The Biology of DNA Meeting

[Kundan]

I have always nurtured the dream of working on DNA biology since my high school days. I further got the opportunity of doing exciting experiments on DNA repair and mutagenesis while at college and further during my PhD at present. I consider myself immensly fortunate to have come to Cold Spring Harbor to participate in the 50th year of the Biology of DNA.

Initially, I was rather apprehesive, since this is my very first visit to the States. After some minor hassles at JFK, I reached Grace auditorium, I was reasonably convinced and hoped that I would bump into some one famous any moment, sure enough while I was registering at the meetings office, a very cheerful, and a sprightly gentleman, colorfully attired, came to register as one Prof.Erol Friedberg. I stopped short since wonderful memories of reading Dr.Friedbergs book on DNA repair filled my mind.

As I had come in a day early, I went up to stay at the Blackford. I kept fumbling with my swipe card for a very long time, but repeated attempts, failed to open the door. I contemplated on asking for help, but later decided against exposing my inability of using a swipe card. Just at that moment, Prof.Friedberg appeared from the next room and noticed my frantic attempts with the swipe card, realising that I was new to this, he immediately helped me open the door. I was rather ashamed but happy at the same time to have met someone whom I have always admired.

This meeting here, has had a lasting impression on me, and I sincerely seek the blessings of peers and pioneers of DNA Biology who have set the stage for an exciting and a passionate career for me on DNA biology.