Its Different...

I did not have the intention to write this blog, especially at this moment, when I think I am sinking beneath all my pending works, and also when I see some more coming towards me. But somehow, something unseen instigated me and here I am collecting all my thoughts and penning down whatever that is possible. We all see dreams and out of those innumerable ones, there is always one very specific that remains with us which we aspire to achieve one day, and no matter what, we do not leave any stone unturn to nurture that. There are innumerable jokes concerning the full form of PhD...one popular being 'Permanent Head Damage or 'Passed High School with Difficulty.' (Yes it is funny...indeed). Pizza hut even came up with their own version; as Pizza Home Delivery. But for us, who have taken the oath of fulfilling the uncountable assignments and meeting deadlines, the term definitely does not hold the same. It is far more deeper than what normally is understood. It is a job for 24 X 7, where there are no scheduled breaks...no scheduled holidays...nor scheduled pay checks. So the question remains what then you have?? I am not the right one to give a constructive answer to this...but yes we have one thing which probably today a lot of people lacks...A LIFE..! Again, don't mistake me when I say this, as we all know no ones life is perfect. You gotta take everything with a pinch of salt. So basically what is PhD ?? You are given 4 to 5 years, with everything that you require and come up with something absolutely original. You think that is easy??? Try leaving your high collar job, living on something called 'stipend' and not salary and doing this.It indeed is a challenge. Everyone of us who are right now in their PhD years or the ones who already has the name tag, will agree with me that we are special. Please, that however does not mean that we are 'god's special child' or moreover 'god's favorite child.' No absolutely not. We are special because we all are idiot enough to leave something so lucrative that would have set your life forever. But no, we had to come here, be in the world of PhDs and get regular police interrogation from your parents. Yes, we are different ! We are probably the only adults in the world who can afford to get up in a Monday morning at 10 am and still not get penalized, we are also the only ones who does not have to see the boss's face everyday (but there shall always be an unseen string which will inevitably pull you around) and we are definitely the only ones who have the highest access to free food ! So you see, its not easy to have a Permanent Head Damage, however. One thing that god gives us with both hands is Patience. But however, if seen from the other side, I guess you have to have patience, because you don't have a choice. I mean even an impatient and psychotic person like me, is eventually filled up with too much of patience that you practically turned stoic. Yes, your nervous system will die slowly and the sense organs will scream and cry and say 'sorry but we can't react anymore....give us a break.' Probably you would start relating yourself with Camus's Outsider. But hey...! Do not worry, because in PhD, this is 'normal.' You are ultimately coming in the ZONE. Hmmmph...!
                       Our laptops and computers are our lives. All the Lenovos and Compaqs and Hps even Microsoft should honor us, as we take them in living forms.We believe they too have emotions, sentiments, and whom do you punch, when that right sentence does not come correctly ??? Of course your beloved laptop, because you know it will never retort you back. So, its a request...take care of your beloved by regular servicing..!! The most exciting part in a PhD life, is that it differs from person to person. There is no objective view, or any theoretical framework (oopss) that can sufficiently suffice or explain why it is so. We are always taught to answer this basic question...SO WHAT, but the funny part remains that the answer to this question if concerning your own life, does not necessary be sublime. Its HELL in one word. The  interesting element is your supervisor, or guide, or mentor, or boss...or your Biggest enemy..!! Now thats what you call is 'irony.' He or she will most definitely have the most inquisitive look, you will ever come across and shall retain that even when you are done speaking, wondering whether to proceed or not, when you shall have an abrupt end to your valuable thought process with the most significant question ever, coming from the other side...'SO??' And you shall be like...'wooooww the last 10 mins were sooo meaningless.' Being dumb is also not a choice, because if you are quite you shall be bombarded with so many words, half of which shall be Hebrew to you, and without much understanding your head will simply nod. And if you have happened to cross that stage, then welcome to the next one...i.e. choosing your externals. Now, for sure that creature from any distinct planet will always disagree with your boss, and you shall be at the loggers head...Who said its always MBA who teaches you to be diplomatic...??? So by 4 yrs your Yess and Nos shall comprise of May be or I shall keep it in mind. Thats the best way to deal with the questions or comments coming back to you. I liked the PhD movie quite a bit. I won't say it entirely depicts the reality of our lives but that has something close to it. I wonder why isn't Madhur Bhandarkar listening ? If he thinks that academics does not have gossip, he is in for a shock. Academics is much more murkier. The one who lives it will know the best...but I guess its true for every profession. But ours is indeed different.
               Be that as it may, but there is something really unique that PhD offers you which probably any CEO of a company will not achieve. Friendships, Motives, Power and most importantly 'Dr.' No matter where  you are or what you are doing nothing can take away this two lettered word, which would remain till your end...in the truest sense of the term 'death do us part.' It shall build your identity. You will made some amazing friends who will see you rise up and catch you when you will fall....who shall really pat your back and say that things will be all right, of course there shall be occasional black sheeps, but you obviously know how to handle them. There is salt but there is sugar too. So to all my PhD friends....we are truly GREAT..!! So may all the Doctors come through..!!!