Page 143 - CW E-Magazine (5-8-2025)

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BOOK REVIEW The foreword, written by Bharat Charit Manas. Often called a “walking- At every step, his late wife Sudha
Ratna Prof. C.N.R. Rao, FRS, is a heart- talking encyclopaedia,” his memory and remained his quiet strength. Her affec-
Divine Scientist: Prof. Sharma’s biography celebrates felt tribute to Prof. Sharma’s intellect, command over data, policy, history, and tionate nickname for him,Gyaan Pipaasu,
integrity, and enduring friendship. Des- even old Hindi fi lm songs are legendary. a thirster of knowledge, perfectly
a life dedicated to national service pite not always being fully recognized A true Brahmarshi of the modern era. captured his insatiable intellectual curio-
by his own university, where even his sity. Their children and grandchildren
I had the privilege of reading this of this review), all elected Fellows of election to the Royal Society in London He has served on elite panels spoke movingly at the book release,
compelling biography of Padma Vibhu- the Indian National Science Academy was met with cold indifference, Prof. selecting IIT directors, secretaries to the underlining how deeply family and
shan Professor Man Mohan Sharma, (INSA), International Members of the Sharma never uttered a word of protest. government, CSIR lab directors, Direc- values are embedded in his life.
FRS, fi rst in its original draft in Marathi US National Academy of Engineer- He accepted such moments with equa- tor Generals, and more. The list is long.
version and then in its English transla- ing, Fellows of The World Academy of nimity and grace. He was once denied His mastery of English, although hav- The book is rich with anecdotes and
tion [Sundaram Digital Publication Sciences (TWAS), and recipients of Padma the prestigious Bhatnagar Fellowship ing been educated in Hindi, deep grasp refl ections that underscore his genero-
House, Mumbai; Price: Rs. 995]. awards, shared personal and insight- by the university, yet he bore it with of global chemical markets, and pre- sity, brilliance, and humility. He fondly
ful stories about their beloved Guru. humility rather than resentment. cise articulation have shaped policy at recalls his mentors, Dr. G.P. Kane, Prof.
The author, Aneeta Patil, requested Aneeta’s work unveils the inner world of the highest levels. As a member of the P.V. Danckwerts of Cambridge, and
me to go through it and provide missing a man revered across academia, whose His academic lineage, over 1500 Scientifi c Advisory Committee to the Prof. G.M. Nabar, acknowledging their
links or corrections if any. As someone infl uence continues to span generations. Ph.D. scholars, directly and through his Prime Minister, along with some of the lasting impact on his life.
who has had the good fortune of know- students, has created a towering banyan most revered scientists, his ideas helped
ing Prof. Sharma for over fi ve decades, I was honoured to speak at the tree of knowledge and innovation. Long shape institutions like IITs, IISERs, and The biography quickly became a
initially as his student, later as a col- book’s release on June 6, 2025, before a before “translational research” became AcSIR. bestseller. On his 88th birthday (June
league at UDCT (now ICT Mumbai), large and enthusiastic audience. On that a buzzword, he practised it. His Ph.D. 4), followed by the felicitation in
and as a close family friend, I found occasion, I remarked that Prof. Sharma research led to a patent sold to Shell for His rapport with the former and the Mumbai on June 6, countless admirers
this work to be profoundly moving and is like a Jain Muni, detached from £1,000 in 1963, a princely sum then. late Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh attended in person or online. His
inspiring. He has been my mentor, the worldly ambition, glitter and materia- Among those inspired and mentored (when he was the Chairman UGC), his autograph on the sold copies was a
Maha Guru and philosopher who has list pleasure. He turned down top posi- by him is industrialist Mukesh Ambani, longstanding chairmanship of the Petro- hallmark, and those who met him and
infl uenced my life. I was also fortu- tions including Secretary, DST; Chair- who, at the book release function, an- leum Ministry’s scientifi c committee, received his blessing were the happiest.
nate to get to know many of his family man, UGC; DG, CSIR; and Director, nounced a historic donation of Rs. 151- and his role in the Empowered Commit- His relatives, too, were moved to
members during my Ph.D. days. Every power, position, or privilege. He wanted IIT Kanpur. Instead, he chose to re- crore with no conditions attached. It was tee of the MHRD are part of institutional rediscover their connection to such a
word written in the book raises the curio- his students to surpass his achieve- main a professor at his alma mater, the an unparalleled moment in the annals of memory. That committee, after a decade towering fi gure, at once a Dnyan Yogi-
sity to know more and more about this ments and never took anybody else’s UDCT, becoming the youngest professor Guru-Shishya(teacher-student) tradition of selfl ess service, voluntarily disbanded, and Karma Yogi.
saintly persona. credit although he may be the genera- in the University of Mumbai’s history and made headlines the following day. an act of rare ethical leadership. Some of
tor of the idea. What scientists call now and later its longest-serving one. I was What a legacy he has created! the most visionary decisions for univer- This book is a collector’s item and
The biography is thoughtfully struc- as a ‘nano’ was studied by him in 1969 deeply moved when he specifi cally sity and college research raised the level deserves a place in every personal and
tured into 29 chapters, yet rather than in his theoretical work with P.A. Rama- acknowledged me in his speech, prais- Prof. Sharma has forged lifelong of research in India. institutional library. Sundaram Digital
summarizing each, I prefer to highlight chandran and was mentioned by the great ing my invaluable efforts to remove the friendships across age groups and pro- Publication House has done an out-
its most striking elements. Once you Chemical Engineering Professor T.K. shanties along the footpaths surrounding fessions, academicians, scientists, bureau- As Chairman of the IIT Council, he standing job, with plans to release Hindi
begin reading, it becomes impossible to Sherwood of MIT in 1975! Ramachan- the ICT campus, even at the great risk crats, and industrialists, driven by a championed doctoral research and insti- and Gujarati translations soon. Given
put down. Whether you are a student, dran’s entire thesis was theoretical. of my own life and that of my family. shared commitment to national develop- tutional excellence. The number of PG Prof. Sharma’s multilingual abilities
colleague, admirer, or someone unfa- Such is his magnanimity. ment. The book recounts several such and Ph.D. students in major IITs swelled and close ties with families from
miliar with Prof. Sharma, you will in- Aneeta Patil deserves great credit episodes that reveal his vast infl uence. to more than 50%. He was the Chair- Maharashtra and Gujarat, these editions
evitably fi nd yourself wishing you had for capturing the essence of this extra- You will always wonder, is such He has a phenomenal memory and man of the BOG of IIT Madras, where are sure to resonate deeply.
met him, or had the honour of being his ordinary yet deeply humble man in such a person amongst us as a beacon of recollects many forgotten instances his visionary ideas helped them to pro-
student or acquaintance. His presence lucid prose. Over a year of research, she knowledge and humility? when he meets old timers. pel in leaps and bounds. His vision for Let me conclude with a prayer from
has always been mesmerizing. interviewed numerous individuals in- institutional autonomy, especially for the Atharva Veda:“Jeevem Sharadah
cluding his famous students whose lives His list of accolades is staggering. A devout and disciplined individual, his karmabhoomi UDCT, and other uni- Shatam” May he live to see a hundred
The book teaches profound les- were touched by Prof. Sharma, friends, But what truly defi nes him is his genero- he observes a fast every Tuesday in hon- versities, left a lasting mark on technical autumns!
sons in humility, curiosity, integrity, classmates, students, colleagues, and sity of spirit. He is a mentor of mentors, our of Lord Ram and visits a Hanuman education in India. His infl uence spans
and quiet confi dence. It celebrates a industrialists alike. Three of his most a sculptor of minds, a sage counsellor to temple every Saturday as far as possible, CSIR’s industrial linkages, chemical and [Reviewed by Prof. G.D. Yadav, Bhatnagar
life dedicated wholly to science, educa- renowned and accomplished students, many in different walks of life and the no matter where he is. His spiritual dis- pharma sectors, and even the function- Fellow & National Science Chair, Emeritus
tion, industry, government policy and namely, Dr. R.A. Mashelkar, Prof. J.B. nation at large. These facets are beauti- cipline is matched by his intellectual ing of the Ministry of Chemicals and Professor of Eminence and Former Vice
national service, free from the lure of Joshi, and Prof. G.D. Yadav (the author fully brought out in the book. brilliance. He is an avid reader of Ram Fertilizers. Chancellor, ICT, Mumbai]

142 Chemical Weekly August 5, 2025 Chemical Weekly August 5, 2025 143

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