56-year-old Mala Dutta and her daughter, 28-year-old Shreya Mishra are the first mother-daughter duo to receive their PhD degrees on the same day from Delhi University. In 2012, Mala Dutta began her PhD in finance whereas her daughter Shreya registered for her PhD in psychology two years later.
Mala is an Indian Economic Service officer working with the defence ministry while her daughter Shreya works as a consultant at the World Bank. As Shreya registered after two years of her mother’s registration, she had to work hard to complete her doctorate within three years, so she could get the degree at the same time as her mother.
“After I registered for the PhD we realised that we can complete it together and make it the most remarkable moment for us. Though our subjects were totally different, I started seeking guidance from my mother and worked harder to complete it within three years,” said Shreya as quoted by Hindustan Times.
After Mala stepped out of college 34 years ago, she achieved her dream of receiving a PhD degree on Friday. And the day became even more memorable as she received her degree along with her daughter who picked up her own doctoral degree the same day.
Delhi University officials said although there have been similar cases at the postgraduate level, it was the first time a mother-daughter duo had completed their doctoral programme together from the institution.
The joy of receiving the degree together overruled the disappointment they faced last year as they missed attending the convocation because it had been scheduled to take place a day after Shreya’s wedding.
“I had to take a break from work in 2012 when my younger daughter had her class 12 board exams. That was the time when I registered for PhD (in finance). I then took study leave from the ministry and worked seriously on my completing the PhD,” HT quoted Dutta saying.
