How challenging is it for girls to pursue higher education in India?

Hello everyone, I'm truly delighted by the positive reception of this blog. Your encouragement serves as a great motivator for me to continue writing. So far, I've shared my journey into pursuing a Ph.D., a glimpse into my daily life, and the wonderful people I've encountered along the way. However, these accounts only scratch the surface of my experiences. The real challenge lies in obtaining permission for pursuing higher education, seeking employment, or preparing for competitive exams, tasks that demand significant dedication and time—something the Indian society often struggles to accommodate.

In my role as the elder daughter, societal expectations regarding marriage have consistently generated intense pressure from relatives. Surprisingly, my parents, in contrast to the prevailing norms, have been remarkably supportive, never imposing the urgency of marriage on me and instead encouraging my educational pursuits. Coming from a background where pursuing research, especially among my female peers, is uncommon, attaining postgraduate education is an achievement in itself.

During my postgraduate days, aspiring to reach the pinnacle of success, unaware that society would resent my future choices.

Recollections of numerous marriage proposals from relatives during what was deemed the "right" age for marriage serve as a testament to the prevalent mindset. However, my unwavering ambition for academic excellence and the pursuit of a more impactful life position made it clear that matrimony was not on my immediate agenda. Despite persistent societal concern, my parents remain remarkably composed, maintaining a steadfast belief in the importance of my educational journey. They consistently champion my decision to prioritize my studies and personal happiness, embodying a refreshing departure from the conventional societal expectations that continue to persist.

Capture the moment when my parents dropped me off at BHU for my Ph.D. Witness the pride and joy radiating from their faces.

Another challenge we've faced revolves around the persistent inquiry into the completion of our Ph.D. It's not merely confined to relatives; even friends from diverse backgrounds, whether settled in marriage or jobs, contribute to this ongoing scrutiny. This questioning has reached a point where I've opted to withdraw from social gatherings, distancing myself from individuals who casually probe with remarks like, "Your studies seem to be never-ending" or "If you don't marry now, it might never happen." Such inquiries not only challenge our educational pursuits but also question the very essence of our existence and the purpose we currently serve.

The impact extends beyond personal interactions; these persistent questions have led to a conscious disassociation from individuals who manipulate our parents, exerting societal pressure on them. This pressure, ostensibly for the sake of societal norms, fails to consider the well-being and aspirations of individuals. The same society that remains indifferent if unfavorable circumstances befall us after marriage suddenly becomes the arbiter of our life choices. Let me be clear—I acknowledge the significance of marriage; it's a pivotal phase of life. However, it should not come at the expense of our careers, and certainly not at the cost of the degrees we are passionately pursuing.

I express these thoughts because I've witnessed friends navigating the complexities of balancing in-laws, spouses, parents, studies, and their personal lives. It's disheartening to see brilliant minds facing such challenges. While I deeply respect those who persevere through post-marriage studies, it shouldn't be a norm. Pursuing higher education is a personal choice, and societal norms should not hinder it. Although society is evolving, there's still a gap in understanding that needs to be bridged for the benefit of women's lives. I hope my fellow women resonate with these thoughts, having possibly faced similar challenges. Stay strong, stand up for your happiness. Our parents wish to see us successful and joyful. Take care, everyone.

Life changing encounters in Research😇

Greetings, everyone! It's truly delightful to reconnect with all of you. 

The journey of finding genuine connections in life can be challenging, and I, too, once believed that people might have hidden motives. However, my perspective shifted during the past four years of research, where I encountered some remarkable individuals.🙂 They not only altered my outlook on life but also played a crucial role in my personal growth. Previously prone to repeating mistakes without much reflection, being surrounded by such positive influences has led to substantial improvement and a more open-minded approach. In this blog, I'll highlight a few individuals and their meaningful impact on reshaping my understanding of life. While I aim to keep this narrative more general, these encounters have transformed me into a better person, equipped to face life's challenges with composure and a genuine smile.

Let me kick off by expressing gratitude for my dear friend, Sakshi Singh❤. She was the first person I encountered when I joined the Ph.D. program, and as a newcomer in the town, her unwavering support made everything from relocation to documentation a breeze. Her assistance was genuinely selfless and authentic. Since our meeting in 2019, she remains a constant, unchanged pillar of support. I can count on her for even the smallest things, and her compassion knows no bounds. Two valuable lessons I've learned from her:

1)Maintain resilience, smile through challenges, and extend kindness regardless of life's curveballs.

2)Foster good intentions; positive vibes attract positivity. 

Sharing a snapshot of our journey:

Now, let's shift our focus to Ashutosh Anand, the next person in line. Introduced to me through Sakshi, their decade-long friendship showcases the beauty of enduring camaraderie. Despite our apparent differences, Ashutosh's bold transition from pursuing a Ph.D. to venturing into the corporate sector left a lasting impression. While his critiques about my traditional choices and submissive nature initially seemed irrelevant,😒 I later acknowledged the validity of his perspective. From his constructive criticism, I gleaned two valuable lessons:

1)Women should assertively stand by their choices, resisting societal or familial pressures.

2)Embracing life's challenges and taking risks is essential for personal growth; comfort zones seldom foster development. 

The trio of musketeers🥳:

The group of individuals whom I hold in eternal admiration comprises my lab members. As someone with zero prior knowledge of laboratory skills, my seniors played a pivotal role in shaping me into someone capable of overseeing our lab's responsibilities. Upon entering my Ph.D., Dr. Rakesh Kumar Singh, Dr. Lav Kumar Jaiswal, and Ms. Tanmayee Nayak served as my seniors. Initially uncertain about my ability to thrive in this environment, their consistent appreciation instilled confidence in me. They not only brought out the best in my experimental work, results analysis, and paper writing but also provided personal support in navigating imposter syndrome amid their own pressures. They stand as an unwavering support system.

Following them, Garima Kandwal joined as my junior, and it's almost surreal how blessings sometimes manifest. Concerned about managing once my seniors departed, Garima entered our lab, adding an extra dose of spice and cheese to our lives. From this collective experience, I've gleaned two valuable lessons:

1)Humanity should take precedence over professionalism in the workplace.

2) Empowering others' growth can turn you into a guiding angel for someone in need.

Presenting the five of us:😎

Concluding this composition with the belief that you, too, have such uplifting individuals in your life. If not, remain patient—I discovered them after nearly 25 years. Stay positive and hopeful; good things and people often come when least expected.🙂😇

The weekday routine of a Ph.D. scholar

Hello, everyone! I trust you're all doing well. In this blog, I'll provide you with a glimpse into the daily life of a Ph.D. scholar. Out of our 24-hour day, a substantial 10 to 12 hours are dedicated to the lab, where we engage in experiments, paper writing, article reading, and data analysis, all while fervently wishing each passing minute brings us closer to successfully meeting those haunting deadlines.

Let's start with the early morning routine. The need to rise early isn't for exercise or meditation, although I have immense respect for those who manage it. Instead, it's to prepare breakfast and lunch,😒😒 taking approximately an hour. While the mess and tiffin facilities are options, many of us prefer at least one homemade meal a day, considering the ongoing battle on the health front. Therefore, a significant amount of time is invested in scrutinizing the food we eat.

Following the morning routine, including the daily bathing ritual, everyone rushes to the lab with a plan in mind, primarily focusing on avoiding scolding's from supervisors😷. Daily progress and future plans must be reported to them.

Transitioning to the mid-morning to evening routine, upon reaching the lab, we declutter the mess from the previous day and proceed with the scheduled experiments. Personally, a day without planned experiments leaves me feeling aimless, while an overwhelming workload induces a sense of being overburdened and anxious. There seems to be no in-between. Other paperwork is part of the equation but is typically completed just moments before the deadline. The reality is that many people may be well-managed, but they are certainly not Ph.D. scholars. Ph.D. entails mastering the art of procrastination.😢😢😟

Every scholar faces unique problems, and our Indian way of dealing with them is summed up as "Just have a cup of tea," or more accurately, a "cutting chai." We willingly invest significant sums—over hundreds of rupees at times—in caffeine intake to boost morale and alleviate anxiety. Tea breaks become a crucial coping mechanism, whether during crucial experiments or with someone fetching it for us to withstand the pressure of work. So, chai is a major component of our daily life, and I personally cannot survive without it. 💕

By evening, the results of our experiments surface, and that's when the real roller coaster of emotions kicks in. If the results are favorable, it's a triumphant moment, feeling like we can conquer the world. However, if they're not in our favor, we start questioning our existence. We wrap up our work and leave the labs by 7 pm, praying to survive the path we've chosen.

Moving on to the night routine, after ample rest, we consider dinner options and ways to feel good about a challenging or average day. As girls, we must daily ensure to talk with our parents, addressing safety concerns since we are away from home. Constant efforts are made to reassure our parents about our health and safety, making it a crucial part of our day. With that, we set our beds and go to sleep, ready to face another day as a research scholar.

So, this is a snapshot of our weekdays. You might be wondering about our productivity, but the reality is that we're striving to be productive every day in our thoughts and actions. In Ph.D., productivity is measured after years of constant struggle.😐😑 So, never question our efforts and productivity. See you all in the next blog. Until then, stay happy!

How I landed into PhD

 Hello again! Following my initial introduction to the blog, let me share a bit more about myself, my background, and my journey into the world of PhD. I'm Anuja Kakkar, hailing from a small city in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. My educational journey started in a convent school, and initially, I envisioned myself becoming a medical practitioner like many others who chose biology as their major in 12th grade.

However, due to insufficient guidance and financial constraints, I found myself pursuing BSc at a government college with the parallel ambition of becoming a doctor. After a year of hard realization, I abandoned the dream of becoming a doctor and fully immersed myself in BSc. At that point, I wasn't even aware of the possibility of pursuing a PhD, as my primary goal was to become a lecturer in a degree college. I was intrigued by the life of a government degree college lecturer but lacked the knowledge of how to pursue that path and didn't make much effort to find out😕.

While thoroughly enjoying my studies in botany and zoology, I decided to pursue higher studies. Unfortunately, due to a lack of guidance, I ended up taking a different direction, pursuing MSc in Microbiology, leaving behind my major subjects of botany and zoology. Despite being selected for some prestigious universities, I chose a new college where our batch was the first for MSc Microbiology . Many of my friends and colleagues regretted studying applied subjects, citing limited job opportunities and intense competition. I must admit that core subjects have their unique importance, but this isn't a strict rule.

During my MSc days, I learned about the CSIR exam, which grants eligibility for the role of assistant professor and provides a fellowship for pursuing a PhD. Although I qualified for NET (eligible for Assistant Professor),it has been nearly six years without clearing JRF (Ph.D. Fellowship), so you can expect some regular financial rants in my blog 😃. Despite the challenges, I managed to secure admission to BHU, my dream university, and enrolled in the Integrated PhD program. Currently, I'm in my fourth year of PhD, sharing my experiences with you and shedding light on when to embark on research in India, how to choose a lab and research area, and managing financial issues if you find yourself in a similar situation 😔😜.

That's a brief overview of my journey. Looking forward to connecting with you in the next post. Stay happy and tuned!

Introductory post about the blog

Greetings, everyone! A heartfelt welcome to my blog where I delve into the daily routine of an Indian female research scholar. Join me as I explore the intricacies of our days, the challenges we encounter, our continuous battle with imposter syndrome, and most importantly, how we navigate our personal lives amidst the chaos.

While I could have focused solely on the life of a PhD scholar, I've chosen to hone in on the experiences of Indian female scholars. This decision stems from a recognition that females encounter unique struggles. It's not about promoting feminism but acknowledging that both genders face specific challenges. As my awareness is more attuned to the female perspective, I'll earnestly share that aspect of the story. Men, too, grapple with their own set of challenges, but my focus remains on shedding light on the female narrative. I trust you'll find this exploration both entertaining and insightful. Stay tuned for the next blog installment. Until then, happy reading!