Yesterday was 5th September 2024, a Teacher’s Day in India. In the evening, when I found some free time, I wrote the following reflection about one of my teachers—Prof. Dr. MP Arya.
The year was 2002, a pivotal time in my career. I had embarked on my post-graduate studies in homeopathy at the esteemed Dr. MPK Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital under Jaipur University. It was a moment of both excitement and uncertainty, as this was a significant step forward in my professional journey.
Later that year, I was introduced to my guide, Prof. Dr. M.P. Arya, a renowned figure in homeopathic circles, based in Pune. Until then, I had never heard of him, but his reputation as a scholar and mentor preceded him. Our first meeting took place in the Repertory Department, where he met all his assigned students for the first time. Besides me, there were two other postgraduate students specializing in repertory.
Dr. Arya was warm and approachable, and I immediately felt at ease. He asked each of us to jot down our thoughts on potential research topics for our post-graduate thesis. He made it clear that during our next session in Jaipur, he would sit down with each of us individually to help refine and finalize our research proposals. I left that initial meeting with a sense of optimism and purpose, inspired by his words.
However, the period of 2002-2003 was one of the most challenging times in my life. While pursuing higher education, I was also working hard to establish my clinic in Gurugram, which was still in its infancy. Financial support was scarce, and I found myself struggling to make ends meet. I made the difficult decision to sell my house, albeit for less than it was worth, in order to purchase a small plot of land in a commercial area where I hoped to build my clinic.
Even after selling the house, I did not have enough funds to construct the clinic. I had to rely on financial help from relatives and friends, but it still wasn’t enough. Moreover, I was burdened with mortgage payments to the HUDA Authority in Gurgaon for the land. These payments would stretch on for the next 12 to 14 years, adding a heavy financial strain to an already stressful time.
Amidst all this turmoil, I felt overwhelmed by the sheer distance between myself and my mentor. My clinic was in Gurugram, my college in Jaipur, and Dr. Arya was based in Pune. Frequent travel between these locations was financially impossible for me. I knew there were other teachers associated with Jaipur University who were closer to me geographically, but I had been assigned a guide from Pune—several hundred kilometers away.
The thought of traveling frequently to Pune to meet Dr. Arya filled me with anxiety. I simply did not have the funds to support such trips, and this was a source of great stress during the initial months. However, Dr. Arya’s understanding and supportive nature helped ease my worries. He reassured me that frequent travel was not necessary. Instead, we began to correspond through letters and phone calls.
Every time I made progress on my research, I would send him photocopies of my work via mail. In those pre-digital days, this was a time-consuming but necessary part of the process. We set up a routine—usually morning at 8 AM, I would call him to discuss my ideas and seek his feedback. His patience and dedication were remarkable, and he never once insisted that I travel to Pune unnecessarily. Instead, he guided me through our correspondence and telephone discussions, ensuring that I stayed on track with my research.
Our mentor-student relationship flourished over these three years. Every time we met in person during my interaction classes in Jaipur, it was a reinforcement of the respect I had for him as a mentor. Despite the distance, Dr. Arya remained closely involved in my progress, and his encouragement helped me overcome the financial and emotional challenges I faced during this period.
One of the most remarkable aspects of our relationship was his flexibility. He never imposed travel upon me and, in fact, signed off on my research completion letter based on our long-distance collaboration. This letter became an essential part of my final research thesis.
One of the most profound gestures of trust and respect from Dr. Arya came when he signed the letter of my research completion without ever seeing the final bound copies of my thesis. Despite the usual formalities, he placed full confidence in the work I had done. He mailed me the signed letters, which I then appended to my thesis and had it bound for submission to Jaipur University. This act not only reflected his faith in my diligence but also marked a pivotal moment in our mentor-student relationship—a bond built on mutual respect and understanding.
When I finally sent the complete draft of my research thesis to Dr. Arya, his response was nothing short of remarkable. Despite his busy schedule, he meticulously went through each page of my work, offering valuable edits and enhancements. His attention to detail was evident in the margin notes, where he carefully suggested improvements to elevate the quality of the thesis. At the end of the document, he wrote a simple yet powerful word: “Excellent.” This single word, coming from such a respected mentor, filled me with a sense of accomplishment and pride.
In addition to these edits, he took the extra step of writing a personal letter, which he placed at the beginning of the photocopy of my thesis. In this letter, he acknowledged the effort I had put into the research and provided further reflections on my work. It was a testament to his commitment as a mentor, going beyond what was required to ensure that my thesis would reflect the highest standards.
When we spoke over the phone, his supportive nature shone through. He said, “Your work is good, and I have marked my suggestions. If you like them, feel free to include them in your thesis. Otherwise, your work stands well as it is.” These words were a source of great relief and encouragement. The fact that he left the final decision in my hands demonstrated not only his respect for my judgment but also his belief in the strength of my original work.
This level of mentorship, where he offered constructive feedback while still honoring my autonomy as a student, solidified the profound respect I had for him. It was an invaluable learning experience that shaped not only my academic success but also my approach to future research and mentorship.
Through his guidance, I completed my post-graduate studies in 2005 with excellent results. Looking back, those years were not just about academic growth but also a testament to the enduring bond between mentor and student. Despite the struggles, it was a chapter of my life that I cherish deeply—one where perseverance and dedication paid off, both in my career and in my relationship with Dr. Arya.
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