Sagnik Saha of Delhi Public School, Ruby Park, not only loves playing computer games like most his age but enjoys making them too.

The Class XII student was the only one from the city to make it to the 54th International Mathematical Olympiad held in Santa Marta, Columbia, recently. Sagnik returned with a silver medal and lots of lovely memories of his first trip abroad.

Preparations began two years ago when Sagnik, then studying in Class X at Ramakrishna Mission, Narendrapur, cleared the competition at the regional level. He was one of the 30 to qualify for the national round. “We underwent rigorous training in Mumbai, followed by an exam that candidates from previous years also sat for,” Sagnik said. Six students finally made it to the pre-departure camp.

“It was a thrilling experience to represent my country at such a prestigious international meet for high school students. But I had never aimed at winning. I enjoyed the whole journey and the challenge of solving so many mathematical problems,” said the DPS boy, who calls maths his “passion”.

Sagnik and his team were required to solve three problems each on two consecutive days. The time given to them on both days was four-and-a-half hours. The team won one silver and three bronze medals.

“It was a delightful experience to meet so many maths geeks. I realised that though all the participants were passionate about the subject, many had plans to follow other disciplines or even unconventional careers in future,” said Sagnik, who is eyeing an IIT seat.

The trip to the US was not all about maths though. “I liked touring Santa Marta and tucking into turkey and pigeon meat. I had never tasted them before. We stayed at a nice resort overlooking the sea. Everything was a novel experience,” said the Satyajit Ray and Dan Brown fan.

Sagnik has no doubt done his school proud. “He is our pride and a role model for all students at DPS, Ruby Park. Our school has had several achievers, but the best thing about Sagnik is his humility and unassuming disposition. That I think is a rarity in today’s world,” said Anusree Ghose, the principal.