DILEMMA DELHI-MAA

Academic learning hasn’t made me come so far as coming so far has helped me learn, for example, applying to an international writing programme had not been as massive an ordeal as applying for the passport was. Being academically invested wasn’t as helpful as was talking to friends over lunch in Delhi School of Economics.

If I were to spot an inflexion-point in my career and education, it was moving to Delhi from a mofussil town. My political-ideological apparatus underwent a tumult paralleling the stock market these days. At school, participating year in year out in debates, MUNs, extempores never impacted my grades, I have been academically “sound” since school. Then, my writing and engagement with public affairs were limited to CBSE Expression Series. Coming to college was no less than a bee pollinating a flower (my bad for the carnal allusion). Writing an academic paper on Delhi as the capital of seven kingdoms and empires was problematic—I had so long been achromatic to the multiplicity of identity.
Sitting in my small room in Noida and writing concept notes for conferences at college, and outside the college, or combating in an arena of diatribe over political concepts made me feel the pulse of ‘identity’ and ‘ideas.’

And in doing so, Literature as an academic discourse helped in two ways. One, it culminated into a flair for expression. Two, it served as the philosophical mainstay to these expressions. Notwithstanding these perks, it had its downsides too.

The objectivity of analytical expression was somewhere compromised slightly.

But I’m working arduously over it. And, this work shall keep going! I will keep you informed.