The Perspective of an ABCD

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Top Ten Things I love about India:

1. The Crowds- They’re energizing
2. The Sounds- They’re comforting
3. The People- They’re thoughtful
4. The Food- It’s spicy
5. The scenery- It’s varied & sublime
6. The communities- They're so tightly knit
7. The Temples- They bring history to life
8. The Family – So many sweet memories 
9. The History- Its rich and significant
10. The Connection- It’s my country --- आपली देश, आपली पुणे, आपली भारत  

                                                                  (Our country, Our Pune, Our India) 
(Inspired by this link: http://forbesindia.com/life/recliner/65-things-we-love-about-india/) 

Though I am a pre-medical student, the flexible curriculum in U.S. colleges has afforded me the opportunity to take a wide variety of courses, a number of which have focused on Indian culture. In one such elective, ironically, an American Culture class, I first heard of the label ABCD: An American Born Confused Desi. ABCD's, like me, are often second (or sometimes first) generation Indians, who have grown up abroad, and who become enamored by their roots, culture and the people of India. Hence, the label, ABCD. 

Personally, I believe I can fit into this "category". Though I was always connected to my parents' homeland through family trips and visits, I never had the experience of growing up there- which has made a huge difference in the way I view the country. 

To my surprise (and dismay), as much as I love to visit India, that's how much some Indians here want to leave. The attitude of many young people in India today is that they want to move out of their homeland- anywhere else will do. America is still the dream nation for some, but perhaps for the wrong reasons.

A conversation I had with my cousin and aunt this past weekend sparked my interest in this mindset within India's educated youth. Over the past thirty or so years (perhaps even more!), India has experienced a "brain drain", in which the most talented members of the academic community leave India. In fact, according to one research study, by the NSF, 94.8% of Indians who study abroad for their Ph.D.'s in STEM fields, don't return to India. (http://zeenews.india.com/exclusive/good-brains-drained-away_6083.html) I have personally seen this attitude alive here at IISER-Pune, one of the top science research institutes in India, where people aspire to move abroad, as if to escape the grip of their own nation's suffering economy. 

It’s human nature to have a desire for something different, a thirst or an itch for a new adventure. With the exponentially growing population, ongoing construction and development schemes, expensive real estate and pollution, the lure of a better quality of life can be incredibly powerful. According to my cousin, an MBA/Engineering grad, one motivation to leave is because of the decreasing standard of living in the cities in India
What is a good standard of living, anyway? Most people base this on material things, but I think that a high standard of living can also imply a nation where people live life to the fullest, or where there is hope and motivation; a country that celebrates its culture and honors its leaders in all fields. Perhaps, and many people will argue this, I don’t have the right to say that material things aren’t everything, because I’ve had access to things that many here don’t on a daily basis. For instance, my own room, a queen-sized bed, a three-story home, a personal laptop and gadgets, annual vacations, the list could go on. Everywhere I look, my world is filled with delicacies.

And yet, I feel that my cousins, who grew up in the mother country, are the "lucky ones". 

Those who grew up in India through the 90’s, my own first-cousins- did they really miss out on anything significant? And were they unlucky by any means? I don’t think so. A lifetime in India means that one experiences, first hand, the truly vibrant customs that define this great nation. And through experiences, one develops a unique perspective. India isn’t only beautiful in its scenery- rolling hills, trekking spots everywhere, Kerala, Goa, Mumbai, Banaras… etc. Perhaps most significantly, something no other nation has is such a strong group of devoted spiritual learners, and a culture of community living, of honoring family and relationships, of putting others before oneself (generally). Perhaps an aspect of the indian culture I appreciate most is the importance placed on one’s faith-- a culture of respect is what it is. Indian culture is beautiful and diverse, too.  

In this sense, living in India, where people are so connected to their culture, its diversity, the beauty and the society, may seem to make up for the ‘harsh’ living conditions. 

Maybe it’s a personal opinion, but I think that the crowds, pollution, or “standard of living” is a weak argument for moving away from such a vibrant nation. With a different set of measures, India may actually have a higher standard of living.

Despite this, I do agree that the education system here is quite harsh. Unfortunately, the way India's education (and economy) is set up, it may seem like individuals are entrapped within their nation, having few opportunities for growth. A definite contributing factor is the difficulty of getting a visa to even enter the U.S.

Perhaps it’s a complex phenomenon that I can’t comment on, but I still think that India deserves better than a never-ceasing “brain drain” How will the country rebuild itself or stand in resilience if its strongest, most talented members, leave? It’s been happening for decades, but when will it stop?

Exploring Nature's Beauty: Adventures at Sinhagad

More than a thousand feet above the ground, I leaned over the edge of the great castle-fort wall, and a mist unlike any other coated my cheek. Seconds later, a cool breeze became a natural drying agent, chilling my skin. Beauty in nature is an exceptional thing, something which can be neither replicated nor surpassed. Complexity and simplicity intersect in nature, to reveal a great treasure. This past weekend, on Sunday, in fact, I had the unique opportunity to climb Sinhagad Fort literally, The Lion's Fort, a trekking destination in Pune that rises more than 4000 feet above sea level, and where thousands of locals and foreigners travel each week. In a simple word, the experience was invaluable.

Sinhagad is a unique Pune sight, both historically and for trekking-enthusiasts (and beginners like me!). It is also significant as a historical landmark in Maharashtra. It was the site of the Battle of Sinhagad in 1670, and Shivaji Maharaj, a famous ruler from the Maratha clan, recaptured it in 1656. It was initially called Kondhana Fort.

This is where we were headed Sunday morning. Our adventure began at 5:30 AM, when I awoke to the sound of my older cousin’s voice. (I visited my cousin and aunt/uncle in Kothrud this weekend). Groggily, I woke, got ready, and met his two friends on the first floor. Initially, we decided we would search for a red bus, which, according to my cousin, would take us directly to the historical site. We headed left after leaving my cousin’s flat’s parking lot. After about 10 minutes of walking, we decided that the bus- despite our hopes- had probably already left, so we began searching for a six-seater. To our dismay, the bus passed us less than 10 minutes later. :( 

Regardless, six-seater-autos are probably one of my favorite forms of transportation in India. They are large rickshaw/autos, which technically, are supposed to seat 6 individuals (go figure!). Needless to say, in India, the population is so large, that you can expect it to be crowded nearly everywhere. Hence, it is no surprise then, that the 6-seater we found, actually seated 8+ individuals. In fact, when we finally reached the 6-seater, the middle seat was already filled with 3 individuals, and someone had even occupied the tiny space near the driver. Thankfully, as one individual got off at the next stop, my cousin quickly occupied his seat. Meanwhile, me and my cousin’s two friends climbed into the back seat (literally, this was the trunk with two boards lining the sides as the seats). The ride there was pleasant enough- I actually enjoyed the bumpy ride, as I sat on the wooden board, less than three feet away from my neighbor, also crouched on the opposite board. I’m sure my cousin and his two friends obviously didn’t feel the same sense of adventure I felt since it was really nothing new for them.

The trip to Sinhagad took less than a half hour, and most surprising of all, the cost was a mere 30 rupees per person! Quite a bargain!

When we finally arrived at the fort, we stopped for tea and took some pictures at the foot of the hills. When I first caught sight of the scene, I was breathless. Lush green fields rolled against the backdrop of majestic mountains. When I looked closely at the mountains, I could spot small figures upon the slopes- people, I guessed.

We continued our photoshoot for another five minutes, and then began walking towards the foot of the hills. I could see a line of cars lining the side of the street as we made our way. Sundays during the monsoon season are the busiest at Sinhagad, but for good reason- the views are truly spectacular!

Once we began the climb, the actual hike took about 1.5 hours, including all of our halts en-route. Since I was obviously not as fit as my cousin and his friends, I felt that I was always at the tail end of the group. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the trek perhaps most genuinely.

Trekking is clearly a common and popular pastime for “Puneri’s” (Pune residents).  As early as 7:30 AM, the fort was covered with individuals, of all ages, castes and cultures. I was surprised to find that one woman, clearly a vegetable seller, was climbing while carrying a basket filled with vegetables and other items. The sun danced across the sky, over the next hour, as the three of us made our way through the altitude, climbing higher. With each step, I felt even more energized, more enthusiastic. Even though I was slowly being drained of energy, an equal vigor seemed to empower me, too. Less than 45 minutes into our trek, we stopped for a “lemonade break”. The unique thing about trekking in India, at least in Pune, is that food is readily available on the way- in other words, it’s impossible to starve, even while exercising! The cool drink was the perfect refresher, and when all three us had finished our beverages, we resumed the hike.

I’ve been to Sinhagad a number of times throughout my childhood, but each visit, I feel like I’m enjoying a new sight. I guess that’s the unique and beautiful part of nature- it’s always different, new and exciting. The rest of the trek seemed to go faster- not sure if I began gaining speed or if my cousin and his friends slowed down for me (probably the latter). Every few steps, I would take a second to look back and catch a glimpse of the skies, mountains and mist, as if to reward myself for making it this far with a visual treat. It really is better to take the time to truly enjoy the journey, rather than racing to the finish. Gradually, the trail began to steepen, and I took fewer glances backward. Finally, when I thought that I couldn’t take another step, we began seeing signs. I read one, “Pune Darvaza, or Door” The gate was the first sign of an achievement- climbing to the top of the great fort, Sinhagad, and upon seeing it, I felt a wave of real excitement.

Once we had all reached the top, we enjoyed some yogurt and bhaji, a classic food available at Sinhagad. Bhaji is basically fried onions, adorned in various spices, and coated in flour, and the entire dish is deep fried in oil once again. These foods are a regular at the top of Sinhagad, and people have come to expect the treat, as a reward to climb to the peak. After we had all had our fill of the delicious, regional food, we explored the area and took more snaps. We saw Kalyan Darvaza, the other doorway at Sinhagad. One trail that we followed, led, according to my cousin, to a part of Mumbai, if we kept following it! 

The view from one point was utterly and completely breathtaking. Taking one look down, and one will see a great depth, rolling hills and beautiful hues of evergreen; shades of navy paint the skies, and the mist gently drapes the already spectacular panorama. I could probably have remained there all day, simply losing myself in that picturesque scene. Nothing in life seems so clear, so beautiful, and so perfect, than that moment as I took in the colors and trees, mist and mountains in that scene atop Sinhagad.

Overall, trekking on Sinhagad with my cousin and his friends was a lot of fun and a great adventure. It was really bhari (awesome). Plus it was great exercise! It was also the first time I’ve climbed the entire fort! (there’s also a car route, which I’d taken on a previous family trip to India).

Pictures to come!!! 

Until later! :) 

Overdue Updates: New Project & More Family

Before I share updates, just wanted to apologize for not posting for the last 2 weeks! So much has happened though, so enjoy this super long blog post! (and see my next post too!)

A window into art opens doors. It can be a unique opportunity to see something with a new pair of eyes, interpret something in a vivid way, or even paint a picture representative of a beautiful artifact/place.

This past weekend, spending time with one of my 3 aunts became my window into a new passion and a unique world.

When we finally reached Shivaji Nagar, where my aunt lives, I felt warmly welcomed into their household. There is a certain warmness, a certain pleasure, associated with my 3 aunts’ homes that cannot be reproduced, and – as I stated earlier – is related to my magnetic attraction to India. Climbing up the nearly 3 flights of stairs, I removed my shoes, aligning them with the pairs lining the top of the doormat, before entering the home. It's customary to remove shoes before entering homes in India

After some time reacquainting with everyone, they decided that they needed to get out of the house, and show me something, and asked me if I liked/enjoyed bhel, a pretty typical snack food here.

Let me interject this nice descriptive account with a few statements of realization. I’ve probably been eating 10 X what I’m used to over the past month since I’ve been in India. Since it’s rude to refuse food (especially that which individuals offer), and I am very unskilled at showing my satisfaction/ full-ness, I’ve been consuming possibly an unhealthy amount. All for the culture, right? :) 

So, as I was saying… we travelled to a local popular Bhel place. Friday evening may have been the wrong time to visit a fast food place, and as we entered, we saw a line extending to the edge of the wall. I joined, and after 5 minutes,

My cousin ordered for the family:

Cousin: 2 SPDP’s, 1 Bhel ani 1 pani puri dya. (Give us one bhel and one pani puri)

Cashier: Ho, hey ghya (Yes, here you go).  (Handing us white tickets- “receipts”)

When my number was called, I immediately walked to the counter, lifting the bowl. For the first few minutes, I glanced at the overflowing bowl of bhel (goodness) with astonishment. Then, I dug in, realizing that if I didn’t, it would spill. With our bowls of food in hand, we carefully descended the stairs, finding a nice bench for all 4 of us to sit near the entrance.

Nearly half hour later, my cousin was helping me finish the “snack”. When Suhas Kaka offered me some kulfi/ice cream, I wanted to laugh, but thankfully caught myself, realizing I had a mouthful of Bhel still in my mouth. All I can say is, it was a delicious treat, but really, Too. Much. Food.

            The following morning (Sunday) was another unique adventure (You can call it that!), as it was the first time I ventured alone in Pune, navigating through the busy, lively, crazy streets in Shivaji Nagar, Pune. Up till this time, I’ve always had companions while walking through town, or been accompanied on auto/scootie/ car. Where was I going? Actually, the night before, while conversing with my aunt, she began showing me origami creations she had made. Among other decoration pieces, she had prepared a beautiful crane/swan, built out of small folded papers. Since I was amazed (and perplexed!) at this art form, my aunt, with her ambitious, artistic mind, had the brilliant idea to send me to her neighbor, an art teacher, and fellow friend, who gives lessons on how to assemble and fold such intricate figures using 3 simple things: paper, fevicol glue and scissors. I agreed, thinking that it would be a nice pastime and that I would learn a new craft- a lamp to make as gifts for friends and for Diwali decorations.

I successfully navigated the streets and reached the home, greeted by her housekeeper and her mother-in-law (I think). During those two hours, I was amazed by that woman’s artistic capabilities, and her teaching skills, both. In a mere two hours, she demonstrated how to create an origami lamp, and a swan, each requiring nearly 50+ paper folds. For those who are unfamiliar with crafts, this is a difficult task, indeed. It’s incredible how something so simple or bland as a folded piece of paper, when combined with other similar folds, and arranged in a spectacular fashion, builds something so full of life. Art is like that: it never ceases to amaze. I left the teacher’s home with a new appreciation for art, in all its complexity. 

Here's a picture of the swan that I made with her help! 

Origami Creation :)

That afternoon, I also had the opportunity to visit my aunt's art studio, which she created nearly 8 years ago as a “an art school”/tutoring center for children, mostly under the age of 12. My aunt and one of her previous art students have jointly invested in this venture, holding weekly sessions for local young art students in the area. I hadn’t expected to be as blown away by the students’ art as I was at the end of one of these tutoring sessions. That Sunday morning, four kids were present- two pairs of siblings, preparing for various art exams and competitions. At first glance, they would appear normal elementary and high school students, but in reality, they were all brilliant little artists. As the clock struck 1:00, the first pair of students arrived- a girl of 9 and her older brother, who appeared about 12. They assumed their seats on the floor cushions, while my aunt turned to the boy to assign him the first lesson. Carefully, she etched a few template-like designs, including a fish, circle, squiggly line and straight line on a sheet of paper. Then, she proceeded to explain to the boy what the concept of space division (or something like that) was. She proceeded to draw a rectangle on the white sheet. Basically, his assignment was to use a certain number of each of the given shapes as tools to divide the rectangle space into as many distinct, overlapping “pieces” or spaces, as possible.

By this time, the other two girls, sisters, had also arrived. my aunt disappeared behind the doorway to the kitchen. Minutes later, she returned with a flower pot, half filled with clear liquid. A silver spoon glistened in the water. Upon placing the simple art piece on a stool, she instructed the girl (probably the younger of the two) to draw what she saw, and create a free-hand sketch, specifically including as many intricate details as possible. The challenge was to mirror the real objects as accurately as possible, recreating them, as if they could literally leap off of the page and materialize. 

Finally, she turned to the youngest student. This particular lesson was quite meaningful to  me, because it demonstrated to me how personal and unique art can be, and its significance in sparking individual thought and creativity. First, she took a short interview, asking the young girl what her favorite place was, who she admired, and where she would go for vacation. The young artist was to recreate her favorite, ideal world, behind the window drawn before her on the page. Her vivid creation would have no bounds- only her imagination would guide her.

Thinking back, I think that this is what art is- a personal window into one’s own  thoughts/beliefs. When someone paints a portrait- let’s say of Niagara Falls- he is adding his own ingredients. In this way, although two paintings may seem alike in their form and creation, they are really different. No two art forms are alike (not even those that are “mass produced”. This is because the artist always adds his/her own special ingredient, or touch, to the piece. This is what personalizes a piece. A single brush, streak or aspect can be significant.

The window into art exercise made me think about art hours after the class was over. I realized that art can be a powerful tool to understand one’s thoughts- especially that of children. My aunt's student ended up illustrating her home, showing her favorite family members- perhaps her uncle, mother, and brother. In the background, she had also inserted an image of her school. Though we didn’t get much time to hear her reasons for designing her window as she did, just seeing what she had envisioned provided a snapshot of her thoughts and hopes. A window into art can become quite valuable way of understanding an individual- indeed, I would never have thought that it could. 

On the work front, research is also going well. I finally got my ID Card, so I can officially go to the IISER library!

Another pretty big update is that I've changed research projects. I ultimately stumbled upon a new project that I found quite fascinating last Thursday. I think, would supplement my career interests better than my earlier project. Although exploring Raman Spectroscopy and the HGPRT protein was a unique topic, I’m really looking forward to this new project. For the remainder of my seven weeks here (I can’t believe that that’s all that’s left!) I’ll be joining Professor Ranjan, a new professor at IISER who focuses his study on the neural basis of mechanistic behavior, using songbirds. Basically, this research uses Zebra Finches, a type of songbird, to study the significance of introductory notes (IN’s) to prepare a bird to sing his learned song. In turn, a parallel can be drawn to Parkinson’s patients, in which the brain struggles to “prepare” to initiate behaviors in affected individuals. My particular project will examine the differences between the introductory notes of songbirds with normal hearing, and those who have been deafened. We will use MatLab to analyze and “mark” the sonograms of Zebra Finch songs. We will then compare/contrast the sonograms of deafened and normal birds. Ultimately, this will shed light on the link between IN’s and hearing ability (if having the ability to distinguish sounds will influence whether a young bird will prepare for the song. In the coming weeks, I’ll be sure to learn more about the implications and future of this research, but in the mean time, I’ll also become more familiar with MatLab!  

Besides research and family, I also got to meet up with fellow Khorana Scholars last week, which was fun! On Thursday, we saw a bit of the NCCS (National Center for Cell Science) campus (which is ~ 5 minutes from IISER) and ate at McDonalds nearby (I was craving American food!). On Friday, I joined some other fellow exchange students at IISER to the "downtown" Pune area, where we ate dosa (and other delicious South Indian food). My meal consisted of one butter masala dosa (YUM!), some dahi vada which we all shared, and to top it off, lassi! Later, we all couldn't help enjoying some mango ice cream. It was the perfect ending to the week. 

See my next post for details on my trip to Sinhagad this past weekend! 

Until Later :)-

Lights, Camera, Action- Learning about Raman Spectroscopy

Science is such a vast, interdisciplinary subject, and I've never truly appreciated this, perhaps until now. Despite how complex and intricate concepts seem to be, seemingly contrasting subjects intersect, illuminating new, exciting and meaningful ideas. This past week has been an incredible week at my lab, in terms of the variety of things I've seen and learned. It's been quite the transition, to say the least, however. When I last posted, last week, I'd been catching up on readings assigned to me by my PhD mentors and, generally becoming acquainted with the lab’s goals and the historical backdrop of the field of optics, biophysics and chemistry. However, on Friday, Sonashree and Arya (my direct supervisors) allowed me into the laser lab. 

The laser lab is divided from the "wet lab" (where we work primarily), and is a dust-free, shoes-free zone where the optical experiments are carried out. It's also the location of the Raman Spectrometer, which is the focus of the lab's research on visualizing and characterizing the structure of an enzyme called HGPRT. I've been looking forward to entering the laser lab because it meant that I could start learning about the experimental part of my project, and get hands-on experience. Before further explanation, let me explain what my research actually is. 

Basically (I'll try to explain the basic concept the most lay-man terms I can), our lab explores the structure and function of the enzyme, HGPRT (hypoxanthine-guanine-phosphoribosyl-transferase), by using a visualizing technique called Raman Spectroscopy. HGPRT is involved in catalyzing reactions that recycle nucleotides (building blocks of DNA) in both parasites, humans and other organisms. Deficiencies in the enzyme can lead to serious disorders such as Lesch-Nyhan's Syndrome or Gouty Arthritis.

So why.. or more importantly HOW.. is visualizing HGPRT using optics beneficial? By "reading" vibrational waves within biological molecules, Raman Spectroscopy can provide a glimpse into the biological interactions occurring within the enzyme, thus serving as a window into its function as a catalyst for significant reactions. The actual process of Raman Spectroscopy involves Raman Scattering, in which light is scattered, as it hits a material/substance, exciting photons to a higher energy level.

In turn, learning the structure of HGPRT can allow us to inhibit it's enzymatic pathway,  aiding in the development of drugs for disorders related to issues with nucleotide metabolism.

Since the project we'll work on will require us to take images of HGPRT's enzyme-substrate complex, I've been observing the workings of the Raman Spectrometer, and the preparation that goes into using it. Before beginning each experiment with the spectrometer, it is essential to adjust the prisms which reflect light between and within the prisms. Precise alignment of the prisms is significant, as the maximum amount of light (photons) should hit the sample of enzyme for the most efficient experiment. 

 

A Raman Spectrometer, similar to the one in my lab

It's one thing to study a subject, and another to see it- like a story coming to life. So far, I've been really amazed and impressed by the process of prism alignment. Besides the scientific concept, it's also just awesome and quite magical to be able to see the light reflect across the laser lab. 

Toward the end of such a session on prism alignment, something my mentor said was particularly memorable and - truly - inspirational. 

-->I don't remember what she said exactly, but it was something like, “You cannot decipher the light unless you follow it- you cannot embrace a concept, unless you know how the concepts align.” 

Pondering the statement hours later, I realized how true this statement is for everything in life. Without a path, a story or a purpose, how can a person traverse through life? True, she was talking about the light, but something in that statement applies to society in general. Something in that statement stayed with me- empowered me, you might say, to follow the path of light in my life.

I've never been very interested in biophysics or light/magnetism, but I'm finding that research can spark new interests. It really does have the power to transform careers, change lives and impact people. Besides, as my mentor said, light physics relates to medicine, too!

Beyond the scope of my work, I'm also simply enjoying being in India. Yesterday, I went on a jog through campus and found myself at NCl Innovation Park, a nearby academic complex that's also gorgeous. The monsoon has truly "greened" the area, and I'm really enjoying exploring that beauty. Check out some pictures! 

 

IISER Pune Board

IISER Campus (See the Bus in the back!)

The path to NCl Innovation Park!

More of Campus!

Over the past weekend, I was able to visit my uncle and one of my three aunts, who lives near the IISER campus. I'm really lucky to have such a large family in Pune. I've always loved visiting each of my aunts, or "atya's" and their families. The Jalukar family is an incredibly talented, diverse, loving and vibrant community in itself. Every Jalukar is so talented, but also so humble, and that's what I love about everyone. 

My uncle and my cousins were eager to show me around, and on Saturday, I joined them for some shopping at a local market called "Tulsi Baag" Since it's back-to-school season here, my cousins also had to buy many supplies for school. It was a familiar scene- shopping for clothes, backpacks, and pencil cases- just the scenery had changed.
On Sunday evening, I joined my uncle and cousins to Talzai, a national park with a preserved jungle-area, where we followed a trail leading to the edge of a cliff overlooking slums, with the mountains, and Parvati in the distance. It was the perfect contrast- the poverty of the tin-home-neighborhood against the backdrop of the majestic mountains-, and yet, it was beautiful.

On the way back to the park gate, we had the good fortune of catching a glimpse of the national bird- a peacock on a tree. During the monsoon season, it's common to see peacocks here. My uncle first noticed the soft “meows” of the communicating peacocks. Nearly five minutes later, we all embarked on a mini-journey to locate the peacock in the skies. The discovery of the peacock was purely accidental. I believe it was my uncle who happened to gaze upwards. When he did, a silhouette of a bird emerged, and behold, it was the peacock’s outline perched up in the tree. I had never quite had such a spectacular visual treat, and I would say it was one of the most satisfying sights of my trip. The best things in life are indeed free. 
Though I don't have a picture of it (thanks to my bad camera luck), here's a picture from google to give you a taste of what I experienced: 

Peacock in tree- similar to the one I saw!

Eventually, the peacock flew away, but having the chance to see such a magnificent creature in a unique pose from so close was a sight I'll never forget. Too bad my camera ran out of batteries!  
This next weekend, I'm looking forward to meeting fellow Khorana research scholars in Pune to watch a movie, which will be a nice, refreshing change from the routine! 

Hello Monsoon Season!

The Indian Monsoon is a beautiful and incredible phenomenon. Without experiencing it and its full grip, one hasn’t lived. Let me explain-- Throughout the majority of the calendar year, Indian weather is a source of envy for many individuals living abroad in the American Midwest. Temperatures hover around a pleasant 60-70 degrees. Days are warm and sunny, but not scorching, save for the occasional minute shower. Then, around May 1^st, the temperature soars, and clouds disappear for what seems like eons. Throughout May, the blazing heat trails on, seeming to gain momentum, until, finally, on the brink, the clouds give way, and bangs of thunder resound throughout the skies- shaking the city with its vibrancy and strength. The sounds of thunder- signs from God, according to some- represent a break from the incessant heat, into a cooler, calmer paradise/oasis. The coming of the monsoon has manifested into the Indian culture. It’s a celebration, but a significant marker, nonetheless, for it signifies the end of a season- perhaps, you could say, an era.

The first thunder of the monsoon season is a magical moment, because it reminds people that the rains are coming. Children find joy in playing in the water. Their definition of the rainy season is an opportunity to finally become drenched- from head to toe- in muddy puddles, play for hours throughout the society (neighborhood), and honestly, just be a kid. From an adult’s perspective, I view it as a sign of hope, for anything in life. The coming of the monsoon is awaited as a retreat from the scorching sun the month-and-a-half before. This is why it is such a universally awaited throughout India, and why anyone from children to adults find excitement and joy in the transition.

I’ve recently experienced this moment. It’s June 6^th. Historically, the rains begin much later in the month of June, so the initial rolls of thunder were unanticipated this afternoon. Nonetheless, I could feel the atmosphere of joy and excitement at IISER today. Even in the lab, we all experienced a common understanding of each other. Happiness truly draws people together, and the coming of the rains provided this emotion, and clearly brought us all on the same level.
The transition from summer to the rainy season can theoretically be a challenging change to deal with. My trip to India has similarly faced a rocky transition- both culturally and professionally. 

The past week has been an interesting one, because I've experienced so much, in so little time- as you can see. Before I share more of my experiences, here are a few pictures- at least the ones I've managed to take so far, which is not enough. My goal for next week: take more pics!  

En Route to India- @Frankfurt International Airport

 

My room- a spacious single!

Dorm Hallway!

What a view! From the 9th floor.

Night View from my window.

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IISER-Pune's magazine

That's pretty much all the pictures I have for now...more to come (especially in Warje, a suburb of Pune where my grandparents are from, and whom I will visit again next weekend!)

Anyway, the past week has been nothing short of exciting, but also quite challenging, as well. Even something as simple as laundry- has been different from in the states. Despite the differences, I'm slowly becoming accustomed to my life as an exchange research intern at IISER, and growing to love my new home. Though I have always loved Pune, having visited often throughout my child/teen-hood, this time is quite different, as I've never really been exposed to an academic environment in India. It truly has been valuable learning about the subtle unique aspects of an Indian lab that distinguish it from American facilities. 

My lab work is going well, too. After the chemical biology conference last Monday/Tuesday, my direct supervisors/mentors Vishakha and Sonashree, both Ph.D.'s in chemistry, gave me a few readings to familiarize myself with the lab goals and topics. Mostly, these have been literature reviews and past publications, presentations and papers on raman spectroscopy, a light-scattering/optical instrument/technology which can be used to obtain high-quality images of biological molecules. On the second or third day, another Ph.D. student in the lab, Arya, gave me a tour of the raman spectroscope, and other important technologies in the back area of the lab. I have been extremely impressed by the modern facilities in the lab so far! (PICS to come) It's truly a world-class university. For instance, the machines and instruments in the wet lab are all visibly new/modern. It is quite impressive.

The lab set up, however, is quite different. Although I've never worked in a bio photonics lab before, I've never really been exposed to a lab where the computing facilities and wet lab area are physically separated by a wall. (Not sure if this was intentional). 

Regardless, another thing I've been doing this past week has been attending lab group meetings (there have been 2 so far). Lab group meetings are an hour each week where 1-2 lab members give presentations on their projects. This week's was especially interesting, as Sonashree, the member I will work closely with throughout the summer, gave her presentation on HGPRT. The topic of this project is investigating/characterizing the structure and transition state time scale of the enzymatic pathway involving HGPRT. This is an enzyme that catalyzes hypoxanthine, guanine and xanthine in humans and parasites which cause malaria and gout, among other diseases. The broader goal of the research, as per my understanding thus far, is to use an understanding of the chemical structure of HGPRT, and inhibitors which can "freeze" the transition state from the enzyme-substrate to enzyme-product complex, to fully study it, and to facilitate drug development for diseases such as gout, malaria or lesch-nyhan syndrome. 

Now that I'm getting more accustomed to the jargon/terminology of the field, I'm looking forward to beginning experiments soon!

Anyway, this past weekend, I also got a chance to visit my grandparents, who live in Dnyanesh Society, Warje, a suburb of Pune. 

 

Grandparents Home- Warje, Pune

The demographic in Dnyanesh society consists of a majority of young people (teens), children and aged folk: two extremes on the age scale. Despite this, it appears like a blended city. I’ve often- during every visit to India, in fact- reflected on the dynamic of communities in India, and how they compare to communities abroad, in the Midwest, for instance. Culture and class structure certainly play major roles in how people interact within Hindu societies. For one thing, India is significantly (80%) Hindu, and most people share a common heritage and culture, binding them together on a different level. An equally significant contributing factor is the climate- tropical societies often spend a significant time outdoors due to the warm weather. This unites many individuals who otherwise would not meet and automatically presents a location to play, meet or just talk. The final element is the historical backdrop in Indian culture which, perhaps not actively/ vocally, but engraved within the cultural norms, emphasizes community, and fosters strong relationship development early in life, facilitated by the neighborhood and family structure.

Aaji’s (Grandma's) community is a perfect representation of this dynamic- as are most neighborhoods throughout India (that I’ve seen). The unique part of her neighborhood is that the combination of extremely varying age groups create an even exceptional community, where kids learn to help the elderly (living amongst them) in addition to playing with other kids. In turn, I find this concept- of neighborhood structure and dynamic- fascinating, especially as it relates to India’s regions. 

Next weekend, I'm looking forward to visiting my uncle and grandparents again. Gotta love the family!

Happy Start-of-Monsoon Season! :) Until later!