According to me, Science was born today – A new definition
for Science – redefined today, 59 years ago, to be fairly precise ! Every
one shall have a person in their live – or let me pluralize, persons. To
reiterate from my previous article, “To many of us, we have perfect keep sake
that makes us feel proud of having lived in few person’s era! Unlike all of us,
I too have a bigger list, in fact, and I deem it to be a real blessing to have
just existed, should I say, in the times of such great - greater and the
greatest people! And here is the list, the Musical Synonym Shri.MSViswanathan,
Stupendous Scientist Prof. Umaa Shanker Raman, … Oh, now let me tell you, I
would love to stay behind, at this level as such, for, many of you might be
thinking that I should be adding HH Ravishankar or HH Parthi Sai Ram or whom so
Holy ever for that matter as “TOP PRIORITIES”! Apologies to disappoint you,
definitely in this list, I shall have these people, but may be somewhere near
the bottom – Coz, my very little knowledge in spirituality had never allowed me
so far to write about them!”
And, now, for Science – true to the words – service to
science is service to humankind – Professor.Dr.Uma Shaanker Raman, lives up to
the words point perfectly. It all began when I read Bio-resources
and empire building: what favoured the growth of Vijayanagara Empire? during
2007! Despite the many authors, I was more carried away by his name! Then, from
Sanjeevani plant paper to the sandal paper, read almost all his collections of
general articles! Slowly started following him on google alerts. Most of his
works, fed my hunger to do science! Every student – a science aspirant – would
want to have a flawless mentor who not only helps in mere learning but also
teaches experiences, moulds to be a better person and all that ! Realizing that
my thirst of meeting a real mentor for life, will end, with Prof.Uma Shaanker,
I started to explore ways and means to enter his lab as a student! Fellowships,
internships or whar ever you name it, I had a strong burning desire to join his
lab! Three full years went in vain, for, I had to miss all possible fellowships
that could take me to this lab, to work under his guidance! But, I must
confess, I still remember the attitude of simplicity and the responses that he
shared for every single call or mail of mine, warming my heart.! Finally, a day
came, when I had met him in life for the first time and Oh, What a simple man
he was, then ( He IS, now, as well)! The passion and energy he had for
explaining science is simply unimaginable. He changed the course of history for
me, a newly floundering graduate student, when he introduced me what science
is. Over the period of my association with him, I have learned much from him
about the value of different approaches to scientific inquiry, attention to
detail, and taking risks in the name of discovery and above all enjoying work
especially in lab n field among other things. His knowledge, ideas,
enthusiasm, and vision are pervasive throughout. It was more like a dream come
true, meeting sir and his crew of fantabulous researchers, working with them in
the same lab, under sir’s guidance, I, I fall short of words to express how I
felt…! A person with overwhelming work schedules, still never losing the pace
and temper, trying his best to attend to every student friend of his, a real
multi faceted personality he is ! I was simply impressed with his profile
the first time..
It took 3 full years for me to meet him... eager, excited
and dumb founded I was! You know, there are very less even a hand full of
people, who could carry themselves so perfectly even in the way they
response and my sir is one of them ! And of course, the best, second to none
! His role in my life is very many, yeah, very many! His exemplary nature
of being a human, an ultimate scientist, a quintessential mentor, an archetypal
teacher. . ! Whew! He taught me to open up and question, understand and proceed
and all that! His talks about EGO and HOPE, Brainstorming on statistics, the
Poles apart joke session, the trek with “showww camera” tune with Roshan, every
single, every minute happening is etched in my mind and shall remain for
ever!
Its been roughly 8 years, since I started “following” him
(thank you, google alerts!), and ever since, the mid of March will always
remind me, that, Science was born, on earth, few decades back, defying the
myths and paradox and enlightening Science for Human kind ! And, this is just a
small gratitude, for making me proud student of his, aspiring me to be what I
am now, I know, mere THANKS will NOT SUFFICE. A pride that I shall cherish for
ever, is, I am a student of him, ever! And, I am sure, that every student of yours will carry the same pride as I do !
Happy Birthday, Professor Dr. Uma Shaanker Raman Sir
!
Wishing you more and more years on earth, with good health
and smiles!
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