Just 13 and in class 7 at Jubilee Memorial School, Sahnem Jamir lives and breathes science. His fascination began with a book titled Insects and Reptiles, which sparked a curiosity that quickly became central to his life. After reading it, he began identifying and classifying insects and reptiles, documenting them meticulously. “It cannot be 100% accurate, but about 90% of it is correct,” he laughs.
“I ask a lot of questions,” he says, recalling how he would reach out to seniors and teachers to understand the mysteries he encounters. Their guidance, he says, has been invaluable.
At home, his parents support his passion, helping him acquire a science kit where he experiments with everything from salt crystals to other basic chemical reactions.
Apart from reading science, politics and literature, music is the only other fascination in his life. He enjoys classical compositions, particularly Vivaldi and Mozart.
In his free time, Sahnem says he thinks a lot and not just about ordinary things. He has even conceptualized a prototype he calls Human Biomechanical Armour, a theoretical device using an Artificial Neuro Operative Device (ANOD) to replace the cerebellum, aided by nanomaterials, potentially improving muscle coordination for people with paralysis. “I don’t have the materials yet, but it is theoretically possible,” he says confidently.
Despite his brilliance, Sahnem admits he doesn’t hang out much with his fellow students and often feels misunderstood. “I have two friends with whom I can really share my thoughts,” he says. Reading, he adds, has helped him academically and inspired his ideas. He hopes the education system could do more to nurture students with different abilities, providing more information to those who are capable and teaching in varied ways rather than sticking to one method.
His love for science spans across subjects. Biochemistry is his favorite, but he also follows cosmic science and physics closely, citing Einstein and Newton as inspirations. He is fascinated by space exploration and admires innovators like Elon Musk, noting that “SpaceX is a bit ahead of us,” while also applauding NASA’s recent discovery of possible life on Mars.
For Sahnem, the world of science is more than a hobby – it is a lens through which he experiences life. And at 13, his curiosity and imagination suggest that this is only the beginning.