The Path of Excellence
Everyone wants to rise to excellence, but only a few make it to the top. Probably, because they are courageous enough to pay the price it requires to get there. Maybe, being mediocre is easier. Not that, it is a bad thing to practice, but it definitely is the safest way to play the game. And, why risk life unnecessarily, when you can very well live in your comfort zone? But some people cannot breathe without thriving for excellence, from the day they are born.
There was one such boy. He always stood first in every examination he appeared for, be it at the school level or during higher studies. He never returned without getting a gold medal. He published his first research papers at the age of eighteen. Despite being a high-ranked government official, his love for science made him pursue research outside his office hours. As some people say, he lived for science.
A groundbreaking discovery in the 1930s, made through an experiment led by him, gave Indian science a new dimension in the Global frontier. He soon became the Director of a prestigious institute in the country and developed an entire department over there. Later, he founded his own research institute where the upcoming generation of scientists would get the freedom of pursuing their research. Founder of the science academies and the first scientific journal of India, recipient of several awards and honors. His students later became huge pillars of modern science in India.
Although this sounds like a superhero story, the journey wasn't that straightforward and simple. There were many twists, turns, fights, and threats. Huge obstacles blocked his path on several occasions. There was a point when his whole existence was shattered. Yet, he stood up and began it all over again. Not that the forces which came his way were usually external. Many times, his inbuilt traits also got him into trouble. But, his goal was something much bigger than himself as well as others: Building true science in the country and inculcating in the next generation, a scientific attitude, courage, and an undying spirit to move ahead despite all the odds. He continued to pursue his vision till his last breath.
It's all about overcoming challenges and moving ahead. Making great discoveries might not be a prerequisite for excellence. Our daily work if done with the utmost skill, improving bit by bit and practicing over and over again, might also one day lead to the excellence that people talk about.
Maybe, his life would have been a bit easier had he kept his standards low and dreamt small. But then, we wouldn't have known him the way we do today: Sir C.V. Raman.
©Neha Kanase
