Tribute to Wing Commander, K R Rao - An Unsung Hero of Indian Space Program

 

Tribute to an unsung hero, nonagenarian, Wing Commander, K R Rao, who passed away in the US on 17 March.

 Dr. YS Rajan, one of those early birds who worked with Dr Sarabhai in the founding of ISRO, posted a tribute to Wing Commander, K R Rao, on his passing away, and highlighted his contributions to the Indian space program. His post - reproduced below from his Facebook - has motivated me to offer my tribute to Wg. Cdr Rao.

Posted below is Dr Y S Rajan's Tribute to Wg Cdr K R Rao from on his Facebook post

"I am posting this to pay my respects to one of the great son of India and a pioneer in Satellite Communication and Remote Sensing in India. But a forgotten hero!!! That person is Wg Cdr (retd.) K R Rao. He breathed his last in USA on 16th March 2024 at 7:30 pm Eastern Time USA as informed by his daughter Usha Rao. He was the first to build Experimental Satellite Communication Earth Station (ESCES) which has trained not only Indians but hundreds of persons from many developing countries. Based on that Dr Vikram Sarabhai "fought" with P N Haksar to allow his INCOSPAR to quote for the global tender of GOI to build a overseas communication terminal. Tender did not allow those without prior delivery experience to quote. VS did not want any other concession. He had the confidence that KRR will win and deliver. It was for Arvi station 96 ft. antenna and related equipment. Indeed KRR not only won the global tender but and also delivered it ahead of schedule and well within quoted cost. I have seen KRR from those days as I was in PRL Ahmedabad since 1964, with PERT charts to talk to VS. Based on that VS created the Satellite Communication Systems Division (SCSD) with a mandate to make earth stations and sell to the world as Satcom has started to spread. KRR geared up. It would have been the first Space Company of India!!! But alas Destiny had its way and snatched VS away at a young age. In the ISRO's internal politics during the transitional period the upright KRR was a victim and was "dumped" into ISRO HQ at Bangalore. Was given odd jobs.( VS's vision of India being a major player in satcom ground station market died of with him as KRR was moved out.) But Destiny had another major space application to be taken care of, for India. Another great science and technology pioneer Dr Arcot Ramachandran who was then Secretary DST GOI, foresaw the great role of remote sensing applications and wanted to use the US offer of giving free access to their Earth Resources satellite LANDSAT data to those who can set up necessary ground station and data processing equipment. Tight schedules. AR got the then PM Indira Gandhi's approval and National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA) was formed in Hyderabad. Naturally KRR was picked up as its first Founder Director. Remarkable speed and excellent execution. Landsat data over India was available to India and world. In addition NRSA gave various other operational services to users in various departments and agencies on a commercial basis. There was an aircraft division too. So an operational service agency was established in India (outside ISRO) to receive data from remote sensing satellites and provide user services. But for this ISRO's plans to launch indigenous remote sensing satellites would have had a set back: satellite up but no matching ground infrastructure! ( Recall what is happening to ISRO's navigation satellites now!!!). Prof Dhawan realised this unique role of NRSA for ISRO's vision of reaching RS applications to all walks of life. In fact it so happened that for several years in the 2000's India was the WORLD leader in supplying RS data and in India's own applications. It was possible because NRSA was established in time by KRR and given its work culture to meet user demands. Prof SD had discussed with me about NRSA to be brought under Dept of Space. KRR did a good job even after transfer. But the dominating ISRO forces inside made him to decide to quit NRSA which was then a well functioning organisation. I had worked closely with KRR. He was naturally picked up by many international agencies. Loss to India!!! He spent his later years with his daughters settled in USA. I salute the great man and a great space pioneer."

Dr YS Rajan - A co-Author of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam's "India 2020 :A Vision for the New Million" Book

Way back in 1975, when Indian space was in its infancy - lost its founder Dr Vikram Sarabhai - and was beginning to establish itself with the three visionary projects of its founder – the launch of SLV, satellite (Aryabhata), and the SITE program - there was this legendary Indian Airforce officer Wing Commodore Keshava Murthy Ramachandra Rao, who made profound contributions to Indian space program. He was instrumental in establishing the National Remote Sensing Agency, with support from Prof Satish Dhawan. His prophetic vision for harvesting the applications of space science for India – aligned with the vision of ISRO founder Dr Sarabhai - can be seen from one of his interviews which he gave to India Today in 1980: When asked, “What special advantages does it hold for the country? Wing Commodore Rao who had established the NRSA in 1975 said “The country is large and the conventional methods and processes of estimating resources take a long time. For example, to update maps it will take about 20 years. When there are dynamic themes like water, agriculture, and forestry, the conventional methods cannot be monitored correctly. The whole agricultural season is over in a few months. Therefore, we have to think of new methods of mapping and surveying. Here, remote sensing is the answer.” His prophetic vision evidenced in this statement, now finds utterance when we witness the success of the Indian Remote Sensing Satellites.

Wing Commander Keshavamurthy Ramachandra Rao, was commissioned in the Technical Signals Branch of the Indian Air Force on 4 July 1950 and became a Flight lieutenant in 1954 and Squadron Leader in 1961 and later promoted as a Wing Commodore in 1967. He retired from service in 1971. He attended several specialist and staff courses in India and abroad, in which his performance was of the highest order. He was awarded the Woods of Colchester Prize in 1962 for standing first in his course at the College of Aeronautics, Cranfield (UK) thus bringing credit to the Air Force and the nation. Wing Commander Rao was sent on deputation to INCOSPR (later, Indian Space Research Organisation) in May 1965. It was here that Rao worked closely with Dr Sarabhai and achieved all those remarkable achievements which have been so heartfully penned down by Dr. Y S Rajan in his tribute post, which I am so honoured to share.

Wing Commander, Rao specialized in tackling projects involving new technology and challenging tasks as evidenced in the post of Dr Rajan. He spearheaded the establishment of the Arvi Station. AVRI project marked the beginning of antenna control servo systems in India. The 97 ft diameter antenna with Cassegrain geometry, weighing around 300 tonnes was steered in azimuth and elevation axes to track geosynchronous satellites within 0.03°, a very high accuracy. This was one of the most important achievements for ISRO, made for the first time in India, which put India on the world’s space communication map.

Wg Cdr Rao faced problems after the demise of Dr Sarabhai. However, his unwavering dedication and expertise in the field of space applications found a new avenue to flourish under the stewardship of Professor Satish Dhawan. It was during this transformative era that Rao's seminal proposal to establish the National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA) received the green light, with the founding of NRSA in 1975, heralding a new era in India's remote sensing capabilities.

Under Rao's stewardship, NRSA emerged as a beacon of excellence, harnessing the power of remote sensing satellites - launched by ISRO - to harvest and mine invaluable data. His visionary leadership and unwavering commitment propelled India to the forefront of the global stage in remote sensing, earning accolades and admiration from across the world.

As news of Wing Commander, KR Rao's passing reached our shores, a profound sense of loss enveloped the scientific community, which is seen in the tribute of Dr YS Rajan. Yet, amidst the sorrow, let us not forget to celebrate the legacy of this remarkable individual—a pioneer whose contributions have shaped the destiny of our nation and inspired countless generations to reach for the stars.

As we bid farewell to a titan of the Indian space program, whose works have been sadly unheralded, I am sure in honor of his memory ISRO will continue to push the boundaries of knowledge and innovation, just as Rao himself dared to dream. Though he may have departed from this earthly realm, his spirit shall forever soar among the stars, a testament to the enduring power of human ingenuity and perseverance. 

Rest in peace, Wing Commodore KR Rao. Your legacy shall forever illuminate the heavens, guiding us toward a brighter future filled with endless possibilities.

Ramzan: The Holy Month of Spiritual Reckoning, Begins today in India.

 

Ramadan - also known as Ramazan or Ramzan - is considered to be a divine and holy month for the 1.6 plus Billion Muslims of the world. The commencement of the holy month of Ramadan begins with the sighting of the crescent moon in Saudi Arabia. Yesterday many people took to X (formerly Twitter), to announce the sighting of the crescent moon in India. The Crescent of Ramadan 1445/2024 was sighted in many cities in India yesterday. Since the crescent moon was sighted on March 11, the Ramadan fasting will begin today, March 12 in India. Accordingly, for Ramadan 1445/2024 the Sehri time in Mumbai starts at 5.38 AM, March 12, 2024, and the Iftar time starts at 6.48 PM.  The Prime Ministers joined the nation in extending greetings to the people of India at the start of the Ramzan.

 Ramzan - the ninth month of the Islamic calendar - happens to be a sacred month in the Islamic culture. Every year Muslims across the world eagerly wait for the month of Ramadan to immerse themselves in praying for Allah and to raise their spiritual level and surrender before Allah during this holy month. Muslims believe that the holy Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) by Allah during the month of Ramadan, thus making it the holiest month in the Islamic lunar calendar.

 This year Ramzan began with the sighting of the crescent moon yesterday in India and will last for one month. Ramadan happens to be the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, which adheres to the lunar calendar that consists of 12 months with each month having nearly 30 days. Contrary to the Gregorian calendar, which is used as the official calendar in most parts of the world, particularly the Western countries, the Lunar Calendar, which the Muslims follow, lasts for 29 or 30 days a month and 12 months constitute a year.

 During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims are mandated to observe Roza - meaning they do not consume food or water during the period from sunrise to sunset. Partaking in Roza during the holy month of Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, along with the daily prayer, declaration of faith, charity, and performing the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Although fasting through the month of Ramadan is mandated as per the Islamic tenet, however, there is no obligation for those who are ill, elderly, pregnant, breastfeeding, menstruating, or traveling to partake in Roza. All other Muslims are exhorted to engage in the Ramadan fast.

 All through the month of Ramadan, Muslims will take their meal during the early hours (pre-dawn) and this meal partaken by the Muslim community is referred to as ‘Sehri’, and the meal taken after sunset is called ‘Iftaar’. During the interim period, between Sehri and Iftar, Muslims are expected to participate in fasting, which will end with the Magrib Azan - the evening prayer on 9^th / 10 April 2024.  All through this holy month of Ramadan, Muslims are expected to recommit themselves to engaging with their faith and in adhering to Roza, prayer, and sadaqat (voluntary charity in monetary or other ways.) The month of Ramadan is expected to last until 9^th April and will end with grand celebrations that will be followed by a grand feast, which is referred to as Eid-ul-Fitr.

 Ramadan is also the time when Umrah- the pilgrimage to Mecca - is undertaken by Muslims. During the entire month of Ramadan, Muslims are not supposed to eat or drink anything after sunrise. People eat Sehri early in the morning before the sun rises and go for the morning prayers - Fajr. After the sun sets, they break their fast during the Iftar time. After Iftar, people go for the evening prayers - Maghrib, which symbolizes dusk.

The holy month of Ramadan, in a way, acts as a spiritual and physical detoxification. Besides partaking in Roza, the practitioners wake up very early in the day and prepare their meals, and consume them before sunrise. They offer five daily prayers and many will begin the day by reading the holy Quran. At sunset, they break their fast with an elaborate dinner, known as iftar, which coincides with maghrib prayer. Most Muslims break their prayers with dates and water, a tradition established by their founder Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him). In many places, Mosques often provide free iftar community meals to the needy. It is believed that giving or hosting an iftar meal fetches them thawab, (Sawāb or Thawāb) an Arabic term, that refers to spiritual merit or reward that accrues from the performance of good deeds and piety.

May the holy month of Ramadan, the prayers and Roza that Muslims partake in and so also their Zakat - charity and humanitarian activities such as feeding the underprivileged and introspection to enlighten their souls - please their Allah and Prophet Mohammad and bring in peace, happiness and prosperity to the world.

Wishing all the Muslim friends a very happy Ramzan.

 

International Women's Day, 8 March, 2024 : Investing in Women: Accelerating Progress”

International Women's Day (IWD), celebrated annually on March 8th, serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for gender equality and the empowerment of women worldwide. This year, the theme "Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress" resonates deeply as nations, including India, strive towards achieving developmental milestones and envision a future of prosperity and inclusivity.

Today as we commemorate International Women’s Day  I am reminded of the Nobel Prize 2020, a momentous occasion and a rarity when two women deservingly won the coveted 2020, Nobel Prize in Chemistry. The 2020 Nobel Prize for Chemistry was awarded to ‘Madam’ scientists, Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier for their pioneering work on the development of CRISPR tool for gene editing, a discovery that holds great promises in medical applications, particularly for curing genetic diseases. Here is a link to my blog.

https://khened.blogspot.com/2020/10/madam-moment-in-nobel-prize-in.html

The Nobel Prize in chemistry, 2020 was announced yesterday and it has been  awarded to ‘Madam’ scientists Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier for their pioneering work on the development of CRISPR tool for gene editing, a discovery that holds out the possibility of curing genetic diseases.

One of the ancient Indian texts - Manusmriti - posted below, describes the significance of women’s position in the Indian society. 

यत्र नार्यस्तु पूज्यन्ते रमन्ते तत्र देवताः ।

यत्रैतास्तु न पूज्यन्ते सर्वास्तत्राफलाः क्रियाः ।। मनुस्मृति ३/५६ ।।

(Loosely transcribed in English - Yatra naryastu pujyante ramante tatra Devata, yatraitaastu na pujyante sarvaastatrafalaah - Manusmriti).

Meaning - Where women are honoured, divinity blossoms, and where women are dishonoured, all action, no matter how noble, remain unfruitful. 

Unfortunately, although historically there is material evidence to suggest equal if not a higher position for women in the Indian society, yet, it is paradoxical that women continue to face the worst of discrimination even today, not just in India but globally. The situation is so grim that even in the third decade of the twenty first century (2024) we have to remind ourselves to rightfully demand for a jest gender equality. Therefore it is no wonder that this is enshrined as one of the important goals in the United Nations, Sustainable Development Goals - to ‘achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls’.

The genesis for the global struggle for equal rights for women in some kind of an organised way began in the early 1900s. The oppression and inequality were pushing women to become more vocal and active in campaigning for change and for a jest society where women are not discriminated. Looking back in history, it was on this very day – 8th March - in 1908 that an organised women labour movement started as a united march in which some 15000 women marched in an organised way through the New York City, demanding shorter working hours and better pay and right to vote for women, who until then were treated unequally in US. Encouraged by the response that the women’s march received, the Socialist Party of America joined hands with this movement and demanded for declaring the day, 8 March, as the National Woman's Day. The idea to convert this day into an International Women’s Day came from Clara Zetkin, leader of the Women’s Office for the Social Democratic Party in Germany. She tabled the idea of an International Women's Day during the International Conference of Working Women held in Copenhagen in 1910. She proposed that every year in every country, there should be a celebration on the same day to press for change, thus was born the International Women's Day. In the very next year, 1911, this day was celebrated as the Women’s Day in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. However, it was only in 1975 that the United Nations (UN) formally acknowledged and started celebrating this day as International Women’s Day. Ever since the IWD has been celebrated every year with a specific theme for each year.

In India, where a clarion call from the Prime Minister for a Viksit Bharat have drawn so much traction, aspirations run high to attain the status of a developed nation by 2047, the centenary of our independence, investing in women emerges as a pivotal strategy for accelerating progress across various socio-economic fronts. Historically, women in India have faced systemic discrimination and barriers to their full participation in society. Despite significant advancements in recent decades, gender disparities persist in areas such as education, healthcare, employment, and political representation. 

Investing in women entails more than just financial resources; it encompasses policies, programs, and societal attitudes that prioritize gender equality and women's empowerment. Education stands as a fundamental pillar of this investment. Providing girls with equal access to quality education not only enhances their individual capabilities but also contributes to overall societal development. Educated women are more likely to participate in the workforce, make informed decisions about their health and well-being, and become agents of change within their communities.

Furthermore, investing in women's health is crucial for ensuring the well-being of families and communities. Access to affordable and comprehensive healthcare services, including reproductive health services and maternal care, is essential for reducing maternal mortality rates and promoting the overall health of women and children. Addressing gender-based violence and ensuring women's safety are also integral aspects of investment in women's empowerment.

Economic empowerment is another vital dimension of investing in women. Closing the gender gap in employment opportunities, promoting entrepreneurship among women, and providing access to financial resources and markets can unleash the untapped potential of female workforce participation, thereby driving economic growth and poverty reduction.

Additionally, political representation and leadership roles for women are essential for fostering inclusive governance and decision-making processes. Increasing the participation of women in political institutions and leadership positions can lead to more equitable policies and ensure that women's voices are heard and their interests are represented.

As India marches towards its goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047, investing in women emerges as a strategic imperative for achieving sustainable and inclusive growth. By harnessing the full potential of its female population, India can accelerate progress towards its developmental objectives and create a more just and equitable society for all its citizens.

Given an opportunity, women can excel in the roles that they are tasked with, which I am witnessing at the CSMVS museum where I am currently working as an Advisor. In the ongoing exhibition at the museum,  ‘Ancient Sculptures’, which has been developed in partnership with British Museum, German Museum and Getty Museum, duly supported by the Getty Foundation, a team of all women curators from the CSMVS Museum, under the able leadership of their visionary leader Mr Sabyasachi Mukherjee, DG of the museum, have exemplarily proved the extraordinary potential that women possess in developing this exhibition and working on a range of academic programmes and activities which supplement this exhibition. This achievement of the all women team from CSMVS has not gone unnoticed. The global partners including the Getty Foundation the supporter for the exhibition were all praise for the wonderful all women team who led this global partnership exhibition, exemplifying the vast potential that women in India have. There are several other examples of women’s excellence in achievements in India be it the all women crew or the women’s contributions in space research and so also in Defence which has opened to women. 

Let this Women's Day serve as a timely reminder of the urgent need to invest in women to accelerate progress towards achieving India's developmental aspirations. Empowering women is not only a moral imperative but also a pragmatic strategy for building a more prosperous, inclusive, and resilient nation for future generations. Let us reaffirm our commitment to gender equality and women's empowerment as we embark on this transformative journey towards a brighter and more equitable future and work towards the betterment of women and invest  in Women to Accelerate Progress for achieving the vision to be a Viksit Bharat. 

 Wish you a very happy Women’s Day

Images : Courtesy Wikipedia and Nehru Science Centre, Mumbai 

Jamsetji Tata : A Tribute to the Legend on his 185th Birth Anniversary, 3 March 2024

Tribute to the Philanthropic industrialist, Jamsetji Tata and his legacy in building scientific institutions in India. 

Today 3rd March 2024, we commemorate 185th Janma Jayanti (birth anniversary) of the legendary philanthropic industrialist, Jamsetji Tata, often hailed as the father of modern Indian industry, whose visionary ideas and philanthropic endeavours continue to shape the landscape of Indian business, more particularly the Tata group – which he founded – and its work culture which makes the brand TATA the most valuable and trust worthy brand not just in India but globally. His legacy, characterized by his relentless innovation and unwavering commitment to societal progress, remains an enduring inspiration for generations to come. 

I was privileged to have been invited by the Mumbai University and Vigyan Bharti, the joint organisers of a National Seminar and an Exhibition on Jamsetji Tata, to be a member of a panel discussion in August 2023 at the centuries old historic venue of the convocation centre of the Mumbai University. Post the event, I had a pleasant surprise of getting an invitation from the Editor of Science India magazine to write an article on the role of Tata’s in establishing Scientific and Research institutions in Independent India. which I had the honour to write and this piece was later published in the Science India magazine. However, the published article had a size restriction and therefore today on this occasion of 185th birth anniversary of Jamsetji Tata, I am honoured to write this blog with a more detailed commentary on the legacy of the Tata’s in building scientific academic institutions in India for the leisure reading of my friends and followers on my Blog and on my Facebook. 

The genesis for the contributions of the Tata’s in establishing scientific and research institutions in independent India takes us back to the ideals of the founding father of the Tata Group, Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata. “What advances a nation or community is not so much to prop up its weakest and the most helpless, as to lift the best and most gifted, so as to make them of the greatest service to the country." It was this thought of Jamsetji that his biographer, Frank Harris, chronicles in his book - Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata: A Chronicle of his Life, which became the genesis for the establishment of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) the premier science academic institution in India, which later birthed the ideas for founding the two premier institutions in India – Department of Atomic Energy and Indian Space Research Organisation by the two legends who had the honour to study and work at the Indian Institute of Science with Professor C V Raman, the Nobel Laureate. 

IISc was the first scientific and research institution established by the Tata’s in 1909. However, it must also be remembered that by then the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Sciences (IACS), was already founded by a genius medical doctor and social reformer, Mahendra Lal Sirkar in Calcutta (now Kolkata) in 1876. But unfortunately, IACS – “devoted to the pursuit of fundamental research in the frontier areas of basic sciences” – was not supported by the government and it had to rely on public contributions. Therefore, IACS could not succeed during the lifetime of its founder and had to wait until the arrival of young CV Raman to Calcutta - in the early 20th century - and be associated with IACS to transform this institute into a world-class institute. 

IISc was one of those three monumental vision projects of a veritably colossal character that Jamsetji Tata dreamt of – Tata Steel, Tata Hydroelectric Power, and the Indian Institute of Science - which proved to be a robust foundation for building, what Nehru termed, “temples of modern India”, post-independence. Beginning with the IISc, Tatas have established other institutions – Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Tata Institute of Social Science, National Centre for Performing Arts, Tata Memorial Hospital, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Computer Research Laboratory etc. - that have served as a catalyst for the establishment of canonical institutions like the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), which have made the country proud through their science and technological achievements and contributions to the country. 

This essay attempts to portray the role of the Tatas, with specific reference to its founder Jamsetji Tata, in establishing IISc. 

Chance interaction between two co-passengers – Swami Vivekananda and Jamsetji Tata 

Legend has it that the seed for establishing a world-class science and research institution in India was sowed in the mind of Jamsetji Tata during that historic voyage, which started on 14 July 1893, at 3.40 PM. On board, this ship were two passengers - Jamsetji Tata and Swami Vivekananda, who would, in their respective ways, be destined to shape the future of India. Jamsetji and Swami ji were on board the ocean liner SS Empress of India, which set sail from the Japanese port of Yokohama on its voyage to Vancouver, in British Columbia, Canada. Although there are no anecdotal or recorded data on what transpired between the two on board their long journey, yet, a letter that Jamsetji wrote to Swami Vivekananda in 1898, evidences what it may have been. 

In his letter, dated 23 November 1898, addressed to Swami Vivekananda, Jamsetji recalls the discussion between the two of them that sparked an interest in Jamsetji in dreaming of building IISC. The letter reads “I trust you remember me as a fellow traveller on your voyage from Japan to Chicago. I very much recall at this moment your views on the growth of the ascetic spirit in India, and the duty, not of destroying, but of diverting it into useful channels. I recall these ideas in connection with my scheme of a Research Institute of Science for India, of which you have doubtless heard or read. It seems to me that no better use can be made of the ascetic spirit than the establishment of monasteries or residential halls for men dominated by this spirit, where they should live with ordinary decency, and devote their lives to the cultivation of sciences—natural and humanistic”. A long period of trials and tribulations was to elapse between the initial conception of establishing a scientific research institution - perhaps on that historic voyage in 1893 - to the birth of the Indian Institute of Science on May 27, 1909. 

Trials and Tribulations in Building IISc 

Jamsetji was an itinerant traveller who travelled the world to learn the best of science and technological practices for implementation in India. Therefore, it was no wonder that he chose one of his trusted aides, a young Parsi, Burjorji Padshah, who was a fellow of the Elphinstone College of Bombay to pursue a study of the best scientific research educational institutions in the Western world and to submit a report for establishment of such an institute in India. Burjorji Padshah became a central character in the setting up of what was to become IISc. Padshah was involved in all the major projects conceived by Jamsetji Tata, but executed after Tata’s death in 1904; the hydroelectric project, IISc, and the Jamshedpur steel factory. 

Padshah, visited many countries in the West to study and understand how universities function. He then prepared a draft report for the establishment of a research institution in India which he submitted to Jamsetji by highlighting that “...such a university might be the crown of the existing universities.” He also stressed on the demand for postgraduate education in India. On receiving this report from Padshah, Jamsetji constituted a Provisional Committee, with Padshah as its head to study and finalise the report, which he could submit to the British for the establishment of a research institute in India. Jamsetji and Padshah met newly appointed viceroy-designate Lord Curzon and submitted their report on December 31, 1898. Being new to the job, Lord Curzon was in no hurry to act on the proposal, and therefore, he advised the Provisional Committee to invite a European scientist to advise on the venture. The committee chose Sir William Ramsay, the famous British chemist, and a future Nobel Prize winner (1904 for Chemistry) for this task. 

Ramsay submitted a detailed report to the Government of India in early 1901 about the university (he called it the Indian Institute of Research) which he believed should be in Bangalore. One of the observations that Ramsey made while touring India in connection with the task, was that “for Indians, English remained a foreign tongue; but they applied all the powers of memory and imitation, with which he was so liberally endowed, to acquire the information for a degree, a stepping stone to a post in the government service.” He strongly recommended that an institution like the Indian Institute of Research, will break that job-seeking desire and create an ambiance for scientific research, which he believed will benefit India. 

Jamsetji knew that the government would take its own time to support this project and for expediting it, he proactively met the Dewan of Mysore State, Seshadri Iyer, and sought his help for acquiring a suitable plot of land in Bangalore. Mr. Iyer, who was well known to Jamsetji, was also the advisor to the Regent Queen Vani Vilasa Sannidhana, who ruled the State on behalf of her son Krishna Rajendra Wadiyar IV, then still a minor. An extraordinary decision was made by the Mysore King to donate 371 acres of land in Bangalore for establishing the institute. He also provided an additional Rs. 5 lakhs towards capital expenditure for building the research institution. Armed with all these commitments and his own financial support of Rs. 30 Lakhs for the institution, Jamsetji, felt that it was just a matter of time before his dream could become a reality The land and money from the Mysore Maharaj were, however, formally handed over in 1907. 

The British Government had some concerns about Ramsay’s suggestions and therefore another committee comprising Colonel John Clibborn, Principal of Thomason College of Civil Engineering (later renamed IIT Roorkee), and David Orme Masson, a professor from Melbourne University was appointed to make a recommendation. This committee made several recommendations (most of them were accepted) and also urged the Government to consider Roorkee as a potential location for the Institute, which was rightfully not accepted. Unfortunately, even after all these efforts by Jamsetji, the institute was yet to take off. By then, unfortunately, Jamsetji Tata passed away in May 1904. After several delays following his death, the Government finally passed on a vesting order on 27 May 1909, officially creating IISc. The Institute began with only two departments: General and Applied Chemistry and Electro-Technology and the students were admitted in IISc in 1911. 

IISc Land Mark Building – The Library Block with an imposing Tower. 

Much before the government permission and order was in place a decision was taken by Sir Dorabji Tata, able son of Sir Jamsetji Tata, to construct the Main Building and this work began even before the Institute was officially created in 1909. Interestingly, one of the students of Ramsey, Dr. Morris Travers, was chosen to be the First Director of this new institute and he arrived in India in late 1906. A chemist by training (he had worked with William Ramsay on the discovery of noble gases), Dr. Travers got the chance to be associated with the institution from its inception and he went on to become the founder, Director IISc. 

Travers appointed CF Stevens, an architect from Bombay for the project and to prepare estimates and draw up a plan for the Main Building, called the Library Block. This building was estimated to cost Rs 13 lakh, well above what IISc could afford. According to Stevens’ plan, the Main Building was to be crowned by an imposing 150-foot tower and was to be a silver-grey granite structure roofed with red tiles built in a classical style using dressed stone. Most of the first floor was to be taken up by a large library; the east wing would have the chemistry labs and the west wing would have the electrical lab, along with a workshop. After several delays, this building was finally completed in 1919. Even today the main building continues to be a landmark for IISc. 

During the first quarter century of IISc’s formative years from 1909 to 1933, the Institute embarked upon several viable scientific and technical investigations, which paved the way for the establishment of certain industries. Ever since its inception, the Institute has been laying a balanced emphasis on the pursuit of knowledge in basic science and engineering as well as on the application of its research findings for industrial and social benefits. What has been most remarkable in the historical profile of IISc, through its centenary and beyond, is the balance in the various domains of its activity: education, research, development, international outreach, and societal development. With the establishment of the University Grants Commission (UGC) in 1956, IISc came under its purview, being deemed as a university under the UGC Act. 

IISc has helped produce many scientists and science and technology leaders in India. IISc also played a pivotal role in supporting HAL in the design and development of Asia’s first fighter aircraft HF 24 – Marut, which although not very successful, paved the way for the development of TEJAS Light combat fighter aircraft. Incidentally, the first of the IITs to come up in India was IIT Kharagpur, which was established courtesy of the efforts of Dr JN Ghosh who succeeded CV Raman as the Director of IISc. Other IITs followed later and they too have an imprint of IISc. 

Some of the notable faculty associated with IISc who helped build other academic and research institutions in India include G N Ramachandran - bimolecular structures - S Ramaseshan who built schools in crystallography and materials science, Brahm Prakash, metallurgist, who helped build NML and VSSC and P K Kelkar who planned and set up the IITs at Bombay and Kanpur Looking at the Institute from a historical perspective, one can see that several illustrious men of science and engineering have studied or served at the Institute and have played a pivotal role in nation-building. Sir C. V Roman, Dr. Homi J. Bhabha, Dr. Vikram A. Sarabhai, Prof. Brahm Prakash, Prof. G. N. Ramachandran, Prof. Satish Dhawan, Prof. C.N.R. Rao, and Dr. R Chidambaram, - to mention only a few- have all enriched the academic life of the Institute. Over the years, IISc has evolved into the best multidisciplinary research and education institution in India that has international standing and repute.

Although IISc remains the crème de la crème of the institutions that the Tatas established some other institutions need to be mentioned. 

Tata Institute of Fundamental Research. 

The idea for the development of TIFR was seeded at IISc in the mind of its founder, Dr. Homi Bhabha, while he was at IISc working with Prof C V Raman. It was on 19 August 1943, Dr Bhabha, wrote a letter to J.R.D. Tata, the head of the Tata group, about his ambitious plan to establish a Fundamental Research Centre in Bombay, for which he appealed to JRD Tata for his support. Bhabha wrote; ‘the lack of proper conditions and intelligent financial support hampers the development of science in India, at the pace at which the talent in the country would warrant.’ He highlighted the importance of financial support that is necessary for the progress of Indian science, particularly for pure and fundamental scientific research, which would provide economic returns in the long term. 

World War II was in a way responsible for Dr Homi Bhabha and his colleague, Dr Vikram Sarabhai to return back to India from England and work with Prof C V Raman at the Indian Institute of Science. The end of WWII provided an opportunity for Bhabha to return back to Cambridge, from where he had received a job offer. However, Dr Bhabha, felt that ‘it is one’s duty to stay in one’s own country’ and help in creating new institutions for national progress. 

JRD Tata, who considered Jamsetji as his ideal, was always looking for opportunities in his entrepreneurship that would be beneficial for India. He found one such great opportunity for the Tata group to invest in the proposal which Dr. Bhabha had mooted in his letter. JRD Tata wrote back to Dr. Bhabha with great encouragement: ‘If you and some of your colleagues in the scientific world will put up concrete proposals backed by a sound case, I think there is a very good chance that the Tata Trusts would respond.’ Dr. Bhabha prepared a concrete proposal while still at IISc by listing out all his thoughts. Writing to the chairman of the Dorabji Tata Trust (12 March 1944) Bhabha highlighted; “such an institute would ensure that India had its own expertise for the development of nuclear energy in the future, and would not have to look abroad for it”. It is interesting to note that his letter and his vision for establishing a research centre for nuclear energy research predate the first atomic bomb. 

The trustees of Dorabji Tata Trust saw how the vision of Dr. Bhabha would benefit the country, and decided to support him in the creation of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR). TIFR opened its doors in 1945, initially for a brief while in Bangalore, but shifted to Mumbai soon thereafter. Its first Mumbai home was a bungalow called ‘Kenilworth’, where Bhabha was born. 

The Cosmic Ray Group was the first scientific team to begin functioning, followed by the Nuclear Emulsion and Electron Magnetism Group. The computer science and technology team began its work in 1954, and a full-scale computer, named the TIFRAC, was commissioned in 1960, which was the first Indian-made digital computer, a proud moment for the country. In 1962, TIFR moved to its beautiful current campus in Colaba, where it stands even today. When India began its atomic energy programme in the 1960s, TIFR had already trained competent scientists to steer this important national effort. In fact, ‘Apsara’, the first atomic reactor, built at BARC, and its control systems were constructed under the auspices of TIFR. The Indian nuclear program including the Pokhran I and Pokhran II, in a way, owe their genesis to TIFR. 

Realizing the importance of the institute for its nation-building, in the year 1955, the Government of India decided to take responsibility for this institution with the Tatas continuing to be present on its governing council. Today, TIFR is a national centre of the Government of India under the purview of the Department of Atomic Energy – a creation of Bhabha. TIFR has consistently pursued the vision of Dr. Homi Bhabha in creating a world-class research centre and has made a significant contribution to India’s scientific and technological research including in the field of atomic energy programme. It has also birthed several new ideas including the establishment of the Centre for Development of Telematics – CDOT, which heralded the telecom revolution in India. 

 Today, the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research stands as a testament to the vision of its founders and the dedication of generations of scientists who have contributed to its legacy. Its commitment to fundamental research, interdisciplinary collaboration, research excellence, and education has played a pivotal role in advancing Indian science. TIFR's influence is not merely confined to the realm of academia; it has a broader societal impact through technological advancements, the nurturing of scientific talent, and the promotion of a culture of curiosity and exploration. As India continues to aspire to greater heights in the scientific domain, TIFR's importance remains undiminished, serving as a beacon of inspiration for generations to come. 

The Fight Against Cancer  - Tata Memorial Hospital

Tata Memorial Centre (TMC) is one of the institutes, established by Tatas that has touched the lives of lakhs of people by helping them fight the scourge of cancer. It was established as a tribute to Sir Dorabji Tata, whose dream it was to establish a cancer hospital in India as a mark of respect for his wife, Lady Meherbai Tata, who had sadly died of leukemia in 1932. Shortly thereafter, Sir Dorabji Tata also passed away. But such was his determination and commitment to the cause that the Tata group headed by Sir Nowroji Saklatvala and the trustees of the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust attached top priority to the project of creating the first cancer hospital in India. They invited an American expert, Dr. John Spies, an international expert to visit India and recommend the best-suited cancer research hospital for the country. The result was the establishment of the Tata Memorial Hospital in 1941. 

Over the past several decades, the Tata Memorial Centre has been supported and managed by the Department of Atomic Energy. In 1941, when it was founded, it was yet another pioneering effort by the Tata Group, a gift to a nation that did not have a comprehensive cancer hospital of its own. 

Tata Institute of Social Science 

Social science was another subject that was very close to the heart of Jamsetji Tata. Therefore, it was but natural for the Tata group to support the establishment of a Dorabji Tata Graduate School of Social Work, which came up in 1936. In the year 1944, it was rechristened as the Tata Institute of Social Science (TISS), a premier institution in the country for professional training in social work. Ever since, TISS has emerged as a pioneer of social work education in the Asia Pacific region and has since made significant contributions in the area of social policy, planning, intervention strategies, and human resource development. 

EKA –Tata’s foray into India’s first Super Computer. 

Tatas are known for taking up challenges to develop the best for the country and one such opportunity, which the Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), accepted was to build a Super Computer for India. The result was the development of the EKA Supercomputer, which became the fourth fastest supercomputer in the world. A proposal to build this Super Computer in India was mooted by two IITians Mr Sherwalkar and Karmakar who presented their idea to Mr S Ramadorai the Chief of TCS. Convinced with their idea, Mr Ramadorai, put up the proposal to Ratan Tata and sought his approval for this project which was capital intensive. Although the project faced many hiccups including a difference in opinion between the Tata group and Karmakar, the project came through. 

Computer Research Laboratory (CRL) in Pune was commissioned by TCS for building a supercomputer that could clock 100 teraflops, a speed that was mandated to call the computer a Super Computer. Finally, when the project EKA - a Sanskrit name for “one” - was completed in 2007 it could work at 118 Teraflops, and it was declared the fourth fastest supercomputer in the world. It is achievements such as this in the international arena in the field of computers that have posited India to be at the forefront of IT and Tata Group has played its role in this endeavour. 

Conclusion. 

The legacy of the Tata family in building institutions in India is a remarkable testament to their commitment to social welfare, education, and industrial progress. Over the years, the Tatas have played a pivotal role in establishing a range of institutions that have had a profound impact on various sectors of Indian society. Their visionary approach and philanthropic endeavours have left an indelible mark on the country's development.

Images : Courtesy Wikipaedia  ___________________________________________________________________________

25 January - National Voters Day: Empowering Democracy through Participation

 

The miraculously successful Indian Democracy owes its genesis to the Voters, let us hail them all on National Voters Day, today. Today, 25 January, we celebrate the 14th National Voters Day. Commemorating National Voters Day began in 2010, which marked the sixtieth year of the founding of the Election Commission of India, which was established on January 25, 1950. Today, as we commemorate National Voters Day, it is pertinent to remember that this day stands as a testament to the pivotal role played by the electorate in shaping the destiny of a nation. In the vast and diverse tapestry of India's democratic landscape, this day serves as a reminder of the extraordinary significance that 'we the people' hold in fostering a vibrant and thriving democracy.

Central to the beauty and vibrancy of the Indian democracy is the Indian electorates - the rich and mighty, the powerful and powerless, the poor and the insignificant, the lettered and unlettered, sheltered and unsheltered, the males, females and the trans gender’s, the believers and non-believers, Hindus, Muslims, Parsis, Sikhs, Christians, Jains, Buddhists, religious and non-religious, young, middle-aged, old and the very old - all standing as equals, each rubbing shoulders with one another, in the true spirit of equality and humanity first, who make our democracy thrive. While we celebrate this day today, let us reemphasize the significance of voters for the success of the Indian democracy.

 In the early years post-independence, India faced challenges associated with low literacy rates, just 16 % when we attained independence in 1947. Despite this drawback, the framers of the Indian Constitution, led by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and his colleagues, demonstrated extraordinary foresight and a deep commitment to democratic principles. They recognized that the essence of democracy lies in inclusivity, irrespective of educational background. Notably, the recognition of women's equality in the right to vote is a significant feat. At a time when even advanced democracies were grappling with gender disparities in voting rights, India stood out by ensuring universal adult suffrage, including women, from the very inception of its republic. This progressive stance not only set a powerful precedent but also contributed to shaping a more inclusive and egalitarian society.

In the broader global context, India's approach to voting rights becomes particularly noteworthy. Many established democracies took considerable time to grant women the right to vote, with some not achieving full suffrage until the mid-20th century. India's commitment to equal voting rights, regardless of gender or educational background, showcased a progressive vision that went beyond the prevalent norms of its time. If we look back in time and see what our status was when we attained our independence, not many would have predicted – including the optimists - that India as a democracy would survive for more than a few decades or so.

 What the odds were for India succeeding as a thriving democracy, when we attained independence, can best be seen when we juxtapose Indian democracy as a start-up company in 1947. Not even the most adventurous and risk-taking Venture Capitalists would have considered investing in the Indian democracy. More so since there were many doomsday predictions made by the British, evidence of which can be seen from the last British commander in chief of the Indian Army, Gen. Claude Auchinleck. He wrote “The Sikhs may try to set up a separate regime. I think they probably will and that will be only the start of a general decentralization and break-up of the idea that India is a country, whereas it is a subcontinent as varied as Europe. The Punjabi is as different from a Madrassi as a Scot is from an Italian. The British tried to consolidate it but achieved nothing permanent. No one can make a nation out of a continent of many nations.”

Gen. Claude Auchinleck was not the sole voice to make such a doomsday prediction for Indian democracy. When we attained independence, India was a nation within nations with as many as 565 princely states and many more divisions. Helped by Sardar Patel, India was united to carve out the geographical and political map that we see today. However, in those early days of our democracy, doomsday predictions for India and Indian democracy were dime a dozen. India would not survive as a single nation, was one common observation by most Western observers, let alone becoming a successful democracy. One of the former British officials, who witnessed the first general elections in India in 1952 wrote “a future and more enlightened age will view with astonishment the absurd farce of recording the votes of millions of illiterate people.”

From such negativity and doomsday predictions, Indian democracy has passed through periods of trials and tribulations to emerge triumphant and today when we are commemorating the 14th National Voters Day, while commending ourselves and patting us on our back, we must resolve to spread the message of the importance of voting in a democracy and each of us must go out to exercise our democratic rights without fear or favour.

The essence of democracy lies in the active participation of its citizens in the electoral process. National Voters Day serves as a platform to recognize the power vested in the hands of the common man—the power to elect representatives who will voice their concerns, aspirations, and dreams. It underscores the idea that every vote cast is a brick in the foundation of a nation's future.

 India, with its diverse population and myriad challenges, relies on the collective wisdom of its citizens to navigate the complex web of governance. National Voters Day, therefore, becomes not just a celebration of the right to vote but also a call to duty, urging each citizen to exercise this right responsibly. 

As we reflect on the relevance of this day, it becomes imperative for us to look back on the percentage of voters who exercised their franchise during the general elections. This data reveal that in the very first general elections conducted in 1952, India recorded an impressive 61.2% of votes and this number continued to be quite impressive hovering around 60% or so (62.2% in 1957, 55.42 in 1962, 61.33 in 1967, 55.29 in 1971, 60.49 in 1977, 56.92 in 1980, 63.56 in 1984, 61.95 in 1989, 56.93 in 1991, 57.94 in 1996, 61.97 in 1998, 59.99 in 1999). The voting percentage fell abruptly to below 50% for the first time in the fourteenth general election held in 2004, to 48.74%.  This was the time when it was realised that efforts were needed to create awareness among visitors about the importance of voting.  

The first-ever National Voters’ Day was celebrated on January 25, 2011, to encourage more young voters to take part in the electoral process. The then Union government, led by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, approved a proposal of the law ministry to declare a National Voters Day. The then information and broadcasting minister, Ms. Ambika Soni pointed observed that new voters, who attained the age of 18, were showing less interest in getting enrolled in the electoral rolls. To address this issue, the Election Commission decided to launch a nationwide effort to identify all eligible voters who reach the age of 18 on January 1 of each year in all polling stations across India. All such new voters were to be enrolled and given the Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) on January 25 every year.

National Voters Day seems to have had some positive impact. The 16^th general election held in 2014 witnessed 66.40% voting and in the 19^th general election, held in 2019, the voting percentage witnessed a record 66.40%, the highest ever in the history of Indian general elections. This evidences that we must acknowledge that the health of any democracy is directly proportional to the level of civic engagement. The act of casting a vote is not merely a civic duty but a solemn responsibility toward the preservation and enhancement of democratic values. It is through this participation that the true spirit of democracy is upheld.

The appeal to the people of India is a resounding one—to recognize the power they wield as voters and to embrace the responsibility that comes with it. Elections are not just events; they are the mechanisms through which the collective will of the people finds expression. In every vote cast, lies the potential to shape policies, influence governance, and contribute to the larger narrative of the nation.

On this National Voters Day, let us pledge to be conscientious citizens, mindful of the impact our choices can have on the trajectory of our country. Let the ballot box be our voice, and let our collective voice resonate with the principles of justice, equality, and progress. Each vote is a stepping stone towards a more inclusive and prosperous India.

As we celebrate National Voters Day, let us not only recognize the importance of our voting rights but also pay homage to the remarkable journey that transformed India from a British colony to a sovereign republic. The struggles of the past serve as a poignant reminder of the responsibilities we bear as citizens to uphold the principles enshrined in our constitution.

On this occasion, let us renew our commitment to the values of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity that form the bedrock of our republic. May each vote cast be a tribute to the spirit of democracy that defines the essence of our great nation.

Images: Courtesy  Internet 

 Jai Hind. Long live Indian Democracy and the people of India.