New Delhi, April 26: Shreya Mundhra, the young Indian student who clinched a gold medal at the European Girls' Mathematical Olympiad (EGMO), expressed heartfelt gratitude on Sunday after Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted her remarkable achievement during his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat. The recognition from the nation's highest office has sparked fresh conversations about female participation in STEM competitions across India.

PM Modi's Acknowledgement and Its Ripple Effect

Speaking to IANS, Mundhra said that PM Modi had elaborated on the entire process of the competition during his address, something she believes will draw more young students toward Mathematics. She noted that when other students learn about this achievement, they too may develop an interest in the subject.

The gold medallist admitted that neither she nor her family had ever anticipated such a milestone. She said that winning a gold medal was something neither she nor her family had ever imagined possible, reflecting the humble beginnings of her extraordinary journey.

Mann Ki Baat, which reaches tens of millions of listeners across India every month, serves as a powerful platform to spotlight grassroots achievers. PM Modi's mention of Shreya's win is expected to inspire thousands of school-going girls to pursue competitive Mathematics.

The Rigorous Path to an Olympiad Gold Medal

Mundhra broke down the multi-stage selection process that eventually led her to the European Girls' Mathematical Olympiad. The first stage, the Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Mathematics (IOQM), requires candidates to solve 30 questions in three hours, with approximately 250 candidates selected from each state.

The second stage, the Regional Mathematics Olympiad (RMO), narrows the field further — only about 35 students per state advance, tackling six problems in three hours. Each successive round demands deeper conceptual mastery, not rote memorisation.

She credited the structured training ecosystem — including regional-level camps and dedicated mentors — as a crucial pillar of her success. There are a number of training camps and teachers who provide support at every stage, she noted.

HBCSE Training: A National Asset for Young Mathematicians

Mundhra specifically acknowledged the role of the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), a premier institution under the Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India, in shaping her preparation. Her parents were comfortable sending her to the national camp hosted there, given its credibility and established reputation.

She noted that her parents were happy to send her to HBCSE since it is a national camp. HBCSE has long been the backbone of India's Olympiad training infrastructure, nurturing talent across Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Astronomy, and Mathematics.

This comes amid growing calls for expanding government-funded STEM training programmes to Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, where access to quality coaching remains a significant barrier for talented students.

The Gender Gap in Olympiads: Safety as a Barrier

Despite her triumph, Mundhra did not shy away from highlighting a persistent structural challenge — the low rate of female participation in Mathematics Olympiads in India. She pointed to safety concerns around residential camps as a key deterrent for parents.

She asserted that after the first two rounds, residential camps are conducted, and while she feels fortunate to have participated, making those camps safer would encourage more parents to send their daughters. This candid observation underscores a broader systemic issue: even when girls demonstrate exceptional aptitude, parental safety concerns can cut short their competitive journeys.

Notably, India's gender participation gap in STEM competitions mirrors a global pattern. According to UNESCO data, girls represent fewer than 35% of STEM students in higher education worldwide, a disparity that begins forming at the school competition level.

Father Shantanu Mundhra: Olympiads vs Competitive Exams

Shreya's father, Shantanu Mundhra, described PM Modi's acknowledgement as a proud moment for the entire family. He drew a sharp distinction between Olympiad preparation and conventional competitive exam coaching — a nuance often lost in India's exam-obsessed educational culture.

He explained that preparation for Olympiads focuses on conceptual understanding of the subject, whereas students preparing for competitive exams often study for up to 18 hours a day. He urged parents across the country to give their children the freedom and confidence to pursue subjects aligned with their genuine interests.

Shantanu Mundhra also noted that when the Prime Minister publicly appreciates the daughters of India on such a prominent platform, it sends a powerful signal to parents who might otherwise hesitate to invest in their daughters' academic ambitions. As India prepares its contingent for upcoming international Olympiads, Shreya Mundhra's story is expected to serve as a blueprint — combining institutional support, parental encouragement, and personal determination.