Today is the day exactly 6 years back we landed in Kolkata in the wee hours to resettle back in our own country after wandering around the world for a whole month in a suitcase. That is when our life was reset into null and it was self inflicted, many would term it as madness. We came back from certainty to uncertainty; affluence to penury; order to chaos; clean to dirt; and these are just few.. Most importantly with unsettled job offer and unfamiliar domain. I was offered a Ramalingaswamy fellowship and an adhoc position, my husband left his job completely with an idea to start a company back home. Well, if I look back it was quite a journey. I would say a great one that to. I count the blessings we have now. I have a 5 year old adorable sweetheart and that is the best I got so far. I got a permanent position in a reputed lab. I have guided successfully 9 Ph.D students and many masters and bachelors students and post docs. I assumed the headship of a division. There was almost 100% raise to compensation that was offered while coming back. Got 4 grants, completed 2 successfully and 2 ongoing. Published 18 papers and still counting. One of my students awarded Ph.D already and many are on the way. One student got a job and another one is choosing post doc offers and this is success according to me. I have made great friends, connected back with my school/college friends. Went to attend college re-unions. I can now talk with my parents everyday. I can now visit my parents anytime I wish and see my siblings when needed. I can have the food I like. I have cook and people to clean my house, so I can spend good quality time with my daughter.
Additional bonuses are a huge park near by. Teaching yoga and zumba in our own apartment building. I sometimes look back and think if we did not take the chance probably we would have had the same life - may be gotten richer but none of the other things would have happened. I thank my lucky star and almighty for blessing my life thus. I have delivered several invited lectures, attended all Ramalingaswamy conclaves, made wonderful friends and collaborators. Visited many new places and seen the real life luxury in India. Thank you DBT, India for taking me back. I will try and give back to the country during my tenure in this lab.
Additional bonuses are a huge park near by. Teaching yoga and zumba in our own apartment building. I sometimes look back and think if we did not take the chance probably we would have had the same life - may be gotten richer but none of the other things would have happened. I thank my lucky star and almighty for blessing my life thus. I have delivered several invited lectures, attended all Ramalingaswamy conclaves, made wonderful friends and collaborators. Visited many new places and seen the real life luxury in India. Thank you DBT, India for taking me back. I will try and give back to the country during my tenure in this lab.
