The PhD guide who genuinely guided

Only 2% of the world population completes their post doctorate. Besides the academic and professional impediments, one of the intrinsic rationales behind such a large number of dropouts from PhD degrees, despite scoring admissions in one of the esteemed universities is the guide.

When I cleared my PhD entrance test I was on cloud nine. My father’s aunt, who I believed had come to congratulate me, told my father, “No good man will marry your daughter if she does PhD.” My father well prepared for such conversations replied, “I am happy that no good man will marry her, only the best of best shall marry her.”

Then began the longest and the most exhausting search in human history: The search for the perfect guide. I met people who ad nauseam told me that PhD is a tough nut to crack. There were another dozen who narrated the spine-chilling tales of maltreatment of research scholars at the hands of gruesome guides. Strangely, there were few who altercated on the necessity of political approaches. Finally, all rumours were set aside as I found myself a guide for the PhD and thus began the most cherishing journey of my life.

I remember the winter morning as I waited outside my guide’s room at a prestigious university. A woman draped in a simple attire walked steadily towards me and led me to her room. As I sat silently, she broke the ice by asking me to introduce myself. I answered timidly, fearing she may be judging me. Sensing apprehension in my voice, she smiled and said, “Don’t be afraid of anything in life. You have the capability to move mountains, only if you believe in yourself.”

From that day on, my guide not only supervised my thesis, she motivated me like my mother, cheered me up like a sister, advised me like a friend and was with me through the thick and thin like a companion. When I decided to give up on PhD, she pushed me through it, at times with her scolding, but mostly with sermon. When tough times knocked at my door, she sat there with a fractured foot, detangling my entangled life. She taught me not to be dependent on anyone, be it economically or emotionally. She helped me excel, professionally, academically and also, personally.

After submission of my thesis when the final day of my viva voce presentation came, she was more anxious than I was. When I cleared it, she was more elated than I was.

It is rightly said, “A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination and instil a love of learning.”

I MET PEOPLE WHO NARRATED SPINECHILLING TALES OF MALTREATMENT OF RESEARCH SCHOLARS AT THE HANDS OF GRUESOME GUIDES