Academic Zone

A college lecturer friend was intrigued that I had appeared for my MA exams. “You could do it after a long gap from studies?” Yes, I replied. He warmed to the topic and said it would be nice if I continued with my studies. `Ahem’, I replied.

“Don’t do your M.Phil,” he said. “Register for your PhD.” That got my thoughts reeling faster than I could catch them. So off I went. “Hmm. A good idea,” I replied. “Imagine studying, doing research and finally presenting a thesis. Sounds good. Wonder whether I have the discipline,” I remarked.

My friend, dear soul, was off on his own mind field of research and thesis. “You should pick up one good topic first. You know how to go about it?” Without waiting for my answer, he continued. “Pick up a topic that has not been researched upon. Of course, that is mandatory. Before doing that, find a good guide. A guide should not be hostile or short tempered. A guide makes all the difference to the research.” I found my mind had recreated the scene and I was conjuring up a guide in my thoughts!

“Find a topic that is worth your while, of use to academicians, and also one that does not involve too much travel as that can put you off. Can you think of any topics?” he asked. I thought for a while and said, “Hmm, I cannot think of any off hand.” The friend was dampened by my answer. “Why don't you tell me some topics and I could help you.” Yes, he could, after all he was a lecturer.

I mentioned one topic off hand. He listened to it with the keen interest of an academician. Then he said, “This could be a feature for a newspaper or a magazine. Not good for a thesis.” Which put paid to my thoughts effectively and I shut up promptly.

I recalled my Bacha’s friend, an academician, who was after her to enrol for an MA and by default I joined her. Bacha named the academician, `conscience pricker’. He would often call up to ask, “You are studying, I hope,” much to our discomfort. When we finished our exams, the conscience pricker called. “The exams are over. Let’s wait for the results.” It is a hard choice with the conscience pricker on one side and my lecturer friend on the other. I rue my decision to appear for the MA exams, for both are fast forwarding to academic times whose horizon is far from my gaze. Bacha and I often laugh at our predicament and the eagerness of our friends to see us on academic greens.

The lecturer friend, meanwhile, would not give up on his favourite topic of a PhD. He insists I think about doing a PhD and said, "You will definitely hit upon a good topic for research. Do let me know. I will help you.” I listened to him and then laughed aloud. He was a bit taken aback, “Why are you laughing?” he asked. “You know what… I have just finished writing Part One of my MA and have no idea whether I will pass. And here you are finding a guide and searching a topic for a PhD. If that’s not funny, what is?”