Distinguished guests having refreshments during the inauguration of the Computer Centre, 1973

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Institute Events , Visiting VIPs , Inaugurations

It is likely that refreshments were served after the inauguration of the Computer Centre. The time of day (evening) can be determined by the dark sky which is visible in the background.

Seen in the image, Mr. A. L. Taylor (Regional General Manager, IBM, India, third from left), Prof. A. Ramachandran (Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India) and Prof. H. N. Mahabala (Head of Computer Centre, extreme right) with other distinguished guests (yet to be identified).

Prof. Ramachandran was the second Director of IIT Madras after Prof. B. Sengupto. He was Director from December 1967 to May 1973. In an article in The New Indian Express, Mr. Taylor notes that the IBM 370 computer system was installed in a record time of 18 days after its arrival in India. He noted that the system was a “symbol of international co-operation between the Federal Republic of Germany, IIT Madras and IBM.”

Collection:

Gourishankar Collection

Album Name:

1. Special Convocation for Dr. Erhard Eppler 2. Computer Centre Inauguration

Photograph ID:

001/0266/IMG_0119

Album ID:

0266

Date:

17 November 1973

Photographer:

C. Gourishankar (1936-2002). A geologist by qualification, Gourishankar started his career as a photographer after working for many years with the Geological Survey of India. In everything that he did, Gourishankar strove to achieve flawlessness and impeccable quality. Thus his photography too was characterised by this drive for perfection. Every photograph that Gourishankar took was meticulously planned and shot and printed with diligence and patience. Gourishankar carried out most of the official photography at IIT Madras in the 1960s.

Event:

Inauguration of Computer Centre

Place:

Probably Building Sciences Block (BSB)