M. Tech: My Journey to Reality

Niranjan Vedantam

 

These days, everyone look forward for higher education abroad, especially for pursuing Masters. Looking at this trend, even I had decided to go for it. Having said this, I had to prepare for GRE (Graduates Record Exam) and TOEFL (Test of English as Foreign Language). The GRE included three sections namely Verbal, Quantitative and Analytical with a score of max 800 for each section. TOEFL computer based was for a max score of 300 in those days. It was year 2001, when I joined the Promac Training center based in Tarnaka for a three-month coaching for GRE and TOEFL. After the preparation, I appeared in the ETS testing center based in Banjara Hills during the mid of 2001. The results were out in few days which I received through post. I scored about 1700 / 2400 in GRE and 200 plus / 300 in TOEFL. Started applying for many universities in USA. I still remember,

I got admission in Texas A&M University, Kingsville in Environmental Sciences group. I received the I-20 papers through post which are required for me to apply for VISA. I had to reach Chennai (Madras) for attending my VISA interview. I was accompanied by my father for the same. Once we reached the American Embassy in Chennai, I had to go alone inside the consulate and wait for my turn. My documents were screened initially and was asked to wait. Ahead of me about 5 candidates were waiting eagerly. One by one was called by a lady in counter no. 2. All the candidates ahead of me got the visa and they were all elated. I had slowly moved to the counter and handed over my application and documents to the lady at the counter. She had quickly reviewed my documents and said “I don’t think you will come back!”. I tried explaining her that I am planning to go to US only for education purpose. But she refused and asked me to reapply after 6 months. I was shattered and was crying like a small child. I kept on crying till I reached outside the consulate and saw my father eagerly waiting for me to say the good news. Unfortunately, I had no good news to share. My father immediately figured out and said, don’t worry my son, you can do master in Hyderabad as well.  However, I was not convinced and my mood was not so great for the next 2 weeks. Looking at my situation even my father was unhappy and depressed.

In the year 2002 mid, I consulted my aunt, Dr. Ch. Sasikala, who was into research and teaching at IPGSR (Now IST), JNTU, Masa tank (Now at Kukatpally). She simply asked me to prepare for the UNIVERSITY entrance exam for the M.Tech. It was APSRTC strike time. My father being an active Union Leader, he was busy organizing strike notices etc. I had to appear the university entrance exam at Kukatpally where I reached by a 7-seater Auto. Quickly I reached the examination hall. All the questions were multiple choice questions. I answered all the questions and waited for the final bell. Once I came out of the examination hall, I was relieved as the question paper was not at all tough. I knew all the answers. Within a couple of weeks, the results were out and admission process notification was also out. I secured a rank of 23 and the no of seats available were 25. I was confident that I would get the seat for sure. Soon my name was called during the admission process. I was selected for a paid seat in M. Tech Environment Management. I was very happy on one hand, but on other hand was a little disappointed with the US VISA rejection. I promised my father that I would study well and learn all the subjects with utmost care. I started spending more time in libraries as well after the regular classes and used to prepare my own notes by referring at least three books for each subject. I had secured top marks during all semester sin M.Tech as could secure Gold Medal for best outgoing student in M. Tech Environment Management.

All my cousins have done master abroad (USA), except me as I never tried again for VISA. Even after so many years, I sometimes feel that I must have tried for second time for the US Visa. However, I have no complaints, as I had learnt a lot in life with the help of my well wishers especially should not forget to mention Dr. Ch. Sasikala. Had I not consulted her in the past, I would not have done Master Degree. Once I was afraid of Environmental Microbiology, and approached her for some guidance. She immediately explained methanogenesis using a simple flowchart. She just started by saying…..acids…..lipids and bases…..The knowledge was flowing in my brain like a rocket. I simply cannot forget the was she taught me that day. I registered it and kept the zeal alive in me for a better learning.

To my surprise, my M. Tech thesis got stipend throughout and also my entire M. Tech fee was reimbursed by my father’s department in APSRTC under the category of meritorious student scholarship. Overall, I can say that I had a great experience during my M. Tech journey. Thanks to Dr. Ch. Sasikala for constantly guiding me. Undoubtedly, she is also gem of a person. Her living is simple and thoughts are sophisticated.