Why I Rejected IIT Bombay for Pure Science (IISER) | Explained on Conversations In Bangalore

Описание: Is IIT always the best choice? Meet the student who said "No" to pursue the stars.

​In this episode of Conversations in Bangalore, host Shashank Swamy sits down with Arjun Murlidhar, an Astrophysics PhD student at Ohio State University. This isn't just a science talk; it's a deep dive into the making of a scientist.

​Arjun shares his incredible journey from a curious kid in Bangalore reading Richard Feynman to cracking the JEE—only to turn down a seat at IIT Bombay to join IISER Pune. We explore the fascinating world of Black Holes, the mind-bending reality of White Dwarfs, and why the "romantic" allure of String Theory might be fading.

​If you are a student, a science lover, or someone at a career crossroads, Arjun’s clarity and passion will inspire you to follow your curiosity over the crowd.

​🚀 Topics Discussed:
​The reality of a career in Astrophysics.
​IIT vs. IISER: Why Pure Science is rising in India.
​Quantum Mechanics vs. General Relativity explained simply.
​Why String Theory is losing popularity among researchers.


​⏱️ Timestamps:

​00:00 - Introduction & Teaser
​02:54 - Welcoming Arjun Murlidhar: Astrophysics PhD Student
​04:43 - What is Astrophysics?
​06:27 - The Early Spark: Nehru Planetarium & Reading Einstein
​10:22 - Reading Richard Feynman in High School
​14:13 - Attending the IIA Summer School at Age 15
​17:19 - Understanding White Dwarfs & Quantum Mechanics in Stars
​23:13 - How Scientists Photograph Black Holes (Interferometry)
​30:20 - Career Path: Pure Science Education in India (IISc vs. IISER)
​35:34 - Cracking the Entrance Exams: KVPY and JEE
​41:58 - Self-Study Strategy & Mentorship
​46:51 - Why I Chose IISER over IIT Bombay
​57:53 - Life at IISER: An Interdisciplinary Approach
​01:05:42 - The Fascination with String Theory
​01:09:45 - String Theory Explained: Unifying Gravity & Quantum Mechanics
​01:22:15 - Why I Switched from Theoretical Physics to Astrophysics
​01:30:26 - Einstein, General Relativity, and Gravitational Lensing

​🔔 Subscribe to Conversations in Bangalore for more unfiltered stories from the city's brightest minds!

​👇 What’s your take?
Would you choose passion over a "safe" engineering degree? Let us know in the comments!

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