Blog #88: Dr. Chakraborty

I wish everyone could meet Dr. Chakraborty. I mean... seriously. She is a take-no-bullshit, tell it like it is woman who cares very deeply about many things, most of all the people around her. I will be the first to admit that the first day she walked into class, I didn't think we were going to get along. I thought she came off as unnecessarily strict, imposing harsh rules simply for the sake of having power.

Now, I know I couldn't be more wrong. In fact, I knew I was wrong by the end of that first class with her— it didn't take long for that first impression to change. Still, at the time, I never imagined we'd grow so close.

And now, after finishing our last class with her, and only a final to go, I can't believe that my time with her is already nearly gone. From venting sessions about boys to teary-eyed talks about travel, we've spent a lot of time just chatting outside of class. I have valued this so much. She is honest and vulnerable and passionate and caring and real.

A Chakraborty soapbox is truly something to behold. With tears often welling in her eyes, she has spoken on patriarchy and influential Indians and the importance of taking time to learn about yourself before you settle down. She doesn't speak on these matters as an obligation, nor does she regurgitate what she has heard from others. Instead, Dr. Chakraborty speaks from the heart, more so than almost anyone else I've ever seen in my life. A Chakraborty soapbox is rooted in personal experience, personal opinions, personal passion. I simply cannot do them justice.

This is why everyone needs to meet Dr. Chakraborty. She is a force that can only begin to be understood after spending time with her. I'm just lucky I got a few months.

P.S. After wanting one for years and facing criticism from her family, Dr. Chakraborty said screw it and got a tattoo last week, because she decided she doesn't care about everyone else's opinions. And that's Dr. Chakraborty.

P.P.S. Dr. Chakraborty is the person who taught me how to make chana masala so everything else aside I am eternally indebted to her.

I glow when I am around these women.