Russi Modi's Tom Cat

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Once upon a time, when Russi Modi was heading the Tata Empire, he was also heading the BOG of IIT KGP during its most turbulent sojourn (circa 1985).

He decided to address the 300-strong faculty of IIT in the Netaji Auditorium (it was like bearding the lion in its own den).

He started his speech thus:

“I am totally scared of teachers (he screwed them alright later…gps). Recently, there was an enormous population explosion of cats in our TELCO Campus in Jamshedpur and they were becoming aggressive and life-threatening. Upon investigation, I got to know that the entire mischief is due to an extraordinarily virile Tom Cat.

Scared of the RSPCA, we couldn’t physically exterminate it. So we decided to castrate it. The Tom Cat felt shamed and immediately fled the TELCO Campus.

But within weeks the cat population soared once again.

We then found that our Tom Cat had set up a thriving Night Coaching School in the Sakchi area outside TELCO for the fledgling neighborhood kittens.”

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When we moved to an apartment complex in the rather posh area around the Banjara Hills a couple of years ago, I was hiding from our co-tenants and owners who were all Retired Chief Engineers, High Court Judges and Managing Directors. They would ask what I was and when I replied that I am a retired IIT Teacher of Theoretical Physics, they would curl up their lips and say what is it good for. I had no answer.

But I was reminded of Russi Modi’s Tom Cat when I got the following mail (excerpted):

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Dear Sir,

You will be very proud to hear this news. I am one of the recipients of this year's Presidential Young Scientist/Early Career award. I feel like I have vindicated some part of your faith and confidence in me. But, for you, I would not be in Physics today.

I will be visiting India next month, from the 20th of Feb till 3rd of March, with a delegation of 10-12 people from Texas A&M. Indian Govt is signing a few MOUs with us for improvement in Science/Engg. education, joint collaborations in Science and Tech. We will be spending 2-3 days each in Delhi, Bangalore, Bombay and Madras. I am personally pushing for a joint project with TIFR for the recently approved India-based Neutrino Observatory.

Are you by any chance going to be in any of these 4 places at that time. I really would like to meet with you and take your blessings to push me forward in my career.

Sincerely,

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Sikand's Precept

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There was a great teacher of Classical Physics by name M. S. Sikand at IIT KGP. He was 14 years older to me, and I learned a lot of Physics from him one-to-one, which helped me greatly in my own teaching.

But now at 67, I forgot all Physics, willy-nilly.

But he taught me something else in one brief sentence, which helped me more than anything else in life and which I never forgot till today. He said, apropos of nothing:

"Sastryjee, everyone from the sweeper to the Director has some power in them. Recognize it, respect it and use it for your benefit."

I returned to KGP on a short visit the other day 5 years after my retirement; and I deeply felt the wonderful fruits of his invaluable precept.

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New Year Prayer

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Oh Lord!

Give me a Printer in which the paper doesn't get stuck hideously!

gps

Sailaja turns Sita for Shyamal

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Dear Gps,


I forgive the Daughter of Mountain
For calling the sylvan campus a jungle
For she seldom crossed the Vindyas
And never saw Kgp from your angle.

It may be just to please Dad-in-law
Or else you must have brainwashed her
That she, like Sita, prefers Vanavas
To raise at Kharagpur her daughter.

-----------------Shyamal

The Ultimate Tribute to IIT KGP

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The Ultimate Tribute to IIT KGP
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Unlike me, my son Sonoo was brought up from infancy till 23 in the KGP Campus of IIT.

Then he shifted to Hyderabad for a living. And married Sailaja, born and brought up at Nellore, deep in A.P.

Unable to read, write, or speak chaste Telugu and span the Culture Divide, he had to struggle customizing himself to his Bosses in his Office and at Home.

But a hundred Grand and not-so-grand Vivas at IIT helped him sail though.

As part of an extended honeymoon, Sonoo drove Sailaja around the KGP Campus, showing off his nostalgic sights, smells and sounds of the Botanical and Zoological Campus, sans its students, at the height of its Winter Vacation.

As soon as they landed back at Hyderabad, I asked Sailaja what she thought of IIT KGP where I spent 40 good years of my life, such as it is.

She replied with a laconic "OK", perhaps wondering how one could live in that jungle.

The other day Sonoo flew to Chennai and drove down to Nellore in driving rain to have a first look at his new-born daughter.

Sailaja shifted the baby to the eager lap of her husband, took a long look at the proud father gazing at his darling daughter, and stuttered the words:

"Let us bring her up in the KGP Campus"
Period


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