Sharing my unique and challenging Veterinary Professional journey
Dr. Poonam Ratwan
Scientist, Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, LUVAS, Hisar, Haryana
It is a matter of privilege to share my story that how destiny has led me to the noble Veterinary profession and I am heartily thankful to team of Pashudhan Praharee for giving this opportunity by conducting All India Article Writing Competition specially for Lady Veterinarians.
My name is Dr. Poonam Ratwan, a girl who was born and brought up in a small town, Ghumarwin, District Bilaspur (Himachal Pradesh). I belong to a businessman family where everyone thinks about growing through business only. Moreover, there was no culture or exposure of the women to any kind of job. Although my mother always insisted me to be independent. I still remember her wordings, “Work hard, be independent, otherwise after marriage you have to depend on others even for very little things.” Slowly and slowly this all motivated me to do something and be an independent girl. Unusually, I was good in studies and performed quite well in secondary and senior secondary examinations. During 10th class examinations, my parents had high hopes from me that I will be among toppers in whole state. But when result was declared, my result was not displayed as one of my paper was misplaced (advertently or inadvertently still unknown). I was very sad as was unable to meet expectations of my parents. Still, my father worked hard to get my result, even met an accident while going for the same to Education Board, Dharamshala (HP) and finally, I had to appear again for the exam individually. In 11th Board class, I opted for both medical as well as non-medical and secured 3rd rank in Himachal Pradesh. The credit also goes to that time School Director, Sh. Hira Lal Mahajan as he personally used to visit my home for enquiring about my studies. Securing good rank in state further led to the upsurge in the expectations of my parents and relatives that the girl will definitely do something good in her future. After passing 12th class, like all medical students, I dropped for one year and started preparing for medical exams. It was just like a race and everyone after 12th class try to win the race. One whole year passed in the preparation of various competitive exams. Now, it was the time for various exams and their results. After medical entrance exam, daily my father used to wake up early in the morning to see the newspaper for my result. I was on borderline in medical entrance exam (MBBS) and situation was like may or may not get admission in medical. It was not so good experience till the counselling day as we all know it’s very hard to wait for something which you desire badly. On counselling day, I missed the ball and was first to get admission in Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS). But for many days, I was in depression that could not get admission in MBBS. At that time, there were only two colleges and very limited seats. I also got selected for B.Tech. (Computer Sciences) but mind make up was to be a doctor.
Meanwhile, result of B.V.Sc. & A.H. Entrance exam declared and got selected over there. Again, confusion started as many people were of the opinion that veterinary profession is not for girls so choose BDS. Many days passed as such and the day of B.V.Sc. & A.H. counselling came. I was as cool as cucumber because have already got admission in BDS. On that particular day, at around 11.00 A.M. was roaming in the market and one of mine uncle saw me and enquired why you did not go for counselling? I told him the reason and he said, “Are you Mad?” You must attend counselling and choose Veterinary profession. There is ample scope and you will get job just after completion of your degree. He somehow convinced my father and at around 12.00 noon we left to attend the counselling which was at a place (Palampur) around 100 km far away from my hometown. When we reached there everyone was like why are you so late? Some candidates were sad as I secured higher rank than them and it was loss to them if I got admitted. Finally, I took admission in College of Veterinary Sciences, Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya (CSKHPKV), Palampur, Himachal Pradesh and the new journey began. It was a kind of by default entry in B.V.Sc. & A.H. profession. In five-year degree programme, there were many ups and downs. In 2013, I completed my B.V.Sc. & A.H. and chose the option of higher studies.
I got admission in M.V.Sc. (Animal Genetics & Breeding) at ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) with institutional fellowship. The time spent over there was wonderful and unwrapped many opportunities for future. For research work, I had to go to Kalyani, West Bengal which was an another challenge as earlier no girl students were being sent from NDRI for conducting research. During M.V.Sc. 2nd year, I thought of pursuing Ph.D. and qualified various entrance exams (IVRI, NDRI, SRF) for the same. I chose to pursue my Ph.D. from NDRI and qualified various fellowship exams during my degree. Since M.V.Sc., I have not taken any money from home as always wanted to be independent. This motivation has led to the clearance of CSIR-JRF and UGC-JRF exams. Amidst, I got the job of Veterinary Officer at Himachal Pradesh but my goal was to clear the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) exam, thus, I didn’t join the particular job. I commenced work to achieve my goal and in the very first attempt qualified the ARS exam. The result day i.e. 23rd February, 2018 is one of the best and memorable day of my life. An additional twist is that in the meantime, I also appeared in the interview conducted by Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (LUVAS) for selecting Assistant Professor/Scientist and I got selected as Scientist, Animal Genetics & Breeding, LUVAS, Hisar, Haryana. Now, I had two options for joining. Here came the role of personal life. I met a boy (Dr. Manoj Kumar) during M.V.Sc. and we both started liking each other. We decided to marry each other but it was a kind of inter-caste and inter-state relationship. Thus, there was objection to my family and relatives. He got job in 2017 while pursuing Ph.D. and joined as Assistant Professor at LUVAS, Hisar. It was a good news and slowly we convinced our families for accepting us. Therefore, looking into the family stability, I also end up with choosing post of Scientist at LUVAS, Hisar.
I got an understanding and caring life-partner because of this profession and now living happily with our two kids. Currently, we both work contentedly for the same department as well as institute. Additionally, I was the first women faculty to be recruited in the Department of Animal Genetics & Breeding since the inception of department. Last but not the least, I am profoundly thankful to the GOD who chose me for this noble profession and always shower HIS blessings on me.
