From conception to Covid-19: An arduous journey of tribulations of racism and triumphs

The densely wooded 800-acre Madras Christian College (MCC) campus, India where I lived most of my early years, sparked my curiosity in plants. Observing the pitcher plant that captured insects, trees that produced fruits in the shape of a human skull, wild orchids, bright wildflowers, and dense vegetation amidst monsoon rains was exciting but also scary due to the wildlife, especially foxes and snakes. I was born in Salem, India, located at the foothills of mountains, tenth in a family of twelve, where my father was a high court judge.