Allahabad: The thousand-plus students, teaching faculty, Indian scientists, local media persons, politicians and bureaucrats present at the Science Conclave - Indian Institute of Information Technology, Allahabad (IIIT-A) on Thursday, all echoed the same sentiment and feelings for the Nobel Laureates who are spending seven days at the institute.

The applause was resounding and heartfelt when Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha, S. Charnjit Singh Atwal praised the Nobel Laureates Prof. Claude Cohen Tannaudji, Prof. Jerome Issac Friedman, Prof. Harold Kroto, Prof. Martin L Perl and Prof Slovnov, who were on the dais with him, for the zeal and enthusiasm with which they interacted with students and faculty from 9 am to 9 pm without even breaking for lunch or tea.

Their fervor and passion was evident when in spite of the biting cold they were present on the dais at 9.30 am and began their technical interaction with students sharp on time.

Full Coverage of the Science Conclave 2008 by www.IndiaEduNews.net

While students kept their flood of questions coming, Friedman who had bad throat and who could barely speak without coughing kept his answers flowing. The same was with Perl, Slovnov and Kroto who never tired from speaking to the students.

In fact, as a media person who has covered many international events over the last 15 years as well as Bollywood functions and award ceremonies, I couldn't help but think of how some of our Bollywood stars rush to their vanity vans or hotel suites as soon as their press conferences are over. They go strictly by schedule and will not give the media or public even a few minutes more.

But the Nobel Laureates have been speaking continuously for the last four days with just a few hours of rest at night. It was truly admirable on their part - the zeal to answer even the most mundane of questions without criticism.

In fact, instead of criticism (for the dumb questions) they had only words of praise and admiration for the 18 to 20 year-olds who bombarded them with questions.

All we can say is - They are not Indians but they have truly done India proud.

By: Flynn Remedios at IIIT-Allahabad