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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."

Water Crisis Looming Over

Fetching drinking water is a backbreaking daily routine for women in India. Even without enduring the scorching summer months or the freezing winters, they walk for miles every day, balancing pots and buckets for some water for daily chores is hectic and tiresome daily routine for millions of women in most of the parts of Maharashtra. According to a recent report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Unicef, 1.8 billion people worldwide collect drinking water from supplies located off premises, and in seven out of 10 households, women and girls are primarily responsible for water collection. This is particularly true in India where, experts say, the need to secure drinking water is holding women back and hindering economic growth. While nearly 50.2 percent of the households have access to tap water in the state, less than 32 percent of this water is treated, while only 42 percent of the rural population has access to drinking water within the household premises.


However, the situation in Maharashtra’s rural part is gloomy virtually every year. The state faces acute drinking water shortage due to poor monsoon and abandoned water conservation schemes. Water stock in dams starts reducing in the month of January and in some districts and the administration starts supplying water through tankers. This is not for a particular period but by and large the same picture is seen every year. The government announced various schemes. Some of them started and the inauguration took place with much pomp. After some time everything came to a grinding halt.


In 2018, the state launched a Project on Climate Resilient Agriculture (PoCRA) also known as Nanaji Deshmukh Krushi Sanjeevani Prakalp. It aimed to increase the adaptive capacity of marginalised farmers from 5,142 villages in 15 districts of the Marathwada region. The total cost of the project was estimated to be Rs 4,000 crore, 30 percent of which was to be borne by the state while the remaining by the World Bank. What happened to this scheme even officials in the department are unaware of. There have been other schemes and interventions from the state government such as the Integrated Watershed Development Program, Marathwada Water Grid Project, Gaalmukt Dharan and Gaalyukt Shivar among others. Schemes took off well, initial provisions for the fund were also made but after that nothing.


The schemes remained on paper and the government failed to provide any relief to farmers and rural inhabitants barring tanker supply during the summer.


According to the Groundwater Survey and Development Agency (GSDA), water levels have gone down to 3 metres from 1 metre in villages across 245 of 353 Maharashtra talukas between 2014 and 2019. Climate change is making the state more vulnerable. Maharashtra has experienced a seven-fold and six-fold increase in drought and flood events over the past 50 years, according to a Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) report.

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