Hi readers,
It feels so good to write here, after a long (so long, in fact)
gap. How are you all doing? I’m doing great, did you know, I have now joined
M.Tech (Biotechnology) in Anna University, Chennai. And, after 20 years of life
under the warmth of my parent’s wings, I have finally managed to spread my own
wings, out of home. Yes, I have come out of my kutty (small) town, to a big
city – Chennai. It feels good in one way but the other? No! It’s not feeling so
good the other way. After coming here, I have realized that I was away from the
so much polluted world for 20 years. This place, because of tremendous
industrial development and stuffs, is polluted extremely, that you should cover
your head, face, hands, foot, literally, all your body parts except eyes to
keep you clean and safe from the poisonous, dusty, dirty air! Ah, forgot, you
should wear big coolers to protect your eyes too. Sometimes, it feels like
there is not more than 10% of O2 in the air! Villages, towns – Rural
areas are heavens to live in, but, I came running to this city to achieve
something; to breathe some dirt; to experience how it feels really to be
independent and motivated towards a goal; and, to go crazy; to study like I have
never did; to feel, try and learn everything under the sky; to make a new
episode of my life!
It’s very challenging in India, especially for a girl from a
small town, for a girl from an orthodox background to get out of home and go
behind her dreams. After facing, so many distractions, “get married” advice, I
finally convinced my parents that I would like to get out of my town, away from
their warmth, avoiding their spoon feeds. I proudly was explaining them that
how I cleared the entrance and how much stipend amount I’ll be getting every
month, so that, they need not take care of my expenditure anymore! I was
building so many beautiful castles in air with the thought of getting stipend
and spending it for my food, shelter, clothing, books and if possible a small
tour. Wondering, how much is the stipend money? It is just 8000 INR :P and it
WILL NOT be sufficient even for basic needs if I’m spending it, without being a
little stingy! And, yes, I was planning
so much with that 8000 INR.
Do science! |
At last, convinced my parents, came here, joined. And, the
best part of the story starts here. It’s been 3months since I joined M.Tech,
and, I had not received stipend, even for a single month! So sad, right? First
month end, I asked my dad, “money”. He dint ask about the stipend, but, I felt
so much embarrassed and started explaining him that I would get 16k altogether,
at the end of next month. He said, “It’s fine, even if you don’t get it!” But,
it dint feel good for me!
When we (all poor students of my class) asked about the
stipend in the university department, they said that they dint receive the
funds yet. I don’t know, what the problem IS, but, it is JUST not right! Every
other student in my class, having left their home town, having travelled so
long, from all the corners of the country, are just SO MUCH worried because of
this. We know that we would receive the stipend money for all the months, for
the whole years, totally around 2lacs, for sure, without fail, but the question
is, “WHEN?” The stipend is meant for supporting the student’s expenditure, but,
what is the idea of giving it after a long… long… gap? It won’t be of any use
if we receive it, after completing M.Tech, after finding a job! We need it now;
we need it to take care of ourselves and to proceed with our research. And, I seriously
understood the reality why every Indian student wants to fly abroad for doing
MS. At least, they would get the stipend on time, there!
Money!!! Stipend! :( |
If this is the case, YOU people, who are in charge of this
stipend amount, don’t announce or promise that we would receive a monthly
stipend! I know, writing here, will not move a brick, but, still, just to vent
my frustration out!
Sorry, for venting out all the dirt over you. You researcher,
just GO, run your gels, heat up your PCR (I don't know why, but I really, love this guy) machine, work, research, toil, not to receive anything out of it, but
satisfaction of going behind your dream. After all, I’m happy that I’m doing
what I love! You too? Yaai, Cheers to
us! Got a doubt? About the "scientist" mentioned in the title," It's me :P"
Yes, lets do it! |
But, look around, life is so much beautiful with big red roses all around and
very little, less thorns! What do you say?
Welcome to Chennai :) and congratulations :)
ReplyDeleteThank you :)
DeleteHave heard this issue with many of my classmates when I was doing my master degree. They ll get their stipends once every 6 months or so. Seems like the situation haven't change even after so many years. Universities abroad offer part time jobs inside the campus (teaching assistants, library incharge etc) to cover the needs of students. Moreover, classes here are not 9 to 5 like India, but 3 hour sessions and student has the liberty to choose number of classes to attend per semester (gives more time for research and part-time work). My wife studied in Anna Univ. and when she got her work selected for a poster presentation in a conference in Poland, she couldn't go as it was too complicated (impossible in a way) to get the travel and conference expenses covered by the institution.
ReplyDeleteTime to change the way education system works in our country.
Yeah, the system should change, but, don't know when it is going to!
DeleteAll the best Kanmani, more to come!! (jus kidding)
ReplyDeleteGlad you received your stipend now! This is the first time I'm reading this blog. Excellent narration!
Thank you so much, Aavi :)
Delete