Hyderabad: Four young boys from India achieved remarkable success at the 22nd International Linguistics Olympiad (IOL) in Taipei, Taiwan. They won a gold medal, a bronze, along with two individual honorable mentions, and one for the entire team. The event, which ended on July 30th, involved 227 participants from 42 countries. Competitors worked on puzzles to decode unknown languages using linguistic logic.
Team India was guided by Prof. Parameswari Krishnamurthy from IIIT Hyderabad and joined by observer Anshul Krishnadas Bhagwat, a former IOL medalist. The team included talented youngsters from Chennai, New Delhi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad: 15-year-old language enthusiast Vaageesan Surendran, 12-year-old genius Advay Misra, 18-year-old future Oxford student Nandagovind Anurag, and linguistics enthusiast Siripurapu Bhuvan.
The IOL competition comprised two rounds. The first was an individual challenge with five complex problems solved in six hours. The second was a four-hour team task aimed at enhancing collaborative skills. For Nandagovind, revisiting past exams and seeking mentorship were crucial. “Working with my teammates helped sharpen my approach,” he mentioned.
Their journey began at the Panini Linguistics Olympiad (PLO), the Indian selection platform for international competitions. Held in major cities and supported by intensive training camps at IIIT Hyderabad, their preparation was rigorous. “The final camp was essential for building both our confidence and teamwork,” said Prof. Krishnamurthy.
Vaageesan, the gold medalist, is not only brilliant but also passionate about languages. He knows 34 scripts and speaks five languages fluently. “The IOL provided a unique challenge. The puzzles were difficult but captivating,” he expressed.
Advay, the youngest team member, showed an exceptional understanding of the problems. “There was an ‘aha’ moment when using zero simplified a puzzle!” he laughed. A three-time Asian Science Bee winner, he also enjoyed the sky lantern ceremony at Shifen, where messages in various languages lit up the night.
Bhuvan discovered his interest in linguistics later. “I initially thought it was about memorizing languages. The IOL revealed the logic and beauty within languages,” he reflected. Nandagovind shared, “It wasn’t just a contest—it was a chance to connect with different cultures.”
Despite their success, the team and mentors emphasized expanding the PLO’s reach. Prof. Krishnamurthy called for greater involvement from smaller towns and rural areas, noting the strong participation from countries like Bulgaria and the UK.
For future contestants, Bhuvan advises, “Solve many problems, seek guidance, and most importantly—enjoy the experience.” As these boys return home with their achievements, they bring back not only medals but unforgettable memories of communication, joy, and late-night discoveries in linguistics.
Their victory highlights the curiosity, cultural exchange, and the art of decoding the languages we speak.
