When I was suggested to say a few things to students seminar (arranged by a student chapter of recognized international society), I scribbled the following:
1. Idea of student chapters: Generally these societies are based on western countries since last more than several decades (in one case more than 100 years: Optica (OSA) was found in 1916). The idea of student chapters is to popularize the optics and its applications to smaller cities/ countries. These students chapters then go to rural schools to generate interest among the children. This helps international community a larger pool of students to select from.
2. Our responsibilities: Within our capabilities, for the evolution of a scientific culture, we should should try our best what we can do- as a student, -as a teacher, - as an institute as a whole (as an administrator) and act accordingly. The idea is how best we can perform in "given conditions (GC)". The emphasis on the conditions is important as these differ from place to place- there can be huge difference.
3. Emphasis on networking : The information society (current society) requires a large exchange of information among professionals. Therefore, inviting experts from tier 1 institutes to tier 2 institutes is as important. We need to prepare a good network with memory for the future generation (next year students). But only networking and not doing any local ground work is a disastrous approach. Therefore, we have to clear on this idea that there is no option of working at your place within the GC.
4. Improving our own work: This followed from the networking. Attending conferences, inviting people for specific talks, learning from them and improving our own work- wherever we can. We should take the visitor for a laboratory/ group visit and get some critical comments.
5. Walking that extra mile: When you are working towards a small goal on a day (after preparations for several hours)- just working for extra one more hour can save you several days' work. You can realize that it takes so many hours to prepare for the experiment -and if you can now carry one for another 30-40 minutes- it could achieve you the desired results. Otherwise- again you have to prepare these conditions (back to square 1) at a next opportunity which still takes several hours.
6. Big discoveries are generally known as "meeting a chance to a prepared mind". Therefore,do not expect an Eureka that will give you any new research- but a continuous knowledge of several dimensions of that research will help you to get a result. For example, you might have to simulate the result, go one step back for learning the basics, even it could be a text book experiment/ solution of a problem. The same is true for any Nobel prize- you will find that the Noble Laureates were working on the same problem for several decades! Therefore- revisit your ideas every now and then and see if there is some thing there.
7. Health, wealth and happiness: The happiness is a relative term. Student life has never been wealthy. But take care of your health: mental as well as physical. Walk, jog and stretch now and then and meditate some times to get best out of you. Try to have a collaborative and volunteering approach.
8. Do not afraid of failures: This is important. Failures will teach you lifetime lessons. Do not taken them negatively. Know your weaknesses and know how to manage them. Know your strength and know how best to use it.
All the best.
Prem
Sept. 7, 2024
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