You place GPS collars on animals like Bechstein’s bats and meerkats, and studying the special data of the group. What has been an interesting episode in this kind of tracking? How would you answer those cynics who would ask, how does tracking bats etc help when people are dying of hunger and diseases?
I do not currently work on animals. As a data scientist, I study and model large social systems, currently human societies based on their online activity.
If you were to describe yourself, how what would that be?
I am fundamentally optimistic about the future. I believe that a lot of power to alleviate today’s problems lies in people, and that we can use technology and information to improve people’s lives.
What have been milestones in your life? What could be your next milestone?
Past milestone: realising the power of the scientific method Next milestone: slowly bringing change to people’s lives, through the association I have just founded with my partner: Slow Motion Projects (slowmotionprojects.org).
Who has influenced you most in your life? Why?
I admire people who have the courage to challenge a status quo, be it in society, politics, science, or the industry.
After one of his robots destroyed itself because of a lighting snafu on demo day, he realized that he was less interested in creating complicated robots and more interested in studying the complexity that exists in the animal kingdom.
Are you ambitious? If yes, have you chalked out your life? Does planning help?
I am ambitious in that I believe that, through the education I was fortunate to receive, I can help improve people’s lives, and find technological solutions to the threats we as a civilisation face today.
How have you tackled setbacks in life? What keeps you going? Have you ever wanted to give it all up and do something else?
I try not to rush blindly towards a goal, and to avoid setbacks when I can. But failures happen and they are pivoting moments, which help refocus on the greater goal.
India has a multitude of talent. And yet, we are unable to make rapid strides like China. How do we harness talent in India and channelize it?
I believe people in India must be convinced of their individual power to change things. Mahatma Gandhi once famously said: “be the change that you wish to see in the world.” As Indian people wake up to their individual and collective potential, they will realise this maxim.
