Chasing the Stars: My Journey to the Telescope City of India

As my school principal ma’am quotes every time,

“Freedom comes with responsibility.”

My journey to the cosmos is heavily inspired by her words. While this might sound unrelated to the topic at first, the experiences I am going to share would alter your views as you read on.

There is something universally magical about the night sky. It has a way of casting a quiet spell the moment you gaze up, pulling you in until the thin line between fantasy and reality simply dissolves. I was certainly no exception to this.

Every night during my childhood, my mother used to recite stories to me on the terrace under the starry sky. The stories teleported me to different worlds, and so did the night sky. One of her books had a picture of Dr. Kalpana Chawla, and I asked her about it. Ever since then, I wanted to become an astronaut–- to experience the cosmos firsthand. A few years later, my mother became a part of the cosmos, and my passion grew stronger. One day I went to my principal ma’am and expressed my interest in becoming an astronaut. She said, “Becoming an astronaut is more of a chance rather than a choice.” For the kid I was back then, it felt like demotivation. But the world that awaited outside of the school demanded that I face reality to understand the weight behind those words. Yet I did not want to give up on my passion. I am someone who questions the conventional way of living and tries to live of my own accord. In simple words, I love freedom. Well, who does not?

That’s my first ever visit to a research facility after my 12th board exams: the Kodaikanal Solar Observatory, IIA Image Credits: My father.

During my high school, I grew so interested in learning physics that I was motivated to pursue it in my higher education. I chose to go to Delhi for the same. People said, “You are a girl and Delhi is not safe. You did not have to go so far to pursue just a BSc in Physics.” And they were partly right. The world outside is different. It is unbiased and unfair at the same time. Being inside a comfort shell, this was quite a shock for me. But I found no point in just running away from the world where I would end up some day in my life. I struggled in every aspect–-academics, finance, emotional intelligence–-figuring out things on my own. Despite the setbacks and self-doubt, I made it through post-graduation. I became qualified enough to understand the cosmos and the world better but could never answer this one question: What next? I was never fully satisfied with whatever I was doing. I felt like I was lacking something so fundamental.

Convocation ceremony of my Bachelor’s degree. Image Credits: Photography club of SRCASW, Delhi

That existential question was abruptly put on hold when reality intervened. As soon as I completed my post-graduation, I was placed in a position to become the sole breadwinner of my family. Life felt suffocating, but there was always hope within. I did not want to end up in a job unrelated to what I studied. So I waited patiently until I was called for an interview for a job in an observatory. Little did I know then that it would turn out to be a life-changing opportunity. With just 500 bucks in my bank account and a nothing-to-lose attitude, I stepped into the ‘Telescope City of India’. I did not know back then that being brutally honest with oneself can get you to work in one of the most prestigious research institutes in India. Out of around 20 applicants for one trainee position, I was selected to spend the next year and a half in the reserved forests of Jawadhu Hills. As the cherry on top, I was appointed to work with Asia’s 3rd largest telescope–-the 2.34m Vainu Bappu Telescope!

With all the excitement in my heart, my path towards the cosmos started to unveil. Everything I had fought for was suddenly materializing. I was granted the immense privilege of operating massive telescopes–an opportunity that even Ph.D. scholars my age rarely receive. I was surrounded by unparalleled access to resources and boundless room for self-development. Crucially, I was finally earning a salary enough to support my family, lifting that suffocating weight off my shoulders. But perhaps the most beautiful realization of my newfound freedom was the night sky itself. In stark contrast to the warnings I received about navigating Delhi, here in the deep woods of the Jawadhu Hills, I had absolutely no fear of stepping out late at night. The starry canopy was no longer just a childhood fantasy on a terrace; it was my safe haven and my reality.

That’s me holding public outreach session as a Research Trainee at the Vainu Bappu Observatory, IIA. Image Credits: My colleague.

Life in a secluded observatory deep inside the woods might sound so exciting and it indeed is, for the initial part of it. Getting used to the textured quietness and becoming a part of it is a useful skill one learns as time passes by. The silence could be unbearable and irritating, but once you get used to it, it becomes a part of you. Being inside a close-knit environment with the majority of men throws another hurdle–you can go unheard so easily. Thus, you learn to speak up for yourself naturally. The biggest hurdle can be the lack of accessibility to a mentor. It is a risky business to be one’s own mentor; you are constantly on the verge of falling into the trap of a know-it-all attitude. You become either your best friend or worst enemy. So it is crucial to stick to the former. The sheer discipline and the sense of responsibility that my school imparted on me have been a cadence through this phase of my life.

Coming back to that lingering question: “What next?” The lessons I grasped during my time at the Telescope City finally guided me to a firm decision: building next-generation telescopes. The global research community is constantly searching for professionals with interdisciplinary skill sets, and I have finally found where I belong. By dedicating my life to advancing science, I am making an active choice, no longer just waiting for a chance.

I hope my journey shows you that true freedom is only earned by embracing the responsibilities that come your way. Keep chasing the stars!