By: Dr. Sajad Hussain Din
The year 2016 marked a decisive turning point in my doctoral journey. After fruitful visits to IIT Madras and the National Aerospace Laboratory (NAL), the path to academic completion led us to the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at IIT Kanpur. This final phase was not merely an academic necessity but a transformative experience that deepened the rigor and breadth of our research.
Accompanied by my ever-reliable friend and colleague Mr. Kaleem Ahmad, we embarked on a long train journey from Srinagar to Kanpur, determined to give our research the finishing touches it deserved. Upon arrival, we settled into the institute’s guest house, mentally preparing ourselves for what we anticipated to be the most intense stretch of our doctoral program.
The following day, we had scheduled a consultation with the esteemed Prof. Kamal K. Kar, a name synonymous with excellence and exactitude in the field of materials science. In contrast to the affable and open-hearted Prof. M. S. Ramachandra Rao of IIT Madras, Prof. Kar embodied administrative precision and academic discipline. Though his schedule was tightly packed, he eventually accommodated our request, albeit with a formal and authoritative demeanor.
What stood out was his uncompromising leadership—he issued direct and firm instructions to his team to facilitate our work, ensuring that no delays hindered our progress. Under this disciplined atmosphere, our research pace accelerated, and we quickly transitioned into advanced phases of experimentation and data refinement.
Our stay at IIT Kanpur extended to three intensive months, during which we meticulously added new dimensions to our work. We conducted advanced experimental procedures, introduced additional chapters to our thesis, and ensured that every aspect of our research aligned with global academic standards.
The environment at IIT Kanpur was starkly different from that of IIT Madras. Gone were the vibrant avenues like Taramani, Krishna Gate, and Velachery, or the leisure outings to Phoenix Mall—an oasis of relief during high-stress periods. Kanpur’s academic ecosystem was austere and unrelenting, with limited avenues for recreation or social diversion. The institute’s geographical isolation reinforced an immersive, albeit monotonous, academic environment.
Nevertheless, this seclusion fostered deep intellectual focus. Through engaging discussions with faculty members and scholars, we absorbed invaluable insights that enriched the methodological and analytical components of our thesis.
After returning to Srinagar, we entered the writing phase of our thesis. The winter of 2017 was marked by long hours of drafting, reviewing, and refining. To clarify complex theoretical components and validate certain experimental conclusions, we consulted Dr. Pathak and Dr. Suman from CSIR Lab, Jamshedpur. Additionally, Dr. Anandan from NAL, who had earlier facilitated tribological tests, remained an invaluable intellectual resource.
By the close of winter, we had completed and submitted our thesis. To our immense satisfaction, it was well-received, approved, and successfully defended, marking a proud conclusion to years of unwavering dedication.
Following our doctoral completion, we served at NIT Srinagar for two consecutive academic sessions. During this time, an opportunity arose to return to IIT Kanpur, not as students, but as participants in a national faculty development program on Material Characterization.
Together with our mentors—Prof. Sheikh Nazir Ahmad and Prof. M. Mursaleen Butt—we travelled by air to Lucknow, followed by a road journey to the campus. The course, curated by Prof. Gauthama, brought together faculty members from leading institutes across India. It provided intensive hands-on training on state-of-the-art equipment, including the newly commissioned Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), among other advanced material characterization tools.
The IIT Kanpur phase of my PhD was characterized by discipline, direction, and deep intellectual rigor. It lacked the cultural dynamism and recreational vibrancy of IIT Madras, but more than compensated through academic immersion, methodological depth, and research refinement.
This final chapter not only enriched our thesis but also helped us evolve as independent scholars, ready to contribute meaningfully to the academic and scientific community. The experience reaffirmed a timeless truth: that true growth often emerges from environments of structure, challenge, and relentless pursuit of excellence.
The writer can be reached at sajad_08phd12@nitsri.ac.in
