From Chennai to Delhi,Life really took a startling turn.

This being my first blog post, just a little something about myself.

I consider my first Alma Mater, Vidyodaya Girls' Higher Secondary School, Chennai, to be the BEST too... since school gave me most of what I am today, it was the purple hours of my life, with lots of play and lots of fun, lots of studies too!! My teachers never insisted on State ranks or Merit medals, all they taught me was living a life of discipline and decorum, and one filled with love, lots of it!! With love, everything else follows.

Graduating as a vibrant Horticulturalist from Horticultural College and Research Institute, Periyakulam I decided to specialise in Crop Physiology from Agricultural College and Research Institute, Coimbatore as part of my Masters program. At that time, I was more inclined to settle down with a job as soon as possible, so I was on the lookout for the most lucrative job offers for Horticulturalists/Physiologists in my state.

Looking back, I really wonder when was the first time I immersed myself into a book, what is called "The Bible" for Plant Physiologists world over, the one by Lincoln Taiz and Eduardo Zeiger!! And there it all started.... thoughts about a Doctoral program, Post Doc?!!, fellowships, projects....

During the time when my Masters thesis almost drained me of myself, and at a time when most around me were ready to flee at the word 'GO', I thought of a career ahead; not just another Ph.D, but a Ph.D from one of the top institutions for science research in India. (It is of my opinion that getting into a college abroad is relatively easier these days, what with the number of coaching centres who help you master "THE ACCENT", and irrespective of where you land up finally-you are entitled to the status symbol of "such-and-such country-RETURN". Get my point? No offence meant, though!!) Whereas, pushing back a crowd of intelligent, well-educated students, and getting past the rigorous admission procedures of top institutions in India, is one heck of a task.

I aimed at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore... (it still appears to me as "THE" place for doing SCIENCE.) But here I am now, at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. No doubt about its standards with regard to research and development in the various disciplines of Agriculture. I specialise in Plant Physiology (was it in my veins??) It has been a week short to a month's time since I landed up here, and IARI is indeed a place which a person who wants to make it big in the Agricultural research should never miss.Here is EVERYTHING TO GAIN, AND NOTHING TO LOSE.

Life has really taken a startling turn for me; from Chennai, down south to Periyakulam and Coimbatore, and an accelerated U-turn (forgetting to step on the brakes I suppose) right up to Delhi...!! With loads of expectations and a fresh, unused brain I intend to explore the problems and challenges ahead of me. Quoting Emerson, "All our progress is an unfolding, like the vegetable bud, you have first an instinct, then an opinion, then a knowledge, as the plant has root, bud and fruit. Trust the instinct to the end, though you can render no reason", I am looking to surge ahead.