Hi, I am Bhaswati

This is my first ever blog, and I choose to write about the most dynamic six and a half years of my life. As an early career researcher, I was really excited to add a “Dr.” in front of my name. But this blog is not about that part. As they say, life is all about the journey, not the destination. When I was walking toward the degree, the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur was writing the most beautiful pages of my diary I did my master’s at the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, one of India’s most picturesque campuses. When I first entered IITK, I was heartbroken: no lakes, no hills, no riverside tea stall. But life happens, and you have to accept it, so I put on the lab coat and started taking baby steps. As days passed, IITK became more of my home than an academic institution. Like every Ph. D. student, I also had an emotional roller coaster ride in the initial years, so much so that I decided to quit at one point. But I couldn’t, because like every Indian mom, my mom also said “beta, thoda adjust karle, thoda aur dheeraj rakh (adjust a little more and have patience)”. So I stayed, became more patient, and learnt to neglect negativity. I started focusing on my work and my life. I realized I needed something else to look forward to after lab hours, some outlet for the everyday fatigue and frustration of the Ph. D. life. This is how I started getting involved in extracurriculars: hostel management committee, dance club, drama club, etc. This is the biggest contribution of IITK to my life, which is why IITK will always be special. I wouldn’t learn how to multitask, face a crowd, hold meetings and take responsibility, and accept challenges if not for IITK. I did things I never did in my life because I knew it not now then never. Each day, I learned to put more faith in my capabilities. As Ph. D. students we face failure frequently, and I learned how to look forward. That doesn’t mean that I didn’t cry or I didn’t give up temporarily, but then I stood up again and looked forward. Academically, I was lucky to be blessed with a superb Ph. D. supervisor. Yes, he did put a lot of pressure on me in the beginning but then, when I look back today, I know it was needed; that pressure made me what I am today. And once I learned to accept that, he magically transformed into the most supportive person ever. I had long discussions with him regarding my thesis, my personal life, and much more. I didn’t realize when the lab, which used to be just an office space, turned into my comfort space. I was blessed to have good friends who made every day an experience. I knew I would always have people to have emotional conversation or meaningless blabberings. IITK will be special in many ways that can not be described in words. Waking up to the Peacock’s call, the hostel breakfast, the 11 o’clock break at CC canteen, evening “Chaye” at MT, the calming city view from SAC rooftop, the late night walks, the overnight rehearsals at SAC…memories as fresh as yesterday. People often ask me, “how did you survive in Indian academia for so long and still not pissed of at it?” I don’t know the exact answer to it, but possibly because IITK was and will always be The Hogwarts for me, there was magic in every corner of IITK which touched my life…