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Ten Years, One Dream: Lessons from My PhD Journey

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 May 2025. I walked across the stage, heart pounding and eyes welling up, to receive my PhD in Epidemiology. After ten long years, I wasn’t just a graduate, I was a warrior, a mother, a wife, a full-time professional, and now, a doctor of philosophy. Yes, ten years. This wasn’t your traditional academic timeline. It was a marathon, a part-time PhD done alongside a full-time job and a full-time life. And at 43, with my 8-year-old daughter cheering me on and my husband proudly holding the camera, I felt something that’s hard to describe, an overwhelming mix of exhaustion, joy, relief, and above all, pride. Here are the lessons I learned through this extraordinary journey, lessons I hope will inspire anyone walking their own long, winding road toward a dream. Sometimes the Plan Will Break, But You Don’t Have To In 2015, I began my PhD at Indiana University with stars in my eyes and a scholarship to back it. I had already earned my MPH there the year before and had a couple...
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The Goddess Within: Mental Health Reflections Through 9 Days of Navratri

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  Every year when Navratri begins, I feel an inner shift. It’s not just the rituals, the fasting, or the devotion, it’s almost like being given nine gentle reminders to pause and look inward. Each form of Maa Durga holds up a mirror, showing us qualities that are not only divine but also deeply human, qualities that, when embraced, can guide us towards better mental health. Here’s how the nine forms of the Goddess connect with our well-being, and what we can all take away from them: Day 1: Shailaputri – The Mountain Daughter Shailaputri is the first form of Durga, born as the daughter of the Himalayas . She rides a bull and carries a trident, symbolizing strength and resilience. ✨ Lesson for us: Just like the mountains remain unmoved in storms, our mental health depends on grounding ourselves. Practices like mindful breathing , steady routines, or simply walking barefoot on grass can give us the steadiness to face life’s challenges. Day 2: Brahmacharini – Devotion and Disciplin...
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Beyond the Crisis: Reinventing Public Health for the Next Generation

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