Date: 01.11.2006
A Red-Letter Day……
Dawned November 11th and whole of ASB was abuzz with excitement; awaiting the arrival of a personality of eminence hitherto un-experienced in the hallowed corridors of the campus. That the colloquium by Dr. Kasturirangan was eagerly awaited for is an understatement: given the kind of preparation that went into giving him a Grand Welcome and putting him at ease. Not one, not two, but all of four launches-cum-inaugurations were planned for this one Colloquium.
It began with the launch of the official ASB Website: the pride of the Web Master and his team and all students involved with it, and now of the whole student community of ASB. The applause had not yet died down when the magazine of our School: ASBian was released. There were another set of proud faculty and students going to share the stage with the Goliath and shine a little in the reflected glory. Perhaps one of the highlights of the evening (besides the fact that the whole evening was one long highlight in itself!), was the release of the Book authored by our beloved Professor Dr.K.Biresh Sahoo. He received a standing ovation which he totally earned from each and every student! The events for the evening were still not to be done with: Technocrats, the Systems Forum formally inaugurated their activities for the academic year 2006-07. What better a personality to kick-off the activities than one who launched the event of all events: the INSAT series?
The most innovative aspect of this colloquium was the approach preferred by Dr.Kasturiragan who declared right on the outset that the students should lead this particular discussion by asking questions unlike the usual fare when he gives a discourse for an extended period. Many students grabbed the opportunity and shot at him questions that had been plaguing their minds for quite some time. Perhaps one of the most interesting Questions was: ‘Isn’t India lacking in manpower for Research and Development? And considering that India is taking rapid strides in the field of Science of technology, will this not turn out to be a major constraint?’
Dr, Kasturirangan handled this Question with much élan. Apart from saying that the manpower needs for Research were actually little compared to that of the manufacturing and IT sectors; these can easily be met given the current pool of students from various Universities. However, efforts are being made to draw in more students into this field: special programmes such as in a University in Bangalore have been drawn up to train students right from when they finish their pre-degree and orient them towards research. The fact remains that in order to increase the manpower base in research, it translates into making further investment and creating more infrastructure. Currently, the investment into R&D as a percentage of the Indian GDP is just about 1%. Things will have to change from there.
Another question that led him to give us a very important lesson in Life was: ‘What were the hurdles you were faced with during the intial stages of the Satellite launch programmes?’
Dr.Kasturirangan answered that there was no dearth of trials or failures along the way. However, one of the greatest things about their Team was that: they always learned from their failures; the trouble with succeeding being that you think you know everything! They showed great tenacity and perseverance in rectifying their mistakes and ensuring it leads them toward the desirable end-result: a successful launch.
An extremely thought-provoking Question was ‘How important is the Moon-Mission: Chandrayaan in the light of the great economic demands of the same? How does it help India strategically?’
He answered in a way that only a Chairman of many such Satellite launches could: He said that the economic cost of such launches were in no way of such a magnitude that could create significant dent in the finances of India. However, being much more than an ‘ego-booster’ as was phrased by the student, Dr.Kasturirangan said that he saw this as an ‘exploration’ in the true sense of the Word. He envisioned it to be something that shall inspire many young students who shall be fascinated by this mission itself.
A question that seemed to move beyond the topic of space-missions was raised by a student: ‘India is now growing in a manner that makes it a World of Opportunities. However, this growth is not inclusive. There is a large section that is cut-off from all the prosperity. What can technology do to remedy this?’
Dr. Kasturirangan acknowledged that this was indeed a relevant Question; but also said that on some level, one had to accept it. Definitely, there is an effort in place to rectify the disparity: plants have been set-up for the upliftment of villages; and there is this goal of electrifying all Villages by 2010. Laying of roads is being taken up very seriously toward the same end, he said. However, the sad truth is that there is an upper-layer that is currently well-off, and they continue to amass their wealth; the trickle-down is very less.
Apart from being questioned on the relevance of the existence of the Rajya Sabha; (for which a visibly chuckling M.P.Dr.Kasturirangan said that bicameral was how the Constitution meant for India to be governed; and it did indeed play its’ role as a second, and important opinion on the policies that were passed in the Parliament.)
Finally, assisted by our Vice-Chancellor, Dr.Kasturirangan regaled the Management lessons that he had gained during his tenure in ISRO. Having had no formal Management education himself, this simply shows that Management is indeed, for everyone.
He placed a great deal of the onus on the person at the helm of the ship. He greatly appreciated Dr.Vikram Sarabhai who, despite being one of the most important men in India, never used to shy away from mingling freely with students and letting them benefit from his knowledge and experience. ‘Management is leadership’ is the wise conclusion that he came to. The other very important point he had to make on this topic was that in ISRO: scientists or not, they had to learn every managerial function there is, and what’s more: become proficient at it. Each and every one of them had to do all managerial functions like handle teams, manage resources and work toward a specific goal. Hence, no matter what your position or function, Management is an integral part of your work-life and shall always remain so.
Being an audience filled with Management students, there is nothing else that could have possibly left us more inspired, hopeful and enthralled. Coming from such an eminent individual, this shall be one statement that we shall all cherish through our lives.
Unlike usual colloquia when one is only all too aware of the approach of the ending, we were all taken-aback when this session drew to a close. We had been held spellbound: by the sheer strength of his knowledge and personality. Opportunities like this do not come by often’ and thank heavens not!; for it helps us appreciate them as and when they do! This evening is one that shall remain in the memory of ASBians for years to come.
Rajeswari Mani
CPG06BM085
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