Author: Akshat Rathi

Akshat Rathi is a senior reporter for Bloomberg News. He has previously worked at Quartz, The Economist and The Conversation. His writing has appeared in Nature, The Guardian and The Hindu. He has a PhD in chemistry from Oxford University and a BTech in chemical engineering from the Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai.

The missing red line

Akshat Rathi1 Comment

I chose to do a PhD because I had a dream. A dream that probably every PhD student has when they start – to change the world by doing great science. And for a while I truly believed that I could do that. In the few years of work that the PhD requires, I thought I could change the world.

Nothing wrong with that. After all, greater the goal higher the motivation!

The bubble did not last very long. Reality hit me. Changing the world is a very difficult task indeed. Many have come and perished. Those few who did change the world had greater ability and a lot more luck. And at that moment of realisation, as all graduate students do, I entered a phase of depression. Falling prey to the imposter syndrome (everyone else is way better than me) is very easy.

What the cartoon above is missing is a red line, which I believe should be inversely related to the blue line and it should denote the rising level of ambition in non-research careers. 😉

From a proud brother by Anonymous

Akshat Rathi5 Comments

I see a shining new star and I am amazed at this pure bright light.

Although I am too far I can feel everything is falling right.

I had felt the same two decades back when an angel had arrived.

I knew it even then I will be proud one day

That my little girl will soon carve her own way.

Now that she has proved me right,

my heart swells with pride.

 

All that I want to say

is ‘my dearest princess although I am far away in my heart I am with you everyday.’

My wishes are yours and your success makes us proud.

As the privilege to call you my sister is mine, today I feel like I am really on the 9th cloud.

 

 

In every moment that has gone

life unfolds all the joys you want.

All that this brother wishes today is that higher and higher you rise.

And every time you need me you’ll find me by your side.

Love, happiness & success all will come to you

and in everything that you do I will be with you.