Yes, We Can, And We Did!

It was a lifelong dream to complete her doctorate. When she finally did, it was with her daughter

- Mala Dutt

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.