Denton,
Texas:
Our Merry Christmas started from December 14 itself, when we touched
down the city of Denton, Texas to attend what I call as the crowning of our PhD
graduate, Remya. Embarrassed I am to say, but yet admit my ignorance, that I
considered it another graduation ceremony and family celebration time. Up
until, I got a few minutes with Remya and in between coffee sips, I learnt the backbreaking
work that goes behind the study of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). Completing a PhD
involves unbeatably sleepless nights of hard work, perseverance and sheer
dedication, I deem its double an achievement staying away from family, fighting
all odds of depression, standing by your sincerity that might be fiddled a bit
owing to some miser politics, surviving and thriving on meager income and
fighting some unanticipated health issues makes this day of receiving the
doctorate a day etched in time, an immovable milestone and a day of pride!
So,
as we sneak in the auditorium of Texas Woman’s University (TWU) and hustle our
way to the seats, we hear the call of announcing PhD graduates. I sat awestruck
and feel so small hearing the thesis/ dissertation that each student has
completed on topics so relevant and much needed. Topics like - ‘Effectiveness of Video Modeling on Motor
Performance for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder’, ‘Fighting for Hope:
The Criminalization of Trauma in Justice Involved in Girls’ Lives and stories
of Resilience From a Juvenile Prison’, ‘Predictors of Cardiac Arrest in Rapid Response
Systems’, ‘Brain Activism following Constraint-Inducement Movement Therapy
Using Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy in Stroke Patients’.
Hearing such
fabulous topics of thesis, my mind raced to surmise that we might not need
batman and superman, but a bunch of these PhD Superheroes can turn the world
around and make the planet and our lives a much better happy place to live in. “And now”, exclaimed the announcer, and I gathered my thoughts back into the
auditorium, “Remya Ammasam Veetil, topic- ‘Polyethylene Glycol Copolymer
Nanocarriers: Biocompatibility, Uptake and Intracellular Trafficking in
Neurons”. With great pride and adorning her academic regalia, our lady walked
up the pedestal (with some butterflies in her stomach) to receive her hood,
and Team Remya (us) on the other side, rooted for her with equal pride and
excitement. With a vote of thanks from the Chancellor of the TWU and with the University
anthem in the backdrop, the young graduates marched out a triumphant march.
In
the lawns outside, Dr. Remya, introduced us to her faculty, her guide/mentor and
fellow recipients of the hood. With a few clicks, many congratulations and
delicious graduation lunch, we headed home to relax our heels and minds, when
Dr. Remya handed over a copy of her dissertation. Though most of it seemed
Greek to me, but I was touched upon the acknowledgement page, where she
acknowledged her parents and brothers for being her pillars of strength and
Sumod, her husband for being the rock support and carrying her through the
tumultuous journey in completing the PhD. I second that Dr. Remya, way to go! It'll soon be a payback time, as we now roll our eyes to the next graduation and the next Dr. in line –
Sumod Sebastian….
