Prof. B. Sengupto and Mr. C. Rajagopalachari having a conversation, 1967

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Convocations , Institute Events , Visiting VIPs

This photograph was taken during the fourth convocation of IIT Madras in 1967.

B. Sengupto was the first Director of IIT Madras, who served his term from 1959 to 1967.

C. Rajagopalachari, informally known as Rajaji, was a multi-dimensional figure in Indian history. He was an independence activist, politician, lawyer, writer and historian. He served as the Governor-General of India, Union Home Minister, Chief Minister of Madras State and Governor of West Bengal at different points in his political career. Doss was an Emeritus Professor at IIT Madras for a few years following his retirement in 1967. He is called a “modest genius” in an article in the Biographical Memoirs of the Indian National Science Academy, by R. Narayan, a retired professor from the Chemistry Department at IIT Madras. Doss is known for being Director of the Central Electrochemical Research Institute, Karaikudi (CECRI). Varghese was the Head of the Civil Engineering department from 1961 to 1972. He has published six books in the field of Civil Engineering. Laddha was a member of the Senate of IIT Madras, and also the Director at Alagappa College of Technology.

Seen in the image, Prof. W. Koch (Department of Physics, sixth from right), Prof. B. Sengupto (Director, fifth from right), C. Rajagopalachari (chief guest, fourth from right), Prof. K. S. G. Doss (Member of Board of Governors of IIT Madras and Director, Central Electro-Chemical Research Institute, Karaikudi, third from right), Prof. P. C. Varghese (Head of Civil Engineering Department, second from right) and Prof. G. S. Laddha (Member of Board of Governors of IIT Madras and Director, Alagappa College of Technology, extreme right).

Collection:

Central Photographic Section Collection

Album Name:

Fourth Convocation, 1967

Photograph ID:

001/0006/IMG_0260_1

Album ID:

0006

Date:

22 July 1967

Place:

Open Air Theatre (OAT)

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:

Fourth Convocation