An email to Deen

Dear ABD,

I had actually written a really long reply the day after receiving your mail but thanks to the erratic power supply, and absence of a UPS in the nearby cyber cafe, my hour long effort went wasted. I shall now rewrite and hope this time the mail does go through.

First to clear your confusion, I am pursuing my M.Phil/PhD from JNU. The M.Phil degree is equivalent to an M.Res degree in the UK. All research scholars are required to complete two semesters of coursework and then proceed with their individual topics. I have two papers each semester- one compulsory and another optional. It is basically revisiting all the theories and classical thinkers in Sociology to build a strong base for the thesis to follow. The second semester starts mid-January and ends around the first week of May. After which I am free to conduct my research at will; only to be followed by occasional meetings with my chosen guide. You will be amazed to know this but we still don't use online plagiarism detection tools like I found in the UK. However, the professors here are thorough in their field of expertise, therefore not many dare to take such shortcuts.

JNU is the intellectual hotbed of the country. Every year hoards of students crack the UPSC examinations from this very University. Most come here with the solo aim of preparing for this examination. You will find it hard to believe that the total living and tuition costs in the University amounts to around 20 pounds a year. This plus access to the resources in the University library make it a much sought after combination. No wonder everyone wants to clear the entrance/interview and grab a seat for themselves in this institution.

A teacher once stated that true communism exists in three places in the world today -- Cuba, Venezuala and JNU. Yes, apart from academia my University is also known for Marxism. The two dominating unions here are the Students Federation of India (SFI) and the All India Students Association (AISA). Both follow the Marxist ideology with the latter being a bit more radical. Personally, I am not sure how good a job Marxism can do. I mean it looks and sounds beautiful on paper but it doesn't really work in reality. My room (which I share with another girl from the North East state of Mizoram) is just big enough for two people and the amenities being provided are of extremely low quality. The toilets and showers run out of water every evening, to resurface in the wee hours of the morning. We have a single geyser in one wing for around 60-80 girls (although mainstream Indian girls hardly take showers in the winter so I always find it easy to get hot water). Those unlucky few who cannot grab a seat in the hostels find themselves squashed in packed dormitories. I, for one, fail to understand how students undertaking post-graduate degrees and above can be treated this way. While it is true that in India we need more educational opportunities, compromising on quality does seem a bit tricky.

As for friends, I don't have a lot of friends left in the city. I think I have now come to a point where I don't enjoy socializing much. JNU campus is extremely big, about the same size as you, so once inside I hardly ever surface out. My life revolves around lectures, library and hostel. I am glad I did not waste my time in the UK. Otherwise, I would have been serving at the M&S till counter while you shine bright in your Christmas spirit. Academics is exhausting at times but it is also very rewarding and, at the end of the day, I think it is all that matters. I also suffered a a shock around this time last year but now when I look back, I think it happened for the best. I now have freedom to study and focus on my career without an additional burden.

I hope you have recovered from post-Christmas stress. A part of me always misses you.

Love x