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This photograph is from the fifth convocation of IIT Madras.  The dignitaries include (from left), Prof. A. Ramachandran (Director), Prof. S. Sampath (Deputy Director), Dr. K. S. G. Doss (Chemicals and Plastics India Ltd., Madras) Dr. G. S. Laddha (Director, A. C. College of Technology, Madras), a gentleman (yet to be identified) and Mr. T. R. Doss (Director of Technical Education, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad).   An identical photograph can be found in the Gourishankar Collection in Album 0306 under the ID: 001/0306/IMG_0347

At the time, Sarabhai was Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission of India. In the September 1968 edition of Campastimes, the interview with Dr. Sarabhai (p.5) describes how Dr. Vikram A. Sarabhai “looked like an eastern fakir contemplating the world at the end of his hookah. The long maroon-coloured sherwani and the sparkling white churridars seemed to add to his personality.” In the interview, Sarabhai talked about how science, humanities and technology must be included at the institute, stressing on the importance of the humanities. Seen in the image, Prof. A. Ramachandran (Director,…

This photograph was taken during the fifth convocation of IIT Madras. On the stage, extreme right is Dr. Vikram A. Sarabhai (chief guest and Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission), Mr. C. V. Sethunathan (Registrar, second from right) and Dr. A. L. Mudaliar (Chairman, Board of Governors, third from right). From left, Prof. R. G. Narayanamurthi (Head of Mechanical Engineering Department), Prof. R. J. H. Bisanz (Chemical Engineering Department), Prof. T. R. Doss (Director of Technical Education, Hyderabad), Prof. P. M. Reddy, Prof. M. V. C. Sastri (Head of Chemistry Department) and Prof. C.…

Prof. R. G. Narayanamuthi was the Head of Mechanical Engineering Department and Prof. A. Ramachandran was the Director of the Institute.  An identical photograph can be found in the Gourishankar Collection in Album 0306 under the ID: 001/0306/IMG_0353

Vedavalli was the first woman to receive any B. Tech. degree from IIT Madras. She was enrolled in the 3 year Electrical Engineering course. B. Tech. course. In 1966, the first women students entered for the five year B. Tech. programme. Among them were Janaki Seshadri and Usha Rangan. Prof. S. Sampath (Deputy Director, extreme right) can be seen in the photograph.

A total of seven Ph.D. degrees were conferred in the year 1968, of which two were in Chemistry and Mathematics, and one each in Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering and Electrical Engineering. Seen in the image, Prof. A. Ramachandran (Director, left) and a Ph.D. scholar (right) who is yet to be identified. An identical photograph can be found in the Gourishankar Collection in Album 0306 under the ID: 001/0306/IMG_0350

George Verghese was a student of the 5-Year B. Tech. programme of the Chemical Engineering Department. Dr. Vikram A. Sarabhai was the chief guest at this convocation. He was also Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission. The Governor’s Prize was awarded for all-round proficiency in the B. Tech. degree course. In the ‘Caricature’ column of Campastimes (Vol. VI, No. 6), M. K. writes that George Verghese was a sports and adventure enthusiast. M. K. writes, “On his (Verghese’s) first outing in the Himalayas, he did so well that he was judged best in his group. The next time together with…

The fifth convocation of IIT Madras was held at the Open Air Theatre (OAT). The venue was used extensively for convocations and other events. It could seat several thousands of people. An identical photograph can be found in the Gourishankar Collection in Album 0306 under the ID: 001/0306/IMG_0359

Seen in the image from the left: Mr. C. V. Sethunathan (Registrar, IITM), Prof. B. Sengupto (Director, IITM) and Dr. K. Gerke (Rector of Technical University, Braunschweig). Dr. K. Gerke, Rector of the Technical University, Braunschweig, West Germany visited IIT Madras for a week in 1966. An image taken from that time, found in the Institute’s third convocation brochure, indicates that he was received warmly and welcomed with a garland upon his arrival at the Institute. During his visit he actively interacted with a number of faculty and staff members and was shown the educational…

Seen in the image is the audience at a formal event held on the occasion of Mr. M. C. Chagla’s (Union Minister for Education) visit to the Institute, probably at the PhLT (Physics Lecture Theatre) or ChLT (Chemistry Lecture Theatre). Mr. M. C. Chagla (Union Minister for Education, New Delhi) visited IIT Madras twice. The first occasion was as chief guest for the second convocation of the Institute. He visited the Institute again a little more than a year later on 17th June, 1966. A formal event was held on the occasion of his visit to the Institute. During the event speeches were made…

Seen in the image from the right is Mr. C. V. Sethunathan (Registrar), Prof. B. Sengupto (Director, IITM), an individual who is yet to be identified and Mr. M. C. Chagla (Union Minister for Education). Mr. M. C. Chagla (Union Minister for Education, New Delhi) visited IIT Madras at least twice. The first occasion was as chief guest for the second convocation of the Institute. He returned to IIT Madras a little more than a year later on 17th June, 1966. A formal event was held on occasion of this second visit to the Institute. During the event speeches were made and a cheque towards the…

Seen in the image, seated at the head of the table is Dr. K. Gerke (Rector of Technical University, Braunschweig). Seen to his right is Dr. W. Koch (Physics Department). Dr. K. Gerke, Rector of the Technical University, Braunschweig, West Germany visited IIT Madras for a week in 1966. An image taken from that time indicates that he was received warmly and welcomed with a garland. During his visit he actively interacted with a number of faculty and staff members and was shown the educational facilities of the campus.  

Seen in the image, seated on the dais from left: Dr. A. L. Mudaliar (Chairman, Board of Governors) and Prof. B. Sengupto (Director, IITM). Seen standing in the image is Mr. M. C. Chagla (Union Minister for Education). Mr. M. C. Chagla (Union Minister for Education, New Delhi) visited IIT Madras twice. The first occasion was as chief guest for the second convocation of the Institute. He returned to IIT Madras a little more than a year later on 17th June, 1966. A formal event was held on the occasion of his visit to the Institute. During the event speeches were made and a cheque towards…

Seen in the image on the right is Dr. K. Gerke (Rector of Technical University, Braunschweig). To his right are Prof. R. K. Gupta (Humanities Department) and Prof. N. Klein (Humanities Department). Dr. K. Gerke, Rector of the Technical University, Braunschweig, West Germany visited IIT Madras for a week in 1966. An image taken from that time, found in the Institute’s third convocation brochure, indicates that he was received warmly and welcomed with a garland upon his arrival at the Institute. During his visit he actively interacted with a number of faculty and staff members and was…

Seen in the image, from right to left is Mr. C. V. Sethunathan (Registrar, IITM), Prof. R. K. Gupta (Humanities Department), Prof. Venkateswarlu (Chemical Engineering Department) and Prof. G. Stahl (Mechanical Engineering Department). The year 1966 was a happening year for IIT Madras. One of the events that took place that year was the visit of the Sub-Committee of the German Parliament for Cultural Relations Abroad in September. The photographs taken at the event show the members of the sub-committee conversing, in an informal manner over refreshments, with the faculty members of the…