Day 56: Last Day

Every journey has an end and promises of new beginning.

Today was the last day of INSc- INSA- NASI Summer Research Fellowship - 2018.

It was a wonderful journey with innumerable experiences. During this internship, I've packed for myself most of what I could grasp from National Agri-Food Biotechnology. It has given me everything one could ask for in their first research lab experience. 

My sincere heartfelt gratitude to my guide, Dr. T. R. Sharma, Executive Director, NABI, for giving me this wonderful opportunity to learn for which I cannot thank him enough. The guidance, monitoring and opportunity he's given me to learn what I was interested in, leave me indebted to him. 

He assigned me to Dr. Joy K Roy, Scientist E, whose work involved plant breeding and molecular markers. His invaluable suggestions and encouragement guided me throughout the training period. 

Thanks to my college Principal, Prof. Rishikesh Autade, who is a constant source of inspiration for me. He inculcated the habit of writing this daily blog. At the end, it feels great to get back to older posts and take a peep at how the days at the training began. Writing this blog had one big advantage. Everyday, I felt I should share something new and with this thought I would indulge in one thing or the other at the lab and tried to learn new techniques and procedures though they were not a part of my project. Also, thanks to Prof. Bhausaheb Ghorpade who is an enthusiastic learner and teacher who would always encourage me to learn new concepst and broaden my knowledge. All my college staff have in one way or the other helped me by increasing my knowledge in basic concepts.

Ms. Ankita Mishra, Senior research fellow at NABI was a true blessing to me. From the beginning, she patiently taught me experimental work at the lab. Bearing through my faults and errors, helping me learn and explaining methods and results, she provided a friendly environment for me to get adjusted to. Ms. Vinita Sharma, Junior research fellow, taught me lot of things too. Her nature of questioning every concept, searching for reasons gave me a new insight to look at science. She would often assign me little tasks from her daily work and helped me learn. Not to forget Dr. Abhishek Bhandawat, National Post Doctoral Fellow who would spark the beginning of great discussions starting from concepts of science to theories of life. Hearing these three people discuss, encouraged me to explore more and know more what remains to be unknown to me.

Other lab mates, Dr. Himanshu Sharma and Mr. Pankaj helped me acquaint myself to the lab environment and helped me clear doubts regarding various concepts.

How can I close without leaving a thank you note to my friends Silky Gandhi and Mohini Pal Choudhary who accompanied me in exploring the city and helped me adjust during the training. 

All the above acknowledgements would me meaningless if it weren't for my parents who encouraged me to take up the internship though it was really a long distance away from home. They always believed and confided in me during times even when I couldn't trust myself. I am really grateful and thankful for my family for everything they gave me and for all the things I have today. 

Not to forget my CABT friends, who rang me up often, asking my how-abouts and where-abouts. Thanks for always being there. 

There are these 4 constant viewers of my daily blog writing, who are a source of encouragement. Thank you so much. I would really like to have your comments how it felt being through in the journey with me. 

Above all, praise and glory be to the Lord, who was always there for me.