A quick rewind ...

You know how sometimes one can just keep going in life with such a preoccupied mind oblivious to everything around and then a sudden realization becomes a speed breaker?....Well, today I happen to realize that I have come a long way in a journey I embarked upon seven years ago and now it is time to halt and reflect upon it for a little while. If I think back it is amazing how I have been racing through life mugging for written exams, fretting over oral exams, meeting deadlines for experiments, writing reports for laboratory classes, preparing for entrance exams and the list goes on as it would for any normal student. November 2nd 2005 was the day I landed in the country much popular for its autobahns and the beer festival among many other things – Germany. In frenzy, I had chosen a career in basic science. Infact, I must admit that I was left with no choice since I refused to get associated with engineering or computers and with old fashioned parents who couldn’t digest this fact, this was the least I could do for them ! Well, it didn’t hurt me much either because I actually enjoyed learning physics at Stella Maris College to the extent that I was motivated to change course little bit and aim for a Masters in Materials Science, a subject that I thought would train me to join one of the defense labs in India later on. Three years of Bachelors in Chennai, my abode for all the 20 years that I had walked on this planet, made me realize I need to get out and be on my own and see the world a little bit. That didn’t happen because (un)fortunately I had earned a seat in the department of Materials Science at Anna university a much reputed college in Chennai and also known for its campus placements. Being the only child for my parents there was no asking what I did next. However, after a year I had, what I call a lucky break – I was selected to participate in the 55th meeting of Nobel Laureates and students in July 2005 at Lindau, Germany. This is the best thing that has ever happened to me in life and I must admit I enjoyed every single moment. About 50 Nobel Laureates and students from all over the world coming together on a common platform – it was truly a dream come true! I was also presented with an opportunity to complete my Master thesis and some course work at University of Stuttgart. This time, I played the ‘only child’ trump card carefully…..

After successful completion of my Masters in Stuttgart I once again changed course and set out to work towards a doctoral degree in Nanoscience in yet another country - Denmark. Denmark is beautiful! I am definitely not a 'nobel prize material' but I am happy to be what I am today making whatever little contribution I can towards the field of nanocatalysis. It has been a long exhausting journey and I am still not there as yet but I know I will be there soon. What next? Well- Life is pretty full at the moment – I have had my share of bumps and I have realized that nothing is stagnant and what is down has to go up and vice versa. Life has been like a wheel and the spokes of support were the people very close to my heart. Many things have changed post Stella Maris days. I wonder what would have happened had I stayed on in Chennai, my most safe and comfortable zone, well….I think I would have missed out on several amazing things that happened and changed my life forever !! :-)