After spending 5 long years with equations, fomulations, convergence plots and coding I have finally realized why this degree is called the doctor of PHILOSOPHY.

Though it is very difficult to translate the feelings in words, but still in this blog I will try explain how this journey has brought a great shift in my thought process thereby helping me evolve as a better human being.

1) From Heuristics to Metaheuristics

A major portion of my research was based on playing with algorithms derived from natural and biological systems. This has taught me how nature holds the key to all our problems and how by aligning ourselves to nature,we can improve our existing systems.

Swarm intelligence, where individual unintelligent particles join hands to form a very organized and intelligent group, has made me understand the power of unity.

This applies to our day to day lives too. As an individual entity our powers and capabilities get restricted.

However when we stay united with our family members,friends, colleagues and neighbors, our strength and problem facing ability increases manifolds.

2) My Supervisors- my guardian angels

The best part of my journey is unarguably meeting my supervisor Dr Bhanja and mentor/teacher Dr Sujit Nath. The more I got closer to them, the more I wondered how can a human being be so selfless and humane! Both these persons came as a manifestation of divine in my life (this is how I see this).

The greatest lesson I have learned from them is — how to be a good teacher; a role model. Through repeated guidance they taught me how to become a true human being and use my education to uplift the weaker sections of society.

Another important thing I have learnt from them is how to face adversities without losing cool.Yes, I have never seen them screaming, shouting or cursing anyone. (except for a couple of occasions where I had to get some heat due to my laziness… lol)

3) The Art of Perseverance

The journey of 60 months plus 9 more months has taught me how to wait patiently without getting mad and cursing life. Good things take time to happen.

Now I don’t get frustrated while standing in a queue or waiting for my turn in doctor’s chamber.

4) Everything Happens At the Perfect Time

During the initial years, I was struggling to get my 2 papers published. After a series of rejections from different journals finally in the year 2017 my first research work as a co-author got published.

And soon after this there had been a flow of publications one after the other. While from 2014 to 2017 I could publish only 1 paper, from 2017 to 2020 5 SCIs got published one after the other.

Right now while I am writing this, I have 7 published SCIs and 4 more in the advanced stages of getting accepted. This has made me realize that life has a perfect time  for everything.

All we need to do is to go with the flow.

5) Never Compare Your Journey With Others

PhD is an individual journey and there is no parameter to compare one’s progress with their fellow colleagues.

I have seen people getting degrees in just 3 years and I also know people who convocated after 6 long years. Some of my colleagues who started their journey with me got their degree earlier than me.

But that’s okay! PhD is all about enjoying your journey and learning from the ups and downs without competing with others, because every journey is different. And this is applicable in our real lives too.

And lastly during this beautiful period of self discovery I have had to face the most brutal truth of life. One after another I have helplessly seen 7 people very close to me losing the battle of life one by one. Out of which 5 were untimely and sudden deaths;2019 being the toughest of the lot. The spiritual lessons imparted by my teacher Sangeeta didi and mentor Dr S.S.Sen have helped a lot to sail through these tough times.

This PhD degree is dedicated to all these 7 souls who wanted to celebrate with me once I get convocated. May be we will meet again someday to continue this unfinished story.