175. The Professor's Suggestion

"You are lucky to have got Kailasam as your guide."

This was the comment made by several people, after Raghavan had registered for his Ph.D, with Professor Kailasam as his guide.

Professor Kailasam was a renowned scholar. His depth of knowledge, innovative thinking, ideas and presentations often found a mention in the media.

If Kailasam addressed a seminar, the seminar hall would be filled to capacity. Even people with no knowledge about the subject of his talk would throng to the hall, to listen to his speech. His speeches were so interesting and intelligible.

It was said that Kailasam had done more than a hundred research works in the university alone. Additionally, he had several research papers to his credit, some of them published in various journals and some presented in seminars.

Raghavan had been meeting Kailasam at frequent intervals and updating him about the progress of his research. Kailasam helped Raghavan in his efforts, by encouraging him through his appreciative comments and by giving suggestions for improvements.

Raghavan was approaching the end of his Ph.D. course. He had completed his research report. Once Kailasam went through the report and approved it, Raghavan would give it a final shape and submit it to the university for evaluation.

When Raghavan submitted his research report to Kailasam. Kailsam told him that he would go through it and asked him to come after a week.

Accordingly, Raghavan met Kailsam after a week.

The moment Raghavan entered his cabin, Kailasam extended his hand to congratulate him. 

"Congratulations, Raghavan. Your paper has come up very well" he said, shaking Raghavan's hand.

"Thank you very much, sir" said Raghavan, overwhelmed with pride and joy.

"Sit down. I have a suggestion for you."

"Please tell me, sir."

"Your paper is quite advanced. It can be divided into two parts."

"Yes, sir. I could have stopped my research at one point. But, I had an interest to develop the concept further and take it to the next stage. So, it has evolved into an advanced report. As you had said just now, I could have made it into two papers and got two Ph.D degrees!" said Raghavan, jokingly.

"That was what I wanted to suggest. Submit only the first part now. You can submit the second part, after six months and get a second Ph.D degree!" said Kailasam.

"Is it possible, sir?"

"Yes. I will take care of it."

"Thank you, sir" said Raghavan. 

The next issue of the university gazette carried the list of research papers approved by the university, during the last quarter. It carried the details of Raghavan's research paper.

The gazette also carried the details of the second part of Raghavan's research paper, but it was listed as a new research paper by Professor Kailasam.

Thirukkural

Section 1
The Path of Virtue

Chapter 18
Not Coveting Others' Belongings

Verse 175 (In Tamil)

ahki aganRa aRivu ennAm yAr mAttum
vehki veRiya seyin.

Meaning:

What is the use of deep wisdom and broad knowledge,

if one, coveting someone's belongings, acts unjustly towards him?

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'ArAychchik katturai' by the same author)

Verse 176 (Soon)
Verse 174