In memory of you, our darling Princess :-)

             What do I have to do with you, Princess? I did not even step into my teens when you bid farewell to your cruel world! Categorically nothing to do with you! Oh, wait.. No.. I am a woman too.. A daughter, a wife and a mother as you were!! My heart goes to you as you always starved for those priceless love, laughter, compassion, trust and peace!

           

            Was it your fault to have got married to someone who never loved you and visibly ignored you? NO! Any woman would naturally search for a place that can fill life’s vacuum with love!! No matter you belong to a royal family or not. That makes your departure unacceptable till date. How hard it is to be a celebrity who is always thronged by paparazzi for their obnoxious thirst! Sigh L

            It is so heavy to be in your shoes and understand how it would have felt for you to have gone crazy in search of love and companionship as well as trying to give your best to raise your boys amidst all chaos, despite holding the prestigious label PRINCESS. Despite your physical and mental agony, you also apparently diverted your precious energy to social works and left ever traceable footprints in several domains. May be that is why I personally do not see any difference between you and Mother Teresa!!

                             Pic courtesy: Google Images

You both are so beautiful by all means, body, mind and heart! May be that is why you both left us in tears in the same year! You would have been a grandma now had you been alive (you are the young grandma in our minds as we even do not want to use FaceApp). I am sure you would have been at your best in that role too. You would have been continuously giving the world nothing but love had you been with us. It is so unfortunate not only to your kids and grandchildren but also to many who sincerely wish that your destiny had been written otherwise.

            You deserved better on earth! But I hope you are now treated like a true princess in heaven!

Lucky Me: My Ph.D

The title is slightly contrary when I deeply introspect different phases of my Ph.D in one of the oldest universities in India. Yet, on an overall view I would say I have had a far better experience than many scholars out there who unfortunately end up doing what they are never supposed to do while pursuing this.

One of my colleagues once mentioned: “part-time scholars annoy guides/supervisors whereas it is the other way round when it comes to fulltime scholars.” True!!!! Doing a Ph.D part-time is better as you do not have to please your guide at every sight. Sigh!!!

Not only media, but also on personal experiences shared by scholars, first-hand information on how they go around, beat around the bush all through their Ph.D period typically portray the PATHETIC STATE OF RESEARCH and SCHOLARS here.

I was lucky enough for the following reasons:

·         I NEVER had to do any HOUSEHOLD CHORES for my guides.

·         I NEVER had to be AVAILABLE ANYTIME at their service (be it academic or personal).

·        I was NEVER asked to BRIBE them (though they were aware of the fact I was sufficiently paid by the UGC for the Junior Research Fellowship).

·         I was NEVER physically abused.

·         I was NEVER stopped from exploring on areas of research I wanted to.

·         I was NEVER forced into an unwilling area of study for the benefit of the guide.

·     I was NEVER forced to change my idea or style of writing my thesis despite it had flaws (for which I took complete responsibility in my public viva-voce).

·       I was NEVER interfered in my experimental way (sometimes strange way) of pedagogy when it comes to sharing their classes.

·     I was NEVER forced to submit my thesis unless and until I was thoroughly satisfied with my work.

·      I was NEVER asked to sponsor anything for anyone at any time (I do not even know how my examiner commuted to the viva-voce).

·        I was NOT STOPPED when I decided to go by my option of not offering food for the participants on my Viva-Voce.

·        I was NEVER directly or indirectly asked for any gifts or favour.

I was NEVER told or directed about whom I should talk to and otherwise.

             There are a couple of real bitter experiences during the same period that clearly brought down the masks of some highly respected individuals and highly trusted friends. There were administrative challenges that totally put me down at a crucial point in time. Still, as far as my research work is concerned, I did not have to go through what most of the scholars are going through today. Unlucky lot they are and I really feel sorry for them!!!!

Yeeeesssss, LUCKY ME!!!! I love my research work and do cherish every bit of it!!!!

Scholars out there, it is YOUR RESEARCH, YOUR PASSION AND YOUR RESPONSIBILITY!!! Don’t shy away when it is necessary to voice out and act!! Coz no worries, there will certainly be better people to guide you if you decide to call it off!!

Cheers J