Statement of purpose for graduate admission

“You can’t just come up to me looking for research. Every day, kids like you are enamoured by ISRO launches, but then are soon disillusioned. This motivation won’t take you there! ” said a Physics HOD, fuming. As I looked into my father’s eyes, who had put an unbelievable amount of effort into getting me here, I asked myself, “Why can’t I? What exactly do I lack? ” For weeks this question haunted me. I distinctly remember being told by almost everyone that my background and a ‘3-year’ degree are the limitations—something that was never in my control. I decided to not let my circumstances define my worth. The unavailability of undergraduate research in my institute was the major challenge that I used as fuel to overcome all the setbacks. I never stopped approaching professors, both locally and internationally; I worked on every possible task, day and night- as long as I gained knowledge, everything else became secondary. Today, I recall that rejection fondly, I remember finally understanding its importance when my first paper was accepted, every fibre of my being told me that this “lowly” motivation was enough, that it would get me everything. It was definitely hard not being able to conduct research as a part of the undergraduate curriculum. But not the one to give up easily, I decided to make the most out of what I had got. I wrote a research proposal to my physics professor Dr. Varinderjit Kaur and was fortunate enough that she agreed to supervise me.