Big decision/action of recent time - PhD | D Phil

Currently I am a PhD student of the Centre for Environment at the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati. It's part time, but still, isn't this wow? surprise ! surprise !

Let me take the readers back to the last post on this topic published in Aug 2016. In that post, after much deliberations, I ruled out applying for fulltime PhD in outside India universities. Part time PhD in any Indian universities is something I wanted to revisit later.

For An Autobiography: Time for a full time PhD from a reputed university abroad ?

I remember the discussion with Utpal Nath Da, visit to IIT Delhi and the different thoughts that I penned in the blogpost. After joining NSDC, I didn't put much thought on PhD. One important reason being the cost, rather the loss of not earning at this crucial period of my career. Also, the life of an academician never attracted me. 

The IITG visit: Things changed slowly when I visited IITG for the Vision-2047 exercise on 14-15 March 2023. I was there in the guest house for 2 nights and spoke at the workshop on the topic of Skill and Education. I had the opportunity to speak to a number of people (including the IITG director) to propagate my idea of initiating public policy dialogue in NE India. Karuna Da asked a very pertinent question- even if I IITG starts a policy school, how would they include zing without a PhD? Any academic institute needs a PhD degree, and in NE India, academic institutions can only push for an infrastructure & logistics needed for a policy school. He is right!

From the IITG guest house, I emailed Mr. Hoque, the chancellor of USTM, following up my conversation while being an Oxford student. He was nice enough to reply, but I have not been able to meet him physically until now.

Karuna Da kept pushing and reminding to apply for the part time PhD at IITG since that meeting. I also started thinking the need for PhD from a different lens. This is not to win noble prize, or research at something which is not letting me sleep, rather fulfil an obligation so that an alternate route emerges leading me towards a different career eventually. Life after 50 years should be different than the life I am currently living- I am sure of this. If something can be done with minimum effort, why not? Astrologer said I am at the peak of my life's position; let's try something challenging as God will help (I wish!). Thus, a decision has been made.

At the interview hall

Application process: Making a decision is difficult, but continuing the subsequent steps with that decision is even more difficult. Devils lie in details always. 

The online application process was smooth. Per suggestion from Karuna Da, I applied for three departments- Environment, Energy and School of business, paying INR 300/- each. I had to work on getting 2 things- NOC from employer and the OBC certificate. The second one as received as part of Basundhara application. For NOC, I just thought of Mukesh and decided not to write to HR directly. Atul was nice enough to write desired sentences over the email and I submitted the same as NOC. I did another thing- I requested HR to give me an experience certificate in the letter head. I submitted these two letters. However, the NOC in the format of IITG was never submitted. I was scared of this 'loophole', apprehensive of a probable cancellation, until the first class at IITG gets over.

I was shortlisted for interview from all the 3 departments. The interview for the Centre for Environment (headed by Utpal Da), which was also our (Karuna Da and mine) first choice, held on 18 May, the first of the three. It was weird feeling for me sitting and waiting in the interview hall among the 'kids' of mid to late twenties. One of the interviewers commented being a CS graduate and Digital professional, I should try for other department, not environment. Overall, it went good, and I decided not to appear in the interviews of the other two departments. Karuna da also confirmed my name is in the recommendation list, of course, the final list to be put up by academic department will be considered final.

2 June- the memorable day: I got a telephonic call on 1 June morning hours from IITG Academic section asking me to submit OBC-NCL certificate as I have been shown selected for PhD under that category from the centre for environment. I told I am not NCL, and need to be considered under general. I didn't think even twice after cutting the call. By evening, Karuna Da called with Utpal Da in line. They informed that the selection categories are fixed and can't be altered. I should have applied as general if I don't have NCL certificate. I told there was no field in the application form to indicate only OBC. By evening I got an email from the centre for environment that if I don't submit OBC-NCL by 3 June (i.e. next day), my selection will be cancelled. 

I was stunned! angry at my own foolishness! Karuna Da was helpless!

The condition for NCL is that your parents' income should be less than 8 Lakh per year. Utpal Da emphasized it is parents' income, not the applicant's. Unsure, still, I calculated Maa's income. With the increase in DA, if I consider Maa's last one year salary it exceeds 8 Lakh by a few bucks. But it is just under 8 Lakh if I consider last FY. Should I try?

I will remember 2 June in my life, so as the DC office workers, officials, the mondol in particular, and maybe IITG admission people. People told it is a record to get OBC-NCL in one day. Nobody has ever got that. I won't forget the support provided by Bhaiti Da and Manik until the time I would be in PhD business. Maybe I should write a separate post only for the events of this day!!

On admission day, infront of Umiam hostel

I sent the NCL certificate to IIG email-iD at 8 PM, after the office hours. I followed up in the later days whether academic section has indeed received the certificate. Apart from Karuna Da, Dhruba Da and Dada also helped.

Admission day: 24 July is the admission day at IITG. From 2 June until today, I was busy with Rodali's annaprasanna. The fee payment was done at the online portal (with hostel fee included) securing the seat at IITG. Prior to the admission day, Maa accompanied me to Guwahati as Moina's delivery date was due. She accompanied me to IITG on admission day along with BD and Junma.

I was allotted Umiam hostel. I did visit the hostel, but could not convince myself to go back to small room- common latrine mode again. I was afraid of the NOC thing, but things went smoothly. Had lunch at Manas hostel mess.

The next day witnessed the orientation session at the Bhupen Hazarika auditorium. New processes, ID card, new SAC rules, hostel menu, email ID, portal link, app, new circle, new course, library, computer centre, admin people, professors- its a whole new world. I wish I could devote my 100% to enjoy this 'newness'. I wish this would have happened while I was unmarried. I wish this would have started while I was killing time post Oxford. I wish many things.... but der aaye durusth aaye! 

First class on 39th birthday: As per IITG PhD system, I have to finish coursework of total 24 credit points (every lecture class carrying 6 credits) within next 2 semesters. I tried whether online NPTEL/SAYAM courses contributes to the same; learnt that IITG senate is yet to approve such courses. I decided to take two courses in this sem and two in next sem. One course on renewable energy system by Pankaj Da and another on globalization and sustainable development by one young fellow called Agnirup Sarkar. I discussed with both of them about my attendance issues and requested assistance.

In between, I became Mama on 30 July (planned date was 1 Aug). I was in Ghy with Nina for a NKTv recording and to attend first class at IITG on my birthday. We were able to attend the birth moment at KGMT.

It was so amazing to be back to the classroom after a decade. The first class was at 9 AM class and then again at 5 PM. I can immediately spot the difference in the way of teaching in Oxford vs IIT. At times, I want to become a student completely and delve deeper. Then I tell myself, "no need, just have the concept to secure minimum CPA". But if you ask me how much I am worried about assignment, project work, mid and end semester exam. Oh, a lot! How I can pull this courses amidst Rodali, CSoD and other stuff- let's see and seek God's blessings.

I am grateful to: Karuna Da, Atul Singh, Bhaiti Da, Manik, Utpal Da, Dhruba Da, Pankaj Da, Sutradhar Mondol, family members (Dada, Nina, Maa), Hrishikesh Da just to name a few.

Way forward: In the short term, I am only focusing on completing the coursework. Karuna Da kept pushing some stuffs, but I am not able to manage time. I just hope FSP project gets extended by a year and my WFH continues until I complete the next semester. In between, if Nina can pulls something which requires me to relocate to Guwahati, even better. Thought of applying for married hostel, Nina is not interested. I hope Rodali will have a smooth sailing and additional attention is not needed for next one year. 

New identity

In the long term, I am not sure. Sometime I think of taking a break or even resigning and focus on PhD by some exchange programme with other university abroad. If IITG open policy schools, and if they are ok recruiting me at min Associate Professor level, I would be happy to apply. Sometimes I think I might not be able to complete the PhD at all. At other times, I think of collaborating with Govt departments and do an excellent job in the PhD work. Hope I would be able to complete this before I turn 45. I may go to academia post I turn 50- I also think that way sometimes now-a-days. Summary, I have kept all options open in the long term.