Reader’s Digest India – July 2019

My Story

ReadeRsdigest.co.in 77

Getting Busy

For the next five years, I shifted focus to
a new posting at the Rashtrapati Bha-
van. My days were filled with work and
family. Shreya, my elder daughter, was
always mature and independent; just
as serious about academics as I was at
her age. I felt, in hindsight, that maybe
I was not able to give her enough at-
tention and support between my my-
riad responsibilities. When she moved
to London for her Master’s degree in
2010, my younger daughter Shatakshi
was in class 10. I was suddenly struck
by empty-nest syndrome. Would
Shreya settle in the UK? And Shatakshi
was only two years away from college. I
resolved to take a break from work and
spend more time with her.
As a government employee, I could
take a two-year leave for higher edu-
cation. This would allow me to resume
my PhD plan and also be present

by my daughter. By now, my ankle

had also healed completely. So in

December 2012, I started my PhD pro-

gramme, on a topic related to finance,

at Delhi University. My professors

and fellow students looked predict-

ably surprised when I joined class but

soon grew comfortable, friendly and

supportive, often seeking my views,

given my 25-year experience with the

government. By the time I was two

years into my course, Shreya returned

home to explore PhD options in

organizational psychology. It seemed

like the perfect opportunity to part-

ner her on the PhD journey, which

can feel lonely and confusing. While

I navigated her along milestones and

processes—which I had encountered

already—she helped with new soft-

ware and presentation skills. In 2018,

Shreya and I both received our degrees

together—mine after the standard five

years, hers in three and a half.

Staying true to your goal is never

easy. Like bumper cars, life gets in the

way and knocks you off course. But

if you are not truly passionate, it gets

even harder. And perhaps more than

one’s own strength of conviction, is the

power that comes from the support of

people—your family, teachers and

peers—which, I can say with personal

experience, is incredible. The simplest

words of encouragement—‘Yes, you

can do it!’, ‘We believe in you!’, ‘Do what

you want to do, we’re with you!’—

makes all the difference, especially

when you’re on the road less travelled.

WORK AND FAMILY

LEFT ME HAPPY

AND CONTENT.

I’LL GET BACK TO

MY PHD SOON, I

ASSURED MYSELF.