Newsletter of IISc Alumni Association
Volume 2 | Issue 1 | March 2009
100 Years and Beyond: The IISc Centenary Conference
The IISc Centenary Conference, organized during
December 13-16, 2008 on the IISc campus, was an
unforgettable event. It was by far the biggest scientific
event ever organized by the Institute and its quality was
certainly befitting the lofty standards the Institute has set
for itself. The National Science Seminar Complex was the
main venue of this landmark conference while the Faculty
Hall, the Satish Dhawan Auditorium, and many other
lecture halls on the campus were the satellite venues.
The conference was conceived and initiated by Professor P.
Balaram, the IISc Director and the leadership for
t h e c o n fe r e n c e w a s p r o v i d e d b y P r o fe s s o r
N. Balakrishnan, Associate Director and Conference Chair.
Professor M.L. Munjal was the Conference Co–Chair and
also chairman of the Program Committee, while Professor
S. Chandrasekaran was the chairman of the organizing
committee. The planning of the conference went through
an elaborate process with more than 100 faculty members
and Institute alumni deeply involved in the planning and
operational tasks, with 6 subcommittees under the
Program Committee and 16 subcommittees under the
organizing committee. The faculty conveners of all the 22
subcommittees met every two weeks over through a oneyear period to plan and execute the tasks of this major
event. The alumni of the Institute, the entire student
community, the administrative officers, and the staff of the
Institute provided phenomenal support in the conduct of
this conference.
Upcoming Events
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10th Sir Dorabji Tata Symposium on Mechanism of Microbial Pathogenesis organised by Department of Microbiology and Cell
Biology and Sir Dorabji Tata Center for Tropical Diseases March 10-12, 2009
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Prof. Renee Borges, CES, IISc will be conducting Workshop on “Nocturnal Pollination: Patterns and Processes”, March 23 – 27,
2009. (http://ces.iisc.ernet.in/renee/noct-poll-wshop.html)
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IISc Alumni Association will organize a two day Seminar on “Indigenous Technology for the progress of the Country” on April 17
and 18, 2009, at the Faculty Hall, IISc. This seminar is co-sponsored by Indian Institute of Science and IISc Alumni Cell.
l
ICEAE' 2009: IISc Centenary International Conference and Exhibition on Aerospace Engineering May 18 - 22, 2009.
The conference featured many highlights. The first was the
formal inauguration ceremony at the NSSC Complex
during 3–5 p.m. on Saturday, December 13, 2008.
Approximately 5000 participants assembled during the
inauguration to listen to the inspirational lecture by Dr
Abdul Kalam and to the deeply emotional and touching
talk by Professor C.N.R. Rao. The inauguration was
followed by a mesmerising Hindustani Santoor Recital by
the legendary Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma. The High Tea and
the Dinner, hosted by the Alumni Association, provided a
lifetime opportunity for interaction among the faculty,
students, alumni, and the staff of the Institute.
Approximately 1500 alumni from all over the globe
participated in the events on December 13th.
The next three days provided the participants a splendid
opportunity to be a part of the scientific and sylvan
ambiance at the Institute, to be inspired by brilliant
researchers and captains of industry, and to interact with
distinguished scientists and engineers across national
boundaries and disciplinary barriers. Clearly, the
magnificent keynote talks given by Mr S. Ramadorai
(TCS), Professor Subra Suresh, Professor Martin Rees,
Mr Nandan Nilekani, Professor Sydney Brenners,
Professor Arcot Ramachandran, Dr Sam Pitroda, Dr
Kiran Mazumdar Shah, and Professor Eric Maskin left an
indelible impact and came in for high appreciation. The
auditorium was packed to its full capacity and beyond
during all the keynote talks. The keynote talks were
webcast throughout the campus and beyond. The video
recordings of these electrifying talks are now available
for download from the conference website
(www.iisc.ernet.in/centenary-conf).
There were three Panel Sessions, one each on Dec 14th,
15th, and 16th. The first Panel Session, chaired by
Professor Goverdhan Mehta, was on "India–An
Intellectual Power: Opportunities and Challenges." The
second Panel Session, chaired by Professor J. Srinivasan,
was on the contemporary topic "Climate Change–An
Indian Perspective" while the third Panel session, chaired
by Professor N. Balakrishnan, focused on the topic
"Rediscovering IISc for the Twenty First Century". With
distinguished panelists enlivening the sessions with their
illuminating thoughts, all the panel sessions proved to be a
hit with the audience and also generated animated
discussions.
On the afternoon of December 14th, seven interdisciplinary workshops were held on seven different
emerging topics: (1) Micro and Nano Technologies, (2)
Energy and Materials, (3) Integrative Biology, (4) Earth and
Climate Sciences, (5) Intelligent Transportation Systems,
(6) Complex Systems and Networks, and (7) Sustainable
Technologies and Technology Outreach. The workshops
attracted enthusiastic participation and generated highquality interaction among the participants.
Complementing the inter-disciplinary workshops rather
well, five Divisional workshops were organized during the
afternoon of December 15th. These workshops provided
an excellent forum for interaction among the faculty,
students, and alumni of the five academic divisions of the
Institute – (1) Biological Sciences, (2) Chemical Sciences, (3)
Electrical Sciences, (4) Mechanical Sciences, and (5)
Physical Mathematical Sciences.
The grand finale for the conference was in the form of a
special session "IISc: Past, Present and Future" in which
Professor G. Padmanaban (former Director), Professor A.
Sridharan (former Deputy Director), Professor Goverdhan
Mehta (former Director), Professor M. Vijayan (former
Associate Director), Professor P. Balaram, and Professor N.
Balakrishnan participated. All of them delighted the
audience with their reminiscences and thoughts for the
future. Professor Balaram eloquently summarized the
conference and the centenary celebrations as he quoted
from Sir Winston Churchill – "The Centenary of the
Institute is not the end, not even the beginning of the end,
it is just the end of the beginning." This indeed set the
Institute's agenda for the next century.
During the conference, there were numerous other
activities that attracted the attention of the participants.
All the Departments and Centres of the Institute had put
up impressive stalls showcasing their achievements and
ongoing work. Signing boards were put up at the venue to
enable the participants to write their names and
signatures on the boards. Several publications were
brought out: (1) Celebrating 100 Years of IISc (by the
Publications Committee), (2) Reminiscences (by the
Archives and Publications Cell), (3) 100 Enlightening Years
(by the Student Voices Team). The Voices team also
brought out highly popular, daily bulletins on the
conference. Two illustrated books containing IISc's flora
and fauna (1) IISc: A Botanist's Delight and (2) Secret Lives
of IISc was also released during the conference. To whet
the appetite of the participants, the Catering Committee
had organized an amazing variety of culinary delights.
There were two other cultural programs in addition to the
Santoor Recital. The first one was an extraordinary
musical night organized by the IISc Community itself (on
December 14th) and the second one was a scintillating
Bharatanatyam recital by the renowned Ms Malavika
Sarukkai.
The alumni participation was overwhelmingly
enthusiastic. There were as many as 1000 alumni
registrants including 50 registrants from overseas. An
outstanding feature was the welcome participation by
many senior distinguished alumni including
octogenarians and septuagenarians.
An event of this magnitude requires substantial resources
and we were fortunate to get generous support from
many government agencies and private industries. An
event of this magnitude also requires the critical support
of a large pool of human resources. Many of the faculty,
students, alumni, officers and the staff of the Institute
worked with incredible intensity to ensure the success of
the Conference. The Conference secretariat was
optimally located in the Alumni Cell office and was
managed by efficient staff. All of them deserve our
grateful thanks.
The conference website contains all the details of the
conference including video-recordings of most the events in
this conference.
Y. Narahari and V. Nagaraja
4
Editorial
As part of the Centenary Celebrations, the much-awaited
Centenary Conference of our Alma Mater was held in the
middle of December 2008. It was a great success. At one
point of time there were security concerns. However, by
the sheer determination of the leaders, organizers, faculty,
staff, students, alumni and the participants, everything
went off, well beyond expectations. The magnitude at
which it is conducted was phenomenal. It is doubtful that
any of the 5000 delegates will experience another such
opportunity in the nearest future.
The Alumni Association was actively involved in these
celebrations and the details appear in this issue. The
Association with the cooperation of Alumni Cell has
contacted a large number of alumni and impressed upon
the significance of their participation. Several
organizations have responded to this invitation and
sponsored their employees. Those who attended the four
days will never forget this experience. Without any doubt
this is an all-round success. It is time for us to improve
coordination among the alumni for a greater contribution
to the society. They can guide the youngsters with their
experience by delivering lectures, imparting training and
giving suggestions to become better individuals. I hope all
the stakeholders will properly respond to solve the
problems faced by the society.
The Newsletter has completed one year successfully and is
entering into the second year. To commemorate this
Success and the Centenary, this issue is being brought as a
special issue with larger number of pages. Some
photographs shot during the Alumni Day are printed. On
behalf of my colleagues in the editorial board, I take this
opportunity to thank all the past and present contributors.
The Association is strengthening itself year after year with
the active support of the alumni.
Let us look forward to many happy years to come while our
Alma Mater is entering into its second century.
K.S. Rajanandam
5
Alumni events during the Centenary Conference in December 2008
15 Distinguished Alumni conferred Awards
The Alumni events began on the morning of 12 December, 2008.
Prof. P. Balaram, Director, IISc, presented the 15 Distinguished
Alumni Awards (DAA) Centenary year in the Faculty Hall
between 10.00 a.m. and 12.00 noon. The recipients were: Prof.
E.S. Rajagopal, Prof. G. Baskaran and Dr Swaminatha Reddy
(Physical Sciences), Dr Mehtab Bamji, Prof. N. Appaji Rao and
Prof. S.K. Brahmachari (Biological Sciences), Prof. K. Venkatesan
and Prof. S.S. Krishnamurthy (Chemical Sciences), Prof. V.
Rajaraman, Prof. M.A.L. Thathachar and Prof. N.S. Jayant
(Electrical Sciences), Prof. I. Chopra and Dr Kota Harinarayana
(Aerospace), Dr Sanak Mishra and Prof. Y.V.R.K. Prasad
(Metallurgy). Sri Lakshminarayanan (Alumnus of Management
Dept.) could not attend the meeting and receive the award. The
citations were read by Dr K. Srinivasan (President-elect, IIScAA),
Prof. Rahul Pandit, Prof. H.S. Savithri, Dr R.V. Krishnan, Prof. B.N.
Raghunandan, Wg Cdr H.R. Parthasarathy (Retd), Prof. R.
Govindarajan, Mr Babu Sathian, Prof. E.S. Dwarakadasa and Prof.
M.R.N. Murthy.
The program started with a welcome by Prof. B. Dattaguru,
President, IISc Alumni Association (IIScAA). Two students of IISc,
Mukta and Anand, anchored it. Mr Babu Sathian, Hon. Secretary,
IIScAA, proposed a vote of thanks. The program ended with a
lunch at IISc Gymkhana.
Dinner on December 12th Night
The Alumni Association arranged the Alumni Night on
December 12, 2008, followed by Dinner at DROMI, C.V. Raman
Nagar, at Bangalore. It was attended by 700 people, alumni and
their family members. It was an excellent meet and everyone
enjoyed the warmth. A relaxed meet was possible for many
who were meeting their classmates and teachers after several
long years. BEL provided the transport arrangement with 8
buses which transported people from IISc to DROMI and back
to their residences. Many thanks to BEL and, in particular, to Dr
V.V.R. Sastry, Chairman, BEL, Bangalore, for his help.
Alumni Day on December 13
Officially IISc declared December 13 as the Alumni Day. The
program started with a welcome by the President of IIScAA,
Prof. B. Dattaguru. Later, Prof. P. Balaram, Director, and Prof. N.
Balakrishnan, Associate Director, IISc, addressed the alumni.
They expressed their happiness at large number of alumni
attending the Centenary and desired continued interaction
between IISc faculty and Alumni in the years to come too. Later,
Prof. Balaram released a publication entitled “To Reach the
Stars or Dig the Earth. My journey Through Doing Science in
India” authored by Prof. G. Padmanaban, former Director, IISc.
Prof. S. Mohan, Chairman, IISc Alumni Cell, proposed a vote of
thanks.
6
also the need to look beyond basic science of biochemistry.
Science should meet the local needs, but products should be
developed for global market. Basic needs of drinking water, and
health and hygiene should be addressed. He emphasized on
the need to embrace agricultural economy with medical
research in India.
Prof. P. Balaram Releasing the book “To Reach the Stars or Dig the Earth. My
journey Through Doing Science in India” authored by Prof. G. Padmanaban
at Alumni Day function. Prof. B. Dattaguru and Prof. S. Mohan are also seen
Dr Yamuna Krishna, the youngest of the panelists, was in praise
of the academic freedom at IISc. She perceived that IISc should
aim for large inter-disciplinary projects and also bring industrial
collaboration in a big way. Prof. Navkant Bhat brought out the
need for inter-disciplinary research to cover the areas of nano
technology, neuro-science, energy & materials and bioengineering. He urged IISc to help areas such as renewable
energy technologies and strategies for sustainable
development with new discoveries.
Dr Aatre summed up the speakers presentations which
emphasized various aspects covering green and sustainable
technologies, societal needs, health & hygiene and manpower
requirements. The common theme of their presentations is the
need to work on biological, medical and health sciences. He
desired that major efforts be made into converting scientific
developments into technology.
Later, the Association conducted a session on “Alumni
perspective for IISc for the next two decades”. It was chaired by
Dr V.K. Aatre, the former Scientific Adviser to the Defence
Minister, Govt. of India, and currently Visiting Professor, ECE,
IISc, and Prof. B. Dattaguru. The presentations were made by:
Prof. P. Somasundaran, Columbia University, USA
Dr T.S. Prahlad, Former Director, NAL, Bangalore
Prof. K.V. Katti, University of Missouri, Missouri, USA
Dr. Yamuna Krishna, NCBS, Bangalore
Prof. Navkant Bhat, ECE, IISc, Bangalore
Prof. Somasundaran dealt at length on the emerging field of
nano-sciences and technology which should become part of IISc
future activities covering both materials and components.
Particular mention was made of green-nano technology and
tissue engineering. Dr. Prahlad desired the integration of basic
sciences, design and technology to bring out innovative
products in engineering disciplines. He supported group
excellence and exhorted on the need for inter-disciplinary
research and development of new industries based on scientific
knowledge. Prof. Katti emphasized the importance of medical
research to achieve path-breaking scientific contributions and
7
President's Message
IISc Centenary Conference was completed in a grand style
during December 2008. The success of the conference is due to
a large participation by IISc Faculty, Students and Alumni.
Thanks to Alumni from Bangalore, from outside Bangalore
including from outside India. The participants from both India
and abroad displayed their passion for their Alma Mater viz.,
the Indian Institute of Science. All members of the Executive
Committee of IISCAA worked with focused enthusiasm for the
Alumni events and I would like to thank them all. I also would
like to thank EC members of Bangalore Chapter for the Science
& Technology run organized by them.
Dinner on December 13
The IISc Alumni Association hosted a Dinner at the J.N. Tata
Auditorium on December 13, 2008, to all the registered
delegates of the Centenary Conference and the alumni. This
was followed by the inauguration of the Conference by the
former President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Prof. C.N.R.
Rao in the afternoon. A cultural program preceded the dinner.
The Dinner was a grand success with nearly 6000 attendees;
excellent arrangements were made by the IIScAA and the
Centenary Organizing Committee.
B. Dattaguru
President, IISc Alumni Association
We look forward to Alumni groups from all over the world to
work towards the dream of every IIScian to raise the Global
scientific rating of this institution to the top in this second
century of its existence. Let us take the success in the Centenary
conference as the starting point in this challenge. It is the
mandate given by our beloved Director Prof. P.Balaram and
Associate Director Prof. N. Balakrishnan to invite Alumni to
interact with IISc faculty and students. IISc Alumni Association
and all its chapters and Alumni Cell will work to provide all
opportunities for Alumni to achieve their goals. Please use
these organizations to help you.
B. Dattaguru
8
IIScAA Activities
It was a momentous, wonderful event—The Great
Centenary Conference and Celebration. I am sure you all
have participated in the December 12 – 16, 20008
Centenary Programme which was an unparallel event and
we will cherish it in our life time. The contribution of alumni
in making this event so grand and joyous goes without
saying. Many other programmes are up for the year by the
Alumni Association. As usual, we had a warm-up Breakfast
Meet on February 15, 2009, where we could exchange the
notes on the Centenary Celebrations and future activities.
I would request you all to participate by contributing articles
in the Newsletter and your suggestions are greatfully
solicited for the forthcoming activities.
Over the past three months a number of conferences were
arranged by IISc. They were:
«
ICORD-09, the International Conference on Research
into Design was conducted by the Center for Product
Design and Manufacturing (CPDM) during January 7 – 9,
2009.
«
“Discussion Meeting on Theoretical Chemistry” with
Prof. T.N. Guru Row as the Chairman of the organizing
committee was organized by Solid State and Structural
Chemistry Unit, IISc during January 18 – 23, 2009, at
Faculty Hall.
«
Prof. Raghavendra Gadagkar, CES, IISc delivered the
Darwin Bicentenary Lecture at the Kerala Shastra
Sahithya Parishad, Calicut, Kerala on February 13, 2009.
He also delivered the “Frontiers of Science Lecture” at
the University of Calicut, Kerala on February 14, 2009.
Kudos:
ª
Prof. E. Arunan, IPC, IISc has been elected Fellow of the
Indian Academy of Sciences (FASc).
ª
Prof. S. Sampath, IPC, IISc has been elected Fellow of the
Indian Academy of Sciences (FASc).
ª
Prof. B.R. Jagirdar, IPC, IISc had been awarded the Bronze
Medal by the Chemical Research Society of India (CRSI)
for 2009.
ª
Dr P. Anbazhagan, Lecturer, Dept. of Civil Engineering,
IISc, has won the prestigious Endeavour Award for the
year of 2009 form Education International, Dept. of
Education, Australia.
ª
Prof. Raghavendra Gadagkar, CES, IISc has been elected
as the Chairman of the Research Council for History of
Science, Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi.
ª
Prof. Renee M. Borges, CES, IISc has been elected as the
Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore for
2009.
V. Babu Sathian
Secretary, IISc Alumni Association
How to become a Member
An Alumni can become a member of IISc Alumni Association by
submitting an application. The fee details and other formalities are :
1. Rs.1010/- towards Donor Membership and ID Card (India ) –
One Time Payment Only.
2. US $ 200 towards Donor Membership and ID Card
( Overseas ) – One Time Payment Only.
3. In case of cheque payment – it should be made payable to
‘IISc Alumni Association’. In case of outstation cheque,
Rs.25/- to be added towards Bank Commission Charges.
4. Two Photographs for issuing ID Card.
Please send your application to
Sri V. Babu Sathian, Hon. General Secretary
at the address given in contact information
IISc Alumni Association
Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore - 560 012
Telephone: +91 80 23600180 / 22932597
E-mail: info@iiscalumni.com
ksrajanandam@gmail.com
Website: www.iiscalumni.com
Editorial Board : Dr. K.S. Rajanandam, Dr. T.A. Abinandanan, Sri V. Babu Sathian, Prof. B.Dattaguru, Prof. E.D. Jemmis,
Prof. S. Ranganathan, Prof. H.S. Savithri, Prof. H.K. Anasuya Devi and Sri K. Sreenivasa Rao
Published by the Indian Institute of Science Alumni Association (IIScAA).
Printed at : Navbharath Press, Seshadripuram, Bangalore - 560 020, Ph: 2356 1142, 2346 4682, E-mail : navbarat@gmail.com