Random Thoughts

You can find Part I here . I moved to Boston in June 2016 with renewed enthusiasm. I was determined to make the most of the combined setup of experimental and theoretical research in the lab. And, let me tell you performing experiments is no easy task. It requires a lot of careful planning and execution, and for statistical robustness, a lot of repetition as well. I have written about this earlier, but it took me close to a year to learn everything and be comfortable about executing it without supervision. Another challenge that I faced as a new experimentalist was my inability to understand what would and wouldn't work as an approach to answer a particular scientific question. This, I struggled with for a while, until I gradually gained enough experience to understand the nitty-gritty of any approach.  Alongside my research, my quest for a healthy personal life continued as before. I became part of the Harvard Postdoctoral Association within the first month of my postdocto...

Traveling through the heart of India presents a completely different picture of the country altogether. I have lived in the large metro cities of south India for most of my life. The last time I traveled, let alone lived in any small city in India was about 15 years ago. So, it is fair to say that I am a complete novice when it comes to the workings of a small city, its people and its culture. This weekend, I decided to travel from Bhopal to Mathura to visit my Aunt and Uncle who moved there a few years ago. Picture this scenario when I got to the Bhopal railway station. Men, young and old are going towards the edge of the platform right where the train tracks are to spit out tobacco that fills their mouths. I look on in disgust also wondering what is this sickness, this addiction that holds an entire generation and hasn't spared even the next. I wonder what the oral cancer incidence rate is in this part of the country. My train arrives, I get onto it and the older gentle...