Prof. P.T Manoharan in conversation with Prof. S. Subramanian
Ok. How are you Professor Subramaniam?
Oh I'm doing fine.
Ok. See for the general information
let me state that I am actually from Madras University
with an MA MS degree and Master’s Degree
with the second rank. Then of course, I was debating
what to do for some time then I decided to go abroad
for higher studies even though I was also selected
for the Air Force to be very surprisingly.
But I decided to go abroad.
So, I went to Columbia University with the help of the
Fulbright Fellowship which was given by the United States
Education Foundation. USA.
In India and also a scholarship
from Columbia University itself
that that was my Ph.D. that's where I did my Ph.D.
with the famous Professor by name famous,
but very young professor by name Professor Harry B. Gray.
It's a kind of a new field in which was beginning
to work crystal field theory and spectroscopy.
Then of course, after getting my degree in 1966,
I moved to Michigan State University
to work as a you know research associate cum
assistant professor for a period of about 3 years.
Ok. Meanwhile I just went came here.
In those days you cannot come to.
Very often. India quite often. So, I went home
only after 4 years of stay at Columbia University.
So, I stayed for 3 years there we learn
new spectroscopic techniques compared to what
I had done in the I have I have done
in Columbia University then of course,
from there I was directly recruited by
IIT Kanpur for for an assistant professorship post.
So, I went to IIT Kanpur as my first stay.
subsequently I decided to not I decided
other people decided my fate that's both
Professor A. Ramachandran there in director
of the director of IIT Madras.
And probably the one who really brought in
the experts from various faculty into the institute
and with the compulsion from C.N.R. Rao
I landed up at IIT Madras in the year 1972
February month. That was what I specifically remember.
Thereafter of course, I was part of the chemistry department,
but at the same time one-day
Professor Ramachandran called me and said; now
as I already requested you without telling others
that you are going to be in charge of the
special instruments laboratory.
And then he asked me I wanted to
take in two more people who could just
go with you for higher things
and I said ok, sure of course,
I do know there are couple of guys who can
join me and I turned out to be I said
see my basic interest was quantum mechanic,
quantum chemistry and spectroscopy.
So, I have to rely on similar people
in order to develop a big laboratory.
So, then of course, I chose Professor
Sardar Surjit Singh as well as Professor Subramaniam.
And both of them have similar expertise only
thing there are small differences in our expertise.
So, for example, they join and then we three
became what is it called leaders.
Some people you know he wants to say some people
call us three musketeers outside,
but doesn't matter, but I was the leader leader of the team
and then of course, we created from specially first took
charge of the special instruments laboratory
which was originally a gift by the Indo German project.
Is by the Germans. It was a very fantastic project,
but unfortunately when I went through the instruments
I found it lagging its lagging in sophistication
and I was accustomed to you know
I was talking to you on my way
I had already used an expand EPS spectrometer
the cube and and that what liquid and liquid helium temperatures.
So, I cannot I cannot accept it.
So, I wanted more and that was the starting
of the regional sophisticated instrumentation.
Before you chapter. Center concept
that you know no I. Let me come to that point.
That was initiated actually
Professor A. Ramachandran. Alright.
So, now, I am going to up to that point.
Sure sure. Then we can go on together.
So, I am actually from the Tamilnadu state,
but my father was working in a place called
Kottayam in Kerala and so, I shifted from
Tamilnadu after my school for college
education to a place called CMS College, Kottayam
that is the oldest one of the oldest
colleges in the country celebrated
its 200th year earlier this year with
the chief guest was the former
former President Pranab Mukherjee.
So, that institute had was starting
postgraduate degrees in Chemistry.
So, I did my Master's in CMS College, Kottayam
and then probably the Atomic Energy used to
pick up the top rankers for Bombay Atomic Energy.
So, I attended the interview in Trivandrum
they selected me as a scientist for Atomic Energy
went to Bombay probably Atomic Energy Commission
started working on isotopes and isotopic separations
and started using isotopes in agriculture
and Mõssbauer Sources and many things I did.
And then it was slowly turning out to be
there the atomic energy is not probably the place
for persons who want to do really
interesting research work, its more like conforming
to what atomic energy wants because there are
when narrow, but really important projects
that you have to work on,
but you cannot do anything you want.
So, I decided it was time for me to quit, there was a 3-year bond
so, after about two and half years
I started applying for scholarship to outside.
I got a Fellowship and Boston University
and went to the head of the department
Professor VK Iya. Sir, I have a scholarship
I want to go to Boston, can you give me
3 years long leave without pay?
Are you kidding? There are so many people on the
queue, you go to USA and I got scholarship
we cannot give, you wait for atleast 4 or 5 years
then I went to the second head Deshpande
he is a Maharashtrian, I told him sir I wanted leave
and they are not giving me. Can you suggest
one interesting way? You go home
on a leave and don't come back.
But what about my bond?
Nobody was worry about you already done 2 years
and 9 months. So, 3-year bond.
So, no problem let you go.
So, by then the Boston Fellowship expired.
They had given me 3 months and I was corresponding
with the Atomic Energy and by that time they said
no, it was more than 5 months.
So, I was frustrated and lo and behold another scholarship
offer came from UK. I had applied it through a
advertisement nature last page.
A Simmons place. Simmons.
So, Let's tell. Young man I have a scholarship
for you, you just tell me when you want to come.
Bolt from the blue. So, I went to England, did my Ph.D. in
the field which was just emerging. It's called
electron paramagnetic resonance and this Martin Simmons
the professor was one of the pioneers in the field globally.
So, he took me and trained me and
we had lovely time. I even remember that
I got down at the airport in London.
And he was waiting at the passengers arrival
and he asked me you are yes you must be
because this the only Indian coming out this flight is you.
So, you must be can you tell your name?
I said my name is Sankaran Subramanian.
Oh my God, that is too long. From today I
christen you Subbu. You will be called Subbu.
I said fine that really stuck even today he calls me
Subbu. Subbu. All the students call me Subbu.
So, I did my Ph.D. there, this was another
I can't usually people take 3 to 4 years for a Ph.D.,
I have finished it in 23 months my Ph.D. At the end of the Ph.D.
I went to the registrar, little bit of a personal story,
I went to the registrar told them I want to submit with thesis.
Young man you have done only 23 months,
you know the rules, minimum two and a half years before
you submit the thesis and then what am I supposed to do?
Go and wait for another 6 months.
So, I went to my professor he says submit the thesis
and go on leave. We can take the viva voce later. Go home
go to India and comeback. Subbu on other hand
at Columbia, we had their thorough grinding.
The first year is it only for doing.
Course work. Course work.
Only for course work and then you have to give a seminar.
Yes. At the end of the seminar they decide
whether you are going to stick on in the
at Columbia University or going to be thrown out.
If they throw out a person if they have little
reasonable record they give up some kind of a
Master’s degree and throw them out. Yes.
Comfortably, the rest of them are retained.
Yeah. So, and it takes minimum four and a half years
there, but there is no such only, you can do it earlier its ok.
In UK there are no strict coursework,
but you can audit all the coursework,
but then by the time I finished 23 months
I already have 10 publications in very good journals.
So, actually there is no justification
for denying me my degree.
So, anyway I came to India, spent a couple of months
went back and got my Ph.D. in in the university
its called University of Leicester, written as Leicester.
And after my Ph.D. I did one-year post with the same
professor and started looking for jobs in India.
Applied to Tata Institute for Fundamental Research,
they call me for an interview, took another leave,
came Tata Institute for Fundamental Research,
Professor Balu Venkataraman was a chairman was the chief of
spectroscopy. He also asked me.
He interviewed me after sometime
hey, are you interviewing
you are you are interviewing us?
I started asking too many questions
I said sir I just wanted curiosity because
what I will be doing I was just looking at.
So, he said you are sir you are taken no problem,
but we are going to give you only a visiting position.
I said sir I don't want a visiting position in India.
If I was an American if you give me a visiting position
I will accept that. Why do you give me a visiting position
when I am an Indian? But that is rule here,
you have to be a visiting man and then after
3 4 years we will think about it.
I said sorry sir, I don't want it.
So, I came back and there was a
Postdoc Fellowship waiting from Michigan State University.
Lo and behold I just understood later on he had just.
I had just left I was the same. Professor professor.
There was a Canadian there called Professor Max Rogers. Then I joined the Michigan State.
It was very productive year because he was
a magnanimous guy this professor.
So, Subbu and I somewhat you know not
overlapped, but of course, we followed it. He
Yes. followed me and I followed him
and similarly I followed him at IIT Madras
that's what the. Yes. So, I I joined the IIT Madras
about three months earlier than he came from IIT Kanpur.
So, after my Postdoc Fellowship at Michigan,
I went to the Embassy in Washington looking for
jobs in the newly emerging IITs.
So, there was an education secretary he said
Professor Ramachandran IIT Madras director
will be here. So, he would like to visit engineers
and scientist who are interested in coming back to India.
So, you can go and meet him.
So, actually I didn't have any chance to talk to him
because there was a lot of engineers were waiting to
get to India. So, I was in the back bench of that room
and then at the end of the thing he said anybody
who is interested in this new IIT Madras,
if you have a good recommendation from your professor
just contact us. So, I went back to my professor and told him
Sir, I want to go to my native place.
I am from India from South India
there is an institute coming.
So, he said ok, I will send a recommendation
Sent a letter. He must have written a super letter
recommendation letter because normally we wait
for 6 months nothing happens you know from India.
I waited for 3 months. There was a Western
Union Telegram signed by registrar of IIT Madras
Sethunathan was the registrar at that time. Yeah.
Appointed as assistant professor, we shall
provide money towards your travel to India
and also accommodation will be provided on campus
and what else you want to come back to India?
I jumped on it. At the time I already had
a position in Texas Tech. I told the professor sir I got
something in my own home country, I am going back.
He said no no go back. Similarly.
If you are not happy you can always come back
to Texas what you told me. So, I came and joined here
and met Ramachandran, I was just really so
happy that I am coming back to India number 1,
number 2 to an IIT which is just about
10 years old at the time. I joined in 1971
79 it started. 79, yes.
And. You joined in you joined in 71.
Yes 71 November. I have actually.
And he joins 72 February. I have gone to IIT Kanpur in 69 end.
And then of course, I left in 72 very early 72.
Right. So, that is because of two different reasons.
One is Ramachandran wanted me to have have me there.
So, they didn't tell me, but of course,
C.N.R. Rao was pushing me hey come
let's go to Madras you just meet the director of IIT Madras.
I also came and of course, there was a huge
set of people all from the top round like
Professor C. R. Kanekar from Kanekar.
TIFR. from TIFR and our Naidu who was in the.
CL. Director general of CL I mean director
of the same later he became the director general of CSIR
and so on and so forth; 9 people were interviewing me.
So, I was just looking at them answering all their questions,
I went away immediately I was called in only person
oh one person they had an interview and the they called me
he called me and said I am offering you the position
of professorship you want to come you must join.
I said you said you want me to come here
I C.N.R. Rao told me only to go for an interview,
now you are calling me to come and join.
Then, if you want to come me then I have to
have few conditions to belay I told you very bluntly,
I have a few conditions because I know
about the department here and I have to
survive on my own model. I am an independent person.
So, I should have lot of independence to work with.
So, I need this this this this you are giving too much of
list how am I going to give it, but I will give it
you come anyway. So. There was Ramachandran.
Ramachandran come anyway and within
2 months and they forced me to come C.N.R. Rao said
you go there you will prosper that's what I I still remember.
So, finally, I landed up here and as Subbu was
they already for 3 months ago even little earlier
Surjit Singh has join. So, when Ramachandran
at the time he said you are going to be in charge of
Special Instruments Laboratory which was given as a gift
by the Germans. Ok. I will take care of it.
I said you are going to be in charge, but
you need two more people because its a big place
and I want you to develop it as a big place bigger place.
So, whom do you want? I looked around and of course,
by that time I know most of the people here their interests,
there are two peoples interests were coinciding with mine
quantum chemistry and spectroscopy.
Only thing is he and I are believing in
magnetic resonance more ok. He is more of a
magnetic resonant than me, but I involved in all form
of spectroscopy and Professor Surjit Singh is a
molecular spectroscopy’s involved in you know
what's called optical as well as optical IR and Raman.
So, people thought putting together
its a fantastic gang to do this spectroscopic investigation.
So, then of course, we had a chance what to do next ok.
We cannot stop here and of course, by the time
Professor Ramachandran you know I I never
seen an administrator like him. You go to him with a problem
even before when he gives a appointment
he already knows what for he has come
what for I have got I gone to him
and he gives you the solution also.
So, within 5 within 2 to 5 minutes
he interviews and if the problem is taken
care and you come back and then one day
totally different you think about something developing
the bigger lab. And ESD has a programme like this
you apply for it. So, that's how I started
I I wrote the programme with the help of
these two guys programme I am creating the first
and premier Regional Sophisticated Instrumentation Centre.
A new concept in in what is called sharing the
the kind of equipment that we have
for our benefit as well as the benefit of the entire nation.
I nobody has ever thought about
a centre like this from which will serve from
Kanyakumari to Kashmir the whole country.
So, that's was that was the bet
and that happened in 1974
and Subbu will tell you how we got the first equipment.
Because in India creating sophisticate equipment is itself
is very expensive everything is imported from foreign exchange,
foreign exchange was a tough thing during the 70s.
You know we do not have the. Tough thing yeah, there was
Nothing you have to ask for special permit. Yes.
And foreign exchange was given even
when that such a difficult equipment is imported
and given to your professor, the professor will hover
over it and use it only for himself. He won't give it to anybody else.
None of is to none of the students even in the same
institute will have the benefit of the equipment.
Therefore, this possessiveness really prevented a
quite lot of number of people not having access
to this although they were there within the same premises
they could not get their hands onto it.
Plus they are not able to
come accross that. So, the idea of importing very expensive
sophisticated equipment and willing to share it
whoever come first come first serve
that concept was highly appreciated by Ramachandran.
The idea was from PT and myself we wrote the
whole idea of how we are going to do it
and then he he said lot we submitted the
project correct me if I am wrong
submit the project waiting for 3 months
about two and half months. Then suddenly
we got a phone call saying that there is a guy
called Mr. Santhanam, he was a secretary. Secretary
in the Railway Department. Unbelievable.
And he is being deputed to discuss with you
and Manoharan and the director about the project
which we are really interested.
So, we are very happy something is going to happen.
Santhanam comes research to Manoharan and
me and Surjit for about 15 minutes
I think the project is granted you will get
Granted all the money you want. Tell me what do you want now.
Now this thing. even though the listing never happened in the history of India
you write the project it go through projects reviewing
and you go on reminding for 3 months 6 months 9 months
and finally, something comes and you ask for 20 lakhs
you get 3.3 lakhs something like this, this kind of ratio.
See at that time. Here he says they just granted
its a grand idea, we love it,
we are especially happy because it is an IIT campus
where the infrastructure is fantastic
and we told them then even if
the most sophistic equipment you import
you will make sure an electronics person
is trained in the factory of that particular company.
So, that you will be able to do troubleshooting
without much delaying. So, that was the concept. What is.
Santhanam went back and we got the grant
first grant, I think about 20 or 30 lakhs
I don't remember. 30 lakhs 30 lakhs which.
micronic resonance spectrometer. No no.
In NMR. 30 lakhs was granted.
Out of which 20 lakhs which is an Irish grant.
Yes. Dedicated to the purchase of the first
NMR big NMR 100 NMR. Pulse spectrometer.
Pulse spectrometer the first of its kind
to come to an India. They didn't have in IIT Bombay
They didn't had it. They never had it in atomic energy, nobody.
but IIT Madras had it. They had a they had a big
some dirty equipment in IIT Kanpur its not comparable to
ours because ours is a pulse fourier transform. NMR instrument.
100 megahertz NMR the first of its kind.
The kind of work that I I did what I remember is
you have to get so much permission.
They have to go to Director General of Technical Development
and there is an office called Director General of Technical
there you have to go talk to the guys get the necessary.
Justify the import. And you know that justify the import
and what not and finally, prepare local preparation. Yes.
But I must tell you there is one important concept
that we have developed which was ahead of everyone (incoherent speech)
as he is already party pointed it out that is
we had two sets of technical staff.
The one set up technical staff is nothing
but an operating technical staff.
He knew the science behind it
he knew how to operate the instrument.
He is someone who will collaborate with
or otherwise he will discuss with the consumers
or users, including our students.
And then of course, there is a second set of
technical assistance who are electronics personnel
and this is something that is special.
The most important advantage of it
ours is the only centre of that kind
which is importing a foreign equipment,
but no service is expected from them.
We never send a annual maintenance
contract with any company. So it remained internal.
We have beautiful people we have such great people.
Yes. Shantanu, Devasahayam, Palani Swami and so on and so forth.
Yes. Some of them were trained initially at the
Central Electronic Centre, then it was Mr. Rakha
the German profession who was in charge who was in charge. Yeah yeah.
And he liked our style of operation. Yes.
He and his boss liked our style of operation
he said who do you want from the
Central Electronics and I will bring them.
So, I said give me about three people.
So, initial set up three people came.
Yes. And one of them is Palaniswami Palaniswami, Devasahayam and Kamala Anand.
Kamala Anand etcetera etcetera so. In fact, these people
are so, good in electronic troubleshooting then
we will send them to Agarwal Eye Clinic
to repair the de-coagulator for the cataract operation. Yeah.
They were sent into Sankara Nethralaya for repairing equipment
because they didn't have any expertise and to get
somebody from UK or USA they come and
repair is too expensive they just give a call to IIT Madras
we send a technician we don't charge them because
its a charitable institution. But you know all this is
stupid on our part now it should have cost
a lot of money by way industrial consultancy
and we didn't do that it was all free
we did the service came back
probably with a cup of cup of tea.
ICSR did not exist at that time, ,
later on only the Industrial Consultancy
Sponsor Research started that way you know.
And the expansion took place that's what is
very important the expansion took place.
Now, we got almost all the sophisticated equipment.
I am telling really sophisticated equipment
not available to anybody in most of the institutions
even Indian Institution of Science did not have
what we wanted. We we brought imported you see
what's called X-band and Q-band spectrometers.
Right. Spectrometers.
and also we have the system which can go down to
liquid nitrogen temperature later
also with the Euclidean temperatures and so on
and then laser on and spectrometer and then of course
Fourier IR you name it and and then
turned out one of my interest is crystallography.
So, we decided to go in also for crystallography. Crystallography yeah.
Right across our road in the Guindy Centre
for the for Madras University there was a
Crystallography Centre which was once headed by
Professor. G. N. Ramachandran. G N. Ramachandran.
So, now, they thought that we are competing with them
and not only that and we did much better results
than them in one of the conferences somebody said
if you want to get any crystal structure,
you know structure made you go to IIT Madras
he said no no go to IIT University of Madras
to that extent we have been servicing the
people. The service is to be extend of
40 to 45 percent for local people including us
and the remaining is for all people outside
and Subramanian has already mentioned it
that unites on first come first serve basis.
Yeah. Occasionally so happens.
Then, the mandate once we have been borrowing
such a lot of money from the government and even an IIT
and there are large number of colleges and universities
where there are teachers teaching subjects without
the knowledge behind it without any hands on experience
behind it especially teachers who teach post graduate
chemistry and physics. So, we started every summer
two or three summer schools. A summer school
on X-ray crystallography, currently there is one is running now.
Now, the first principle if you remember first one is on
quantum mechanic quantum chemistry in spectroscopy. Spectroscopy yes.
Its a three week intensive course. Yes.
Unbelievable thing. Lot of senior professors came
we wrote all the lecture notes and two kind of
bible like big books were made
and we gave everyone a book and
they are using even today some of them are using
for teaching the post graduate classes. Yeah. Yeah.
So, the summer schools on all subjects
take a particular subject of importance,
run it for three or four days for post post graduate students,
college teachers throughout the region
as well as throughout the world the country
people will come, give them accommodation,
give them travel sometimes give them food and give them Yeah, that money is provided by.
lectures and many people benefited from them. Right.
Some of them are now retiring from the
professorship. The DST actually provided
subsequent fund. Funds also.
For education purposes. Yes.
So, that also we did, not just operating
the instruments and of course,
you know we are also getting benefit.
So, one thing the even though we were having a
centre they never last sight of our own academic
performance. The most important thing is teaching
on behalf of the Chemistry Department,
sometimes even the physicists used to come and
sit in our courses like Master of Spectroscopy
and then of course, what happened is
that we designed a new courses in fact,
near the systematically we designed a syllabus.
Yeah. New courses.
New courses and then of course, we proceeded for that
in the sense and what to do?
Then of course, we begin the conduct on specific subjects. Yes.
Like you know spectroscopy. The advanced level process.
Advanced level. Yeah.
All these things. So, we were and we never lost sight of
none of us lost never lost sight of the
you know what's called teaching. Teaching.
And research research. Yes.
We were doing not only teaching, administering this place Yes.
and also you know what is called we are doing lot of research.
And we as the largest. The professors published more than about 600 papers.
They are together, yeah. During the tenure here.
Several books were written by the faculty
and. And several Ph.D.s were put in
we produced the maximum number of Ph.D.s. Yes
although it’s a small department, department
we we work for the Chemistry Department.
Of course, the Chemistry Department
was quite happy when we joined all the three of us joined,
then it turns out when Professor Ramachandran
and the director called as you three people
manage all the German equipment
the Chemistry Department starts to getting worried
Will we have access to this?
and these three guys new guys have come
and suddenly all the instrument has been handed over
to them. What happens to us
in the Chemistry we got all the German equipment
at that time Professor N.V.C. Sastry was the
head of the department, who is also responsible
for constructing the Applied Chemistry Block.
Block at that time yes. And he got money from
government, he got a lot of equipment from
Germany and work day and night to construct
their Chemistry Department and became one of the
top Chemistry Department in the country
and they were a little bit worried so,
they thought these three are kind of
first class citizens and we are
second class citizens these are the thing
what is happening? Then we told them
just assured these equipments are as
easily accessible to you as it is to outsiders
because definitely its more accessible to you
it is in the neighbour next room.
So, slowly and steadily that little difficulty vanished.
And also we gave some what's called a
separate urgent appointments for some other faculty
like Professor V. Viswanathan. Yes.
And then we even bought a special equipment like
fluorescence spectrometer for to satisfy another
faculty member by name Ramakrishnan. Yes.
Whatever possible help they could give to the department. See we could help them
Yeah. In addition to helping ourselves.
Yeah So, we did that.
So, that was now they realized ok
we are we are here only to help them
rather than you know its a take away that prestige
to us the its went on very well. So,
that way it was going on well and by and large
it was working well until we retired.
So Surjit Singh passed away and Manoharan became
Vice Chancellor of Madras University. that's in the
but even before that there are many things to say
for example, Then I took a voluntary retirement after 28 years,
I took a voluntary retirement to go to United States
to work on imaging of cancer tissues
and so, the institute had some not really
correct policy by way in my way of appointing
temporary heads of department for this centre.
So, for 2 years it will be a mechanical engineer
there won't be any. Subbu before there is many more
things that we have to say about RSIC itself.
RSIC was functioning very well without any problem
not only that we are responsible for the opening
of the RSIC in four other places. Yes.
Bombay, Shillong I have personally went to Shillong
and told them how to do that. Lucknow.
And they come they used to come Lucknow and
also Chandigarh. This, but nobody could beat us
Yes. with respect to performance they even the DST used
to say everything is happening here
you are only advising them what can we do
how to make it better, but of course,
I did told them that we would do that,
but within the institute immediately
there was a realization of course,
Ramachandran went away
Professor Pandalai took over for some time
and then Professor Narayan put then afterwards
Professor Indiresan came in. Yes.
As the director there was a new activity
when Indiresan came in I think that's
that's your time ok, there was a new kind of an act.
Indiresan realize there are a few guys in this place
you know who can do things.
So, I went to him first I asked him
I want a new building for myself.
He said you want a new building for yourself
yes because I have so many equipment
that are lying down here there etc.
its all scattered I want to come to my own place.
So, he said ok, here you are given the money
go build it. So, first two floors came up.
Behind CLT. And the behind CLT that's what the
Regional Sophisticate Instrumentation sign was there
until some time back, then you know
what happened they also found out
that we have good administrators we can get
along with people and so on and so forth.
So, one day he asked me,
why don't you become a warden?
That's not my territory I told him.
No no I am going to subqueue for
something else ok, you are going to be the
chief warden no no that's also I don't want
no I said. You are going to do this Common.
because there is a lot of problem in that
in that place. Wardens, hostel warden.
Hostel sector there was a big problem
between the workers and students.
So, first he wanted me to meet the student committee.
I went there I was actually perplexed to see
100 people sitting down there like in a Senate hall.
We have a lesser Senate members
than they have in that committee.
I said how do you manage with this committee.
We cannot, I want this be reduced to 13 or 14.
Even it is the student were how can you do that?
I will do it if you do that I will continue to
work for you otherwise I am just going away
I have my beautiful place to do research and
teaching I will do it then they thought ok then of course,
they gave me the permission and cut down that committee,
committee number and we acted upon it
the hostels should became better and of course,
the relationship was established then he
post me dean of students for a couple of years
and that was my I mean what I call as a most
stressful time. These took my friends
they went out of the country sabbatical.
Right at the same time. Yes.
And I must here alone manning the
manning the RSIC as well as the dean of
students position. It was a tough time,
but we had also the most interesting thing
was what was called open house concept.
Professor Indiresan said why don't you have
open house for every. Everybody
knows about IIT, they don't know what is inside.
So, you should bring them in.
That is still happening now, everyday. I did that for the first time,
first open house was done by me.
And then when they were; why I am saying is
finally, when they went through the gate
went through the RSIC, they were amazed wow, from that
you know you have seen on those books that is the sketchbook
is that the everybody has written they don't understand
a big big equipment. So, expensive
and people are operating with these.
So, this is a this this this this one aspect of it
that should not be forgotten that man,
but there is one thing I must say about the
character of the faculty of IIT Madras.
I am a junior faculty compared to most of the
senior professors here, but still
when I told them the open house is going to be
conducted with my chairmanship
all of them came. People like very senior
people like you know Varghese and
Professor E.G. Ramachandran they came
gave advice and then of course, they listened to my
way of conducting things etc. they
it was a great success. Of course, cooperation
among the faculty it is extremely. Faculties unbelievable.
Incredible good, yeah. That time I found out why IITs are like this,
this is because when time demands
when occasion demands they will always come together.
We put a really unified face effort
inside that they will little little little difficulties and
differences, but it does not show on then.
And similarly for example, we conducted for example,
myself or Subramanian will conduct several conferences,
international conferences in here
we brought some other stalwarts from various subjects
you know people came from Russia like Bersuker.
Yes. Liechtenstein.
Yes. And then from the U.S. I have Solomon
and many other people and similarly he brought some people around.
Klaus Mobius, Klaus Mobius. Klaus Mobius from Berlin.
He brought. So, like this. And
He used to bring a large number of. John Bilbrough from.
John Bilbrough from John. Quit a number of top people
I says in this field.
They were very happy to come to the campus and
they enjoyed the campus of course,
they did enjoy the RSIC, but they
looked at the deers and the monkeys and and the campus
they were very happy to be in the camp
I think two or three Germans came here and stayed for a month.
Yeah. Gave a series of lectures.
Of course, we have put them in you know overnight trains to Kerala
and other places for sightseeing and all that.
It was it was nice and then let us talk about the
department and also. Ok.
Talk about extracurricular activities. Ok.
and things like that. Ok.
Extra academic activities. Regarding the RSIC,
though RSIC is a separate centre
both budgetary as well as the management
operation wise. We were also effectively involved
with the department effectively involved with the department.
In fact, Professor Sastry before he left
initially he fought with me because I wanted independence
he didn't like it, but later he found out
that I can support him.
So, he said you are in charge of seminars
you are in charge of that you are in charge.
So, he additionally loaded us
similarly for example, Subramaniam was asked to
do certain jobs etc.
whatever is given build in it. So,
the three of us that's why they call us
you know three musketeers
and I would like to tell you in the in terms of recognitions
three Indiresan was Indiresan was very close to us
the the all the three of us. Yeah.
And he also made me sports advisor
because we are not being building the inter IIT
continuously for 6 or 7 years
then by luck when I took over a sports advisor
it was at that time IIT Bombay
and we came with the trophy
came back and Indiresan was very happy
a big party was thrown in Indiresan’s
director's house's lawn, it was fabulous.
And also Indiresan for the first time. And Indiresan always he is very very close to students
students very reacting yeah.
For the first time in my capacity as the dean of students
he told me in fact, I can't say its mine,
he told me, Manoharan how about
calling teacher evaluation. I told him I have no problem,
but there may be some people who may find it a
problem, what do I do?
Then he said you start it.
So, I started as a dean of students that's my work.
Its its actually partly it should be
due to the dean of academics. Yes, dean of academics of course.
But but he said ok you do this work.
So, I took it over genuinely
and then consulted some other things like in
the United States how they do it
and then I prepared a questionnaire
I I questionnaire. Students will answer.
For the students also students were given a chance to
you know chance to address this institute. Evaluate.
They were very good. Unfortunately, I caught
the wrath of some of the faculty.
So, he wants boosting himself.
So, he wants to create this and all his questions are
designed that way, no if you want to give more questions
I am ready to include. But, I included and of course,
the best teachers were selected on the basis of
the input from the students and of course,
the best input came from the first year B.Tech. students. Yes.
And M.Sc. student first year,
but that was continued and so.
I I have been attending the prize
ceremony for first in the last two years
I have been attending here, they are giving 10,000 rupees
or 20,000 rupees. I was best teacher three times
they gave you a slip of paper.
But he might as what he said
the first two years. Computer output came,
you got the top rank in best teaching, congratulations Indiresan.
But in my case its of course I wanted this director you know
if you want call back the old best teachers and
give them some special price. I said no So, again, if you look at it
not only the open house, but also this
they teach that teacher evaluations.
First he initially opposed, but then everybody found out
there must be something to in this because
we get a kind of a ragging etc.
So, then you will be finally, within about 2 years
or 100 percent of the faculty fell in line to
Yeah yeah self-evaluations only for our own good.
So, that we can improve.
Because its not only self-evaluation its course evaluation also
they can also give Another thing I love in this institute
is teaching first B.Tech students.
Because they are creme de la creme
From all India basis you have really the top creme coming
to IIT Madras. So, to teach them is not only a pleasures
its a challenge they will ask you more difficult questions
and they are very attentive and I remember
I was teaching first year engineering
chemistry, quantum chemistry, molecular structure
things like that people get interested.
They will come one or two of them will
come and sit by M.Sc. classes
to see what I am teaching then come with a
night because I am one of those workaholics
during my first 10-20 years, so they will go home for a cup of
coffee at 5 o'clock. 8 o'clock I have my dinner,
8:30 I am back in RSIC and
all my research scholars will have to come
because the professor is here. So, we might also work.
Thats it. So, students are working
up to 12 o’clock in the night 1 o’clock RSIC
will always be lit up in the night.
RSIC will be always lit. Always lit up with the his student.
The director comes and say. My students Surjit's students
20 of them at all times working late at night.
With they. They also sometimes daytime you will not see them,
but 7 o'clock 8 o'clock after the dinner
they all be there discussing among themselves
doing some book club you know take a new book
and then start reading each other so, like that.
So, the B.Tech. students especially I love
them because they will come to my room in the night,
with the new question sir they say you are
doing MRA magnetic resonance tell us all about it.
Hey its not your syllabus no no I want to know about it
some two other students will come then I will go
to the black board explaining things to them
that way a bunch of undergraduate students
became very close to me. They were the people said sir
can you conduct a quiz programme for us
on the next morning. I said sure I can do that.
Let me see. So, two or three students
who are extremely quiz nuts will keep
all sorts of bizarre facts. They will keep
also they will go to various quiz programmes in various
festivals and then keep track of the questions
they got and then they have created some booklets of
quizzes and all that. I said these things are work
which is I will do it myself. I have an Encyclopedia Britannica
at home. When there is nothing else do I go through a
think really some curious bizarre out of this fact.
So, at the question when it is put everybody will
struggle hard to answer that kind of a thing.
So, I started doing it the first one was
done in 1972 January,
after one year after joining here
we started it in CLT, I also had
some music question some movie questions
even had a players from
Madras Players come at act a play in the
stage and ask question some that.
I did that. CLT can get only 300 people inside
if you pack them. All the 1000 people wanted to
go inside CLT they broke the door and really
damaged the CLT. So, that year the quiz programme
was good, but lot of damage to the CLT.
So, director said take it away, don't do it anymore in
CLT. And then the Television Lab said we will provide you big
monitors 12 of them or 6 of them
around the OAT so, we can ask questions on
videos and use the stage and then we will project
everything onto the big screen and have quiz
programme. Next year the quiz programme was attended by
3000 people all the city students were there
then I also started making it longer starting at 7
go to 11. Next year started 7 went up to 12,
by the time we reach the sixth year, it was something like
midnight of around to 1:30 it will go,
lot of interesting questions, who will be sitting in the first row?
Indiresan during his time, Natarajan during his time
all then even Narayana Murthy will be sitting in the front
row asking those many of them will answer
the questions which is not answered by the students
ultimately and so, we had all the directors
very much interested in the quiz programme and
it was fun, it was lot of fun during those days.
And there is. I I enjoyed doing that up to about
1979 or 1989. Even during your period
quiz and then they wanted to bring Siddhartha Roy
from Calcutta to do a quiz programme. They want to
bring it even more. So, Siddhartha Roy said
yeah I can come and do it, but I need first class
airfare from Calcutta to Madras for me and my wife
and stay in five-star hotel and now they look at the
calculations, it was too expensive.
I think they actually next time.
And then came to me I said sorry
you guys went to Siddhartha and get Siddhartha
you know I have done for 18 years
I would have became stay also, get a new face
and it will be good for you. Yeah.
So, they started managing themselves afterwards
yeah and then, it went on very well. Natarajan was
a quizmaster. Professor N.V.C. Swamy was a
quiz master before me. Then because
quiz is always an interesting subject for everybody
because its science, general knowledge
everything comes into it. So,
There is a. and even the quiz programme for the Best Teacher Award
at the end of the award I will have a 12 question quiz
last year and year before last.
But in the in the most important thing
at this point is to say, how others
decide about our our only excellence.
Other from outside. Yeah.
We should well prepared. That's a very important point that's a very
important point because of the faculty
we are doing though we are doing teaching
and we are doing research how much of us
are being recognised outside?
It can easily see by means of two or three
facts; one is of course Fellowship.
I am the first fellowship of the Indian Academy
of Sciences and then I am the first FNA
to become become the fellow of the National
Indian National Science Academy followed by
my two friends who also got the FNA as
well as FASC as well as FNA.
This is the only section of you know
what is called of an institute where everybody
is a fellow of the academy. So, what happens?
There is something in this group.
So, we are academically strong not only
teaching in administration, but also in
what is called knowledge creation.
It is true that we have not created anything
like for consultancy which I did very late
even after retirement I did some consultancy work.
On this process I just Our research and equipmentation was so sophisticated
that none of the industry did not really find something which is
immediately useful for them. They used to come to us.
So, they they have become that's one thing.
Secondly, large number of foreign visitors came here
some of us some of the people are mentioned here,
but at a certain cases for example,
getting certain professors from U.S.A., USSR
was very difficult, but we got them.
Liechtenstein is a good example of how he. Yeah Liechtenstein, Bershov. Bershov.
Bershov. Yeah. Bersuker. Bersuker came. They all came.
These are really stalwarts in their field
and sometimes its very difficult to get visa for them
from the India Embassy in Russia,
then we write letters get letters written by DST
from the Government of India and all that and
get the visa. It was nice its got of difficult days See.
then travel was not very easy especially
from Russia to India and China to India and all that yeah.
Also our recognition also goes beyond the border of
the country. For example,
we have been visiting professor for example,
I have been a I have been a visiting professor to
Netherlands University for one and a half years
and similarly I been to Australia. Right.
And then of course, the National Institutes
that has become my main stay for a long time,
but he went there permanently after. Yeah I went
I went for a sabbatical one year
which is one institute in the world which is
takes care of finding drugs and cure for
all parts of the various diseases. There is a
National Heart and Lung Institute, National Cancer Institute,
National Institute for Arthritis, National Institute for Digestive Diseases
like that 36 institutions are in one campus
very close to Washington DC.
In these institutions now at the moment last
year there are seven noble laureates on duty
within one campus and the quality of work they do is
just simply impeccable because the facilities
and the money that is provided by the U.S. Government
is just enormous. You ask for something you get it
you don't have to write a project and complete,
you have very important thing working on it
you get the money allocated right away without sweating.
So, I had gone in 1994 for
a sabbatical from here, then I told them
that you know this MRI people are doing is for
diagnostic radiology looking inside the heart
and things like that. We can also use the electron
to do an imaging, but then it is
very difficult to capture electron together
very fast dynamics relaxation times of
microseconds nanosecond.
So, we have to develop very good expertise
in equipmentation before we can capture
electron image in the body and we also need
injectable free radicals inside the body
and while we were discussing that a company in
Sweden came up with a nontoxic free radical
which can be injected into animals and still
we can see the flow of it in the blood vessels and tissue
with that collaboration with them
I started working on an animal model equipment
and for the electronic spot a bit lo and behold
who helps me one of the engineers from RSIC.
Yeah, I know he has the best engineer. I know that I got the best
engineer even better than anybody I can
grab in the United States. So, I called him
take a sabbatical come here and the work with me.
So, he came. we developed a prototype equipment
for imaging free electrons in animal bodies.
The beauty of it is free electrons give image contrast
dependent upon oxygen concentration in the body.
So, you can map out indirectly quantitatively oxygen.
This very important for cancer cure, radiation cancer cure
drug users and various what you call
chemotherapeutic agents all work in presence of
oxygen don't work when there is no oxygen hypoxic zones
are not very resistant to radiations.
So, people wanted to look at quantitatively
the oxygen in cancers they had no way.
And this became such an important because
I know about 12 patents on oxygen imaging
working with; I just went on a sabbatical in 94
proved that it is possible do imaging of tissue and came back
came back in 94. 95 onwards
every other week late night at 1 o’clock,
it will be only the evening there,
there will be a call from the Director of NAIC
Director of the Cancer Institute saying that
when are you coming back for longer time.
I see you know I have lot of students to finish
you know give me another year.
Then every three months there will be a call
saying that we want you to enlarge that
particular machine so, that it can finally, become
directly useful for humans.
So, finally, the pressure was so much
I went and Natarajan, R. Natarajan saying
sir I will take a voluntary retirement.
Why do you want to go?
I said sorry sir health thing because I am
doing work here spectroscopy
I am very happy with my work,
but if something relates to human health
and curing human health I think it will be more
humane to do that job. So, let me go
he said ok. So, I called them
ok after I finish all my students next year I will come,
they processed for me and for my wife and children
green card and the embassy from
Germany circle calls me
sir your visa's are ready, when are you picking it up,
this is fantastic kind of you know inviting you
on a platter. So, I went to embassy picked up the
visa and then said goodbye to IIT Madras,
there was a meeting at CLT of course, RSIC
people was so, attached to me
they for for the two or three weeks before I left
nobody was happy. This guy is going to go away
what are we going to do and things like that.
Unlike him I I basically retired from here,
but even before the retirement
we have been I have been also associate
I have been associated with the also the National Institute,
but that's not in. 18.
In the main campus, but in the 18 campus mainly to Yeah.
haemoglobin and without me
the boss cannot work. Yes.
You know always wants me to come there Yeah.
to solve that problems etc. I used to
we accomplished a very very interesting papers in journals of
high impact factor like the journal. Yeah.
And Chemical Society at least four of them
and then of course, Journal of Molecular Physics and so on
and so forth. So, its only publications etc.
Knowledge creation that's it. They are not applied,
its true its not applied.
However he said he with. But the most most important thing
interesting thing is having been an IIT
IIT campus that was really. That is that is
That really makes us different from the rest of the world.
You are an IITian whether you are professor or the student
its something unique. Yeah.
So, we also wanted to contribute to the
society and social things inside here. So,
I was a warden and many times the hostel employees
will come to me saying that, sir I got temporary job
and I will go and what I don't know what I am going to do,
its after 6 months my job is over, it cannot be returned
like that several people. So, I went and talked to
the then director was R. Natarajan at that time. Sir,
some of these people work for temporarily for 16 years,
temporarily for 12 years and that's not fair.
We have to kind of make them regular.
Where is the money for it?
You know when they become permanent
we have to give the medical facility,
we have to give the pension, we have to give this,
there is no money in the kitty
I said sir there are 1000 people including class 3 class 4 employers
in the institute were temporary. They are so called NMR or something.
Actually frankly speaking things were even worse.
Yeah. In 1984 or 85 when you were when he joined this institute,
at that time and that's only the the trouble started
between the students and and the workers. Yes.
So, the workers have to be I formalised their first first one.
I formally made them workers and there is a small document
which we wrote its a kind of a document they can use. Yeah, I remember
yeah. Formally
that that only with that thing most of them are become permanent
and part of the some of them will get the
children admitted into Vana Vani School. Yes.
Earlier it was not possible.
So, all those facilities were given
and the salaries were salary there was a salary
what is it called pay. Scale.
Pay scale was given that was the first time.
So, they still remember whenever I go.
I am the first one to do that and it so happened
the second also he has to do that
its on the people. Came to me and then we.
From the RSIC. We found out that the
you know we have a division Yeah.
None of them have a permanent job
we are all coming working, they don't even
many of them don't have birth certificate.
You call them you do what is your age?
What is it? I don't know sir.
I don't know my date of birth. That was the big problem.
So, Shanmugam the Former Registrar of IIT.
Myself, Professor Narayanan of Applied Mechanics Department,
S. Narayanan and one other person I remember
we all sat and told Natarajan, sir
let us take a few of them and give them some permanency
otherwise you know they are really going crazy,
they don't know what to do after the job terminates.
Many of them have their children’s studying here
they house in Velachery they have
they are not eligible for any quarters inside
because they are temporary employees and all that.
So, Natarajan ultimately ok, is this job which
you are not going to be happy to do. Its .
Sir we will sit every Saturday from morning 8 to evening 4,
in the Administration Building and take groups of
24-30 everyday interview them, see whether they are
qualified enough and they are doing the job enough
and we ascertain we had actually the Medical
Officer Ganeshan to come look at the teeth
to estimate their age. Like people do in a
market of cows and bulls. When you buy bulls
they open the mouth look at the teeth
and say this is likely to be 12 year old or 13 year old.
So, Ganeshan looked at the mouth of all the maalis and.
class 3 and class 4. No, but these there is a method of doing that.
And they estimated the age approximately
because we had write something in the appointment
this day date of birth rough date of birth
almost most of them were born on 1-1 something
they have faster and then we regularize the
overnight their salaries got tripled
because they were getting a very very puny job
always borrowing borrowing most of the time from me
if I am the warden and it will never come back. So.
Anyway some of us. they did that and then
Natarajan was happy, registrar was happy
that we had done it. Later on the audit highly objected it.
How come you suddenly make an expenditure
so much all of a sudden and you you have to
be censured by the audit and things like
that they started really making trouble
for Natarajan. Natarajan called me he said
they are censuring me, I am censuring you.
Why did you do this in a big scale as a
once we are interviewing we have to treat it
equally for everybody. So, it turned out
that we have to regularize 300 people.
Finally, it went through and everything was done
no problem there. So, after that when I
after I went away to U.S.A. in 98
after the voluntary retirement whenever I enter
because during that regularization on 20 security
people also were regularized.
So, when I go there invariably a couple of
guys will be standing in the gate, 'salaam'
Sir because of you we were still here
like that they will say.
So, I had I had enjoyed helping people
inside the campus. The campus is
as good as we keep the rest of the people happy.
So, that you know security people should be happy
class 3 class 4 people should be happy.
So, my partly trying to help them made me feel good.
Yeah, but at the same time you know there is a
there is always a process you know we are
still continuing to be associated with the department.
For example, take me. I I retired basically in 1995.
But then of course, I continued because I have
a Department of Science and Technology
Ramanna Fellowship was there
and subsequently in the INSA Senior Scientists and so on
and so forth, but in between in between these two
things I became a Vice Chancellor for the University of Madras,
that is mainly because for
what is it called credentials that are established
with IIT Madras. There is no doubt about it
because one of the so called member of that
search committee said nobody but him
shall adopt the position of the things
and he will make it make the university again become
similar to what it was under the headship of A.L. Mudaliar.
But of course, I did my best to completely modernize
the system introducing new academic systems
making new administrative setups and so on
and so forth, but some of them could not like it
and for political reasons I left
but doesn't matter I don't regret it.
I came back to the institute and of course,
Natarajan was there. Natarajan immediately said
he made me the first institute professor for some time.
So, I became a emeritus in emeritus professor here.
And subsequently of course, I have been having
different other positions. Now, I have a distinguished
fellowship which was given by the IIT Madras.
So, the action using which I was able to bring some
research funds and continue to do the research
and I must tell you both of us and including Surjit Singh,
we obtained a large number of individual research
grants in addition to what we get for the what we get.
So, most of the students worked in RSIC were supported
by us. Were supported by us.
We didn't Basically.
get any money from the institute. There was always project
and funding for the project association. Some of them
spend more time than they should, but then of course. Right.
We have to go to their support.
So, basic support we were always
taking good care of our students,
that's one thing. There was only one laboratory
in the entire I would say very honestly
I say that work for a minimum of
18 hours per day. Yes.
To 24 hours because our students are also
having the same habit of working late
probably coming late we nobody questions.
That because the campus was just nearby
we were living inside the campus
and Madras city is not a great place to go out to.
So, go home and then go back to the campus
and nothing like that it was good.
Another thing that you gave me as a
thing is what is your look on the campus
then and now. The campus in 1971
when I entered was lush
green it was November, it just rained and
all these sprouting of the trees had happened
lush green lots of monkeys
so, many monkeys that even they will come inside
our home and open the refrigerator and pick up. Yeah
that's why we began to get a key to the refrigerators. Yes.
So, monkeys, deers, the blackbucks.
My I had a big. And sometimes
I was in wardens squads number 8 for 3 years
the first 3 years. I think an anecdote comes
I tell you this. I was given a telegram
by the Western Union saying that
you are selected as an assistant professor
you can join with the next 6 months,
we will provide you with some assistance
with respect to travel and campus accommodation
will be provided. So, I come here
give my certificate to A. Subramanian who was
assistant registrar in that administration building.
He noted everything. Ok. Very good.
It turns out that his grandfather
and my grandfather are from the same place
I think the world is very small I told him
and I said I have joined and I said for courtesy
I will go and see the director and registrar and go to
Chemistry Department. So, I went and saw the director
he was there as usual with his jacket and suit and tie always.
Always always Ramachandran is always.
So, you are Subramanian yeah, I remember.
Yes yes very good I glad you come back
as everything ok. Sir only one thing in the Telegram
you said, I will get campus accommodation.
So, what should I do? No problem go and see the
Estate and Work Department
tell them that you have been promised an accommodation
by the director show your letter to them
they will make arrangements I am sure
you will get an accommodation very soon.
So, I said thank you very much sir and then
went and saw the registrar. Registrar had this
vibhuti here shaking his hands.
Sethunathan. So, oh, you are the new guy
who came from U.S.A. Yeah, I am the new guy who came from U.S.A.
So, what can I do for you?
Sir, this is the telegram, this is the letter,
they said they will give me a accommodation
you know how many people are without accommodation
in the campus? Sir I don't know that.
You are a young man joining Chemistry Department
now you are you know the junior
most faculty in the Chemistry Department
and you expect accommodation on the campus?
Do you think its a joke?
I said it is not a joke.
I am asking if it is not there I can't do anything about it,
but there is a letter, I talked to director
he says go and see the registrar I have seen you.
Sorry no such thing as accommodation for another
5 years you will get no accommodation to campus
go and get the accommodation in Taramani or Adyar
somewhere there are plenty of house available in Adyar.
Sir that I can enquire, but accommodation in the campus
if it is available please let me know. Ok ok.
Then I went down he was I think,
registrar was in the third floor, director was in the fifth floor.
So, I went up to the fifth floor sir I met the Registrar
and he says I don't get any accommodation for 5 years
because I am the junior most faculty
in the Chemistry Department. Is that what he said?
Ok, sit down. Call the registrar.
So, Sethunathan comes, sir,
you know as a director of the institute
I have promised a person
I have invited him to join us from U.S.A.
he already had a job in U.S.A., he did not take it up.
He honoured my request and he has come
and I have given a promise that I will give a job
accommodation and you see there is no accommodation
for 5 years. Ok. Let me ask you a simple question.
What is happening to wardens quarters number 8
he has walked around and found out what accommodations
are being locked up or not.
Sir that is kept for broken furniture.
Tomorrow take all the broken furnitures
throw it to the workshop or carpentry section
I don't care that has to be repaired cleaned,
whitewashed and given to Dr. Subramanian
within the next 5 or 6 days.
This is an order of the director.
You know I have goose pimple. Ramachandran.
Here is a director which says I have promised this young man
you give it. If you are a registrar
you are supposed to make things possible.
Its always easy to say, its not possible
that is a auditors will say audit objection.
Registrar would say statutory objection
I don't want to be people to object
you have to enable the director to get things done.
So, I promise this young man accommodation
he gets it by hook or crook.
He will get it because you know you just now said
there is a house be kept for broken furniture.
We don't build houses of broken furniture
in the campus because accommodation is so costly
in Madras. So, you should give it to him.
Yes sir yes sir yes sir,
The same thing. came down I have I have first he say
yes sir, he was waiting for me outside.
So, you went and complained the registrar
I didn't complain. I told him that
I will not get anything for 5 years.
So, I was just informing him that's not information
that's a complaint against registrar
you think. No I had my own.
You think you do you going to be comfortable
in this institute Sir I don't
know sir. I had I had my own with you.
Ok alright. Ok. You will get your accommodation ok
don't worry alright He wanted to prove
is he he has a little problem. Because he said
he cannot take that complaint
in front of me. say that he has a kind of.
The director told him so. he is the only one.
But Sethunathan was always like that rough and tough.
Not only Sethunathan that's what you take anybody
you ask anyone they will tell you the story about
Sethunathans reaction. This is an interesting anecdote I remember.
He is a nice person he is a very nice
person and he is very good registrar. Otherwise
he will do the job. But he has got his own personality
have to deal with. But anyway,
but that's all part of the things,
even I had the little quarrel with him.
Once by the unwittingly I signed it with the green ink
because that was one there is lying there.
So, I signed it to send the letter
he called me and said
sir began to the later began to respectively. So,
sir you have signed in green ink. Green ink.
That's my privilege. What your privilege?
Where is it? Give me the your statutory
only you can sign it. Then he came down
and said you know sir that is the practice,
whenever there is a green ink,
it is the registrar. Oh if you say that if you have told me
please refrain from here after you you
sign it in black ink or whatever ink,
but don't sign it in green ink I would have
agreed it to you, but you said you are
demanding that don't do that.
Kept quit I am sorry please sir
dont sign in. Don't sign in green ink.
So, I think we are going to conclude
in next 5-6 minutes. Before I conclude
you know I have one of my most wonderful
time of 30 years as a assistant professor,
professor, head of the RSIC things in the campus
and I was internally a little bit sad
when I told Natarajan that I am
taking voluntary retirement going away I was sad.
I went away, but all the time kept in
touch with my students and the faculty here
and every year or two when I drop in
in India it would be for IIT campus.
And definitely see my professors, colleagues
and things like that. It was going on and then
when I finally decided to quit my job in the U.S.A.,
God has given me great place
in this campus because I came
none of the door of Bhaskar Ramamurthi,
he jumped up from his door
are you not Subramanian yes
you taught me chemistry. I was in 77
batch or something like that. Oh, you remember that? Of course,
you are our best teacher.
So, you are going to be you are going to be in the
campus again I said how.
Welcome to chemistry, become an adjunct professor in chemistry.
You go on talk to the head of the department chemistry
and RSIC I am sure they can find a room for you in RSIC.
So, I went to RSIC they got the room ready
the Chemistry Department told me gave me an adjunct professorship.
And its kind of the whole story turned
back again and I am back in the campus
seeing my colleagues, seeing the deer, you know the monkeys
it just incredible, its like a dream
dream its really like a dream.
I am so, happy then
I came back and I am still associated
with IIT Madras that is just
an incredible great blessing of God. The name RSIC
did not sustain after 95 because for some reason
some reasons of financial allocation
etc. etc. It was converted into
Sophisticated Analytical Instrument Facility
which is in nomenclature wise it is little bit lower than
Regional Sophisticated Instrumentation Centre.
However, the one thing that I would say is
the the worst thing that has happened to
RSIC then now its called SAIF
is there is no permanent kind of factor. Dedicated.
No no Subramaniam there is no permanent
faculty associated with that. Yeah.
Because we have totally four faculty subsequently
one Dr. T.K.K. Srinivasan, four of us
and we could divide the work
and we will do in the academics
as well as administrations. Yes.
But here its only they are we coming
to the centre they are only doing the administration. Yes.
Whatever is signing papers etc. etc.
they do, but any administration of the centre
without an academic involvement
it will be a failure.
So, now, you don't use RSIC was projected
so much as a national entity and that's completely lost.
That's what I mean to say. For example, if an equipment is
not working my work will suffer. That's what I hate with myself, ok.
So, I have a vested interest in keeping things going.
Yeah. In getting things going.
Yeah. So, if four of my faculties have such
vested interest and keep everything working Yeah.
Then the institute the particular central
will really flourish and that was the story
in the yesteryears. Now, there is a little bit of slack,
but its its functioning ok because
Functioning if the IIT is functioning had this been in an
university set up. Everything would have decide
Every thing would have been closed to the plastic
you know cover and would have become bag or.
Anyway with. Still along,
still we are getting money last year we got
23 crores for a new equipment
and things like slowly RS DST also has woken up
initially somewhere in between there were some
kind of a story that why should you put this
money in various institutions and
then profit will go. Let the institution get their
machines let them these centres can be closed down
somebody came up with such a suggestion. Yeah.
And we were worried that someday its going to be
closed down. Then the new DST Secretary Ashutosh Mukherjee
took over 2 years ago and I was there in
DST presenting our progress
he said I think this wonderful concept
there is no question of closing down all this
we will in fact, boost these centres.
So, that they are extremely helpful for the
young people who are doing research
in rural area they are not exposed to anything
they will be able to come and do some work.
So, therefore, we shall make sure
that these centres will still continue to be funded
that's where the new DST centre designed.
It was a really a nice positive statement from
the Department of Science and Technology.
I think you know it will carry on. Only thing is
there are some dedicated faculty at that Institute Centre. There must be academic involvement.
Then I think it will even even flourish
better and more productive and more effective Ok, now
what then we say. Yeah I think thanks We should thank you for inviting us
for this opportunity from Heritage. into this programme.
Whatever we we could think of. Sometimes you might have
found there is more personal projection in this talk.
But then it sometimes becomes inevitable. Not all of.
because when you talk you usually talk about yourself you know
people are so happy to blow their own trumpets. Not.
So, sometimes it happens. In our case not everything has.
But basically the idea is to reminisce our time here and to really
complete and closure then this one of the best place to be
completely the best place to be.
Thank you very much. Thank you.
Thanks.
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