Prof. S.N. Majhi in conversation with Prof. S. Sundar
Good morning.
Good morning Sundar.
I am so happy that. Yeah, yeah.
Very happy to have you here again.
I am very happy I am happy. At IIT Madras for this conversation.
Of course, I was your student and I did my Ph.D. here.
Our student. Yeah.
So, in fact I used to really enjoy your lectures,
your style of teaching,
also your way of helping the students at various stages.
And, in fact that period was really one of the best
student period which I have I ever seen in my student life
at IIT Madras, and in particular that Department of Mathematics.
And even further with Professor S.N. Majhi is always a
special thing not only to me
it is also for all the students who were there at that time.
So, we are very happy to have you here today for this conversation.
And thanks for coming.
In fact, I must thank Professor Achuthan, your guide.
Oh ok.
Wonderful person and he brought you in contact with us.
Yeah. And I was so fortunate to have research scholars like you
who used to be very helpful to every aspect of our department's life activities.
it’s it’s good that we are recalling Professor P. Achuthan, it is nice sir.
Please tell me about your the first day at IIT Madras,
which many of us knew about through our Heritage Centre.
But listening from a person
where that is at the beginning of IIT Madras
it would be very fantastic.
So, please tell me about your career or your
even from the first day in a very short form from IIT Madras until you are,
you are professor at IIT Madras until your super envision.
In a nutshell, I will give you something before my joining here.
Yes sir, please sir.
I was the student of M.Sc. in Banaras Hindu University.
I did not know at that time there is a Ph.D. beyond M.Sc. also.
ok. After my passing out from Banaras Hindu University
with a good division and rank also.
Which was what year sir? Banaras. M.Sc.
Hindu University that was 1964 actually. Ok, sir.
I joined 62 and came out.
64, in 64. 64, I was offered a job in Khallikote College.
Ok. Brahmapur, Orissa.
I joined that because it was my college also
when I was studying my intermediate.
Ok. Then, I realised if there is a higher degree available
and I have to do that. ok.
So, I wanted to go to to BHU again for my research in real analysis.
Ok. In between,
one of my good friend he wrote to me, why do not you come to IIT Madras?
Who asked that?
Gopala Krishnan. Ok.
One Professor Gopala Krishnan, who was my classmate at Banaras. Ok.
He joined here as a research scholar.
So, he wrote to me why don't you come over here?
So, he is he was also belong the student of mathematics?
Right, right, my classmate. Ok, ok, ok.
In fact, he was also with Khallikote College for few months
then he left, joined here.
That is where I got the idea I have to do my Ph.D. So,
through your classmate you came to know that
there is one Indian Institute of Technology. Technology
At Madras.
Then, I applied, I came here for interview.
Ok. First day, I stayed in Gopala Krishnan’s room in Kaveri hostel.
Oh, great. That was Kaveri hostel day.
It was a beautiful gathering, lot of cultural programme
and the lecture of our director at that time.
What was the month? Ramachandran.
Month roughly
July or? September I think September.
1964 65.
65, ok, ok sorry.
Then somehow I got impressed I wanted to join,
but at the same time I used to like my the BHU guide
with whom I wanted to do also.
So, I went to BHU, I got a scholarship also from UGC.
Ok. So, I went to BHU, thought of
working with my favourite faculty up there.
But when he heard I got a scholarship at IIT Madras,
immediately told that I won't take you now.
Oh, You go to IIT Madras.
You got such a good offer and you please go over there.
I was with heavy heart, I came
and. So, when you are student even that time
one of the very prominent,
one of the most sought after institute is IIT Madras.
Yes. Till till today IIT Madras is
is maintaining that reputation.
It is nice to know that.
And I came, joined my guide after some time,
it was personally come fortunately because Great, great.
He was also a guide of my friend Gopala Krishnan. Ok, ok, ok.
So, we both from BHU.
So, Professor S. D. Nigam. Nigam.
So, who is one of pioneer in fluid dynamics.
Fluid he asked me one day,
do you know what is fluid mechanics? Oh, ok
I told I know the meaning of fluid,
I know the meaning of mechanics
but inside of fluid mechanics
I am not much informed. Ok, ok.
You join here in fluid mechanics that is how I joined
and did my research under his guidance, very efficient guide.
I think you know he is passed, no more. Oh, yeah.
2014 he expired.
He is a stalwart
and he was having lot of reputation internationally
and we are very fortunate he guided us.
Sir, if I remember correctly when I came to know about IIT Madras
mathematics department,
they always talk about two main personalities,
one is Professor S. D. Nigam and another is Professor is S. K. Srinivasan.
Right, you are right. So, you are the student of
Professor S. D. Nigam which is really and
And Professor Srinivasan wonderful soul,
very sympathetic kind.
Both Professor Srinivasan and Professor S. D. Nigam
are very good friends, good understanding.
I think you know that
when the institute started one Professor Hoon.
From. He guided the department’s activities as
head of the Department.
Then, Professor S. K. Srinivasan joined as assistant professor,
he was head of the department. Ok.
Heading the department.
Then of course, he become professor and
he happens to be a student of Alladi Ramakrishnan,
Professor Alladi Ramakrishnan. Ramakrishnan.
The math science fame.
Institute of Mathematical Sciences. Yes,
math science started in 1962,
but Professor Srinivasan was a student in the University of Madras.
Ok. From there he got his degree.
And Professor Srinivasan whose student was Professor Achuthan.
Yes. And theoretical physics
he was also a stochastic process stalwart, operational research.
He wrote quite number of good books Professor Srinivasan.
Soft spoken person.
He guided the department very nicely
and in cooperation with Professor Nigam.
Yeah. Though Professor Nigam has taken the headship,
I think it was 62
Professor Nigam came from Kharagpur IIT.
Ok to IIT Madras, ok Yes.
So, he joined here and headed the department.
How was your Ph.D. student?
As a student career you mean? Yeah.
Actually our day used to start at 7:30
and used to end at 12:30 night.
Ok. You know used to be there along with us Professor Nigam
also used to be with us,
not he alone, his students his scholars,
even some of the engineering Ph.D. scholars used to come.
Ok. To take his guidance, his suggestions,
clarification of some doubts etc.
He is a wonderful guide and teacher.
So, that time you mean to say your
day begins at 7:30 in the morning.
So, you finish your breakfast at Kaveri hostel then.
In between, we used to go and come. Ok.
And Professor Nigam also used to go and come.
I remember when he bought his first ambassador. Ok.
He was quite happy that the period of going coming will be sorted.
Ok. Earlier used to go by cycle and sometimes by walk.
Ok. But after his ambassador arrived,
he was quite happy that he is coming quite early and
and also can go comfortably.
So, the department right now in HSB in first floor.
So, it is in the same location? Same location.
Or. Same location.
And our group of research scholars under him
Sir Professor S. D. S. D. Nigam Used to find.
fluid dynamics team.
Fluid mechanics group. Yeah.
We find a kind of family atmosphere. Oh, great.
We helping each other,
discussing each other’s problem
in presence of Professor Nigam.
I remember one thing,
I have to do some calculations for my thesis
and you know once with other is on machine Brunswick. Yes.
Calculating machine was there are two types of things,
and I used to use that.
It took me almost 6 months to produce my numerical results. Oh.
But in between, I think
Guindy Engineering College,
they got a computer and they gave some slot for IIT Madras.
Ok. So, our IIT Madras students used to go there,
faculty as well as students, but there is a queue heavy queue.
So, many people go there in that slot.
So, we mathematics department people generally.
Even I remember during my time as a Ph.D.,
we used to go to as a Ph.D. scholar
we used to go to computer centre and get the.
Oh yeah. Our slot for for the numerical computation,
we need to get our slot.
We go in the morning and.
Yeah. Try to book our slot.
In fact, in between German government offered
the advanced computer at that time to our.
Alright. IIT and they offered our IIT
requested our department to look after that.
Ok. Under their care.
At that time Professor Nigam was hesitant
because he is not very sure how he can
organize, manage, he excused himself. Ok.
At that time Professor Sampath was
there in the electrical engineering department. Ok.
I think he was the head.
He readily agreed that he will look after that. Ok.
So, that is how the computer aspects,
the centre started under the electrical
engineer department. Electrical department. Oh, nice nice to know sir.
Then it separated. Sir, how many years you
took to complete your Ph.D.?
To be very frank, it is a very
a great privilege to be a student of Professor Nigam.
Yes sir.
He brings beautiful ideas.
He inspires the students to bring the suggestions from themselves,
though he knows what suggestions come out
because he has already built within us, the ideas and suggestions.
Ok, nice. After we bring the suggestions
and the problem is defined, he used to appreciate us.
Nice sir.
And every day, there are 5 to 6 research scholars who are there,
he will call us each one of us he will give half an hour almost.
Oh, everyday. Everyday.
Oh, good sir.
Sometimes suppose we are busy
and he does not want to disturb us,
he can guess, he will come and stand behind us.
Ok. He won’t talk and stand behind us
and we know that he has come to know what we are doing.
We explain him, then he goes.
Like that I brought my problems within a span of 18 months.
Oh. All my thesis problems are defined.
Very nice. Another say 5 to 6 months the solutions are all ready.
Good sir. Another 4 to 5 months I wrote my thesis.
So, you finished the everything your entire thesis work in 3 years time.
Because 3 year oh. In fact less than 3 years.
But I used to take our analysis to give lectures elsewhere.
Ok. Our problems, he will take and give lectures also in our presence.
Oh, very good.
Somebody is asking a question, he will point out the finger to us.
So, that shows the. Though he can answer.
That shows. But he wanted us.
That is how he used to make us understand the whole
situation very clearly and used to also discuss among ourselves.
In his presence we used to discuss ourselves also,
the problem of our problem with others
that is how the thesis get shaped.
And writing also, the longest part of it,
the wordings, everything he will inspire and bring out of us.
So, that is the basically the the pillars. Inspiration. And
where the department has groomed to this level.
So, I wanted to inform you that because
share you this information last 2 years,
in fact last 3 years our department
is one of the top 200
QS world ranking and subject-wise mathematics.
Yes, I have
read that news also
on IIT. Even IIT 17 this is top top 200,
200 rank and this one among the
the mathematics department in India,
we are ranked number 1 along with IIT Bombay and
other institutes as per the QS, you know, world ranking.
So, it is the the pillar set by Professor Nigam,
Professor S. K. Srinivasan and further pillar set by
Professor Majhi and others
who brought the department to this level.
So, just I wanted to share this information you are keeping. Thank you.
Still this same tradition.
So, and after your Ph.D. you immediately joined here as a faculty
as a lecturer or you went somewhere and come and came back?
In fact, I joined as a research scholar 65, 1965.
Got my Ph.D. in 69 ok
convocation.
But my. Since you said it is a convocation, today
IIT Madras it is very clear July
3rd Friday is the convocation day.
What was the convocation day during that time in 1960?
Frankly, I do not remember this. Ok.
But we use to have our convocation in the Open Air Theatre. Ok.
Open Air Theatre. I I was talking something about.
Yeah that there is you said. Joining. Joining.
68 I joined as a technical assistant, senior technical assistant.
I will tell you the reason though there was an offer for
associate lecturership, Professor Nigam called me, he told me
associate lectureship is higher level posts
than STA that is good that we can offer you, but it is a temporary post.
It is not a kind of a permanent.
Ok. I will suggest you take senior technical assistant position.
Ok. And it would be a permanent position.
So, want you here with us. Ok.
Because if you join as associate lecturer you may like to go somewhere else.
It cannot be a permanent you see.
That is how joined in technical. Ok.
But this is not much of difference in our status in the department.
They used to honour, all of us used to honour each other.
Position is immaterial.
So, when you joined as STA,
the 1968, how many faculty were there in the department?
I think there was around 15 to 17 faculty were there.
Oh, ok. And technical assistant, I think 3 of us.
Even Professor Achuthan joined also a technical assistant. ok, ok
He is one of the very very intelligent and very
good person with heart, in his heart,
help helping nature, and intelligent knowledgeable.
Then as an STA we used also teach M.Sc. classes, there is no bar. Ok.
We are basically faculty as such, though we are called technical assistance.
Ok, ok. Of course, then you are given the promotion to lectureship.
When did you? After 3 years.
Oh, after 3 years you got the.
Some maybe 72 around.
So, Professor Majhi, when I during my period as a
as a student from outside when I before entering to IIT Madras,
whenever we say about the fluid dynamics,
fluid mechanics, continuum mechanics area and
in particular that is in general across the world
your your name is very well-known.
And also in particular in Indian,
across India various institutes those who are working in this
same area they know about you are a well-known
a researcher and well-known teacher.
And how did you from the research point of view,
how did you, till you are student of
Professor S. D. Nigam that is one part.
But after that when you joined as a faculty
and along with Professor S. D. Nigam,
but you have created your own
domain of research and you have excelled.
So, please share share your views on how did you?
Yeah, fluid mechanics. For this.
The basic thing I did my research.
I had interaction with the engineering departments also.
There was one Matthews who was working in applied mechanics,
he used to come and sit with me for his research work.
Ok. And also those he was with the German guide,
but he used to come and sit with us, and
some of our work jointly published which found in books also.
That is how I got an inspiration to go towards engineering side.
Application of. Ok.
Fluid mechanics in engineering side. Ok, ok, ok.
Later you know the space science developed. Yes.
And people have gone to the space.
Then the microgravity aspects
how it affects our system that attracted my attention.
We all are grown under one gravity,
on the earth from childhood to the adulthood,
but when we go up there, there is no gravity or microgravity
let us so how the things will effect that area attracted me.
I did some work in that area along with two of my students.
Oh. In fact, during our international conference
I am not able to remember his name, he visited
though it is there in my tongue tip
he visited and I had a discussion with him.
Ok. Then, he saw something new in my discussion.
Ok. Then, he asked did you,
can you experimentally prove it he asked. The Bolus Flow.
Ok. It is called Bolus Flow. The flow of blood
goes in our arteries or veins even capillaries with certain gaps in between.
Ok. So, one Megha Singh was there in applied mechanics. Oh, Professor
Megha Singh. Professor Megha Singh.
Yeah. We both went to
Japan to attend an international conference.
During our visit we discussed at certain aspects
he told I have facilities in my lab in IIT Madras of course.
Then he did some experiment and our theoretical things are all there.
Oh. Experimentally, it is proved.
Oh. And one of his students submitted the thesis also
in that experiment things. Oh, that time itself you nicely
put your theory and compared with the
experiment and. Experiments
It was really.
So, this is how I diverted towards the microgravity.
Ok. Analysis, and so I did in mathematical modelling also certain aspects.
Like that my area become fluid mechanics,
micro gravity, mathematical modelling. Very good sir. Nice
Sir I want to ask you one thing just
during your time here as a faculty,
you have taken over some some important
positions, administrative positions.
For example, you are a secretary of Film Club.
Film Society it is called. And till today
Film Club film.
Film Society. Film Society. Is also a treasurer.
Yeah. Today if you look at the OAT that Saturday
8 o’clock come what may exactly 8 o’clock, there will be a movie.
Today, it has gone to a much digital and an advanced
level OAT is one of the best place to view the movies.
So, how was those days when you started your
this Film Society activities?
In fact, from my childhood I used to like group work,
joining with other people and participating in activities,
society activities in high schools even elementary schools such as.
So, here also that facility was very much there in IIT Madras.
I was a founder member of Faculty Club,
Faculty Association. Oh, Faculty Association.
Where do you also.
I was also president, right. Led that as the chairman of that.
And I was associate of the Staff Club.
Oh, ok or. Then, there was one of our
important person in humanities it is Rama Rao,
suddenly he expired he was associate lecturer
with 2 kids and wife having no sufficient to support
associate lecturer which was not a permanent position. Permanent position.
So, to get pension etc. not there.
So, we wanted to support the family by sharing from among ourselves.
Good sir. So, Professor Nigam
was the chairman of that committee. Ok.
I was the secretary of that committee.
That is how I came in contact with humanities department closely.
Professor Nagendra was at humanities, later he joined our mathematics.
The statistician. I could find a good friend with with him.
One Professor Krishna Rao who is with us no more,
he was also very friendly with us.
In fact, I remember when I was in Kaveri hostel as a research scholar;
he used to come to the Kaveri hostel to play
what is that called table not, yeah.
Table tennis. Table tennis,
he was very interesting. I also developed a good relation.
This Film Society, those Film Club was here at that time,
but Film Society was something different aspect.
Film society is that group of people who are interested in old movies.
Ok. Those movies were what is that called,
there is a some group that is called
I do not remember the name right now.
So, these old films, awarded films,
so those films they wanted to see
in our IIT students. So, you used OAT or
the CLT. Private, private means in rooms.
Rooms, ok, ok. Small rooms. CLT.
Let us say at that time CLT was. CLT was there. Ok.
We used to use it. Ok.
Then Krishna Rao and then suggested
how about having a society of that type
because generally people won’t be interested
to see some the classical movies and old movies,
awarded movies, they wanted this dancing phenomena and Ok.
These love, but these things has some deep rooted philosophy etc.
So, he agreed.
That is how we framed a group in IIT Madras,
got approval of the administration and a society was formed.
Krishna Rao was the chairman and I was the secretary
and one Kesavan happens to be the treasurer.
During that time also we thought of
having one parent teachers forum of Central School.
Our Kendriya
Kendriya Vidyalaya. Oh.
And I was the treasurer of that. Oh.
And that also went on very well.
We saved quite a good amount, then we installed a prize.
Prize means the person alternatively from Central School and Vana Vani,
whose gets the position first position in IIT
selection among the day students he gets that prize.
Still it is continuing. Oh, very nice, very very good.
Another thing I will tell you,
Professor Ananth was professor in charge of Gymkhana, student affairs.
Ok. He called one day, told Professor Majhi
why don't you join with us as a treasurer? So.
And I joined there also.
During my time I found out that are 4 to 5 different
accounts are being maintained, individually people are operating.
I brought to the knowledge of Ananth later also it was Professor Natarajan
who came to that position, I brought to their notice.
There also surprised, how is it happening,
students operating one, some faculty advisor operating one.
No, it should not be.
So, we brought all those amounts in one account,
operated to be operated by 2 people.
Oh, ok. So, today whatever procedure we see
you are the. So, that is going on
very well. You are you are that person
who introduced all those.
And in our department. Changes.
Ramanujan Day celebrations.
Yeah, yeah, yeah
it is also there. That also came.
Even even today December 22nd,
whatever be the case
22nd is the day of we celebrate Ramanujan Day which
where when; when did you start the
the celebrating this? In fact, I must thank you also.
oh, You remember our international conference?
It was when I was a student, it was 1988.
That is first one. Yeah.
And the next one.
It was that is international conference on Industrial Max or.
Yeah, yeah. Yeah that was in 2001,
but in. It is, but in 1987.
Before to that, yes as a student.
Yeah, as a student, ok in 1987
there was a that. Conference.
Big. Yeah, I remember.
International conference on mathematics which was held here
which I remember. So, we during that conference all of you helped us.
so much Yes, yes. And not only. In fact. IIT Madras, also
Institute of Mathematical Sciences and University of Madras combined
together and we had it the entire event took place here.
I even remember sir. Even some
private. As a student, I remember, yeah.
Private engineering colleges. Colleges, yeah.
And all of you conducted. In fact we are all there,
but all the working aspects are done by you. Yeah,
sir we got lot of experience. And there was one
another student with you who has gone to Guindy Engineering College.
Yeah, now he is a Professor M. Venkatesan.
Venkatesan. Yes
And Vetrivel. Yeah, Professor Vetrivel, yes.
And all these people who are
so dynamic that gave us a confidence we raised a lot of funds,
then International Group were there and they are
so appreciative etc. etc.
During that time I think we put a
foundation also about mathematical modelling. Yes.
You went to Germany.
Yeah, I went to.
German. I got the opportunity
because of the conference. Yeah.
I got a some kind of contact
then I went to Germany.
From the conference
you got the contact. Yes, yes, yes.
went and that till today that contact is very strong going on.
Yes sir, yes sir, yes sir, yes sir. During that time we saved lot of funds.
I remember we saved around 40,000 rupees.
Oh, at that time, oh. At that time.
That time sir.
You are really the finance minister of Department of Mathematics.
So, that amount there was lot of discussion we had,
what to be done, we put it in a fixed deposit
and decided to conduct every year
Ramanujan Day celebration. Ok. Yes sir.
In that amount. Till today.
It is. We take that the interest money.
Right. Now, we are getting around say near about
50 to 60,000 which is.
Right. Good enough for us to
organize this 20 century that is the seed which you
you put and that is what which is helping. I am proud of you
actually because you are the flag bearer afterwards. Oh, thank you sir.
Indeed. But Another aspect I remember,
I was given the responsibility of professor in charge of
SCST Oh, that is very nice.
Professor Kuriakose, chemistry department, he was the
student associated professor in charge of student activities.
Ok. He called one day, asked me, in fact
Professor Achuthan was in charge before me.
Ok. Maybe he might have asked Professor Achuthan after you who should be,
Professor Achuthan might have told Professor Majhi is there.
So, he called me, asked me can you join as a adviser to SCST group?
Generally, that confidence as such was not much,
but it was Professor Kuriakose of all the people
and he also qualified his request, don’t worry I am with you.
Oh. So, I did.
So, it’s a it’s a great service you you did.
During that time I will tell you one incident.
One of the Vice Chancellors daughter was our student.
The Vice Chancellor happens to be only a SCST person.
Ok. One of the Vice Chancellors.
One day I asked the daughter because she was getting all facilities
free, hostel free, food, books, etc.,
I asked her would you really need this?
She was bit confused.
I told if you do not need it, this can go to somebody else.
Oh, nice. There will be very much
suffering people and the institute may offer this to that.
She told I will ask my father. Ok.
Next day she came told my father says since it is a privilege,
let us enjoy it. Ok. So, that is one incident I will tell you. Nice
sir. And during that time also, there is some
grants used to come to our section
and we used to manage our things with that,
some get togethers and all those things.
We saved some funds. Oh.
Professor Kuriakose and myself from that we saved some.
It was it was really a great thing And that amount was
put again in a fixed deposit to be given as a
scholarship or some financial aid to required student of SCST.
Oh, nice. I understand that is still going on.
So, I want to ask you the next question.
Today, in Department of Mathematics we have a
programme in Master of Technology in Industrial
Mathematics and Scientific Computing.
And this is one of the the unique programme in India today.
But when it was started I think you are the one of the
the the brain begin, begin this particular programme.
Yes. Because already it is, if I remember it is already 17 years
and now the programme is going in in a in a much
in which it it has got lot of. Yes.
Acceptability across India.
And with lot of collaborations from Germany, from all other
countries, and our students are doing extremely well.
I want to know how this idea came up to start such
Master of Technology in Industrial Mathematics at IIT Madras.
Till today, it is one of the unique program in India.
So, how this thought process came came to you
and you started the course on mathematical modelling in industry.
Till today that is the one of the popular course.
So, how this idea came out? Yes it evolve, it is almost need based.
There was all the time people used to talk with modelling aspects.
In in fact I appreciate one statement;
mathematics is theoretical engineering,
engineering is a applied mathematics.
Ok. So, that statement is very inspiring type
of statement people have always brought.
So, mathematical models are all there,
we thought why not a course can be developed.
I think that course is not evolved here for the first time;
it was there elsewhere in foreign countries.
Yeah, I am. In Germany; at financial.
But in India. Modelling.
That was the.
First time. Yeah.
Then we thought, in fact I always bring Professor Achuthan’s name,
I sat with him we both discussed
how about having a course in mathematical modelling?
Then we thought course in math; is there any books available? We searched.
We got books, then we thought why not frame a course?
Professor Achuthan asked me frame one.
Oh. So, we framed a course,
we got approved by the institute academic section etc.
Then, we offered it, to our surprise quite
number of first it went as an elective
engineering people they offered to come and attend.
Some faculty attended, some research scholars attended.
So, he got encouraged.
So, I gave that course because since I framed the course,
so it was my responsibility to see that it is given.
Yes sir, after your super? envision
it was me who
Prof. S. Sundar: teaching this course till today. Prof. S.N. Majhi: taken up very appropriately very appropriately.
Yeah. And of course, you revised. Now, I see
lot of the modern thoughts have gone into.
Then, we conducted that International Conference of Mathematical
Modelling. Modelling.
Pool from abroad came, they all
discussed, they presented papers, ideas came.
So, this industrial mathematics M.Tech. course
it it is a kind of automatically got generated,
not by any single person.
I think independently 3 to 4 of us we thought about it.
Right sir, right.
At that time Professor Parthasarathy was.
Professor P. R. Parthasarathy. P. R. Parthasarathy
was a head of the department. Head of the department.
And of course, we thought during our time, but
to to take its shape it took time, later debates are there this and that.
Then, Professor Parthasarathy has taken the responsibility after me.
And we framed, that continued, our discussion continued to,
one day Professor Usha came to my room we both sat and framed a write up.
Ok. To be sent to the director, we framed a write up.
This write up it played a good role and you people have gone to Germany.
Yes. And came and that also gave lot of good contact.
Then, there was not much favour in our department as such to start with.
Even in engineering departments there are bit
sceptical asking, how come M.Tech. course in a science department.
Ok. In senate we debated over it.
Oh. In one of the debates it was pointed out
that Delhi IIT has an M.Tech. course in computer science area.
Offered by by maths department. Mathematics department offers it,
that is where Professor Natarajan got an idea
and asked Professor Muthukrishnan to note it.
Oh, Professor R. Natarajan he was in in the director. Director.
Professor Muthukrishnan was deputy director. Deputy Director. Yeah, nice.
Ananth used to be dean of
academic courses. Academic courses. Very nice
those were helped us. They 3 helped us a lot.
And fortunately your good friend from calls what is that.
Is Kaiserslautern.
Kaiserslautern. Technical University.
Good friend.
Professor Helmut Neunzert. He visited.
Helmut Neunzert. And you are also joined
from Kharagpur IIT. True, true, true. To our at that time. Yes.
And that is fair things daily evolve.
And I remember Professor Natarajan
invited what is the German professor? Professor Helmut Neunzert.
Neunzert, to his room, asked him a few questions.
He asked this department wanted to introduce
M.Tech. in industrial mathematics, what is your opinion?
His beautiful way he talked mathematics,
industrial mathematics, mathematic in the Department of Mathematics,
oh, it is so nice.
Oh, ok. Just a few 1 or 2 that is what
Professor Natarajan told and it was approved.
Oh great. We started with 9 students.
Yeah, now. And here one thing we introduced
what is quite brand new, nowhere it was done, the seminar aspect.
Yeah, modelling workshop.
Workshop. Yeah. Modelling
workshop. Yeah, still it is going
mathematical modelling workshop. Modelling workshop,
weekly ones. Rarely,
yeah, we saw the problem. That is something brand new.
From the scratch to the model to the computing,
today it it has gone to that. And that is where the industry also
gave their problems for us to discuss it. Yes, yes, yes.
Still it is going on? Yes,
very we have a. The workshop.
very good connection and still modelling workshop is
very you know. Going that.
One component in.
And I must appreciate you.
Oh, that is your. After afterwards you have taken care of it.
Now, I understand it has gone to a very good level.
Yeah, we have lot of memorandum of understanding with
some of the top universities and we are working on a. And sponsored.
Exchange, student exchange programme.
Now, we have sponsors from DAAD.
Accha. And also we have good sponsor from Erasmus.
European Union where some every semester till 2021.
Every year 5 students of our end, they can go to
to spend one semester in in University of Kaiserslautern. German University.
Then, similarly the students from Germany
they come here for a semester. So,
anyway the main thing is you are the person
with your team at that time,
you started, you thought about it and you started this programme.
Confidence was somewhere else. Because we have seen that you are the
real, you know your foresee the importance of this particular programme.
So, I must really appreciate you for such good ideas.
One simple incidence I will tell you.
Please sir. During my headship you know the computers?
When was the the your? 92 to 95. 92 to 95, ok.
The computers are very popular during those days you know,
just started becoming popular.
We had no computers in our department.
Yes, yes. No computer.
And we requested our deputy director, Professor Muthukrishnan,
sir we do not have any computer department,
can you help us to have some computers in the department?
We want to have a lab.
He told what means computers.
Anyway, I will see he told.
Then, he gave us after repairing few old computers.
Ok. Repaired.
And he told repairing charges I won’t put on the department.
Ok. I will put in a general way.
You take this. We agreed this
and Professor Raghav Raj was in charge of the computer.
Ok.
That is. Now we have a big lab, M.Tech. lab
even we conduct. So
So, we started that
computer lab with 4 computers. Yeah.
And today of course,
computer is a way of life. Yeah, we have own service on that, yeah.
But I want to ask you one thing just to go back again to
Professor Chandrasekhar the famous the Noble Laureate,
so and he visited IIT Madras and he gave lecture. 87, 87.
Oh, it was 90.
So, you are there during his lecture at CLT
and how was that experience of meeting
this giant? You know Professor Achuthan
was very fond of theoretical physics.
When he heard that Professor Chandrasekhar is visiting the
Department of Physics, he informed all of us, he is coming.
All of us we will go and attend his talk, he is very enthusiastic.
And also just before his arrival to at India,
Chandrasekhar had a heart problem, a setback.
He came here with his wife actually.
First visit to us, Department of Physics here in and
he gave a talk in CLT, we attended it, beautiful.
His body language, modular voice and that
simple smile when he enjoys something telling is something very special.
Oh. His wife was there.
Ok. Lalitha.
His wife was also there sitting in the audience.
We were very fortunate to hear him.
So, so thank you sir for this great time.
And really I went back to you know 1960 68.
I was basically travelling along with you from 65 to till.
In fact, I must thank you to bring in my memory so much,
you know things nostalgic. I thank you very much.
Thank you sir. Thanks.
We thank the IIT Madras to bring both of us together. Yes, sir.
So nice. Thank you sir.
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