Photobook of 2nd Batch BTech Alumni - Flipbook - 6th July 2023

IIT and beyond T hanhnuna was called “The Champ” during IIT days. He was from Shillong .He was very good in Sports, a good footballer and a good track and field athlete. He won the javelin championship at the first inter IIT meet held in Bombay in 1961. After graduation, he joined Assam Cements Co Ltd in April 1965 at Cherrapunji (now Mawmbah Cements, Meghalaya) w h e n i t w a s u n d e r c o n s t r u c t i o n s t a g e. A f t e r a ye a r, Thanhnuna joined Assam Oil Company at Digboi to pursue his career in Oil Industr y. He had a successful 8 years stint with Assam oil (1966 – 1974) gaining varied experience in Oil Wells, Maintenance, Utilities (boiler), General Engineering, Production Control, Inspection, etc. In 1974, Thanhnuna joined the service of Government of Mizoram as Deputy Director Rural Industries. In 1978, he was promoted as General Manager (Joint Director) of District Industries Centre. In 1983, he became Director of Industries and Commerce and was successful in implementing several projects. H o w e v e r, i n 1 9 8 9 , h e w a s s h i f t e d a s C E O o f K h a d i B o a rd of Mizoram Government where he continued to serve till the end. At this time, communication with him was lost. Thanhnuna passed away in 2000. 192

VENKATARAMAN SEKAR 1.106/60 MECHANICAL ENGINEERING 1960 2020 2018 1971 193

IIT and beyond Sekar hailed from Berhampur (Odisha) and knew five Indian languages. He was thus very comfortable in the cosmopolitan c u l t u r e a t I I T M a d r a s. H e a c t i v e l y p a r t i c i p a t e d i n N C C a t I I T. S e k a r s t a r t e d h i s c a r e e r a s a S r Te c h A s s t w i t h P r o f H Heitland at IITM for six months on a project taken up in the f i n a l ye a r. H i s e n t i re c a re e r re v o l v e d a ro u n d t h e s t e e l i n d u s t r y starting with rolling mills at Rourkela Steel Plant, from August 1965 to 1979. The next 24 years were with Steel Consultants, MN Dastur & Co, Kolkata. At Dasturs, Sekar worked on various prestigious steel projects around the world starting with Salem Steel project and Trafo Steel Mills of Rourk ela Steel Plant; in 1982 he was positioned in Linz, Austria for working on the Libyan steel project. Later Sekar worked on behalf of Dasturs as mill specialist in Venezuela, follo wed by projects in Eg ypt and Romania. He retired in 2003. Sekar and his wife Kausalya live in Chennai and are presently studying Vedanta under Swami Pramarthanandaji. T he y hav e a daughter in USA and a son in UK. 194

VENKATESAN BHUVANAPALLI 1.108.60 MECHANICAL ENGINEERING 1960 2020 2021 1970 195

IIT and beyond After graduation in 1965, Venkatesan Bhuvana palli joined Metropolitan Instruments Ltd (later renamed KELTRON Counters Ltd), Thiruvananthapuram. He was the Chief Engineer when he left in 1976. L a t e r, h e m o v e d t o j o i n A r t i f i c i a l L i m b s M a n u fa c t u r i n g Company in Kanpur and was involved in the product design of artificial limbs and equipment for limb fittings. He joined Electro Mechanical Switches Pvt Ltd, Hyderabad in 1980 as its General Manager and also helped its sister concern, Solid State Devices Ltd. in developing the processes for production of IC chips from silicon wafers and indigenized various jigs and fixtures. In 1982, Venkatesan started his o wn v enture called Control Components & Equipments, for the manufacture of tools and fixtures for the semiconductor industry wherein he developed products for ISRO and DRDO Labs. He wound up his business in 2008 and moved to USA along with his wife to live with their son, daughter and grandchildren in Ashbur n, USA. Venkatesan is ha ppil y busy teaching Math to middle school children in his neighbourhood and also in North S o u t h Fo u n d a t i o n . O n S u n d a y s, h e t e a c h e s Te l u g u t o c h i l d r e n in a Silicon Andhra venture. 196

VIJAYAKUMAR ALLURI 1.114/60 MECHANICAL ENGINEERING 1965 2020 2020 1967 197

IIT and beyond After graduating from IITM, Vijayakumar completed his M Te c h . i n 1 9 6 8 f r o m I I T K h a r a g p u r i n I E & O R ( I n d u s t r i a l Engineering &Operations Research). S o o n a f t e r, h e j o i n e d U n i o n C a r b i d e. I n h i s 4 0 + ye a rs o f p ro fe s s i o n a l c a re e r, V i j a ya k u m a r w o rk e d i n w i d e l y d i f fe r i n g companies while building his career in Management with his engineering background. He worked at senior management levels with TELCO - Pune, Hindustan Shipyard- Visakhapatnam, Metal Box-Calcutta, Nagarjuna Steels- Hyderabad, Deccan Polyesters-Hyderabad and, Zensar Te c h n o l o g i e s - H y d e r a b a d . V i j a y a k u m a r h a d a n i m m e n s e l y fulfilling career; looking back, he says, he enjoyed his forty years’ experiences in the various industrial organisations, and is happy that he did not have to get ‘bored’ remaining ‘chained’ to only one organisation, all through! He has settled in Bengaluru where his only daughter and her family also live. A jovial personality with a natural sense of h u m o u r, V i j a ya k u m a r i s l e a d i n g a q u i e t a n d h a p p y l i fe i n h i s own ‘Cottage-66’ in Suvidha Retirement Village, Bengaluru. 198

VIVEKANANDAN J 1.119/60 MECHANICAL ENGINEERING 1965 2020 2016 1969 199

IIT and beyond After passing out Vivekanandan worked in a medium sized fabrication unit for six years and then set up his own small-scale unit. This Unit ultimately grew into Lakshmi Engineering Wo rk s ( L E W ) w i t h i t s fa c t o r y a t A m b a t t u r, C h e n n a i . T h e y manufacture equipment for Food Processing and Dairy Industries. Products include various models of Retorts, Pilot retorts, Automatic Pouch Filling and Sealing Systems and Pre-Cookers. Since last fifteen years they have developed a Food Steriliser that extends the shelf life of ready to cook and ready to eat foods. LEW is covering domestic market and also exports to some countries. Vivekanandan is still very active and hands-on in the business. He and his family live in Chennai. 200

ZACHARIAH CT 1.120/60 1960 2019 2023 1970 201

IIT and beyond A f t e r B Te c h , Z a c h ( a s h e w a s p o p u l a r l y k n o w n ) s p e n t o n e y e a r in the Turbomachines Lab at IITM and went to Ger many in 1966. There he spent 3 years in ZF (Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen), a company specialised in making transmission & steering systems for 4-wheelers. Returned to India in 1969 and worked with Hindustan Tractors, Baroda for 2 years. In 1971, Zach relocated to North and spent 25 years working with Escorts Tr a c t o rs L t d , D C M To y o t a L t d a n d a c o u p l e o f s m a l l e r companies in the Engineering & Automotive business. He then moved to Bangalore and has been there since 1996. Spent a c o u p l e o f y e a rs w i t h T V S a n d a b o u t 1 1 y e a rs w i t h a To y o t a Group company. He retired as Manufacturing Director completing a career spanning 46 years. The multiple foreign JV companies exposed him to a wide range of Management practices, travelling to several European and South-East Asian countries. Zach married Leela in 1970. Their daughter lives in USA and son in Chennai. They have two grandchildren. Zach has been active in the Alumni circuit in Benagluru where he is currently settled. Leela passed away in May 2023. 202

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING ARUN DHONDU CHAUDHARY (1941–2015) 2.001/61 1961 Arun Chaudhary graduated in 1968. Hostel-mates remember him as a witty and humorous person. He migrated to the US to complete his MS in Mechanical Engineering. Ar un was working for a company in San Diego, Ca. and was active in the Maharashtra Association there. He used to live in D e l m a r, C a . His wife lives in San Diego and son in California. 203

KRISHNA RAO MV MECHANICAL ENGINEERING 2.010/61 1961 Hailing from Vuyyur u, in Andhra Pradesh, Krishna Rao excelled in studies both in BSc as w e l l a s a t I I T M a n d s t o o d s e c o n d i n t h e B Te c h , Mechanical Branch. After graduation, MVKR joined Union Carbide India Ltd in Calcutta as 'Engineer'. Soon he shifted to Britannia Industries, Mumbai where he rose to a senior position till retirement. He married Vijaya in the early 70s and lived on Warden Road in Mumbai. 204

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING MAN MOHAN GUPTA 1.045/60 1960 After graduation, Man Mohan Gupta joined M/s Sylvania & Lakshman Ltd, New Delhi as Stores and Warehousing Superintendent. Soon, Gupta migrated to USA for higher studies. After his MS, he is reported to have settled down professionally in the eastern part of USA. Contact with him was lost around the 70s. 205

NAGA VENKATA RAO Y MECHANICAL ENGINEERING (1943–XXXX) 1.053/60 1960 A f t e r g r a d u a t i o n , Venkata Rao j o i n e d A s h o k Leyland Ltd in Chennai as Graduate Apprentice. Contact with him was lost around the late 60s. 206

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING PAUL RATHNAM N 2.003/61 1961 After graduation, Paul Rathnam joined AP Government service and moved to Hyderabad. Contact with him was lost around the late 60s. 207

RAMAKRISHNAN TK MECHANICAL ENGINEERING (1943–2013) 1.079/60 1960 2010 After graduation, G2 as he was affectionately called during IIT days, joined his Alma Mater a s A s s o c i a t e L e c t u re r. S o o n , h e m i g ra t e d t o Canada and completed Master’s degree in the University of Saskatchewan. Later he worked as a Research Scholar in Univ ersity of Calgar y. After a successful professional career in Nucle- ar Industry in Canada and in Argentina, G2 returned to India around 2010. He passed away in February 2013. 208

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING RATAN BABU V 1.085/60 1960 Ratan Babu was the topper in PUC in Andhra University before joining IITM in 1960. After graduation, Ratan Babu joined Hindusthan Ship Ya r d i n V i s h a k a p a t n a m a n d c o n t i n u e d t o s e r v e the company till retirement. Babu was also very active in Indian Management Association in Vishakapatnam. Post retirement, Ratan Babu reportedly is spending his time in spiritual activities in and around Vishakapatnam. 209

RAVINDER KUMAR VERMA MECHANICAL ENGINEERING 1.115/59 1962 A t I I T, R a v i n d e r Ku m a r Ve r m a e x c e l l e d i n gymnastics and represented IITM in inter IIT sport meets. After g raduation, Ver ma joined E s c o r t s L t d i n Pa t i a l a a s E n g i n e e r. Contact with him was lost around 1970. 210

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING SHARMA JHAMMAN D 1.095/60 1960 After graduation, Sharma joined Hindusthan Motors Ltd in Uttarapara, West Bengal as Assistant Superintendent, Quality Control Division. Contact with him was lost around 1970. 211

SRIRAMACHANDRAMURTI KS MECHANICAL ENGINEERING 2.007/61 1961 After graduation, Sriramachandramurti joined APSRTC (Andhra Pradesh State Road Trans- port Corporation) in Musheerabad, as Assis- t a n t M e ch a n i c a l E n g i n e e r. Contact with him was lost around 1970. 212

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING SUBRAMANIAN AR (1943–2000) 1.101/60 IIT and beyond A R S , as he was known amongst his close friends, was a gold medalist at school in his district, before joining IITM. After completing BTech with first class in 1965, ARS j oined M/s Mac Tools Ltd, Chennai as Junior Project Of ficer. Within a year or so, ARS was absorbed by KKK Ger many, manufacturers of ID and FD fans as an engineer in their Ger man plant. For the next 7 years, ARS had an excellent professional and personal life at Germany while working for KKK. In mid 70s, when BHEL signed a collaboration agreement with KKK Germany for the design of FD and ID fans, ARS was inducted by BHEL, Ranipet from KKK Ger many, directl y as Manager; this was a double promotion of sorts by PSU standards in those days. Having been used to German style of management in the init ial years of his career, he could not mer ge with the BHEL style of mana gement. He took Voluntar y retirement from BHEL, Ranipet in 1999. ARS passed away in early 2000. He was a very soft spoken, calm and quiet gentleman. With a successful career at KKK as a young and brilliant engineer, his only regret was opting to return to the country and join a PSU service. 213

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METALLURGY Metallurgy Lab Building Model of blast Furnace Universal Testing Machine Metallurgical Microscope Diffraction Apparatus Heat Treatment Furnaces 215

Amitav Patnaik 217 Bhagiradha Rao ES 219 Chandrasekaran S 221 Chaunker Prempal Singh 223 Krishnamurthi M 225 Mahesh K 227 Manusmare Purushottam G 229 Mathrubootham K 231 Misro Sarath Chandra 233 Prabhakar O 235 Pukhraj Jain 237 Rajinder Parshad Kaushik 239 Sethumadhavan L 241 Shanth Kumar Sarma 243 Vikram Rao M 245 Vinay Vittal Shrikande 247 Chander Kant Gupta 249 Nagendra Prasad Rama 250 Narayanan Kutty Menon M 251 Ramesh Chandra 252 Srihasam Ramaiah 253 Varghese AK 254 Venkates wara Rao 255 Vinod Venugopal 256 Vivek Wasudeo Bapat 257 216

AMITAV PATNAIK (1942–2017) 1.002/60 METALLURGY 1960 1973 217

IIT and beyond After graduation, Amitav moved to Banaras Hindu Univ ersity for his MSc in Metallur g y. He then mig rated to USA and got his PhD at Dre xel Univ ersity, Philadelphia. Amitav continued at Drexel after his PhD as a Research Associate from 1973 to 1978. He then joined an independent contract research lab in Philadelphia and, after a few years, moved as an Assistant Professor at a mid-wester n Univ ersity. A m i t a v d i d n o t l i k e h i s Te a c h i n g r o l e a n d m o v e d a f t e r a year to the Naval Research Laborator y in Washington DC, where he worked for almost 15 years. His final employment was with Air Force Research Laboratories at War ner- Robbins, Georgia. Throughout his graduate school days and all through his re s e a rch c a re e r, A m i t a v s p e n t m o s t o f h i s w o rk i n g h o u rs i n front of electron microscopes and other analytical instruments and enjoyed that the most. A m i t a b re m a i n e d a b a ch e l o r. H e p a s s e d a w a y i n D e c e m b e r 2017 at War ner-Robbins. 218

E S BHAGIRADHA RAO 1.011/60 METALLURGY 1960 2020 2015 1970 219

IIT and beyond Bhagiradha’s poem published in IITM’s Campastimes in our early campus years won the First Prize. After graduation, Bhagiradha joined Defence Metallurgical Research Laborator y, Hyderabad as a Scientist in 1965. After three decades of Government service, he retired from D M R L a s a n A s s o c i a t e D i re c t o r. H e w a s t h e f i rs t i n I n d i a t o develop ‘Mechanical Alloying’ and also the first to set up the unique ‘Hot Isostatic Press (HIP)’ way back in 1978. The complex HIP process that Bhagiradha developed to produce a critical missile component from alloy powders was s e l e c t e d a s t h e ‘ B e s t P / M Pa r t o f t h e Ye a r ( 1 9 9 0 ) ’ . Fo r h i s pioneering research, he was awarded PhD (Metallurgical Engineering) by Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru in 1984. Post-retirement, he continues to promote PMHIP technology for aerospace. His undiminished zeal for the subject resulted in his authoring ‘Isostatic Pressing Te c h n o l o g i e s ’ , a b o o k p u bl i s h e d i n 2 0 2 2 b y B O H R Publishers, Chennai. Bhagiradha and his wife Dr Sulochana, who retired as Principal of a Women’s Colle ge in Hyderabad, continue to live in Hyderabad after their retirement. Their two married daughters live in USA. 220

CHANDRASEKARAN S 1.018/60 METALLURGY 1964 2020 2022 1974 221

IIT and beyond A k e e n s p o r t s m a n , ‘ C h a n d r u ’ w a s a C h e s s c h a m p i o n a t I I T, a n d p l a y e d Ta bl e Te n n i s i n i n t e r - I I T m e e t s a n d l a t e r i n inter-factory tournaments. ‘Chandru’ joined Defence Metallurgical Research Laborator y, Hyderabad in 1965 as a Scientist. After 11 years, he moved to MIDHANI, Hyderabad as Manager/ General Manager and was engaged till 1992 in the manufacture of superalloys, titanium, and special steels/alloys. He completed his MBA from Osmania University in 1984, whilst with Midhani. In 1992, Chandru worked for a German JV in Hyderabad a s P r e s i d e n t . H e m o v e d t o I n d o n e s i a i n 1 9 9 6 a s Te c h n i c a l Director of Indobaja for setting up an alloy steel plant on a g reen field site at Subang. He retur ned to India in 1998 and did consultancy assignments for 3 years. Chandru migrated to USA in 2002, to work for 15 years with a manufacturer of forged and hardened steel rolls in Lima, OH. Chandru and his wife Jayanthi have a daughter and a son, both settled in USA. After retiring in 2018, Chandru spends quality family time with his four grandchildren while in USA and connects with family and friends when in India. 222

CHAUNKER PREMPAL SINGH (1942-2007) 1.007/59 METALLURGY 1965 2001 2006 1966 223

IIT and beyond After graduating, Chaunker joined Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory in Hyderabad, and worked there till his superannuation in 1999. In his outstanding career de v oted to metallur g y, Chaunker made significant contributions in developing indigenously manufactured special steels and components for the Ar m y and Navy, ar mour steel for Ar m y v ehicles and superalloy turbine blades for aircraft engines. Chaunker also made notable contributions in the field of N o n - D e s t r u c t i v e Te s t i n g ( N D T ) i n cl u d i n g R a d i o g r a p h y a n d U l t r a s o n i c Te s t i n g f o r D e f e n c e a p p l i c a t i o n s. Chaunker passed away in 2007. He is survived by his wife Sudha and two sons. 224

KRISHNAMURTHY MEDURI 1.036/60 METALLURGY 1960 2021 2022 225

IIT and beyond Krishnamurthy Meduri graduated in 1966 and then did his ME (Metallurgical Engg) from IISc, Bangalore in 1968. He worked as a Lecturer in Regional Engineering College, Trichy from 1968 to 1970. Meduri joined his Alma Mater IIT Madras in 1970 as a Research Scholar and obtained his PhD in 1975. In 1976, he joined Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (Midhani), Hyderabad and worked in the Quality Control Department till his retirement in 2002. At Midhani, Dr M Krishnamurthy was responsible for establishing Raw Materials Inspection Cell and Wet Chemical facilities and made valuable contributions in developing analytical techniques for major and trace elements in complex alloy systems in Ni, Co, Fe and Ti base alloys. He was responsible for analysis of incoming raw materials such as Ferro and Master alloys. During his dedicated service in Midhani, he also worked on a project related to missile materials development for DRDL. He was known to be an amicable, calm, composed, soft-spoken and helpful colleague. Meduri continues to live in Hyderabad following his retirement. His wife Swaha Devi passed away in 2002. His only daughter Mahathi and grandson, who live in Califor nia, USA, visit him re gularl y. 226

MAHESH K (1943-2019) 1.040/60 METALLURGY 1960 2015 1962 1962 227

IIT and beyond A t I I T, M a h e s h w a s m o s t n o t e d f o r h i s s e l f - b u i l t G o - K a r t , his passion for photography and his unassuming nature, notwithstanding being perhaps one of the wealthiest in the batch. After graduation in 1965, Mahesh went to Bridge Foundr y in UK to study Aluminum Die Casting. Upon returning, he set up the same in Sundaram Clayton in 1971. He successfully set up Sundaram Brake Linings (SBL) as a Joint Venture with Abe x Corporation of USA in 1976 and, under his leadership, built it into a world class Company. He was recognized at se v eral le v els by Rotar y Clubs and receiv ed se v eral Awards for Quality. T he Deming Award was the most note worthy. Mahesh was unique. His interests were as amazing as his talents. He passed away in 2019. A Chair was established at IITM in 2020 in his memor y. A n a t u re - l o v e r, h e h a d 2 0 , 0 0 0 t re e s p l a n t e d i n h i s industrial locations. He started a TSK Memorial Tr ust to help keen students pursue their educational dreams. Mahesh is survived by his wife, two daughters, a son and four grandchildren. 228

MANUSMARE PURUSHOTTAM G 1.039/59 METALLURGY 1966 2020 2020 1973 229

IIT and beyond Manusmare was a keen sportsman in IIT – he participated in Hock e y, athletics, jav elin thro w, Kabaddi, Chess, H i k i n g a n d Te n n i s. H e c a p t a i n e d t h e K a bb a d i t e a m . After graduation, Manusmare worked as a Scientist at DMRL, Hyderabad till 1968. He then migrated to the USA where he completed his MS in Metallurgical Engi- neering from University of Missouri at Rolla (UMR) in 1971. After MS, Manusmare worked as a Metallurgist in Addi- son, USA in heat treatment shops. He completed his PhD in Metallurgical Engineering at UMR in 1990. He also studied Insurance and Financial Management during this period, and has been managing his family investments. M a n u s m a re a n d h i s w i fe U s h a h a v e a d a u g h t e r, a s o n a n d a grandson. They live in Springfield, Missouri. He loves to listen to music, paint, do gardening, visit museums, travel and keep abreast with world Affairs. 230

MATHRUBOOTHAM K 1.047/60 METALLURGY 1962 2020 2016 1970 231

IIT and beyond After graduating, Mathrubootham worked for a year in a Foundry in Coimbatore. He then joined Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore for his ME in Process Metallurgy during 1967-69. In 1969, Mathrubootham joined National Institute of Te c h n o l o g y, Tr i c h y ( N I T T ) a s Fa c u l t y. H e t o o k a sabbatical in 1978 to do his PhD in Metallurgy at IIT Madras, which he completed in 1981. As part of his PhD work, Mathrubootham worked on a strategic project assigned by DRDO, Ministry of Defence, on foundry aspects of Magnesium alloys. M a t h r u b o o t h a m r e t u r n e d t o N I I T, Tr i c h y w i t h h i s P h D i n 1981 and continued to teach all Metallurgy subjects to B Te c h s t u d e n t s a n d a l s o g u i d e d s o m e G r a d u a t e s t u d e n t s t i l l his retirement in 2002. Mathrubootham and his wife Lakshmi continued to live in Trichy. T heir onl y son is well settled in Ne w Jerse y, USA. After Lakshmi’s passing away in 2017, Mathrubootham has been focusing on ser ving the needy. 232

SARATH CHANDRA MISRO 2.005/61 METALLURGY 1964 2020 2019 1965 233

IIT and beyond Sarath w a s a H i g h S ch o o l t o p p e r, Vo l l e y b a l l c a p t a i n a n d played Field Hock e y. At IITM, he was a member of the Vo l l e y b a l l Te a m a n d p a r t i c i p a t e d i n N C C . After graduation, Sarath joined the Department of Metallurgy at REC Rourkela as a Jr lecturer for two years. He went to USA in 1967 and joined the Dept of Mechanical Eng, UC Davis as a Graduate student/ Te a c h i n g A s s i s t a n t . H e c o m p l e t e d M S i n E n g i n e e r i n g i n 1969 and PhD in Engineering in 1972. Sarath then worked for several Semiconductor/IC manufacturing Companies in the Bay area, California, s u ch a s Fa i rch i l d S e m i c o n d u c t o r, S i g n e t i c s C o r p o ra t i o n , Siliconix Inc, GE Intersil Inc, LSI Logic, Exar Corporation and Atmel Corporation and retired in 2007. Sarath and his wife Bijayalakshmi live in Cupertino, CA. His pastimes include gardening, travelling and socialising. They have two daughters and two granddaughters, all living in California. 234

PRABHAKAR O 1.066/60 METALLURGY 1965 2020 2022 1973 235

IIT and beyond After graduation, Prabhakar did ME in Mechanical Engineering from IISc, Bangalore and PhD in Metallurg y from IIT Madras. He then trained in Non-Destructive Te s t i n g a t B u n d e s a n s t a l t f ü r M a t e r i a l P r u e f u n g , G e r m a n y. OP taught at IITM 1965-98 and was Head of Department of Metallurgical Engineering 1992-95. He briefly worked at Virginia Polytechnic Institute, USA during 1980s. His primary areas of research were nondestructive evaluation, metal casting and friction materials. He was instrumental in starting structured examinations in nondestructive testing within India and brought ASNT Level III qualification to India, useful for industries in India and overseas. He voluntarily retired from IITM in 1998, and taught at the N a n y a n g Te c h n o l o g i c a l U n i v e rs i t y, S i n g a p o r e f r o m 1 9 9 8 t o 2004. OP currently owns a Company that provides industrial consultancy services and educational solutions in the areas of non-destr uctiv e e valuation and metallur g y. Prof Prabhakar received ‘National Metallurgist’ Award ( 1 9 8 4 ) , ‘ N D T – M a n o f t h e Ye a r ’ A w a r d ( 1 9 8 4 ) , B i n a n i Gold Medal (1985), ‘MRSI Medal’ (1992), and Lifetime Achievement Award in NDT (2015). OP’s wife, Chitra is a post-g raduate in Sociolog y. T he y hav e a daughter and a son. 236

PUKHRA J JAIN 1.074/60 METALLURGY 1967 2020 2015 1972 237

IIT and beyond Pukhraj feels immensely blessed with ‘Guru Kripa’. He is o bl i g e d t o M r S P M u k h e r j i , h i s s ch o o l t e a ch e r, w h o e s p e c i a l l y c o a ch e d a n a v e ra g e s t u d e n t t o S t a t e l e v e l ra n k e r, e n a bl i n g P u k h r a j ’s a d m i s s i o n i n t o I I T. A t I I T, P u k h r a j e xcelled in Badminton and Volle y ball. After graduation, Pukhraj spent two years between IIT Bombay and ARDL, Pune. In 1967, with recommendation from his IITM Professor Dr EG Ramachandran, Pukhraj migrated to USA and joined Graduate programme in Chicago. Over the next five years, Pukhraj studied Metallurgy & Management while working in Illinois area. I n 1 9 7 4 , o n t h e a d v i c e o f D r S i l b e r, h i s M BA p ro fe s s o r, Pukhraj joined IBM where he worked in various functions – Sales, Mark eting Support, EA to Director-World wide Support & Strategy Development – for mid-range computers. He retired in 2002. With a deep sense of ‘Guru Dakshina’, Pukhraj donated to IITM for endowment funds for lecture series in honour of Prof EG Ramachandran and Prof B Sengupto on their birthdays. Pukhraj and his wife Manju live in Springfield, Illinois and have served local Indian communities in every town they have lived in. They have three children and five grandchildren. 238

RA JINDER PARSHAD KAUSHIK 1.077/60 METALLURGY 1965 2020 2019 1969 239

IIT and beyond Rajinder took part in NCC in his IIT days and was also a m e m b e r o f t h e I I T M H o c k e y Te a m a t t h e I n t e r - I I T m e e t i n Bombay in 1961. After graduation, Raj worked with Hindustan Motors, Calcutta till 1971. He then migrated to USA and completed his MS Mech Engg in 1973 from Villanova Univ ersity. He also completed his MBA in Finance in 1994. From 1973 to 1977, Raj worked with Robinson Halpern, PA and developed sensors for Naval Nuclear Submarines. H e t h e n j o i n e d Fo rd M o t o rs, M I a s S e n s o r E n g i n e e r, 1977-80, and implemented electronic engine control systems in their cars. From 1980 to ’84, Raj worked for CBS Inc, Stamford, CT as Associate Director responsible for developing digital video discs for large digital data storage and video movies. Since 1984, he has been with S i k o rs k y A i r c r a f t C o r p o r a t i o n a s I n n o v a t i v e Te c h n o l o g i e s M a n a g e r, l e a d i n g t e a m s fo r a d v a n c e d t e ch n o l o g i c a l development and control systems for helicopter operations. Raj and his wife Shakuntala live in Shelton, CT since 1980. They have two daughters, a son and seven grandchildren. Raj currently participates in spiritual programmes and social activities, plays tennis and travels. 240

SETHUMADHAVAN L (1942–2013) 1.092/60 METALLURGY 1969 2012 2012 1970 241