Could this possibly be the year when limelight and focus shifts towards this bleak patch of my existence: long have I labored, trudging, often alone, waiting for a day when media gaze directs towards my endless efforts to further scientific studies from this part of remote India. 


(Opening page of a Bangalore newspaper with my photo)

In the last few weeks, many from the media have discovered me – and find some of my produce worthy enough for a wider audience attention: The weekend gone had me being featured on Times of India (Kannada), Kannada Prabha and The Indian Express have all carried much information on our epidemiological survey on chikungunya – and next week, more coverage is expected for our HIV work. Ten days ago, Namma TV telecast an interview of mine….….Or is now the moment when I must henceforth stop moaning my mantra ‘mera number kab ayega?’ The reply to which was an oft-repeated and monotonous ‘ayega baba, ayega’….

Could it be that my five minutes of glory has finally 'aa gaya'? In my topsyturvy world of setbacks and much personal tragedy – a glimmer of cheer comes my way, professionally. Am I over the moon? The recognition, publicly, of hours and hours spent pursuing ever receding goals in the research world? 


(The New Indian Express item)

 
A few happy tidings have come this year …my elevation to the institutional head’s position, a hefty hike in wages, a new silver Ford parked at my door for my use, gratis. The addition of a bonny baby into the home census, the selection of a sulekha blog for inclusion in Penguin. 

I look around my room as I type this article: on the shelf is a large laminated B & W picture of a lady I once worshipped. Would she have savored this moment of glory of mine? Would my daughter have shared the happy news with her friends, of how her father had finally made it? 
I wonder.

A few weeks from now a special press and media meet has been arranged in the state capital for me…along with a prolonged TV session on research. I rub my eyes, is this real? I sometimes feel am I crowing and bragging here? Maybe yes, but more importantly for me, sharing my happiness with people here is as much my obligation as my need was to share my woes. So friends bear with my vanity as I yell from my roof top

..............Hear me world, I have arrived.