Tummy twists and turns—a strange, indescribable feeling. I was about to say goodbye to a place that had housed me, shaped me, and watched me grow. I was preparing to shed tears for the walls that witnessed my laughter, absorbed my sadness, and gently wiped away my tears.
Those days had been long, short, fun, and extraordinary—all at once. I made friends who stuck around, while some faded away. We laughed, cried, argued, supported each other, and roamed around causing mischief. We escaped trouble, got scolded, researched and made new friends. We dozed off in class (sometimes quite literally), and saw our campus grow from empty hallways to bustling crowds. We invaded the deserted canteen, the unoccupied labs, the silent classrooms, and the hidden seminar halls. With proud grins, we flaunted our identity from the Biotech Department, acting as if we were the only ones on earth doing real research—and then actually proving it. We felt privileged to have such an incredible set of teachers, sometimes even competing to be one professor’s “pet” or another’s “favorite.” Those four years felt as though they would last forever. “We” was the operative word—the 41 musketeers who made my life at KSRCT truly meaningful.
Suddenly, I realized I had grown up. On that last day, I understood that the Department of Biotechnology at KSRCT was more than a mother figure in my life. My eyes literally “sweated” when I stepped into the Microbiology lab and laminar flow chamber for the very last time. I knew I’d experienced the best years of my life in those four years. I felt tears rolling from my cheeks to my chin when the Microbiology lab was locked up for the final time; I recall asking my junior friend, probably Prabhu, to lock it only after I left. The thought of no longer debating science ideas with my HoD, having no more doubt-clearing sessions or scoldings, no more fun—was overwhelming.
Had it not been for that awesome group of faculty, I’d be worse off today. Without those four amazing years at KSRCT-DBT, I wouldn’t be writing these lines right now. I wouldn’t have learned what a real lab looks like, become a scientist, or discovered how research really works. I wouldn’t be able to offer you any “piece of mind,” wouldn’t have started my career at a biotech FMCG, and wouldn’t have the precious friends or the rich trove of memories I do now.
If it weren’t for Punieetha Ma’am, I’d never have learned to handle people, nor would I have dived into informatics. She was more than just a teacher—mentor, guide, confidante, philosopher—any wonderful adjective fits her. Dear Ma’am, let me say it now: I love you for everything you’ve done for me. I’m still proud to be connected to you in whatever small way.
Without Kalpana ma'am , I never would have got a chance to understand experimentation, nor would I have known anything about the importance of documentation. She was , again, more than a teacher. She helped me stay grounded, she was strict, stoic with quite a temperament. But, now looking back, I know that "strictness", that "temperament" shaped me into a compassionate, well human being. To you, my dear Kappu Ma'am, I owe it - every step of my growth and life. I am just hoping to have you in every step of my life, till eternity!
To you, our CA sir a.k.a G.G Sir who had the toughest times with us being our advisor and we took him for granted. Those raiding of shops for a birthday card, and celebrating every classmate's birthday, made us friends. With you, it was more fun and frolic, and you became one of us. Your wedding times and when you brought Mrs GG when she said about all of us, we felt so so special!
To you, Arul sir a.k.a M.A. you taught me patience, practicality, and handling emotions in a perfect way. Your life lessons, helps me every single time, i face a strife and Gosh, I wonder how you handled us - all the 42, so well! I still remember, when you said, "In a class, there can be 4 or 5 different opinions, but with you guys I have 42 different opinions and I dunno whose side I had to pick! So, here I go giving my 43rd opinion!" Thanks sir for making memories with us!
I was also something of a favorite in the Science and Humanities department, teeming with Einsteins, Ramanujams, Mendeleevs, Shakespeares, and T.S. Eliots. I absolutely loved my chats with Radhakrishnan Sir, Mohan Sir, Mani Sir, R.P. Sir from Chemistry, Palaniappan Sir (AP sir), Geetha Ma’am, Mallika Ma’am, C.C. Sir, Vidhya Ma'am and so many others. AP sir and Geetha maam, helped me to grow even more fond of the English literature. They took time to read my sciblings those days and offered me good pieces of advice. Even though only a few of them actually handled my classes, nobody there felt like a stranger. Or maybe I was a stranger to none! Without the S&H team, I might have lost my sense of humor and all those quality hours of sharing ideas. I only keep wishing that, I stay in touch with all of you till eternity. The time spent with you all are so less, but I will carry on the learnings from you for, " அறிவை தருபவர் ஆசிரியர். அன்போடு, பண்பும், வாழ்கைவியல் கற்றுத்தருபவர் ஆசான் "
But it wasn’t only about classes…
(…to be continued…)
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