top of page

By:

Correspondent

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."

The Power-packed Pawars

Updated: Oct 22, 2024

Pawars

November may see a repeat of April 2024—where two close relatives of the powerful Pawar family may battle it out against each other at the ballot box in Baramati. During the Lok Sabha elections earlier this year, Baramati became the most-watched contest as senior Pawar’s daughter Supriya Sule defeated her sister-in-law Sunetra Pawar by a resounding margin. When Sunetra got elected to the Rajya Sabha in June, she became the fifth member of the influential Pawar family to hold public office.


The Pawar clan is deeply entrenched in politics and public life with Pawar having personally groomed several members of the family, even merely by example. The family currently has three members in Parliament and two in the Maharashtra legislative assembly, spanning three generations.


His older brother’s son Ajit, who Pawar groomed for a role in politics, split from the parent party in 2023 throwing the two factions into a bitter legal battle over the party name and symbol. While Ajit retained the original party name and symbol, for now, Pawar’s party has had to reb-brand his party as the NCP-SP with a ‘man blowing the trumpet’ as its electoral symbol.


Ajit made his foray into public life with cooperatives in Baramati and Pune and has subsequently been elected to the Maharashtra Assembly seven times from Baramati. He rose to the position of Maharashtra’s deputy chief minister with key ministries such as finance and home. With a reputation of being a taskmaster, he’s known for his administrative and political acumen.


Pawar’s daughter Supriya Sule was elected to the Rajya Sabha in 2006 and has been representing her hometown Baramati in the Lok Sabha since 2009. In 2019, Rohit Pawar, who is the senior Pawar’s brother’s grandson, contested and won the elections to the legislative assembly from Karjat. The same year, Ajit’s older son Parth unsuccessfully contested the Lok Sabha elections.


The Lok Sabha elections in 2024 saw Ajit’s wife, Sunetra emerge as yet another member of the family to enter electoral politics although numerous members of the family have been involved in political work and social causes in Baramati and Pune. Pawar’s brothers’ families work closely with the Agriculture Development Trust and other NGOs and forums.


Ajit may face his own brother Shrinivas Pawar’s son, Yugendra from the Baramati in this election, making it a face-off between two generations.

Comments

bottom of page