It was his dedication for science and hard work that paved the way for Dr CNR Rao, to the highest civilian honour, Bharat Ratna, says Dr AK Ganguli, former student of the illustrious scientist and currently the director of Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Mohali.
Ganguly joined Rao as a student in 1984, at the Indian Institute of Sciences a year before, the eminent scientist won the Padma Vibhushan. By this time the scientist, had proved his mettle in material chemistry and was representing India at the global level. CNR Rao, 79, was on November 16 conferred with the Bharat Ratna along with former cricketer Sachin Tendulkar which was announced by the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee.
lot has been said about the cricketing legend, Sachin Tendulkar and his achievements, but ‘Sir’, as Dr Ganguli addresses Rao, is also an epitome of patience, perseverance and hard work, which has make him stand out of the crowd during his time and helped him reach the pinnacle of success.
“I still need to learn time management from him,” says Dr Ganguli reminiscing the old days and his own disciplined teacher. “I have not even achieved half of what he has done, but still I am here for my undeterred love for science. Sometimes I end up in my office till late in the night while working, but Sir was a magician. He was a 10-to-5 person, but never ever missed on his work.”
Prof Rao has published around 1,500 research papers and 45 books. Prof Rao’s contributions have been recognised by most major scientific academies around the world through conferment of memberships and fellowships. He has been honoured with several national and international awards and all these show his dedication towards science, which has always been his main priority.
Recalling one of the incidents which showed how dedicated Rao was to his work, his former student said, “Once I was working in the laboratory with other fellows at IISC, Bangalore and we all knew that Sir is in london undergoing a by pass surgery.”
Rao underwent two by pass surgeries, but even this didn’t defer him from the work and with passing time he got more and more dedicate towards his work, because the motto of his life was to do something exemplary in the field of science and contribute to his country.
“It was an evening of 1986, and suddenly the laboratory door opened and we saw, Rao peeping in. He had a child like smile on his face when he saw that we are working. He flew in from london, after his surgery, that evening and the first thing on his list was to visit IISC,” added Ganguli. This shows that it was work and science which gave him ultimate solace.
Rao has been in the news for his flamboyant attitude and outspoken nature. He has also been the scientific adviser to the Government of India since the time of Indira Gandhi. But he is a self made man and the best thing about him is that he leads by example and never ever let any body do his work.
“In IISC, it was a common practice during our time, we used to carry our mentors bag when they walked back to their lodgings from work, a way of showing respect. But Rao never let anybody carry his bag,” said the Director of IST, Mohali.
Once I saw him at an airport in Brazil, by that time he had underwent two by pass surgeries, dragging a heavy suitcase. I went up to him and offered help, but being his natural self he rejected my offer by saying, ‘Ganguli the day I won’t be able to carry my own luggage I will retire’,” said Dr Ganguli.
“I have learned a lot from him, added his former student. I can write papers even while standing in trains, a thing that I have learned from Sir. He is really unbiased and a figure of repute in the scientific arena, he deserved the Bharat Ratna, and all I can say is that contemporary scientist should take a lesson or two from him and make our country proud with their research,” added an emotional Dr Ganguli.