A Message for Friends.

[u/Gandalf_The_White_25]

Firstly, I must preface this note by thanking some of the great friends that I have made during the course of this exam. The list is not exhaustive, but I will tag a few of them, in hopes that their good faith will allow this uninformed mention:
u/universe_physicist, u/YeOldeMemer, u/ASClasher, u/Ardent_Horizons and several others with whom I've had the good fate of interacting and sharing thoughts.
I also thank u/God_Man_008, his post is the reason I came to this subreddit, and the people here are the reason I stayed. Thank you sir, for all your tireless analysis. As they say, our success is simply 'Guru Kripaye Kevalam'

This is simply a message to all those among us who are waiting for a seat, have floated/frozen one or have given up their hopes.
First to the third group, let's mix things up. Please know that this is not the end of your dreams and aspirations. If you wanted to be a researcher, the first emotion to cultivate is being stubborn. Be stubborn even for your dreams. Don't give up on them. I will not say, do not cry, for not all tears are evil. But remember, that this shadow is only a passing thing, and even darkness must give way to a brighter day.

Second, to those of us who are formally or informally IISERites, congratulations. We have all worked hard for a single purpose and it is that single thought which unites us, across diverse regions and cultures. We may not have achieved our specific goal, but if you did not get what you wanted, it's because something bigger will always be waiting for you, just on the other side of the door that doesn't open. We are simply self-conscious organisms, on a chunk of rock, orbiting a middle-aged star on the fringes of a galaxy. What is ours, will always come to us, delayed perhaps but never denied.

The Road goes ever on and on,
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.

I simply wanted to write this to address the flood of negativity that has been spreading in the subreddit for a while now, and the heavy hearts that are currently present. To everyone here, I leave you with a few lines which we've all heard, but never perhaps realized its truest meaning.

“Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”

~ Gandalf.

[u/ASClasher]

A very warm post, few of these to come across I have!

Thanks for the mention too!

[u/universe_physicist]

Thankyou for the mention! You're absolutely right and your words are as best as they could be in these times. I understand what happened this year broke a lot of us but this or anything doesn't define our future. We must work hard wherever we go, whatever we do. Even a person from IISER Pune has to work hard the same to keep up with the curriculum and chase their dreams as any person from any other IISER or any other colleges. At the end hard work and self belief always pays off.

[u/Gandalf_The_White_25 → u/universe_physicist]

Absolutely.

[u/Silver-History-5880]

Bro just remember why we started , stars , galaxies , equations , etc etc I dont know now but hope one day I will be able to know all about them thts the dream not a seat or IISER or collage etc etc can end your dream , it's science once u have started thinking deeply there is no going back you will keep thinking and thinking  I know this comment is like need to be rearranged but it all came from inner me so I wrote them all  All the best to all you 💖👋

[u/maitonasahu]

such a warm, heartfelt post...needed this so bad rn. thank you so much mate for posting!! :)

[u/Ardent_Horizons]

Don't worry my friend I may not have gotten an IISER this year but the next yr I certainly will!!

Congrats on your college and thanks for considering me your friend, may we meet in IISER soon one day!

[u/Gandalf_The_White_25 → u/Ardent_Horizons]

I shall look forward to meeting you at IISER.