Dalit Youth Defies IIT Professor, Forges Path into US National Lab System

In a narrative that traverses challenges, perseverance, and triumph, Amogh Meshram, a determined Dalit youth with a modest background, has achieved an extraordinary feat by securing a prestigious position within the distinguished US National Laboratory system. As a PhD candidate at Arizona State University, he is making remarkable strides in the field of Chemical Science and Engineering.

Amogh is poised to join as a visiting researcher at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden Colorado, and is likely to become the first one in his community to achieve this remarkable achievement.

His journey from facing discouragement and mockery during his time at IIT Bombay to his current accomplishment paints a vivid picture of resilience and merit prevailing over adversity. Amogh completed a 5 year dual degree of B.Tech and M.Tech in Chemical Engineering in 2017 and went to US in 2019.

Social and Economic Background

Hailing from the Mahar community in Maharashtra's Nagpur and growing up in a colony near a slum area, Amogh's early life experiences have undoubtedly shaped his perspective and drive. He has witnessed first hand the challenges that can come with lower socioeconomic backgrounds.

Amogh recollects the small dwelling in North part of Nagpur suburbs where he spent the formative years of his life. "I cannot describe the living conditions as good, given the slum environment and our lower income status," he reflects.

Amogh's father Prashant served in the Accountant General Office in the city. His early education was rooted in Nagpur as well, completing his 10th and 12th grades there. Recounting his family's financial struggles, Amogh remembers the difficulties they faced, which began to ease slightly after he reached the 6th grade.

Amogh states that he and his father were born Buddhists, as their ancestors had embraced Buddhism decades ago. When asked if he had ever felt the need to conceal his surname or identity due to potential discrimination, Amogh responds, "I hail from the Mahar community, known for its fighting spirit and significant contributions to the nation. Therefore, I have never hidden my identity; instead, I take pride in acknowledging my affiliation with the Mahar community."

When a Professor said-'You don't deserve to be in IIT'

Amogh shared with The Mooknayak instances where he had faced caste-based discrimination. "Except for a few students, I never encountered caste discrimination at school since most of the kids came from well-educated families. However, upon joining IIT-Bombay, I found that the environment was hostile for students from lower strata," Amogh said. He explained that he fell ill with dengue within the first month of joining IIT and had to skip classes due to medical reasons. "We have advisor faculty who are supposed to guide students to cover up for the syllabus loss due to absence from classes. But since most of the faculty members were from the upper strata, no one encouraged me to make up for the loss or provided guidance. I was taken to this one gentleman professor who has now retired. He said that I didn't deserve to be in IIT Bombay at all and that, had it not been for the reservation, I would have never made it to the premier institute."

Amogh also disclosed to The Mooknayak that his peers used to mock his low scores, with upper-caste batchmates casually suggesting, "Don't worry, if you don't secure a good job, we can employ you as a safai karamchari (cleaning staff) in our companies." However, Amogh's dedication and perseverance defied these discouragements, propelling him to pursue higher studies in the USA. He enrolled in a doctoral program at Arizona State University, focusing his research on studying the kinetics of iron ore reduction by H2 and developing lab-scale and industrial reactor models for H2 Direct Reduction.

Amogh is now in the final stages of completing his research and anticipates earning his degree by November. He further shared his involvement with fellow IIT Bombay alumni in addressing the tragic Darshan Solanki suicide case. He emphasized that the alumni community is working to raise their voices against the prevalent caste discrimination within the institute.

Despite these efforts, Amogh acknowledged the challenges posed by the composition of the faculty, which predominantly consists of individuals from upper castes. He remarked, "We wish there were more professors from lower castes. This would lead to greater sensitivity in handling such cases and a more empathetic approach to addressing student concerns."

Challenging Conventional Metrics, Performance Pressure

When discussing the performance pressure on students, especially from Dalit communities within IITs, Amogh highlights his own experiences. He admits to having obtained relatively low CGPA scores. "In fact, I held the last rank in my batch and scored poorly compared to others. However," Amogh emphasizes, "I firmly believe that exam scores do not accurately represent a student's talent or full potential. I can confidently assert that, in the realm of chemical engineering, I have contributed significantly more than others in my batch, and that is the true measure of achievement." Amogh asserts that the Indian examination and grading system does not accurately assess the talent and true potential of any student and hence marks or grades attained are aimed to procure high salaried jobs only.

Amogh points out that caste discrimination persists even in the US. Recounting a personal incident, he shares that he experienced a form of untouchability, which he had never encountered in India. He describes how a roommate refused to drink the water he brought to the room and avoided keeping his food in same refrigerator as Amogh stored his food there, so he kept his food separately in his room. This episode serves as a stark reminder that caste-based biases can transcend geographical boundaries and affect individuals even in international settings.

Amogh proudly asserts that he has achieved the position of a visiting researcher in the US purely based on his merit, without any reliance on reservation policies as the US does not implement such measures. He emphasizes that his entry into the esteemed National Laboratory system in the USA is a significant milestone for his community. Notably, very few students from the Dalit section pursue doctoral research in the field of science and technology, making his accomplishment all the more remarkable.

Championing Change

Amogh Meshram's journey resonates far beyond his personal triumph. His entry into the US National Laboratory system carries immense symbolic weight, as it stands as a beacon of hope for countless Dalit youth who navigate a landscape that often presents them with barriers. His story serves as an inspiration, demonstrating that with grit and determination, even the most challenging circumstances can be conquered.

Amogh's success also reflects a broader call for change within academic and professional spaces. His journey underscores the need for an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity and cultivates talent irrespective of caste or background. The strides he has made underscore the transformational power of education and the potential to create a more equitable society.

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