I am Dr. Varun Dhup (B. V. Sc. & A. H.) a veterinary graduate from India where first Veterinary Hospital for horses was established in King Ashoka's period (ancient India). Presently I am pursuing my master’s degree in Environmental and Public Health at School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom.
As my parents are primary teachers, right from my childhood I had a very close link with science. My childhood queries took a shape of my restlessness, by participating in various science exhibitions, competition and shows. I applied various ideas to my level. I was selected for presenting my science project named ‘Biogas Plant: Present Status in Gadhinglaj Taluka’, at 32nd Marathi Bal Vidnyan Samelan at State level, Maharashtra. I was awarded as a Best Scout Award in our Scout-Guide Troop of school. By the end of my school days I passed Elimentary and Intermediate Grade Exam of drawing. Also gathered enough knowledge which helped me in building up the basic fundamentals. But my profound interest left me gasping for more information to satiate my unsolved queries.
My real journey towards environment conservation and health science started when I actively took part in the Environment Conservation Programme held by Marathi Vidnyan Parishad, Gadhinglaj as a volunteer. And admission to Veterinary Science Schoolafter my 12th standard. My veterinary science school named, Krantisinh Nana Patil College of Veterinary Science, Shirval, which is the only one in Western Maharashtra. The most industrially and agriculturally developed belt of Maharashtra State, affiliated with the Maharashtra Animal and Fishery Sciences University (MAFSU), Nagpur, which is one of the Veterinary Science Universities of India.
Initially, during my early college days, when it came to deliver a class talk, it came on top of my nerves with all reflexes on! But gradually, one after another several deliveries of talks and seminar, bolstered my confidence and brought me on top, surfeiting other students and substantiating the maxim “No gains without pains”. For example: In First year I presented a technical seminar on ‘Polymerase Chain Reaction’ in college auditorium, for which our Dean appreciated me by his words as follows- “It is first time in the History of our college that a first year student had given seminar in college auditorium in front of all the five batches, his confidence is worth appreciable so please give him a huge round of applause!” And to my knowledge, up-till now no-one had achieved this yet!
My curiosity in Veterinary Science and arts made me to participate in various animal fairs, vaccination camps, poster presentations and preparation of informative VCD’s for extension education. I received an Appreciation Certificate from the Department of Veterinary Anatomy, ‘For contributing immensely to the development of the department by preparing the skeleton of domestic and wild animals, such that this department is now one of the best for undergraduate instructions in Maharashtra.’ (2003-04). Especially I was selected for participation in the Students Program organized during the First International Livestock and Dairy Expo- ILDEX (India) 2006, among 18 students from all over India. Subsequently I got selected for participation in the Industry Awareness and Interaction (IAI) for students program organized during the Indian Animal Industry Expo 2007. My participation in all these activities has bolstered my confidence to an up-roaring level.
What I am today, is because of all these.