The Road taken…
“The journey is the reward”
– Taoist Saying
This Taoist saying conveys all that is my journey at the University. In the year 1989, my journey began as a student, and the campus continues to teach me lessons in manifold ways. This year another new path has opened up for me to learn on a different terrain as I join in as a teacher.
At this wonderful juncture I thought I should share some reminiscences of campus that shaped my life, just as it does for everyone. As a part of Class of ’89-91 (MA) at School of Social Sciences at University of Hyderabad, life was more about fun, frolic and friendships over unlimited cups of tea, search for books and references in library and completing the academic calendar. Catching the bus to go back home and movie conversations on the way was the greatest fun during those journeys. We shared the stories scene by scene and shot by shot and had great analysis and ratings and hope the journey would be longer! But alas! I get down at my stop! Just as four semesters were complete and I sought to continue my journey at the campus.
After Masters’, I joined in as a Research student, which was more lonely as we all moved into different themes and paths to study. It was a tryst with knowledge that remains within us till we reach the destination – a complete dissertation! And yet the journey continues as the themes and threads of knowledge are woven within for a long time to come. An academic journey is indeed unique, as we share our knowledge with many, some written forms as journal articles and some as presentations at conferences. Every bit of this sharing opens up unlimited paths to discover into the knowledge infinite!
Every season the campus changes hues! The knowledge we gather is complete as we feel the joy of colours and experiences in these winding paths. The golden yellows in July, the fiery reds in May, the rustle of dry leaves in winter are all an inseparable part of life!
As the campus continues to nurture all those who join in, it is appropriate to end this with this quote by Khalil Gibran:
“Time has been transformed, and we have changed; it has advanced and set us in motion; it has unveiled its face, inspiring us with bewilderment and exhilaration”.
Art and text: Nagalakshmi C. (Ph.D.) Faculty, Department of Sociology, UoH
Photo credits: Nikhil Chelluri (Student at Sri Chaitanya Kalasala, Jubilee Hills)