Science in search of women?!
This is in reference to an article “ Science in search of women”, in the daily
“The Telegraph” published from Kolkata , dt.25.04.05 . Well, I went through the facts and observations and ways being thought of to allure women to the field of science and once they are roped in, how to keep them there. But let me tell you, there are certain basic things that have been overlooked in this survey. This I can say as I’ve been at the receiving end of these things which remain neglected, being overlooked by one and all, as corroborated by your survey that sees need for restructuring some complicated issues while conveniently overlooking the basics! Though I must say this negligence might have been unintentional as people sitting in places that matter, well might take it for granted that basic problems are non-existent. Courtesy: naiveté, this being a country where the words: ignorance and naiveté have been made synonymous. Nevertheless, it is because of this very malady, my career took a nosedive and at this juncture is staring at a stagnant future. To validate my outburst ∕ lamentation, I will give certain facts which came as an unpleasant revelation to me.
Prior to that, let me say something in my introduction. Having secured high ٪ of marks in my Class 10th and 12th exams, I topped in B.Sc.( with distinction ) with Chemistry Honours and with God’s grace, repeated my performance in M.Sc. as well, with Organic Chemistry as my Special paper. Thereof , I qualified in the CSIR / UGC conducted NET 5 tears back and came to Kolkata and joined as a JRF in a very renowned research institute and felt that finally I was on a scientific path of excellence and intellectual satisfaction as I had always dreamt of being a researcher in the field of science. But alas, I didn’t know that physical strength was required in a major quantity as an essential and necessary qualification, with one’s mental faculties holding very little importance, in comparison. There were no lab boys to assist and we had to do some heavy weight-lifting (!) viz: cryocans ( 5-10 litres ). This led to my developing a severe and threatening neuralgic pain which almost had my right hand non-functional. That was curtains for me. Till date I haven’t been able to rejoin any other research programme here, as doctors have prohibited me from lifting weights and here the lab facilities or lack of it will force me to do so. I see this as a blatant victimization.
As far as teaching is concerned, inspite of being NET qualified, I’m yet to find any permanent job. I’ve only managed to get part-time post in a college and the remuneration : least said the
better. It is only my will / stubbornness which is keeping me glued to my subject. Otherwise I would’ve switched to a field much more lucrative which I would’ve been forced to anyway, had I been the bread earner of my family.
Now my question is who is to blame for my plight? Doesn’t a person’s mental faculty deserve a better deal and don’t I deserve a better treatment from the system? Or for that, first and foremost, I must acquire a Herculean power? Or will I be sidelined because the fairer sex will always lack in that? Then keep in mind that we make more sincere efforts in field of work than our male counterparts.
Unless and until, people who matter, want to take this thing up in the right earnest, things are not going to improve and people like me are going to suffer as we haven’t been endowed with that much physical power: my academic record being of no consequence. And if today India is suffering from brain drain then who is to blame? You cannot victimize a person for no fault of hers and at the same time expect other persons of the same race to be the torch bearers of progressive India. So I take this opportunity to appeal to those who can bring about the necessary welcome changes, to overcome the political and bureaucratic whims as Academics can do without those unhealthy words.