June 21, 2021 - The Day of Final Submission

 Today is June 21,2021. It is one of the best days of my life because, after four years of hard work and suffering, I have been able to submit my Ph.D. Thesis today. It was a difficult journey. I have gone through various mental torture and mental harassment in order to come this far.

Doing a Ph.D. from a State University wasn't an easy task. I met people of different stature and mind. I met professors both dynamic, flexible as well as rigid. I met friends who are loyal. I also met people who do not keep their promises. I met people who are kind, supportive, inspiring. I met people who believe in hard work.

Overall, my Guide has been highly inspiring. He left no stone unturned to help. He has taken every pain to uplift, render the time support and advise so that I can accomplish my goal. 

As I worked on my final day to submit my thesis, I faced an obstacle from the International Student Center. The International Student center director was not supportive of the procedures. The reason for which I was not clear however I believe that he had his own reason and justification.

The guide has been very supportive as he immediately provided the necessary support for the further procedure. 

Bharat my friend has been a great support. He spent the whole day without food just to be with me and assist me in every possible way. Some good people like him make life beautiful.

One of the questions that lingers in my mind today is this: What is the outcome of my Research? What is the next road? How should I proceed further? However, there are a lot of things I have learned which can be helpful in making thoughtful decisions.

It is about 1:07 am now. I should be resting. However, I am writing this blog in order to document this special day so that it will be somewhere in the virtual world to remind me of the day. 

Now I sign off. 

Day 360th, 359th & 358th

These three days were completely busy days. I have been engaged in the following chores

a. Collecting of Data for the Slum Dwellers study

b. Write the Research Papers on Slum Dwellers Study

c. Working on my Research Paper

d. And attended the church...


Thing learned:

You cannot depend on others about that thing you want to do. You have to take the lead and complete it.

There is no end to change and perfection, therefore, it should be practice to try to change everything possible within the time available.

Your thought matters, but you need to make sure that you make money using your thoughts and knowledge because, without it, survival is difficult.

No one remains the same forever, people change with times and situations. You have to keep up with the time and change yourself.

What bothers you must be put off or discarded else it can be a thorn in your throat . 

361th Day

I was a bit reluctant to get up today. But as usual, my eyelids opened with the thought that I have a lot to accomplish during the day. Laying on the bed, a read a bible verse and then wrote a thought on it and posted it on Facebook groups. That is how my day began. I think it is good to thing to start the day with good thoughts.

Getting myself ready for the day, I got myself busy with my research paper on slums. While I concentrated on writing my research paper, I also thought about going to slums for data collection. At about 11:00 am, I moved out of my house to work outside. Getting some photocopies for a nearby shop close to CSBIER, I met the research colleagues. Then I headed towards Rajarampuri and posted an urgent letter to Delhi. Completing that task, we headed to a slum area. We met a few respondents there and collected data. Then at around 1:30 pm, I headed back to University.

At University campus, I met a few people, did a short chit-chat and then visited the main building. Reaching there at that premises, I found myself waiting for the Eligibility officer as all were having their lunch. At the end of the lunch, as I entered that office, I was asked to sit and wait for the team leader. I waited around 10 minutes and during those 10 minutes, I read a book on Ageing. After the arrival of the team leader, I showed him my papers and then submitted the same to the clerk. Finding no other special work to be done at the University, I got back home. Feeling tired and restless, I took a nap of about 30 minutes. Waking up, I sat with my computer again to work on the research paper.

As the evening was drawing near, I decided to go for a walk by the lake. The evening was peaceful. As I walked down the path, I could hear the birds chirping as they returned to their nest. Having a good walk for the evening, I decided to have a hair cut. Completing the haircut matter, I got myself home, got some vegetables ready and cooked my meal. While the cooking continued, I took a warm shower, had my food after that and then sat for writing the research paper.

It was a good day altogether except that I did something that I think should have been avoided. I don't want to live a life of regret even for a minute. But while I pursue my goal, and try to improve my skills and aptitude, I need to have a focused mind and might maintain the serenity and sanctity of the task at hand.

With this thought at the end of the day, I must resign because it is around 2 a.m in the morning. Praise God that I am still alive and I am breathing......

362th Day

I got up around the same time as yesterday(i.e. 8:00 am). It seems my body has created its own clock because it is almost the same time that I get up every day without any alarm clock.

Some of the things that I did today are the following:

1: I revised chapter one of my thesis - writing and revising though takes a lot of time.

2. I visited a slum with my research colleague and found that people in the slums of Kolhapur have various issues but the government and the local administrators are least bothered about it. The living conditions of the slum dwellers are very pathetic. Sanitation is a great issue.

3. Completed work-related to the eligibility of the work, got the papers ready to send to the right authorities.

4. Got a few papers signed from the department to be submitted at the Eligibility section

5. Collected Questionnaires for the Ph.D. study from the Bank.

5. Was able to help a lady who was having a difficult to carry her bag while she was walking a long distance.

6. Met the department head of sociology to discuss about the upcoming International Conferences and my involvement in it

7. Finally, have had a good walk around the University campus for the evening exercise

Getting back home, I got myself ready for cooking evening dinner. Then sat for about 3-4 hours for revisiting chapter one of my Research work.

I went to bed around 2 a.m in the morning, it was greatly exhausting and I surely went to sleep without any disturbance.

To complete a day and still being alive is a blessing altogether.

363TH DAY

I got up around 7:30 in the morning. It seemed like I was still tired and needed some more sleep but spending no extra time bed, I decided to read some memory text. Sharing them on facebook, I brushed my teeth and then sat to work on my research.

The work of research is voluminous and it takes a great deal of effort and organization to write.

Studying up to around 12:30, I took the bathe, had some food and then sat again to study.

At around 2:00 pm, I left home and went to MIDC to collect some research questionnaires from SAMIR casting. On my way back from there, I met Mr. Power and submitted my paper to him.

Reaching back to University at around 3:30, I met Priti, a research assistant for Slum Dwellers study. We visited a few houses of the slums, talked with ladies and men and completed 9 questionnaires.

I got back home around 7:30, cooked my food, had it and then sat down to study again.

In the meantime, though I had a conversation with my son and my wife too.

The day ended at 1:30 am on the morning of 13/11/2019. I got be going to sleep now.


Overall, things went well today but kinda busy. Hopefully, things will be better tomorrow too. Let's see what happens.

With this thought day 363 ends