Breaking the age barrier: Touring India
“The passing marks for enrolling in the PhD program at Amity University, where I was working as an Assistant Professor, were 35. The exam covered topics in research methodology, tourism, and qualitative and quantitative techniques. It was an online examination, and I was the oldest candidate in the room. When I entered, some people initially thought I was an invigilator. At the end of the examination, the result flashed on the screen- I had secured 35.5 marks. That extra 0.5 mark was the turning point in my academic career.
Coming from Andhra Pradesh and raised in a family of academics, I was an unconventional child, drawn to the humanities instead of the traditional fields of engineering and medicine. After earning a BA in English Literature, I pursued a 1-year PG Diploma course in Tourism and Travel at the Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology, conveniently located near my home in Hyderabad. This was my first introduction to the world of tourism, a field that was still emerging in India and predominantly male-dominated. I was fortunate to receive the India International Foundation Fellowship from Sita World Travel, a travel agency owned by Sri Inder Sharma, which was committed to promoting tourism education in India. The fellowship covered my application fees entirely, and I was even offered a job with the agency.
However, my thirst for knowledge led me to pursue an advanced course in tourism at the Kerala Institute of Travel and Tourism Studies. This course deepened my understanding of how tourism generated revenue in Kerala, where it was a major economic driver. Although my desire to delve further into the field persisted, I took a break, got married, and had my daughter. Coincidentally, my in-laws and husband also valued education highly, and with their support, I resumed my studies. I completed an advanced course in tourism through distance learning from Cambridge University, followed by obtaining an IATA certification from Canada, Montreal.
When my daughter entered college, I decided it was time to pursue a PhD. Fortunately, around the same time, Amity University, where I worked, began offering a part-time PhD program for its working professionals. My daughter and I made a pact to complete our degrees in 3 years. However, balancing a full-time job with a PhD proved challenging, and it took me twice that time to finish.
My PhD research focused on the socio-economic impact of convention tourism, centering around a case study of the Hyderabad International Convention Center. At the time, few imagined India hosting major international events. However, under the leadership of Hon’ble Chief Minister Sri Chandra Babu Naidu, who envisioned promoting international tourism in Hyderabad, this idea began to materialize, culminating during Ivanka Trump’s visit to the city. I was elated to see India host the G20 last year, showcasing the impact of tourism both socially and economically. Furthermore, I take pride in the fact that my research is now being implemented by the Hyderabad International Convention Center to develop a roadmap for convention tourism.
But my PhD journey wasn’t without its challenges. Returning to academia after many years, completing assignments, and taking exams was daunting. My limited knowledge of statistics led to failing my first class test in the subject. My daughter was shocked when she heard, but she helped me find a coaching center to learn the basics. The receptionist initially thought I was there to enroll my daughter for coaching. Knowing the specific areas of statistics I needed to master for my research helped me focus my studies, and I learned the basics in six months. Then came the challenges of writing research papers. While I understood the practical aspects of my work, documenting it under the strict guidelines required by journals was difficult, resulting in a series of rejections. Over time, I realized that academic research wasn’t my true calling.
After completing my PhD, I transitioned out of academia and began working on capacity building for Andhra Pradesh tourism. Currently, I’m focused on promoting local artisans through GI tags. Instead of presenting papers at conferences, I now give talks, and I truly enjoy it!”
-Lajwanti Naidu, PhD in Tourism, Amity University, New Delhi
Interviewed and written by Payel Das
