Dr. K. Srikala Ganapathy is a Ph.D. Research Scholar in Botany. She was always interested in academics, loves life sciences, and has an unending thirst for knowledge and innovation. Let’s read her story in her own words.
Dr. K. Srikala Ganapathy – My Story
Somehow, learning has always inspired and uplifted me. I am an undergraduate in Microbiology with a University Rank. I feel deeply grateful to all my teachers, lecturers, and Professors for sowing the seeds of love for science and learning through their lectures, especially -Microbiology. It gave me the impetus and further motivation to pursue post-graduation in Microbiology.
Inspiration
Reading about great scientists from different disciplines of life Sciences and their contributions was a source of great inspiration to me. So, after marriage, I was inspired to pursue a Ph.D. My research interest was exploring the roots of traditional knowledge (medicinal plants) and scientifically investigating and validating their potential bio-activity. I loved the interdisciplinary approach to learn and understand Microbiology, Botany, Chemistry, and bioinformatics. Herbal medicine/ therapy is well established, and it’s the way of life in many ethnic cultures. Modern medicines are also derived from plants.
Focus
Srikala Ganapathy’s thesis focused on systematic invitro and insilico study of medicinal plants’ antibacterial and anticancer activities, especially against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Their research led to the identification of active phytochemical compounds that have efficacy in inhibiting resistant bacteria.
Insilico method involves using computer databases to screen, analyze and interpret interactions of phytomolecules and target proteins in the bacterial cells. Their research studies demonstrated potential binding activity showing insights as lead phytochemical molecules for further improvement and structural modification and subsequent rational design of novel drugs in the health sector in the future.
The whole research process involves collecting literature data, sampling, experimentation, instrumentation, presentation of research work in various national and international seminars and conferences.
The sheer joy to share and learn, interaction with subject experts and peer research scholars, winning presentation prizes and awards, and publishing papers in various reviewed scientific journals to defending Viva was an exciting and excellent learning experience. I also passionately taught biology and did meaningful voluntary work, conducting science workshops for children to reach out to society.
Unfortunate Situations
Recently in my forties, my hearing capacities suddenly deteriorated. I was shocked and scared. I sensed the doorbell sound diminishing. I could not follow TV dialogues and asked people to repeat, mainly when they spoke fast. I started to speak loudly. One-to-one and small group conversations I manage well enough, and phone conversations are still a real challenge. Series of visits to expert doctors and audiologists followed.
Doctors performed tests and informed me that I suffered from profound sensorineural hearing loss in both my ears. Hearing capacities of three frequencies out of six were working, and one out of three was deteriorating. Doctors said it could be due to damage to hair cells in the inner ear. Hearing aids came as a solution, and I began using them, though not much help in terms of clarity.
The saddest part was when I could not hear and follow the mike lectures of experts when I attended the conferences. I missed gaining valuable knowledge. Back home, I was in tears. It was difficult for people to understand the trauma I was going through when I could not receive my heart’s desires. To others, it may be trivial, but to me, it meant the world. It was tough for me to accept this. After going through stages of denials and frustration, I finally came to terms and accepted the issue, and decided to face it.
I also had to tackle financial challenges, my parent’s illness, my teenage daughter’s moods, and more issues. Some issues I cannot document here. It was painful. I endured them, but it only strengthened me.
Negative Experiences
When people laugh insensitively when I struggle to hear or underestimate my intelligence, it hurt me deeply earlier. But now, I have reached a point and stopped worrying about what people think of me. I ignore, let go. I also now tell people firmly and calmly, “What is the reason to laugh”? Can you speak loudly, slowly, and clearly? It is to avoid communication challenges.
Overcoming challenges, I then completed Ph.D. in Botany (interdisciplinary Microbiology). The journey had been long and immensely challenging but was fulfilling. I am thankful to Almighty that all my persistence, perseverance, and willpower finally paid off. I am sincerely grateful to my research guide for believing in me and supporting me with her kind understanding, guidance, and encouragement. However, professional and teaching activities were considerably reduced due to my hearing issues.
But I self-affirmed, let me not think of what I cannot do but was determined to focus on what I can do and decided to channelize my time and broaden my horizon by writing scientific and general articles. I also teach a small group of girls and slow learners and involve in voluntary teaching activities, finding satisfaction.
Still, I felt something amiss in my life. I had a constant inner drive to create something. The challenges pushed me to reflect on blessings and certain positive aspects of life. Thus unfolded the initiative, Science Shore, e-magazine to share the gift of knowledge and art with the world traveling with resourceful people.
Responsibility
As a passionate educator, I felt it is essential, and it is also my responsibility to provide good applicable content to learners and seekers of knowledge. Scientists, Professors, Doctors, writers, poets, teachers, software professionals, and people from different backgrounds and ages share their knowledge, perspectives, thoughts on various topics and subjects and express their talents and creations. By the Grace of Almighty, I am blessed with beautiful right people. I could re-discover the passion and purpose of my life. To find joy in creating and sharing. – A turning point in my life.
So, let us be inspired to be lifelong learners. Let us rise above all limitations that exist only in body and mind. In spirit, there are no limitations. We all have strength. We need to acknowledge with conviction and let us give knowledge to ourselves and the world. Proper knowledge empowers us and helps us deal with all problems in an intelligent, mature, and calm manner and discover our abilities to find solutions to problems. There lies –Our power! Using the gift of intelligence, we are all endowed with by the divine.
Positive Experiences
As a Teacher and coordinator- I have taught middle school and high school children English, Biology, and Handwriting. Have taken responsibility to motivate the team of teachers for various school activities. I have enjoyed playing my roles.
As a Writer, Several articles are published in The Hindu – Edu Plus and Young world. My poems are available in spill words.
My first little poetry book: Flight of words from the self, is available on Amazon. Mylapore Times has published a write-up about my book.
I have written articles in boloji and
How do I motivate myself when I am down?
Art heals me. I enjoy drawing mandalas to relieve my stress. It calms me. It boosts my energy.
Prayers – I firmly believe heals me. Walking – It keeps my energy levels up and boosts me psychologically too. It is essential to take care of our health.
Writing brings me clarity. Writing heals me and somehow helps me uplift me from lower to higher consciousness. Writing about magical glimpses of the silence of the divine during prayerful or meditative blessed moments is the most beautiful and meaningful. Writing helps me to express my thoughts. In the process, I feel the burden is released, and I feel lighter.
I love to spend time in silence. Quite my thoughts and make peace with myself. These keep me going. No matter what, I may pause. I may rest. But I will never give up!
Things that impacted me
Teaching taught me patience, and I am blessed to receive love from children. “Although I was strict, students somehow loved me. Perhaps my sincerity touched them. I put my heart and soul while teaching the children,” says Srikala Ganapathy.
Teaching slow learners: Volunteering taught me empathy.
Social service- volunteering activities, scribing for visually challenged, teaching first-generation learners – I understand how blessed I see them. I get motivated sometimes by seeing their perseverance spirit and how they face obstacles boldly. They are people with beautiful hearts who, despite their struggles, have shown me, love. It was touching and very moving.
I am blessed with a very loving family. I have made enriching friendships. Few I have not even met, but we share a beautiful bond of understanding. I have few friends. But precious ones. It is not the number of friends that matters is the understanding and comfort factor. That happens with few beautiful souls only. And I am happy with them.
I want to keep learning and want to better myself till I live.
At the same time, I celebrate my individuality.
I am not perfect. I am working to become better.
I want to live life with a purpose by doing good for the benefit of society.
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More inspiring mam , you are great.