It provided me an opportunity to travel in the past  and imbue the mind with memories which body and mind experienced . The present of me as an individual reflects the monotony of the familiar. By jotting down the incidents of past I surrendered to the wandering spirit. I  recalled some incidents which brought happiness and those which I would like to forget and erase from my  memory. It provided me  an opportunity to recall my travels in distant places following grueling schedule. How the mode of travel changed with times. I distinctly  recall events which made me ‘ Reach Thus Far’.

Despite my academic excellence how I  struggled to gain promotion and academic recognitions. As someone who describes  reflection about the road blocks which he received ever since his childhood and professionally. On the way to descriptions I did not let my memories be routine bag. 

 I was privileged to have known outstanding scientists, administrators, educationists  who  provided much needed impetus and stimulus to my academic journey. Of course the usual caveats applied : the jottings are  all mine.

I pondered  on my past gains and losses, happy moments and disappointments in my  long academic journey. How It all started by my failure to clear IAS examination even after having high merit in the written papers. Having my education in village schools being raw and unaware of urban etiquettes how I failed to clear interview. 

You will really be excited to know of a struggling student of science who lived life on his own convictions. Who never cursed himself  when disappointed , set a goal, adopted a hobby, worked hard and honestly to accomplish his goals. His Mantra and osmosis of experiences are “ Take it as a challenge with optimism,  and cultivate self confidence”.

How I came  off as a really accomplished scientist , a high-achieving, kind, loved person with a full life. 

In all my story is  about a commitment to science, advocating for hard work with honesty and focus . 

People worship 365 gods but for me  two Gods dominated my thinking, GENES and EVOLUTION and my thinking revolved around these.

I describe with unwavering conviction about my beliefs, which are frank and harsh at time.

1. Few Words
   
2. Foreword
3. Acknowledgments
4. Epilogue
5. Chander Parkash: The Perpetual Learner
6. Punjab - The Land of Five Rivers: My Birth Place
7. My Family
8. My Primary Education
9. Pangs of Partition
10. My Childhood in Pakistan
11. Admission in University College
12. Predicting Future
13. Joining Botany Department
14. Visits to Pakistan
15. My Sojourn at Delhi University
16. Appeared in IAS
17. Admission in Harvard University
18. Meeting My Soulmate
19. Selected Commonwealth Fellow
20. Trip to Continent
21. Blessed with a Daughter
22. Attending International Botanical Congress
23. Joining University of Udaipur
24. My Major Stay at Punjab Agricultural University - Ludhiana
25. My Grit in Academics
26. House as Lucky Charm
27. Joining SADM and then JNU, Jaipur
28. Trip to Bangkok, Singapore
29. Professional Excellence in Academics
30. Travelling Experiences, Past Recollections
31. How I Reached Thus Far
32. List of Publications of Prof. C P Malik and his Students
33. Why My  Autobiography