Description

From ancient times to the present, India has been the birthplace of numerous remarkable scientists. The role models of average youth have shifted from scientists and ‘Gurus’ to individuals wielding power, fame, and wealth, such as politicians, celebrities, and influential government officials. With changing ‘Yugas,’ corruption has seeped into society, becoming the norm, and even academic institutions and their associated systems have not remained untouched by this persistent ailment. As a result, nurturing the next generation of scientists has been significantly impacted.

Within the pages of this book unfolds the journey of a village boy from Bihar, India, who refused to let the flame of a scientist within him be extinguished, despite facing numerous challenges to his survival. Undeterred, he went on to achieve two Ph.D. degrees – one in India and another in the USA – within ten years, all fully funded through scholarships. He waged a relentless battle against the corrupt system and its enablers throughout this period. Balancing a successful career in the industry, he pursued his passion for research in parallel, collaborating with some of the world’s foremost scientists. The fruits of his labor are evident in the authorship of over 50 articles, books, and book chapters and the receipt of several prestigious awards.

The underlying message this book conveys is powerful: never surrender unless the challenge strikes at the essence of life and dignity.