Tathagat Avatar Tulsi

Tathagat Avatar Tulsi (born September 9, 1987 in Patna, India) is a scientist but is most well known as a child prodigy and holder of a Guinness World Record. He set a hat-trick in world records in academics: he completed high school at the age of nine, earned a B.Sc. at the age of ten and a M.Sc. at the age of twelve.

At present he is a Senior Research Scientist, working for his Ph.D at Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India. His topic of research is quantum computing. He aims to work for society and believes that scientific innovations are the best way to do so.Fact|date=November 2007

He has the special distinction of being one of the world's youngest scientists. At the age of 17, he wrote a research paper that brought him an invitation by Bell Labs of the United States to do a collaborative work with Lov Grover, inventor of a quantum search algorithm. The paper was " [http://arxiv.org/abs/quant-ph/0505007 A New Algorithm for Fixed-point Quantum Search] ".

Tulsi is listed as one of the most gifted Asian youngsters by "TIME" magazine, mentioned as "Superteen" by "SCIENCE", "Physics Prodigy" by "The TIMES", "Master Mind" by "The WEEK" and listed by "OUTLOOK" as one of the smartest Indian youngsters.

Tathagat Avatar Tulsi participated in the Stock Exchange of Visions project of Fabrica, Benetton's research centre in 2007. He was invited by Luciano Benetton for a dinner in honor of Al Gore on Jun. 14, 2007 in Milano, Italy.

Tathagat's story was showcased by National Geographic Channel in the program My Brilliant Brain. The episode named "India's Geniuses" was aired on 13 Dec. 07 and was hosted by Bollywood actress Konkona Sen Sharma. A short preview is available at [http://www.brilliantbrain.in www.brilliantbrain.in] and [http://www.nationalgeographic.co.in/explore/mybrilliantbrain www.nationalgeographic.co.in]

He is a vegetarian.

Biography

Early years

At the age of six, Tulsi performed fast mental calculations. This attracted attention of the local media and he became known as the "Mathematical Whiz kid".

The first report on Tulsi was published by "Aaj" (a leading Hindi daily in Bihar state) on February 14, 1994. Then, "Jansatta" (a Hindi daily) published a nationwide article on its front page on May 28, 1994. He started getting assistance and support from all over India. Two were most significant. First, Bihar's then Chief Minister Laloo Yadav invited Tathagat to his residence and announced a cash award and a gift of personal computer. Second, Bindeshwar Pathak gave him financial support to settle in New Delhi (capital of India) for better education prospects and opportunities.

On his sixth birthday (September 9, 1993) his father gave him a special birthday present, the bestseller, "A Brief History of Time" by Stephen Hawking which inspired him.Fact|date=November 2007

On his website Tulsi says:

Research

Tulsi works on developing quantum algorithms (softwares). His research publications are listed below.

* [http://link.aps.org/abstract/PRA/v78/e022332 Quantum computers can search rapidly by using almost any selective transformation] , Avatar Tulsi, Physical Review A, 78, 022332.
* [http://link.aps.org/abstract/PRA/v78/e012310 Faster quantum walk algorithm for the two dimensional spatial search] , Avatar Tulsi, Physical Review A, 78, 012310.

External links

* [http://www.physics.iisc.ernet.in/~tathagat Tathagat's homepage]
* [http://latestchess.com/showInterview.php?id=8 Very good interview with Tathagat Avatar Tulsi]
* [http://www.hindu.com/2007/11/17/stories/2007111750270200.htm Showcasing genius on screen] The HINDU
* [http://www.latestchess.com/showInterview.php?id=8&body=1 Interview with the genius, Guinness world record holder Tathagat Avatar Tulsi] www.latestchess.com
* [http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IE120071128101112&Headline=BSc+at+10,+MSc+at+12,+soon+to+take+his+PhD&Title=Bangalore&Topic=0 BSc at 10, MSc at 12, soon to take his PhD] New Indian Express
* [http://www.stockexchangeofvisions.org/speaker.php?id=58 Stock Exchange Of Visions: Visions of Tathagat Avatar Tulsi (Video Interviews)]
* [http://www.time.com/time/asia/covers/501030217/story5.html Cover Story on Prodigies] TIME magazine
* [http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles/03/10/31/101651.html My World: Formula for Success] FRIDAY magazine, GulfNews
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3004502.stm Indian Prodigy aims high] BBC
* [http://www.indianexpress.com/res/web/pIe/full_story.php?content_id=16345 Prodigy Tulsi seals debate with PhD admission in IISc]
* [http://www.ibef.org/artdisplay.aspx?cat_id=474&art_id=6264 Indian Institute of Science: India's crucible for innovation]
* [http://www.tribuneindia.com/1998/98dec26/nation.htm A year of awards for Indians]
* [http://www.templeton.org/capabilities_2004/human04.html John Templeton Foundation]