Saturday was Teachers' Day. I received many SMSs, emails and even calls from you students. Thanks for all the affection.
Some months ago, my PhD advisor at IIT, Prof. Subhash Wadhwa, died of oesophagal cancer. It must have been caused by acid reflux, it manifested itself first as difficulty in swallowing and then it quickly consumed him. He was quite young still.
What I liked about Prof. Wadhwa that even while pursuing research he believed that application of the research was equally or more important. And he cared more about individuals than about industry or research or academic systems.
I also admired him for returning to India after a PhD and some years of working in Ireland, simply to be with his parents. This was far more uncommon at the time than it is now. In fact, this was partly the reason for his empathy with me when I first returned to India in 1996.
I owe him a great debt as he helped me along towards my PhD even as I was straining under the workload of a startup company. He was always encouraging and never harsh or negative. PhD advisors are seldom that way.
Isn't it good to be remembered by people in an affectionate way even after you are gone?
We met a few times towards the end. The meetings were not sad, they were full of jokes and laughter even though our hearts were aching. He gave me some advice: "Respect your body, don't push it too hard for too long. Be sure to eat well, don't keep up the youthful habit of skipping meals when you are no longer young. And be sure to take time out for the things that are really important."
Ho umr-e-khizra bhi to kahenge ba-waqt-e-marg
Hum kya rahe yahaan abhi aaye abhi chaley!
6 comments:
Hello Sir,
Good Morning.
I also remember my school teachers. We all friends gathered on Rakhi at my hometown. We all went to our school and thanked them to teach us. They were very happy by knowing that some of us doing good jobs and some of us still studying.
Dr Wadhwa taught Manas and myself at IIT Delhi. He was an affable, friendly, cooperative Professor. I loved his sessions. I loved his style. He was a true mentor. May his soul rest in peace.
Good Morning Sir
I will take this as a suggestion because it happened with me as I escaped my meals and due to less hours of sleep I was down with typhiod for 20 days during which I lost very important days @ proton. So now I am not escaping my meals any longer.
Once I have read the interview of Mr.Gopalakrishnan of Tata Sons, which stated that you have to take good care of your health and if you are not able to do so you will not succeed because if your body(health) will not be with you then how success will be with you.
Thank You Sir
Pankaj Gangwani
Spring 2009
Indore
Dear Sir,
The story of Prof. Wadhwa instills faith in us that no matter where we go and what we become we should never forget our teachers who are the biggest contributors in our life after our parents. It was a great post and i really cherished it, I would like to thank you Sir for reminding me of the teachers who taught me in the school and college.
Sir thanks for sharing the advice given by your Prof.
True, it is difficult to forget one's teachers. I remember the farewell party at school - many years ago - where I gave a short "thank you" talk. I said then, "We don't know what to thank you for, teachers, because we no longer know where we end and you begin. Our knowledge, our thoughts and even our character is yours." I still feel that way!
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