दृष्टिकोण – Indra's Viewpoint | drishtikona.com: My online journal with thoughts, opinions, comments and more..

Dr. Sudarshan Sinha- The Forgotten Physicist

Posted on December 22, 2010 by indra

I came to know about Dr. Sudarshan Sinha only from Kamkhaya as grandfather of Alpana. Kamakhya was trying to get Alpana married to Rakesh, my eldest son, sometime in early 1990s. I met Dr. Sinha first time during the Tilak ceremony when he came to Hind Motor colony’s residence that night in 1993. I met him again in Jamshedpur in the reception of the marriage on January 27, 1993.

I got impressed by his humility during the few minutes of our conversation. Later on, I wrote some letters to him too and he had replied graciously. I still remember one that I wrote when he was ill quoting some slokas of Gita with curative quality. As a reputed physicist, he might have laughed at it.

I am, no way qualified, as otherwise to write about him. But I don’t know why for some time I am thinking to write about him. I have tried to get documents, writings, or photographs from his son and grandchildren. Dr. Gopal Sinha, his eldest son handed over a book before I was leaving for US this time and some notes.

According to Dr. Gopal Sinha, Dr. Sudarshan Sinha had his primary schooling in a village school at Rupauli, followed by the high school at Samastipur. He got married before he did his Matriculation in the year 1934, the year known for the devastating earthquake. But for the scholarship offer to pursue studies after matriculation, he would not have been allowed to go to Patna Sciencc’e College. He always topped (Bihar, Orissa and Nepal). He was awarded four gold medals. His roll No. was 13. He never talked about his exemplary performance. He was very modest. He used to only smile, if someone reminded him of his past. There are many anecdotes, which his friends (usually eminent professors of Physics, Chemistry. Mathematics, Engg. and Medicine had told us. His capability to solve complex mathematical problem without pen and paper was miraculous. He used to help Math.’s expert in for solving their complex problem.

CA Yashvant Kumar wrote from Mumbai in response to my request to the community members through an e0mail to the group and promised to send a written note, but didn’t even after few reminders.

Sir, I guess you want information about Dr. Sudarshan Sinha, a physics scholar, Principle at TNB College Bhagarlpur, Vice-chancellor of erstwhile Bihar (now Bhimrao Ambedkar) University Muzaffarpur, Patna University, Chairman of Bihar School Examination Board, UGC Member etc. Before death, he was residing in Patna. If my guess is correct, I belong to his clan and village called Bathua Buzurg, Distt- Samastipur. If yes please let me know, I shall make a write up.

Before I left for US in September 2010, Dr. Gopal Sinha gave me a book ‘The Vice-Chancellors Remember’. It has a very nicely written article written by Late Dr. Sudarsan Prasad Sinha, ‘Daring the Discord’ reminiscing on how bad was the condition of Bihar University and the way politicians and union leaders interfered.

I wonder Dr. Sudarshan Sinha would have been more widely known in the country or abroad if he would not have from a rural area of Bihar. I would also like to know more about his work in UK and USA. Why did he return? Did he pursue his research in India? I also wonder when a father does everything in his capacity to get his sons well placed in life, why do the sons don’t do something to keep the memory of their father alive in the public mind.

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Corrupt India: Can It Change?

Posted on December 21, 2010 by indra

For quite some time, the corruption news are in the headlines in the cover pages. Interestingly, every one denounces it. Sonia doesn’t want to tolerate it any more. Rahul, the prime minister in waiting suggests severe punishment for the corrupt. Even for Advani, the oldman speaks againt corruption as vexing issue. Judiciary also has been sermonizing against it very often. Should Indians who suffer, hope for the decline and ultimately end of corruption at least for getting even small things done?

Recently I went through the famous tale or joke on political corruption about the infamous former President Ferdinand Marcos of Philippines and the deposed dictator of Zaire, the late President Mobutu Sese Seko, and the homes the two presidents built.

President Mobutu visits Manila and is invited home for dinner by President Marcos. Mobutu is awe-struck and jealous of the palatial home that Marcos has built. “Where did you get the money to build this palace for yourself Mr. President,” Mobutu asks of Marcos.

Marcos takes him to a window and shows a massive bridge built across the river. “Do you see that bridge,” asks Marcos, “I got a loan of $100 million from the World Bank!” Yes, yes, yes, says Mobutu, but where has the President got the money for his palace, he asks. “10 per cent!” replies Marcos.

Few years later, President Marcos visits Zaire and President Mobutu is happy to invite him home for a meal. Marcos arrives bewildered at Mobutu’s huge palace. “Mr. President, where did you get the money from to build this palace,” asks Marcos of Mobutu.

Mobutu takes him to a window and shows him a bridge across a river. “Mr. President, I got a $100 million from the World Bank to build a bridge across that river.” True, true, Mr. President, says Marcos, “but I don’t see any bridge across the river?!” “Exactly!” says Mobutu, “a 100 per cent!”

I don’t know if it is true for Indian politicians. But the stories of riches of the family of the chiefs- be it of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka or UP, indicate that it is a prevalent practice. Nothing but a mass uprising can eliminate it. It requires education and social boycott. Unfortunately, the corrupt ones get elevation of status in present society.

Corruption might not be a trouble for the few at top of the pyramid in the society, but torturous for those below.

Can the media continue the fight against corruption till a permanent solution is set in? Can Nitish way of confiscating the property amassed be a solution and get emulated?

Posted in economy, social issues | Leave a comment

From New York to New Delhi

Posted on December 16, 2010 by indra

It was raining since some time in night on Sunday, December 12, 2010, when we were to leave New York for Noida. It continued in morning too. Luckily for the first time during our almost twelve days stay, it was a very pleasant Saturday with comfortable temperature and no wind in New York. We enjoyed fully the evening in Times Square of New York. Svanik had further added to our pleasure with his innovative moves.

Rajesh, Shephali and Svanik, all accompanied us to the airport. All of us were a little more sentimental. We all were morose as we would miss each other.

Medicine and metal detector:
We were prepared for the security checks, but I did never even imagine that a phial of ‘Ecospirin’ in the pocket of this heart patient would create so much of trouble. Every time I was passing through the metal detector cabin, it used to buzz. I showed everything to the security officer. He was also not sure what was causing the buzzing. Finally I asked him to take everything in pocket in a tray. The officer took it to X-ray machine and came back satisfied. As he told me, it was the medicine phial that was causing the trouble. The packaging material was having metallic content and that caused buzz. Yamuna kept on blaming me for keeping the medicine in pocket. She told me that Rajesh was still waiting outside at the far distance watching our problem. We waved and he waved back again and again before he left.

Smart Water for 4 dollar
We walked and waited at Gate 7A JFK Airport for Air India 102 that was supposed to start boarding at 2.30 PM, but finally the boarding started at 3.45PM. Why should not the system find ways and means to cut down this wait or waste of time? Why should for a flight, a passenger must report three hours before the flight time? Does it not increase effective time of commute that should be looked into?

Yamuna wanted to have some water. I went and got one small ‘smart water bottle’ from a shop that was manned by pretty aged Indian women. Yamuna was surprised when I told her that I had to pay about $4 (Rs 180) for the small bottle. It’s common when one converts dollars into rupees.

Presidency College connection helps
We had to wait and waste or kill our time without much to do but going through old family photographs on i-Pad that Anand gifted. But then I met Sunil Kumar Gangopadhyaya and the time flew at the speed of light. He did almost all the talking after I introduced myself. He was in Presidency College for his M.Sc in Chemistry in 1957: a student union president, his achievements, associations, his positions and so many stories of his successful life came out from him almost nonstop. But more interesting was his last wish to be cremated in Keoratallah on the bank of Holy Ganga rather River Hooghly, as his father got cremated there. I reminded of Late Braj Raj Rai of Jaso. Both children of Mr. Gangopadhyaya are in USA. When look towards the passengers waiting for the Air India flight, we found most like us retired and visiting their children in USA. Is it not a great achievement of the younger generation of India or the previous one that motivated them to go out and explore?

And in the flight
Finally we got in and surprisingly, I had another experience with one middle age Sardarji on the seat next to me. He was, as it appeared, under pain. He smelled of alcohol. He had a cloth bag full with his things that he was holding in his lap. It was troubling me. But I thought to solace him and said he would get relieved of his pain. Wahe Guruji will help. And to my surprise again, he opened up to the level of annoyance. He kept on touching me and Yamuna and asking for the blessings. He kept on promising to give me his full address and requesting us to visit his village where he had a good farm. He was speaking in rural Punjabi that we hardly understood. I then requested him to keep his bag under the front seat. He complied. I got a little freedom for moving my limbs. I was surprised that he was served whisky too. We got a mini ‘chanachur’ sachet as snack.

Finally, I went in to mute mode. After dinner, finally he slept. But after getting up in the morning, he was totally different He never uttered a word and perhaps had forgotten of his requests and promises.

And in New Delhi
And on New Delhi’s world class airport, I found Yamuna miserable. We had not asked for a wheel chair in excitement of reaching home. The distance to baggage claim area though assisted by many walkers became really too long. But Yamuna finally managed.

Meru Taxi charged Rs 1220 for the Indigo that carried us to Noida in dark because of a power cut. Inverter was down. We were again in India covered with dust in atmosphere, the one thing that makes me sick. And the system has become immune to it.

We are back in the abode that gives some peace.

Posted in personal | Tagged Air India, New York | Leave a comment

India’s Endeavour to Become Knowledge Power

Posted on December 16, 2010 by indra

India has some very vocal ministers these days. One of them is Kapil Sibal. If one goes by his action plans, India is on the right track to become a knowledge power. He aims at increasing the India’s gross enrollment ratio (GER) at present at meager 12.4% to 30% by 2020. Of the 220 million children going to school, about 70 million children will be able to get into higher education as against the present figure of about 26 million. The Right to Education Act, 2009 will provide the necessary impetus.

And so are his plans to set up a large number of universities and institutions of higher learning and excellence: 30 new Central Universities, five new Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research, eight new Indian Institutes of Technology, 11 new Indian Institutes of Management and 20 new Indian Institutes of Information Technology.

Many foreign education providers will also collaborate with Indian institutions both in the private and public sector and set-up a variety of educational enterprises in India.

And over 140 million young students who do not pass Class XII would be imparted skills to match with the growing and diverse needs of the economy and its various sectors through community colleges, ITIs, polytechnics and other institutional frameworks that will have to expand exponentially.

Naturally, we all will wish and pray that the mission is achieved.

But the main thrust must go to rural India that constitutes and contributes the maximum in the number mentioned as target. Will it happen there? I say so as the rural India is hardly covered by the media as against the urban India. All the drawbacks and inefficiencies of the government targets and its failure for urban areas only get media coverage.

Most of the young students who drop out and don’t enter colleges for higher education are of the rural India. How do we make all the boys and girls of the rural India continue getting educated? How do we make the teaching a respectable and responsible profession? How do we make the poor and deprived parents interested in getting their wards educated? How do we ensure the parents that there can be no financial constraints if their wards take interest work hard and perform well in their classes?

I was talking to Harendra who recently came from a village in Bihar. According to him, even though his village has a school but the kids of the poor people hardly go to the school and continue? This is the case in most of the villages.

If Noida can have a significant number of children who don’t go the schools, how can we expect the remote village having ‘sarv siksha’ or universal education? Will the hundreds of kids of the unprivileged class that I see every day morning entering in the informal education facility of Sai Temple and Shakti Mandir in Sector 40 or the government school of many of the villages of Noida get the quality of education that Sibal and Prof. Yaspal are trying to provide to the children of the country with the passage of The Right of Education Bill 2009? How many of the students of the schools in the villages that I know such as Pipra, Samahuta, Madhukarpur, and many like them will carry education on till class 12 or continue thereafter? And I further doubt if the number of the students of Birlapur Vidyalaya or Hind Motors School of the big business houses such as Birlas who go beyond class XII is significantly higher than 10-12%? Why is it not happening?

Sibal, the ministers in the states and the authorities running the schools must focus on improving the existing schools along with the setting up of huge number of model schools, perhaps one in every block of the country, as it is being planned. Can the panchayats or municipalities be made accountable about its schools and its performance?

Can India become Knowledge Power without getting the education in rural India to the same standard as the best schools in urban India provide?

India can succeed in getting transformed into a knowledge power. And it can not only be the envy of many of the developed powers, but can also sustain a reverse brain drain from those countries.

Posted in economy, education | Leave a comment

After Living with Future Gen

Posted on December 12, 2010 by indra

We are going back to Noida today December 12, 2010 after about three months that I spent with our future Gen.

I have witnessed my grandfather’s intense love for children and I was fortunate to get the best of it. And many a times I thought it was an extension of his profession as teacher. But perhaps we all in the family have weaknesses for children that too when they are just kids. Among my five uncles, I found at least two having an exemplary fondness for kids of the family as well as for those from outside the family. Rakesh, Rajesh and Anand have the similar intensity of attachment with kids.

As I go down the memory lane, I think I missed the best time when I could have given more time and played with my own children. I was too busy with my professional assignments in Hindustan Motors with very long hours devoted for the same. Today no one can sympathize with me for that madness of mine.

As retired from active profession long ago and at this age of 71+ with nothing much to do, I am trying to get compensated the lost opportunity of the life. But here again the credit goes to my sons.

Rakesh visited us at Noida and Salt Lake when Keshav and Anvita were small kids for few days and permitted us to enjoy their short company. In 2005, we visited US and lived with Anand for almost 6 months. Rajesh’s son Svanik was just one year old. Rajesh’s apartment was nearby. We could enjoy memorable nice time whenever Svanik came with his parents to us. Soon thereafter, Rajesh visited us at Noida with Svanik. I could be in the company of Svanik.

In 2008, Shannon came to India with Emma. We moved around with Emma to Jaipur, Agra and Calcutta. Emma kept on entertaining us till they stayed. Shannon then invited us to live with them when she was expecting Zach Krish to arrive. We enjoyed the company with Emma and newly born Krish for almost two and half months in 2008.

Keshav and Anvita came to Noida last July for few days. They have grown bigger. English has created another barrier with the aged ones.

This visit to US was for Svanik, Emma and Zach. Shannon had invited us to be with Zach at his second birthday on September 25, 2010. Zach was the hero of this visit to US in 2010. I went very close to him. He is just wonderful. He likes to be pressed, hugged, kissed and loved still, when he is not in off mood.

Very soon after our arrival in Cary, I started bringing Zach down to our floor from his room on the first floor early morning. I kept attentively waiting for his waking up. After getting up, Zach starts talking to himself. After hearing his voice, I would go up. He would hand over his two blankets to me and raise his two hands to come in my hands. I would oblige. To start with, Emma kept a distance. But gradually she yielded and started coming closer. Evening was the best. After the dinner, we played with both, Zach and Emma. They run around and we would keep chasing them. Before going to bed, each will hug us and say goodnight. Zach was really so loving. I just can’t forget his kisses in plenty and his addressing me “Daa…Dooo…”. While I was packing, Emma came and sweetly asked me, “Can I do something for you?” I really miss them, sometimes very badly. I don’t know if we can rewind the time of a life.
When we reached New York, Svanik saw us and was hesitant to come closer. But I could gradually bring Svanik nearer. I designed a game for him. He comes moving towards me with a straight plastic sword and aims at the opening of the barrel of the toy revolver that I held in my hand at the other end. Mostly, he fails but he keeps on doing that. He always scores in millions that he himself decides. For last two three days, we are having sword fights after he comes back from the school.

The visit to Statue of Liberty and yesterday to Times Square brought Svanik nearer.

It was a wonderful time with them but a Sayonara is a universal truth.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged New York, Svanik | Leave a comment

Ratan Tata: The Beginning of Battle

Posted on December 10, 2010 by indra

Tecom 2G allocation and scam connected with it is becoming murkier and murkier every hour, if not every minute. Many are trying to come out with their own estimates of spread and depth of corruption in India.

But it has become complex with the name of Ratan Tata getting into it. I just can’t understand why Tata’s head of operation can’t take care of lobbying that it had to be done by Tata himself. Why would have Ratan talked with a shady character such as Neeira Nadia, charged with various anti-national activities ?

But very lately, the name of Ratan is appearing a little too frequently. Once he had blamed the competition for putting wrong information in press about Nano car. I had thought that was a rare statement.

Ratan’s Nano got a good review from the media and experts all over the automotive world. Unfortunately, Tata have not been able to cash on that. It couldn’t produce the number. It couldn’t wipe out the bad perception of its safety. It’s not selling in millions.

At that time too, I didn’t like Ratan’s closeness to Budhha and caustic remarks for Mamta Banerji. Is it not prudent to speak less to avoid unnecessary conflict with a press friendly statement?

Why should Ratan try to go in the good books of Congress and naming BJP?

But one thing is sure that all the industrialists can do anything to take a lead in the business they operate in.

I don’t why but I expect the industrialists too to have some ethics and go out of the way to make the poor change, get out of extreme poverty, at least get skilled and educated.

I wish Ratan to innovate something like Nano in the area of universalizing education and at least providing one skill to every children of India.

And with the front that he has started with the revelation of some, he should work seriously to root out the corruption.

Posted in industry, management | Tagged 2G, Ratn Tata | Leave a comment

Media Scandal: Is Hope Lost?

Posted on December 5, 2010 by indra

On Friday, December 3, Shephali had brought a copy of New York Times for me. However, I could go through it only today, December 5. We spent the whole of Saturday in visiting Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island and experiencing the cold windy climate of New York. But for the interferences of Rajesh and Shephali for putting on extra clothes, it would have been really difficult. I could realize that I have gone really old and cold too.

I bought a book on Ellis Island that cost me about $27 for keeping it with Svanik to read. When I told him that he was really very happy. I am trying to bring him closer at all cost and he is responding as Emma did.On that cold windy day too, all the visitors were very busy in photographing or getting photographed. I wonder why one should do it for record, Google has million or more of the images of the both.

Coming back to something serious I find American media a little more respectful in covering Indian stories. NYT has a well written article, ‘Indian state Empowers Poor to Fight Corruption’. It’s all about the way Andhra Pradesh government is trying to handle the issue of corruption in NREGA, the government programmes for the poor. I wonder what stops the other states to follow the model or some better models unless the ministry of the states and its bureaucrats, the elected representatives at grassroots level or the petty officers supervising the programmes along with some unscrupulous lazy beneficiaries themselves are interested in making it fail to serve the bigger purpose. Andhrites forming a large percentage of Indian immigrants in US would certainly feel happy to read the report.

After going through the article, I went to see my e-mails. Anand had posted a report from The International Herald Tribune, ‘The face of scandal in India ‘knowing my interest. It was about a scandal that revolves around Barkha Dutt of NDTV. I don’t like most of these distinguished reporters, be it Barkha Dutt, Rajdeep Sardesai, or even Karan Thapar. They appear to be arrogant. And a good journalist need not be that. Perhaps the best example is Pranay Roy, the boss of Barkha Dutt. Is Barkha really involved? Has this report resulted from the professional enmity or jealousy? How will Barkha Dutt react to this?

Most of the educated lots in India consider media as the last hope for a democratic India. I never thought them to be mischievous and involved in promoting business men so blatantly.

Should I change my opinion and give up the hope?

Posted in social issues | Tagged Media | Leave a comment

Why Didn’t Nitish Blog after Victory?

Posted on December 3, 2010 by indra

Nitish won election rather Lalu and Ram Vilash lost. Last week I have been scanning digital media. Impressive articles have come about the Nitish with expectations, suggestions, and cautionary advices. Columnists in national media such as Outlook, Hindustan Times, Times of India, Business Standard, Mint, Indian Express as well as many other individuals including this writer too have covered almost every issue.

I, for one wish the new government must make the bureaucrats work innovating ways and means to create real jobs in large number for the young generation with high expectations.

But I wish the focus is placed on quick informal education of the adults and women too that can make them honest working class.

While talking about Bihar from New York, I thought Nitish would have added a new entry in his blog that was so popular. I went to the site. Unfortunately, Nitish has not yet found time to thank those who voted and helped to build his image as followers of his blog. Is there a reason for this?

Bihar is today about regional pride with caste and community loosing its priority for voters who have been judged as enlightened lot preferring development. Will it be so in day to day affairs of the government departments too? Can Nitish and his team work and reinforce the perception of the change? Can Nitish bring the power and industry without an unprecedented all out support from centre and big business houses?

Can Premji consider Bihar as special case and help it through his foundation? Will Amit Mitra get some of his friends to invest in Bihar?

Posted in bihar, indian politics, management | Tagged Bihar, Nitish Kumar | Leave a comment

From Cary to New York

Posted on December 1, 2010 by indra

After many years, I was in a plane that normally scares me. As per plan, we were to leave Anand’s place positively at 5AM and we did. I had to dispense with my short night sleep that I go for at this age. Anand had come down much before I could give a wake call as promised and so did Shannon.

It’s really becoming more and more difficult to live with dear ones for some days and then get parted, and particularly if there is someone like Zach. He had become indispensable for me in these two or more months. Fortunately, both Emma and Zach were sleeping.

It’s GPS that made the drive the shortest bring us to Raleigh Airport in hardly 15 minutes when it had taken much more in a dry run a day before. Raleigh is a nice airport with all facilities. American security checks didn’t trouble us as we were mentally prepared. I only wonder if it can save a disaster if some insane brains with no heart really work for it. Are we escaping the repeat of 9/11 because of these insane checks, the fear of getting trapped, or the realization of its futility?

At JFK, I lost the way out path to ‘baggage claim’ because of messy management in Delta’s terminal and got nervous for few seconds with no gadgets in hand for communication. However, it was very short. We found Rajesh and baggage too.

After Svanik returned from school, it became all normal for me. He is no more that shy one and comes very close.

In evening, Anand came on Skype for getting us see and talk with Zach and Emma. I found Zach totally amazed. He didn’t utter a word. Ultimately he lied down on floor with his face down. It was just heart breaking. It’s just unbelievable.

It is really difficult to understand a child at Zach’s age.

But we have to keep moving. I don’t know if I will ever get back the same Zach as I didn’t in case of Emma. Perhaps I shall have to live by cherishing the memories of the last two months or more with Zach and all his acts that were so dear and enjoyable.

And I had written few days back

अच्छा लगता है इनका
बालसुलभ कलरव
और कभी कभी का जलजला

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Cary, New York | Leave a comment

दृष्टिकोण – Indra's Viewpoint