPS officer from Rajathan and DG (home guards), who chaired the function, said KU should engage bright alumni for direct interaction with students.