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23 August 2024 at 4:29:04 pm

Guru of Gurus: Tribute to M.M. Sharma

Luminaries of science and industry at the launch of "Guru of Gurus" at the ICT in Mumabi. Mumbai: In an evening marked by deep reverence and scientific celebration, eminent scientist Dr. Raghunath Anant Mashelkar paid a moving tribute to his mentor, Padma Vibhushan awardee Prof. Man Mohan Sharma. The heartfelt reverence took center stage at the K.V. Auditorium of the Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), where academicians, students, and industry leaders gathered to honor one of India’s...

Guru of Gurus: Tribute to M.M. Sharma

Luminaries of science and industry at the launch of "Guru of Gurus" at the ICT in Mumabi. Mumbai: In an evening marked by deep reverence and scientific celebration, eminent scientist Dr. Raghunath Anant Mashelkar paid a moving tribute to his mentor, Padma Vibhushan awardee Prof. Man Mohan Sharma. The heartfelt reverence took center stage at the K.V. Auditorium of the Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), where academicians, students, and industry leaders gathered to honor one of India’s most distinguished chemical engineers. Speaking passionately at the event, Dr. Mashelkar affectionately addressed Prof. Sharma as his revered "guru." He reflected extensively on Prof. Sharma's pioneering contributions to chemical engineering, placing special emphasis on his unique and visionary approach to science. Dr. Mashelkar noted that his mentor possessed the rare ability to seamlessly bridge the gap between complex fundamental research and tangible, real-world industrial applications. For Dr. Mashelkar, the occasion was not just a formal celebration, but a deeply personal reflection on a mentor whose teachings have left an indelible mark on both academia and the broader industrial landscape of the nation. This gathering of scientific and industrial minds was organized to mark the launch of two significant publications that encapsulate Prof. Sharma’s extraordinary legacy. The releases included a newly penned Gujarati biography and a beautifully curated coffee table book aptly titled "Guru of Gurus," published by Sundaram Digital Publication House. Both works chronicle his unparalleled contributions to science, his philosophy of knowledge-sharing, and his lifelong dedication to mentoring generations of talent. The sentiment of deep respect initiated by Dr. Mashelkar was echoed by other dignitaries throughout the evening. Guest of Honour Madhukar Parekh, Chairman of Pidilite Industries, expanded on this narrative by highlighting Prof. Sharma’s profound structural influence on India’s scientific framework. Parekh emphasized how Prof. Sharma’s steadfast commitment to innovation and his role as an institution-builder have actively shaped countless leaders, entrepreneurs, and technologists across various sectors. Taking the podium amidst the tributes, Prof. Man Mohan Sharma looked toward the future rather than simply reflecting on his past achievements. He shared his enduring dream of elevating ICT to the prestigious status of a Central University, underscoring the institute's immense potential to evolve into a world-class, globally competitive center for science and engineering. Ultimately, the event stood as a fitting and intellectually enriching celebration of a legendary figure. Through the poignant reflections of esteemed peers like Dr. Mashelkar and the launch of these new literary works, the gathering immortalized Prof. Sharma not just for his scientific brilliance, but for his profound dedication to nation-building and his lifelong, guiding role as the ultimate "guru of gurus."

Bhujbal opposes Maratha GR

Mumbai: In a major development food and civil supplies minister and senior OBC leader Chhagan Bhujbal has opposed the government resolution (GR) issued by the state government in order to end the Maratha quota stir in Mumbai on September 2 and said that it should be quashed or modified.


In an 8-page letter written to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Bhujbal has sought withdrawal or modification in the GR regarding the implementation of Hyderabad Gazette which may pave way for the Maratha community to get Kunbi (OBC) status.


“I’ve written the letter in my capacity as the founder-president of Akhil Bharatiya Mahatma Phule Samata Parishad. Our lawyers have prepared it. It has mentioned several legal issues in it. I presented the letter to the Chief Minister. He has carefully read it,” Bhujbal told the media after the cabinet meeting on Tuesday.


“The government came out with the GR on September 2. They should have ensured that it doesn’t make any injustice to the over 350 casts included under Other Backward Category (OBC) while issuing the GR. But it appears that the state government has not taken enough precaution. Hence, we are now demanding that it be quashed or corrected. We have given the letter stating so to the government. We shall also move the court on the issues raised in the letter,” Bhujbal added.


He stated that the GR was issued in haste, under the tremendous pressure of one powerful community, without it being put before the Cabinet, not considering any objections and suggestions. While stating that the Maratha community can be educationally and economically backward, Bhujbal added that it certainly is not socially backward community. He further pointed out that since Maratha community has already been granted 10 per cent reservation under SEBC Act of 2024; the GR is rendered unlawful as it permits the Maratha community from getting the benefit of two types of reservations.


The letter has also raised objection over the mention of Maratha community in the GR. “It should have been mentioned as OBC or Kunbi or Maratha-Kunbi or Kunbi-Maratha. But, these words have been avoided,” Bhujbal said.


“Secondly, the various pronouncements of the Supreme Court and the High Courts and the consequent Acts passed by the State Legislature streamlining the qualifications and procedure for obtaining OBC caste certificates have been ignored, and in so far as the Marathas are concerned, the GR dated Sept. 2 makes a departure from the established procedure for caste verification and obtaining caste validity for all castes. Having, two different procedures for the same class i.e. OBCs, amounts to arbitrary action and invidious discrimination which has no nexus to a common object viz. verification and grant of caste certificate,” the letter said.


It also mentioned that one caste could not have been singled out and be given a special treatment for facilitating the issuance of caste certificates to them, leaving out other reserved backward categories.


The letter mentioned that affidavit ‘cannot and ought not to form the basis of caste certificates or belonging to a caste’ – as mentioned in the GR.


“In any case, affidavits to be used to decide or determine the caste of an individual is an unknown concept or the determination of caste in India, especially when it concerns the establishment of facts to secure constitutional protection of reservation in education and employment,” it said.


Meanwhile, state minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, who heads the state cabinet sub-committee on Maratha quota, on Tuesday said that decisions regarding reservations are already being implemented and there is no question of a rollback.


Speaking to reporters after a meeting of the cabinet sub-committee, Vikhe Patil said that OBC leader and state Minister Chhagan Bhujbal's "misunderstandings" on the issue would be clarified in person.


Vikhe Patil said, "The committee has kept its doors open for discussions with everyone. The effort is to preserve social harmony in the state, and the sub-committee is working on that line under the chief minister's guidance."


The meeting reviewed the implementation of the decision to issue caste certificates based on the Hyderabad and Satara gazetteers.

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