Invitation to Talk at alma mater is a catalyst to medicines

A few days back I read a message: 'you have not completed the purpose of your life'. My last blog was certainly one of the low-moments in one of the many low-days. I cannot take it out. Let it be there. Today I feel a call back to continue doing something for the younger generation. I get a feeling that while approaching 65 after a long innings of strain, work and self-assumed responsibilities, a person needs some medicines as well as some catalysts to pull on. Medicines were alright but the relief and lightness for me is due to a catalyst-- an invitation to give a talk in SCS College, Puri on the occasion of annual seminar of the Zoology Department. SCS College is my Alma mater.

I was a student of SCS College, Puri during 1969-1972, while completing Pre-professional-- after Higher Secondary, and Graduation with Zoology Honours. The buildings of the College have expanded, I have seen these from outside as I drove along the boundary very often in the last 12-15 years.  I was born and educated in this holy city of Puri, with many childhood lessons and memories. For higher studies and professional research career I had to remain outside Puri, with occasional visits to home. A visit or two for marine turtle work on the sea beach with Dr Bustard in 1975-76 or to document the fate of turtle in the Railway Station, before the Sea Turtle Project was launched, is a different story.

I will be visiting my College first time as a Guest to speak from my experience, distribute prizes to the students and to spend time with the faculty. This invitation has put me back on wheel, in good spirit. I still feel, I am not yet finished in sharing my experience with young students, as a few of them may click for wildlife conservation in future. I am preparing to talk on "Wildlife conservation and planning population research". There will be Post-Graduate students, I wish a few get really inspired, and one or two pursue wildlife/biodiversity research.

Indeed, the work of motivating others from own biographical accounts can never end in my life. 

Wildlife studies or simple observations can be a pleasant and rewarding hobby for all, but a profession for just one or two, although scope is vast and unused yet.

Good feeling!

In coming Years(?) for me

After a long gap, I am using my blog to write something purely personal. These days things are not as spirited or enthusiastic as they used to be. Tasks seem to never end for me. Entire day busy. Tired in the evening. More tired; giving a feeling that years gone by have really taken the best and most out of me, these are gone and will not be repeated. Friends who admired and relied on my writing have requested time and again but I ma not able to settle down for any creative writing. There are piles of unfinished writings-- literary, popular, semi-technical, research-result. There are many ideas but nothing seem to click or nothing seem to be powerful enough to keep me glued to pen-paper or the keyboard. In spite of several friendly requests I am unable to get enthused or have the urge to go to Koraput and talk to students about my work, about wildlife, about management issues, and so on. I cannot oblige my long time friend a write up for his publication. If someone starts to talk with me it continues with no sign of ending. Interest in life, interest in subject seem to be shifting, or slowing down, but the past work, past friends, and previous well wishers have made so much impact, that I cannot get out of the shoes and the history! As I type, I get an optimistic feeling that may be today is a day for return to my creating literary work of 1960s and 70s. Perhaps this is going to take me through the coming days, months or years. I do not know when I will sit with this page again, and with what in my mind. Until then, I will also be keen to know about me and my mood.