It was a lifelong dream to complete her doctorate. When she finally did, it was with her daughter
SORRY MA’AM, BUT you cannot go in. University elections are on, only students are allowed inside,” said the burly police constable at the front gate of Delhi University.
“Yes, I am a student. Please let me in,” I said.
“Uhm, no, you are not a student. Are you faculty? A lecturer?” “No.”
“Then I’m afraid you can’t enter.”
“You don’t understand. I am a student! Look, this is my student ID.”
“Duplicate IDs can be easily acquired. Sorry, we cannot let you in.” “What?! I have a test! I’m getting late. See this is my other ID. I’m a Government of India officer. I would never show you a duplicate.”
“How can I be certain? Aap toh student lagti nahin ho.” (You don’t look like a student at all.)
I sighed in frustration. I knew the road to earn a PhD would be rough, but I certainly did not foresee this! But how could I blame the guard? He was doing his job. After all, how many 50-something students do you meet normally?
A Flying Start
I had always excelled in my studies. By the time I completed my Master’s in Economics from the Delhi School of Economics in 1985, I was sure that I wanted to get a PhD—the highest academic qualification in a field of study. Young, brimming with confidence and assured by the belief and support of my family, I dived right into the challenge. What I didn’t know was just how elusive some goals can be.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 2019-Ausgabe von Reader's Digest India.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 2019-Ausgabe von Reader's Digest India.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Have Child, Will Travel
Bringing my kid on my around-the-world adventures helped me see her in new and unexpected ways
As Gods Among Us
A photographer explores the gamut of India’s ritual performers who embody deities as a form of worship
My stutter, Myself
If others don't notice my stutter, can I really call myself a stutterer?
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Modification
A Queensland mechanic customizes bikes so veterans can get riding again
I Tried It...Exercises to Relieve Tech Neck
I STARE AT MY phone for five hours a day.
The Upside of Getting Lost
I was in the woods with my family and we'd lost our way. My phone was dead. It was getting dark. How could this possibly be a good thing?
A MOTHER'S CONVICTION
AFTER ALL FOUR OF KATHLEEN FOLBIGG'S CHILDREN DIED IN INFANCY, A COURT FOUND HER GUILTY OF MURDER. TWENTY YEARS LATER, SCIENCE FINALLY UNCOVERED THE TRUTH
KITT THE COURAGEOUS K-9
Officer Bill Cushing needed a partner. His dog needed a purpose. Together, they rescued each other
Lite, Unplugged
Could you get through seven days without looking at a device? I tried—here’s what happened
GET A GREEN(ER) THUMB
Whether you love digging in the dirt, planting seeds and reaping the bounty that bursts forth, or find the whole idea of gardening intimidating, this spring offers the promise of a fresh start.