Completed 65 and stepping into 66.....

I completed 65 and entering into 66, today.... Two-third of a century is certainly a good innings.

When retired from regular service in November 2011, a teacher-mycologist I am, my innate desire was to continue teaching and research on fungi a few more years. However, opportunities were not forthcoming readily. My friends advised in many ways. Some suggested that I close my shop in Goa and go back to our native village. A few said I sit at home and relax rest of my life. Some opined that I carry out charity work... Yet, some friends who knew my mycological work from close quarters thought other ways. Professor Kevin D. Hyde, Centre of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand, invited me as a Visiting Professor to his department. I spent one semester each during 2012 and 2013 in Thailand, teaching mycology to young graduates.  It was indeed very exciting period because we also did lot of taxonomic mycology together with his research students. Many thanks to friends at Goa University; past 8 months, I spent at the Botany Department as a Visiting Professor. I taught part of a paper on mycology and plant pathology to post-graduate students in botany. Abundant joy I derived, as students picked up knowledge on fungi with great interest and enthusiasm. A month ago, we conducted the Asian Mycological Congress 2015 in a grand manner. I am more than happy because, as my inner conscience dictated, I worked continuously as a teacher until I completed 65...

There are numerous young students of mycology, seeking assistance in advanced fungal studies. This is my area of interest and I will certainly assist them, online......

Wishing all my students, friends and well wishers volumes of good wishes, I remain.....

D. Jayarama Bhat