Souvenir Golden Jublee

Monument installed on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of NITR
NITRAA GOLDEN JUBILEE HOME COMING 2010
THIS SOUVENIR IS PUBLISHED

ON THE OCCASION OF THE
GOLDEN JUBILEE
IN COMMEMORATION OF THE
50TH YEAR
OF GLORIOUS EXISTENCE OF THE
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY,
ROURKELA
AND
THE GLOBAL HOME COMING
OF ITS ALUMNI
***
TH TH
25 & 26 DECEMBER, 2010
ROURKELA
i
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, ROURKELA
Editor
Lalatendu Rath
Souvenir Committee
Lalatendu Rath (1970, Mech)..Chairman

Ashok Biswal (1980 El.)…Co-Chairman
Sanjay Mohanty, (1980 El)
Subrat Behera (1996, Mech)
Design & Layout

Lalatendu Rath
Graphics
Siba Prasad Patra
Photographs contributed by
P C Sahu - 1965, Dr. Bimbadhar Satpathy - 1965, Bijay Dash - 1965,
Dr. Bhagaban Jena - 1965, Santosh Biswal - 1968, Chivaji Raja - 1971,
Lalatendu Rath - 1970, Dr. Saroj Kumar Patel - 1985,
Sidhartha Kumar Bhuyan - 1970, Pradyot Nandy - 1970, V Govardhan Patnaik - 1970,
Rajkishor Pati - 1973, Dipankar Bose - 1983, Dr. Himanshu Bhushan Sahu - 1995,
Rameswar prusty - 1995, Dr. Ashutosh Roul - 1996, Dr. Swati Mohanty - 1983,
Santosh Upadhyay, and Binoy Behera
Cover Design
Manabendu Rath
ii
RAJ BHAVAN
BHUBANESWAR - 751008
Tel: 91-674-2536111/2536222
Fax : 91-674-2536582, E-mail: govori@ori.nic in
Website: www.rajbhavanorissa.gov in
Murlidhar C. Bhandare
Governor, Orissa December 6, 2010
MESSAGE
I am glad to know that National Institute of Technology, Rourkela Alumni

Association is organizing the Global Alumni Homecoming - a unique function
of its kind on December 25-26, 2010. A souvenir is being brought out on the
occasion.
NIT, previously known as the REC, has already produced more than fifteen
thousand technocrats who have lent their technological expertise in many
spheres at the national as well as international level. In the process of
infrastructure building and industrialization, their contribution has been
immense. It is only natural that NIT, Rourkela will scale greater heights in future
in the field of technology and research.
Global Alumni Homecoming will be a happy and joyous occasion, for this will
present a unique opportunity to share experience as is done among family
members.
I wish the endeavour all success.
Murlidhar C. Bhandare
iii
MINISTER OF
HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES
COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
GOVTERNMENT OF INDIA
NEW DELHI - 110 115
Kapil Sibal
MESSAGE
National Institute of Technology, Rourkela (NITR), today is amongst the top

NlTs in the country. The holistic education that NITR imparts to our youth has
given fillip to some of India’s best and talented young technocrats.
I am told that its alumni occupy the highest positions nationally and internationally
in R&D, business, Industry, social service and even government.
I am happy to learn that the institute Is celebrating its golden jubilee this year. i
applaud the services of the faculty, alumni and students of this eminent institute
and extend my best wishes for many more years of NITR’s purposeful service
to the nation.
Kapil Sibal
iv
NAVEEN PATNAIK
Chief Minister, Orissa
MESSAGE
I am glad to know that the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Rourkela is

observing its golden jubilee on 25th & 26’vh December, 2010 and a souvenir is
being brought out in commemoration.
In the engineering field of Orissa, NIT, Rourkela stands apart in providing

quality education to its students. Over the years, the reputation of the college
has grown manifold. I hope, the college will strive hard to scale new height of
success.
I convey my warm greetings to both the teachers and the students on occasion
of the golden jubilee celebrations and wish the publication all success.
Naveen Patnaik
v
SOMNATH MISRA
Sc.D (Mass. Inst. Technology), USA
Formerly, Principal, Regional Engineering College, Rourkela
Tata Chair Professor, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur
Director, Biju Patnaik National Steel Institute, Puri 9th November, 2010
MESSAGE
On my return to Rourkela on 22 October 2010, from a four-month visit to USA,

I found endearing le ers from Ers. SKS Narayan & Bharat Bhusan reques ng
message for the souvenir & par cipa on in the forthcoming Global Homecoming
of the Alumni coinciding with Golden Jubilee Celebra on of our NIT, Rourkela. How
me flies! I consider it a tryst with des ny to witness this historic event. Our REC,
now evolved to NIT, is a tes mony to the indomitable venture of Late Biju Patnaik
towards the genera on of technologists, engineers & knowledge workers, who have
not only contributed to the industrial, scien fic & economic upli of Odisha but
also on a Na onal & Global scale. When Humayun Kabir, the then Union Minister
of Human Resource Development, declined in 1961 to sanc on a REC to Odisha,
Biju Patnaik, the then Chief Minister took the bold but unusual step to ins tute the
REC at Rourkela purely as a state-funded venture, on the Independence Day of that
year. Six months later, the Union Government realized their mistake and adopted
the baby engineering college as a regular REC. The rest of the saga and march of
the blossoming emana ng from that humble concep on is history.
When I moved from Banaras Hindu University to join REC as Principal in 1974 I was
impressed by the unique character and plurality of the college. We had all along
a symbio c rela on with the Old Boys Associa on (OBA), in collabora on with
whom we celebrated the Crystal Jubilee of the college during August 1976. The
Founder Principal Prof. Bhubaneswar Behera, who was then the Vice-Chancellor of
the Sambalpur University, inaugurated it. A Na onal Seminar on “Role of Engineers
in Industrial Development” was conducted to mark the occasion. Together with
the OBA we ins tuted out of the savings of generated-funds, an award to the “Best
All Rounder” of the Gradua ng Class, & the “Dis nguished Alumnus Award”, by
which we felicitated our dis nguished alumnus of preceding 15 years for significant
professional contribu ons and achievements.
Time moved on and our REC evolved with ins tu on of several new & relevant
disciplines, academic programmes and co-and extra-curricular ac vi es. We
celebrated the historic silver jubilee of the college in October 1986 in collabora on
with the OBA. Our Founder Biju Patnaik, the then Leader of the Opposi on in
Odisha Legisla ve Assembly, was with us for the memorable event which was
inaugurated by the then Governor Sri B N Pande. The unique character of the
REC’s as the fountainhead of Na onal Integra on through the medium of technical
educa on was highlighted in the cultural event “Around India in Three Hours”,
directed by Prof. H S Nagabhushaniah. The students of different states of the
country presented cultural programmes of their region; even the students from
vi
Nepal presented a dance item of their country. In addi on to a souvenir published

by the current students, the OBA brought out another souvenir highligh ng their
love and a achment to the Alma Mater-the Academic Mother. The OBA generated
funds to append an Alumni Home to the college guest house, which was
inaugurated by Hon’ble B N Pande, Governor on 29 October 1986, and the founda on

stone of which was laid on 28 April 1985 by Prof. Bhubaneswar Behera.
The experiment of the system of Regional Engineering Colleges as the joint sector
ins tu on of the state & the central governments proved to be a failure, primarily
because of lack of coopera on between the federal cons tuents, and because
of devolving the Chairmanship of the ins tu on to a poli cal personality whose
priori es superseded that of the ins tu on. Academic affilia on to another
university created undue delays in curricular moderniza on & declara on of results.
The role of bureaucrats in management of technical ins tu ons created further
hurdles. These defects were diagnosed as early as 1974 in the Jaikrishna Commi ee
Report. It goes to the credit of Murli Manohar Joshi, the Union Minister for Human
Resources in 2002, who converted the RECs, though belatedly, to Na onal Ins tutes
of Technology, enabling them to the status of University and centralized funding
& accountability as in the case of Indian Ins tutes of Technology. An academician,
or a dis nguished technologist-and not a poli cian-is the Chairman of Board of
Governors. However, the many other unique posi ve character of RECs, such as
all India student admission based on state quota, ins tu on of courses of studies
based on regional priori es should not be sacrificed.
Now our REC, transformed to NIT, is fi y years old having a ained manhood
and excellent stature. As we celebrate this landmark leaving behind footprints in
the sands of me, we pause to plan ahead. There are other jubilees-diamond,
pla num, centenary-beckoning and NITRAA have a role to inspire those events.
The reputa on and fame created & dissipated by them ensures that the process of
evolu on con nues. What started as a State REC, has been upgraded to real REC
and then on to NIT. The global meet of NITRAA must have a vision to carry forward
this Alma Mater to Interna onal or Global stature.
I congratulate the NITRAA for their love & a achment to their Alma Mater as
shown by their Homecoming. I wish this unique confluence the best of success.
Somnath
S th Mi
Misra
vii
Prof (Dr.) Ashok Kumar Mohanty

FIE (I), FIIM
B.Sc. (Met. Engg.) (Banaras)
M.Met. (Sheffield), Ph.D.(Sheffield)
Ex-Principal, REC (presently NIT), Rourkela 1st December, 2010
MESSAGE
It gives me great pleasure to learn that the Na onal Ins tute of Technology,
Rourkela Alumni Associa on (NITRAA) is bringing out a Souvenir on the occasion
of the celebra on of the Golden Jubilee Alumni Home Coming of the Ins tute in
December 2010.
The Golden Jubilee of an Ins tute is a very significant milestone in the history of
the Ins tute, when the staff, students, employees and par cularly the alumni look
back with good memories associated with the Ins tute over the last 50 years. Each
alumnus is bound to feel nostalgic about his or her mes at the ins tute in the
company of his or her dear friends. A B.Tech. graduate during his or her four years
of study grows up from a young adolescent to a mature and responsible ci zen of
the country.
Personally, I was associated with the Ins tute since March 1969, first as an Asst.
Professor, then a Professor and finally the Principal of the then REC. I feel proud
of this associa on and have enjoyed every minutes of my tenure here. It may
be a coincidence that I obtained my B.Tech. degree from B.H.U. in 1961 and also
comple ng the golden jubilee of my career. I feel as if I was des ned to take up my
life’s journey for 50 years along with this great Ins tute.
Finally, I wish all the members of NITRAA the very best in their lives. They should
con nue to strive for the glory of the Ins tute forever. My best wishes for the
Souvenir.
Ashok Kumar Mohanty
viii
Prof. (Dr.) D. V. Raman Rao

Retd. Professor & Head of Chemistry Dept
1st December, 2010
Regional Engineering College, Rourkela Visakhapatnam
MESSAGE
My Dear Rengcollians,
Thank you very much for your kind invita on to a end the Golden Jubilee
Home Coming of our Ins tute scheduled on Dec 25-26, 2010.
It would have been a pleasure to a end the celebra on, but I regret
my inability to do so, although I could have met a large number of
alumni occupied in many posi ons in industry & teaching on this occasion.
I pray to God almighty to bless our Ins tute to grow further in the years to
come.
My best wishes to all the par cipants of the func on.
Prof. (Dr.) D. V. Raman Rao
ix
STEEL AUTHORITY OF INDIA LIMITED

S N SINGH
Managing Director ROURKELA STEEL PLANT
MESSAGE
It is indeed very heartening to learn that the Na onal Ins tute of Technology (NIT),
Rourkela has entered its Golden Jubilee Year and Na onal Ins tute of Technology
Rourkela Alumni Associa on (NITRAA) is organizing a grand celebra on to
commemorate this historic occasion on 25th and 26th December, 2010.
NIT, Rourkela is today one of the premier technical ins tutes of the country. Over
the years it has redefined paradigms and set several benchmarks in technical
educa on. Its illustrious alumni have brought glory to their alma mater both at the
na onal as well as interna onal level.
Rourkela Steel Plant shares a rela onship of synergy and synthesis with the noble
ins tu on. Many of our engineers have had the dis nc on of studying in the
hallowed portals of NIT. The Steel Plant and NIT have also collaborated in many
projects establishing new standards in the field of technology.
I am confident the celebra ons, which will bring together some of the best minds
the world over, will be a great occasion for celebra ng the past as well as forging
new bonds for the future.
I wish the Golden Jubilee celebra on of NIT, Rourkela a grand success.
Shesh
hesh Narayan Singh
Sh
x
Prof. Dr. Sunil Ku. Sarangi

Former Director, NIT, Rourkela
No. NITR/DR/Message/2010/L/1787
2nd November, 2010
MESSAGE
Alumni of any Ins tute cons tute a permanent and valuable resource. It is through its alumni that
an ins tute presents itself to the world outside. Alumni’s performance on the job, their a tude
towards their colleagues and customers tells volumes about the academic and cultural standards
of an ins tute much before printed brochures reach the public.
In recent mes, alumni around the world are taking affirma ve steps towards growth of their alma
maters. They are holding conven ons, seminars and road shows about their ins tutes in their ci es
of residence; they are persuading their employers to support R & D in their alma maters; they are
crea ng networks to assist younger genera ons to find training sites, employment and business
opportuni es; and many of them, not necessarily wealthy, are providing direct financial assistance
to students and faculty. Such financial supports, though miniscule in front of the massive Govern-
ment grants, is helping the ins tutes meet those cri cal expenditure needs which Government
grants cannot support. Alumni are shaping the future of their ins tutes.
NIT Rourkela boasts of the most dynamic, professionally successful and intensely nostalgic alumni
among the leading ins tutes of our country. Our alumni have assisted the Ins tute in many differ-
ent ways and more have explicitly expressed a desire to make visible contribu ons. I really hope
that, someday soon, alumni of NIT Rourkela will create news by making big and noteworthy contri-
bu ons to student welfare, business innova on and research programs, just like their counterparts
in the other ins tutes that I have been associated with. The Income tax Department of the Govern-
ment of India has already made contribu ons to NIT Rourkela, 100% tax exempt, under Sec on 80G
of Income Tax Act.
The NIT Rourkela Alumni Associa on (NITRAA), which originated as a small private society of
Rourkela based alumni, is slowly acquiring a na onal, even interna onal character. The old con-
s tu on, designed for city based par cipants, even a er some recent amendments, is a strong
demo vator against integra on of global alumni. I am very hopeful that the large congrega on of
alumni, expected to take place at NIT Campus on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee Celebra on,
will trigger greater interest in growth of the Ins tute among alumni living across the country and
around the world. I also hope the NITRAA cons tu on will be amended to give equal respect and
recogni on to all the alumni irrespec ve of their place of work par cularly the younger genera on.
The Rotary Interna onal and interna onal professional socie es provide excellent models to fol-
low. I am also hopeful that the associa on will ac vely sponsor among its members the ins tute’s
programs for alumni par cipa on in the development process.
On behalf of the Ins tute, it is an honour for me to invite all the delegates to the Golden Jubilee
Alumni Meet to be held in NIT campus in December. I will not be personally present to welcome the
par cipants as the Director. My successor Prof. P. C. Panda, a long standing member of the NIT fam-
ily, will certainly do that with heart-felt cordiality. We are indeed gra fied that a thousand alumni
and their families have expressed their desire to take the pain of travelling to Rourkela without the
travel infrastructure that most other places take for granted. I hope your stay at NIT campus will be
a pleasant one. I record my apprecia on of the hard work put in by my colleagues Prof. K. C. Patra,
Prof. K. K. Mohapatra and many others, our alumni colleagues Sri S. K. S. Narayan, Sri Kumar Behera
and the en re team of alumni and student volunteers.
With best wishes,
Sunil Kumar Sarangi
xi
Prof. Prafulla Chandra Panda

Director, NITR
3rd December, 2010
MESSAGE
It is my pride, pleasure and privilege to address all my faculty colleagues, students,

staff members, alumni and all concerned when our Ins tute is all set to observe the
Golden Jubilee Celebra ons. Over the last half century, NIT Rourkela has passed
through many phases of success as well as of hardship but has always come out
with glory and dignity. In the last 49 glorious years, it has groomed thousands
of students who have achieved unparalleled excellence in their personal and
professional lives and have made their presence felt all over the world. However,
I believe that we s ll have to go many more miles before we actually become a
global leader in engineering educa on and research. Today, every faculty, staff and
student of NIT Rourkela is passionately commi ed to the mission of making our
na on a world leader in technology and science and nurtures this commitment
with honesty, hard work and team spirit.
It gives me immense pleasure and great sense of honour to cordially invite you
to our great Ins tute and to its beau ful campus to be a part of the forthcoming
Golden Jubilee Celebra ons. These celebra ons will showcase our rich tradi ons
and achievements and mark the beginning of a new era.
rof Prafulla Chandra

Prof. Chandr Panda
xii
S.K.S. Narayan
President, NITRAA
Former Director (Commercial and Operation), VSP, RINL NITRAA
N - 2/77, IRC Village, Bhubaneswar - 751015 November 22, 2010
MESSAGE
I feel nostalgic when I sit down to write this note for Golden Jubilee Home Coming. In fact it is also
golden jubilee for us, of entering into the roll of erstwhile REC, Rourkela, with iden ty as pioneer
batch of Rengcollians. We started our Rengcollian student career in a sort of camp life, in the ITI
at Panposh with make-shi classrooms and witnessed with curiosity, construc on of our beloved
Alma Mater brick by brick. We were like a group of travellers char ng an unknown path with a spirit
of fellowship. Our journey in RECR was buoyant and marked by exuberance and thrill. Our teachers
were noble and nice, considerate and caring. Professor Behera in his unique inborn spirit, took
all- faculty, staff and students in one fold, the fold of Rengcollians’ family, with members bound
to each other by the glue of love and trust. He was indeed the loving, understanding father of the
Rengcollian family.
We have withstood the trauma of communal violence in 1964, when we had sheltered hundreds of
vic ms for a number of days and had got an apprecia on le er from President, USA. We had closed
our doors and barred the students’ strike of 1964 that swept across Odisha from entering our
campus. We have tried to establish a good tradi on of camaraderie and fellowship and have always
tried to conduct ourselves with dignity and uphold the honour of our Alma Mater. Like a dream,
the four years had passed. A er passing out in 1965, following the tradi on of leading educa onal
ins tu ons, we founded the Old Boys’ Associa on. During the ini al period, in the year 1966, I
was the Secretary of the Associa on with Professor Behera as the President. It was a wish of my
NITRaan siblings and I consider it a privilege to have donned the mantle of president ship of NITRAA
in the golden jubilee year of our Alma Mater. I feel with this, life has come full circle for me.
In the life of an Ins tu on, Golden Jubilee is a significant landmark. It is a defining moment, to
retrospect and prospect, to take stock of achievements of yesteryears and set benchmarks for
coming years. NITRaans have given an excellent account of themselves in diverse fields; be it design
& engineering, shopfloor, so ware, space research, entrepreneurship or administra ve service. It
is par cularly gra fying, rather I feel proud to note the magnificent strides made by my younger
NITRaans. I cherish a humble wish, quite achievable, for my Alma Mater. May she a ain the topmost
slot among NITs within coming five years!
I am acutely aware of the weaknesses of our Alumni Associa on and the gap between the Alumni
and the Alma Mater. I perceive the ensuing Home Coming to be a launching pad to take a leap
forward, to usher in a revolu on to adequately address the above areas. May the Golden Jubilee
Home Coming evoke and establish a spirit of camaraderie among Alumni, strong and enduring.
May the Alumni renew and reinforce their bond among themselves as well as with the Alma Mater
to intervene in a construc ve manner and contribute their might for a aining this dream.
Man lives on hope. I hope that the global Home coming shall be the turning point for our associa on
and shall act like a wish-fulfilling tree.
I wish the Golden Jubilee Home Coming a historic success.
S K S Narayan
S.K.S. N
xiii
C ON T E N T S
EDITORIAL Lalatendu Rath xvi
1. T R I B U T E S
To Sir with love Sakya Singh Mahapatra 02
The Parijata Bharat Bhusan Mohanty 06
Gratitude to my idol Prashant Routray 10
My Mentor, My Motivator Nalini Ranjan Mohanty 14
Foot prints of a great Man Amar Behera 17
The Doyen of Technical Education Mrs. Pramila Panda 19
Sage of the Koel N R Mohanty & K P Barik 22
A Loving Teacher Dr. Swati Mohanty 24
A Visionary, Par excellence Santosh Upadhyay 26
2. A L M A M A T E R
History of NITR Dr. Saroj Kumar Patel 29
Vision of NITR as a dream institute Ashok Tripathy 39
NITRAA & NIT Dr. Himanshu Bhushan sahu 42
Modern Gurukuls, Gurus and the Shishyas Prof. Dr. G. K. Roy 46
A Technical University in Orissa
- the first attempt Amar Behera 49
The early history of NITR Alumni
Association in North America Dr. Debendra Das 52
A Brief History of Alumni Association Bharat Bhusan Mohanty 56
Information Related to Alma Mater Dr. Saroj Kumar Patel 58
- Succession list of Principals & Directors
- Best Alumnus awards
- Best All-rounder awards
- Athletic records set by students
3. R E M I N I S C E N C E S
A Letter from the Grand Patriarch Prof. Bhubaneswar Behera 63
First year of the First batch…1961 Purna Chandra Sahu 65
REC Rourkela and me Prof. Dr. Bimbadhar Satpathy 69
My reminiscences at the Alma Mater Prof. Dr. Bhagaban Jena 73
Class of 1968 Santosh Biswal 76
Reflections and Musings Jnana Ranjan Dash 78
Friends of a Golden era Prashant Routray 81
A piece of history Raj Kishor Pati 86
Once upon a time Ashok Dash 88
Growing up Binoy Behera 90
Hostel life – a flash back Shivaji Raja 93
Down the memory lane Pradyot Nandy Mazumdar 96
My Memorable experiences at REC Dr. Debendra Das 99
Behind the scene Akhila T 101
Here, Life is doomed Ram Mohanty 104
That great day! V Govardhan Patnaik 107
From the corridors of Memory Dr. Ashutosh Roul 108
Trials and triumphs of being good Rameswar Prusty 111
Recollections Dr. Himanshu Bhushan Sahu 113
A few memories of Halcyon times Bharatendu Deo 116
xiv
Golden Days! Dipankar Bose 120

Go, conquere the world! Avneet Bhatia 121
4. P O E M S
Almighty! Niranjan Rath 124
There is no forgetting Ashutosh Parida 125
Motherland of my dream Raghunath Patnaik 126
Rengcol, I adore you Dhruba Ranjan Biswas 127
An ode to our Alma mater Chinmoy Dash 128
A tribute to my Alma mater Nivedita Patnaik (Roy) 129
How golden the days were! Ajay Kumar Mohapatra 130
Dear fond Alma mater! Sagar Mohanty & Dr. Padmaja Patnaik 131
5. P E R S O N A L S P A C E
Golden Rules of Self-management Ashok Dash 133
My journey in dance Chittaranjan Acharya 137
Spirituality for self-development Laxmidhar Behera 140
That horrible night! Sudhanshu Pradhan 143
Poetry in the life of an Engineer Ashok Biswal 145
Nightmare Bharat Bhushan Mohanty 147
Ad Mission Shantanu Chakravarty 149
Search for happiness Kumar Behera 152
6. T E C H N I C A L
The conundrum : Internet, the ubiquitous
world wide web and the new frontier Sudhanshu (Sam) M. Mohanty 155
Digital convergence Purna Chandra Sahu 159
Education and research opportunities in
Nanaoscience & Nanotechnology in India Subhranshu Sekhar Samal 162
Soil Pollution Hrushikesh Naik 165
7. C O L L E C T I O N
To every Indian Kamalakanta Mohanty 169
15 Laws of life Dr. Ajodhyanath Dash 171
Spiritual analysis of Namaskar Fakir Charan Mohanty 172
Fun of getting old Rajkishor Pati 175
To all retired friends Nadia Chandra Champati 176
How to avoid stress Sanjay Kumar Mohanty 177
Read this once a week and live happily Ashok Wadhwa 179
Committees
- Alumni Association 180
- Working committes of Golden Jubilee Home Coming Celebration 181
- Executive committee of NITRAA 184
xv
Lalatendu Rath
Editor 10th December, 2010
E D I T O R I A L
50th year in the life of an ins tu on comes only once in a life me. The Golden Jubilee moment of
our Alma Mater is here bringing cheers and a sense of fulfillment all around. While we rejoice the
sweetness of the moment, our heart goes out to those, who have in the mean while departed to
their heavenly abode and are no more here to enjoy this day with us.
Let us spare a moment of silence in their honour!
Friends, this day has come reminding us of the vision, dedica on and applica on of a galaxy of
visionaries, teachers, staff and many thousands of students, who have given their best to bring
to our Alma mater the glory it enjoys today as a leading ins tu on of technical educa on in the
country. The journey of these fi y years carry the stamp of many a ributes that have defined this
great ins tu on and this spirit is reflected in the theme of the cover design.
I feel happy to have been associated with the making of this souvenir. A wide variety of ar cles have
been contributed by the alumni and have been placed in the souvenir under seven categories, the
largest quite obviously being the one under “Reminiscences”. Authors have reminisced about the
days le behind in the bosom of the Alma mater long back, with a mix of sen ment, fun and even
a bit of mischief here and there. The readers would find the ar cles quite absorbing and would find
themselves swaying back to their own landscapes of the past.
One painful memory that haunts many of the authors is about the pangs they suffered during
ragging. Many dimensions of the rampage are strewn across their ar cles with some ire towards
their seniors. But there is also a tone of ‘Que sera sera’ and ‘all is well that ends well’. However,
one thing that is conspicuously absent in all the ar cles is the realiza on that having been ragged
in their first years, they themselves had been the perpetrators during the rest of their reign. Except
a lone author, who says he stayed away from ragging the freshers, none have lamented the torture
they had subjected their juniors to.
Save the rare extremi es, ragging had proved to be an amalgamator in its modera on; I can personally
vouch for that. But one cannot take a risk with hot-bloodedness of some sadis c youngsters.
Therefore, thankfully, ragging is on its way out, especially a er Aman Kachru’s unfortunate recent
episode. However, let us not write its epitaph just yet; it did have its share of sweetness too!
In the process of tracking down the past some of the auhors have expressed opinions that may
seem a li le brazen, but they are very enjoyable all the same and it is hoped, no offence would be
taken. However, the opinions expressed by the authors are en rely their own.
At my own personal level, the years in the college seemed to dash off like a speeding train through
a golden brown paddy field. But the opportuni es I had got as a greenhorn to explore my own
xvi
poten al in a few areas during that brief but glorious period have enriched me for a life me with
a wind-fall capital, whose dividends I’m s ll reaping. With due care towards my studies, I had also
tried my hand at some of the crea ve aspects like pain ng, music, poetry and theatre besides
shaking my legs in athle cs. It had been a great learning opportunity for me and I had derived
immense sa sfac on from my ac vi es then and with God’s grace I’ve been able to con nue some
of those ac vi es ll today.
Coming back to the souvenir, an a empt has been made to make it worthy of collec on by including
a number of rare images, collected across the fi y years of existence of the college. Some of the
images are as old as fi y years, obviously in B&W and understandably of poor quality. But they
amply compensate it by upholding for us those unforge able moments from the archives of our
past. How we wish, we could reverse the rota on of the me machine! Arranging a large variety
of these images, both old and new, has indeed been a difficult but sa sfying exercise and I must
express my gra tude to all those friends who have rummaged through their ki y and have sent me
these rare gems. The bunch of images sent by Dr. Saroj Patel ’85, in par cular, has been very useful.
I’m also grateful for the pictures contributed by many other friends. I must thank Shri Binoy Behera,
(DG, Police, Orissa), illustrious son of Prof. Behera, who has, in response to our request, contributed
a very touching ar cle narra ng his childhood memories in the campus besides sending a few rare
images.
A bouquet of reverence and passion for our honorable teachers, has been placed under ‘Tributes’.
The sec on on ‘Alma Mater’ includes wri ngs on NIT and NITRAA. The ar cle on “The History of
NITR”, in par cular, has been quite exhaus ve and I must congratulate Dr. Saroj Patel for the hard
work he has put in for compiling all necessary informa on into it.
A sec on on ‘Personal Space’ has been nested to accommodate the crea ve flare of some authors
for sharing their life’s experience with others. Some ‘Poems’ also don the pages, while some authors
have contributed ‘Technical’ ar cles, which add value to the compendium. A few gems, collected
from different sources have been contributed by friends and have been placed under ‘Collected’.
A lot of careful a en on has gone into each of the ar cles and I must thank all the authors for their
labour of love and for not taking offence with my repeated reminders. I owe my thanks to one and
all who have helped in the making of this souvenir; and that includes S/ Shri Sanjay Mohanty ’80,
Subrat Behera ’96 and Ashok Biswal ’80. I’m also thankful for the conceptual and hands-on help
imparted by Manabendu Rath and Siba Prasad Patra in giving actual shape to this souvenir. We are
grateful for the immense support we have received from our valued sponsors for this publica on.
The help, co-opera on and encouragement I have received from Shri Bharat Bhusan Mohanty ’69
(Bharat Bhai) at all stages has been vital and perhaps beyond a mere expression of my gra tude.
In spite of my best efforts to avoid flaws in this compendium, inevitably there must be quite a
few. While the readers are requested to gracefully pardon them, the responsibility for the same,
nevertheless, rests with the editor.
Happy reading!
Lalatendu Rath
xvii
Monument installed on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of NITR
1
TRIBUTES
GRATITUDE EXPRESSED IN HONOUR OF OUR RESPECTED

AND BELOVED TEACHERS
1
TO SIR WITH LOVE

SAKYA SINGH MAHAPATRA 1965
This article was written for inclusion in a book that was being compiled to be presented to Prof Behera on
his 85th birthday. But he departed for his heavenly abode before he could set his eyes on the book. The article
has been placed verbatim in this publication. This sensitive tribute is even more significant in that it was
penned when the great man was alive.
P rof Bhubaneswar Behera, an eminent civil engineer of sick man with half a lung and a number of dependant
na onal repute and an interna onal expert in soil li le children could be capable of so much love,
mechanics, is above all an educa onal administrator and compassion and concern for so many student-children
teacher of rare quality and excep onal ability, the likes besides his very own.
of whom are born only once in a millennium. Hence, not
surprisingly, the events and quality of his teaching life When one thinks of those good old REC days, the mind is
bear a closer resemblance to the pages of a story book flooded with sweet memories of Prof Behera and the
rather than reality. eyes with tears. Even a er 35-40 years of our contact
with him, whenever we talk about him it is difficult to
I had the opportunity of passing out from the most check our tears of joy and love and gra tude. Prof Behera
reputed educa onal ins tu ons of the state (Ravenshaw is probably not aware that he s ll enjoys the same power
Collegiate School 1953-57 & Ravenshaw College 1957- over us which has intensified with the passage of me
61) under probably the best and has guided us during
possible teachers of the me, His genuine concern for the students’ difficult periods of crisis both in
before joining Regional all-round development and the love and our official and personal lives.
Engineering College, Rourkela affection he showered on us, converted Many of us including me have
where I came into contact with a wild bunch of teenagers to a well knit exercised and experienced the
the teacher of the millennium, power and effect of genuine
the incomparable Prof B. Behera
family of 120 children falling over each love and concern over
who besides being the first other to get more of love and attention fellowmen, peers and sub-
permanent principal of the from their teacher-father, Prof Behera. ordinates by drawing inspira on
college was also a regular from the real life example of
teacher of soil mechanics. Prof Behera couldn’t have Prof Behera. Even today when most of our college’s first
hoped for a more challenging assignment than controlling few batches have re red from services and many have
and guiding the 1st batch of the college consis ng of
students from all over the country (Kashmir to Kerala)
with diverse social, educa onal and cultural backgrounds
in a make shi temporary campus (ITI Rourkela) with
hardly any facility or infrastructure to house a technical
ins tute of excellence. But control he did, not by
exercising the power and authority of his official posi on
but with the power of love. His genuine concern for the
students’ all-round development and the love and
affec on he showered on us, converted a wild bunch of
teenagers to a well knit family of 120 children falling
over each other to get more of love and a en on from
their teacher-father, Prof Behera.
Starting a green revolution in the campus
Never ever one can imagine in his wildest dreams that a
2
At the Millennium Home Coming in April 2000
become grandparents, if Prof Behera slaps any of us for difficult to a end OBA’S Annual func on regularly. But
any perceived mistake, in the middle of a street or in a last year the a endance far exceeded the expecta on
crowd, we will kneel down, without protest, with folded par cularly from the first few batches. The main
hands and touch his feet and seek his forgiveness and a rac on was the possibility of Prof Behera’s presence
blessings with gra tude in our in the func on where it was
hearts and minds for almighty Many must have been surprised, many planned to felicitate him.
for having blessed us with such more might have laughed at such child-
a teacher-father who s ll cares ish behavior of old men in their late fif- On this occasion, one student
for us. Very few fathers from each batch was selected
command such love and respect
ties; but few can understand, far less, to have the honour of felicita ng
from their own children and sense the depth of our intense feelings him with a bouquet of flowers. I
very few of us have the same for this great teacher-father. jumped with joy when my name
feeling for our own fathers that was picked up from the first
we have for Prof Behera. The following few real life batch. When we went up the dais with the bouquet,
examples from my direct experience with Prof Behera spontaneously (without any prior thought or planning)
will amply reflect he feelings expressed above. we placed the bouquet at his feet and prostrated
ourselves (Pranam). Such ac ons are dictated by heart
Our old boys Associa on had celebrated the millennium and not head. Many must have been surprised, many
home coming on 16th April 2000. Most of us find it more might have laughed at such childish behavior of
old men in their late fi ies; but few can understand, far
less, sense the depth of our intense feelings for this great
teacher-father.
A er the func on, like children we surrounded him, a

few si ng at his feet, a few more on his both sides and
many standing all-around him to be photographed with
our dear Prof Behera. The copy of this photograph is
among my most prized possessions.
During early eigh es (almost 20 years a er our college

days) when Prof Behera was a UPSC member at New
Delhi, one of my classmates from Bihar Shri R.V.M
Return of Prof Behera after treatment Sharma and I went to met him but were refused
permission by the office staff since there was no prior
3
appointment. This irritated us, as we couldn’t dream of

any prior appointment to meet our own Sir. So we went
out and rang him up from just outside the office premises.
Lo and behold, within minutes Prof Behera came out to
receive us in person and a er some me, took us to his
house across the street for a long chat. I can s ll
remember the happiness and joy on his face when he
came out to receive us and the look of disbelief on the
face of his office staff who had prevented us from
mee ng him without appointment.
We had a classmate K.B. Singh, a real hot blooded Rajput

from Bihar who is capable of doing anything if provoked
on an issue close to his heart. ‘Dharana’ under the banyan tree
On one such fateful day in 1966-67, we were playing

table tennis at the Hill View Hostel of the Rourkela Steel relent. Close to the second hour, a drop of tear rolled
Plant when one of the chaps, not from our college, down Prof Behera’s eyes and within a few seconds the
passed some bad remark about strikes was called off without
Prof Behera, may be to pull K.B. Then suddenly one morning, Prof Be- any discussion. Such was his
Singh’s leg and to irritate him. power of love! It is impossible
hera came to our hostel and sat down to believe unless one has seen
But he had not an cipated the
Rajput’s hot blooded reac on. under the banyan tree outside the hos- it with his own eyes.
K.B. Singh went to his room tel in the hot sun without speaking a
a er giving a big roar, came out word to us or without accepting a glass The above two incidents sound
with a knife and ran a er the of water or tea. We came out and sat more like fic on than facts.
chap to kill him. With a great Buts some facts are stranger
quietly in front of him. than fic on when it concerns
difficulty and speed we could
catch and pacify the wild ger in rare human beings.
K.B Singh. Boy! that was the last joke anybody dared as
far as Prof Behera was concerned. Such was our intensity We had 5 tennis courts and nearly 100 students were
of feeling for our Sir. members of the Tennis Club. The dress code was white
including shoes.
During our pre-final or second year at REC, due to some
police excess on striking students of Ravenshaw College, On a number of occasions, some of the teachers had
we had also gone on strike and despite persuasion and come without proper dress and hence were politely
threat by the college authori es in view of the ensuing asked by the Captain to leave the Court. As a result some
examina on, we refused to call-off the strike. Then of them refused to come in future and wanted a start a
suddenly one morning, Prof Behera came to our hostel separate Tennis Court in the staff club. But our Sir
and sat down under the banyan tree outside the hostel con nued to come and play with us.
in the hot sun without speaking a word to us or without
accep ng a glass of water or tea. We came out and sat One day Prof Behera came a li le late, straight from the
quietly in front of him. One hour passed; s ll we did not college and was in a big hurry to play a set and get back.
But unfortunately he had forgo en to change to white
dress before coming to play.
I was the captain of the College Tennis Club. When he

wanted to play that day, I just went up to him, looked at
his dress and asked “Shall we play? ”. Suddenly from my
look at his dress, he realized the mistake and without a
word went back home in his car and came back to play in
proper dress. Such was his sportsman spirit and respect
for the game and rules.
He always led us by example. He encouraged us a great

deal to par cipate in sports and games and cultural
A game of Tennis in progress ac vi es as he believed that such team ac vi es bring
out the best in the student and cul vate team spirit,
4
leadership quali es besides healthy and sportsman like teachers and their wives not only par cipated in the
a tude which would help us in our difficult journey lovely cultural func on arranged to say goodbye to us,
through life, as much, if not more that the knowledge but also had cooked and served the food themselves like
gained in classroom. He always had a so corner for parents do for children on the eve of their departure on
good sportsmen besides bright students. a long journey. The gesture was so informal, affec onate
and touching that none of us could ever forget that
During our second year final exam one of our batchmates beau ful evening at the end of which most of us were in
developed chicken-pox and hence was contempla ng to tears. Even today while wri ng about or recollec ng that
drop the exam as he could not be allowed to take the evening of 1965 Feb, I cannot control my tears. That is
examina on in the same hall with a highly infec ous how Sir and his great wife had set the tradi on of farewell
disease. But suddenly Sir turned up with his car in the to the final year students. But truly speaking, there is no
morning and took him personally in his own car from the goodbye for people living in each other’s hearts.
hostel to the college and made special arrangements in
a separate room for the student to take the exam. And There have been so many memorable incidents,
then he stayed most of the me in that room to experiences and interac ons with our dear Sir that one
encourage the student to do his best despite the disease wouldn’t know when and where to end.
and pain.
I am indeed grateful to Binoy who was a small boy in our
It is difficult to imagine even one’s own father doing such college days for giving me this honour and opportunity
a thing if he happened to be a to share my experience about
teacher in the same college. As The teachers and their wives not only Prof Behera. What I enjoyed
I said before, facts about such
participated in the lovely cultural func- most was during the last ten
rare and genuine souls are days ever since Binoy met me at
stranger than fic on. tion arranged to say goodbye to us, but Sambalpur with the above
also had cooked and served the food sugges on, I have regressed in
Some me during 1963-64 (I do themselves like parents do for children me by nearly forty years and
not remember the exact date) on the eve of their departure on a long re-lived the good old REC days
there was considerable in my mind and heart that is in
journey.
deteriora on in the condi on virtual reality.
of Prof Behera’s ailing chest
condi on necessita ng immediate surgery at Vellore May Lord Jagannath take away as many years of my life
Medical College (CMC) Hospital. The news cast a pall of as required to bless our dear Sir with a long and healthy
sorrow in the college campus. Almost all the students life.
were at the Rourkela railway sta on to wish him well on
the event of his departure to Vellore. Let this ar cle and prayer be my Guru Dakhina and
Pranam to him.
Hardly a day might have passed a er his departure when
we had not hoped and prayed for his recovery. A er
weeks of wai ng with anxiety in our mind and prayer in
our hearts, at last the good news of the successful
opera on, his recovery and early return filled the college
atmosphere with joy and relief. Almost the en re college
was at the railway sta on to receive Prof Behera, Very
few VIPs would have dreamt of such a genuine recep on.
A er he reached the college gate, we ran behind the car
with joy, like children up to his quarters. It is difficult to
describe how emo onally charged we were to get back
our Sir amongst us in good health.
On the eve of our final year examina on, each of the

final year students received a small sweet hand-wri en
Sakya Singha Mohapatra, a Civil Engineering graduate of
le er from our Sir’s wife reques ng us to spare a few
the pioneer batch of 1965, joined the Roads & Buildings
hours that evening with the teachers and staff of the Dep . of Govt. of Orissa and later moved over to RSP and
college. BSP of SAIL. Subsequently he joined Indian Oil Corp, from
where he took Voluntary Re rement as DGM (marke ng)
The evening func on besides being a very pleasant with seven years to spare. He lives in Puri.
surprise was an unforge able emo onal experience, Cell: 9437091502
vivid memories of which are very fresh in our minds. The
5
THE ‘PARIJATA’
BHARAT BHUSAN MOHANTY 1969
In this touching homage to the great personality of Prof Bhubaneswar Behera, known as the Visveswarai-
ya of Orissa, the author feels that despite being the iconic figure of technical education and a man of many
achievements, Prof Behera was like a ‘Parijat’, the heavenly flower that blooms unseen in an obscure woods,
spreads its unmatched fragrance in forest air and withers away unsung. He certainly deserved more, the
author laments.
A bliss, a light, a power, a flame-white love and submi ed a blueprint and report to the king of
Caught all into a sole immense embrace. Kalahandi. He then was selected as Post-War
-from ‘Savitri’ by Sri Aurobindo Reconstruc on Scholar by Government of India and sent
to the State University of IOWA for Masters in Engineering
There is a district in Odisha, brought to limelight by the in Hydraulics and Fluid Mechanics under renowned
Press for the past several years, not for any outstanding Professors Hunter Rouse and E.W. Lane. A er
achievement, but to portray the abject poverty of rural Independence and merger of States, his services were
Odisha. In a non-descript village named taken over by Government of Orissa
‘Kashibahal’ of this district ‘Kalahandi’, and he was posted in Hirakud Dam
on the new year’s day of the year 1916, Project. In 1956, with opening of the
a son was born to Shrima Manopriya first Engineering College of Orissa, he
Devi and Shri Laxman Prasad Behera. was posted as Professor and in 1961
Fondly the parents christened the boy was elevated to the post of Principal of
a er the name of a Hindu deity, as this ‘University College of Engineering,
‘Bhubaneshwar’. They perhaps never at Burla. Within months of announcing
could have an cipated that, may be not and star ng a Regional Engineering
the ‘Lord of the Universe’ as the word College at Rourkela, Biju Patnaik, the
connotes, but their son one day would then-Chief Minister shi ed him and
emerge as the winner of a million posted him as the first Principal of RECR.
hearts! He was appointed as Vice-Chancellor of
Sambalpur University in July 1971 to
A er learning alphabets from the village create the new campus of ‘Jyo Vihar’
pathsala, Bhubaneshwar completed and therea er Government of India
matricula on from the district school appointed him as a member of UPSC in
and B.Sc in Physics Honours from 1978, where he con nued ll
Ravenshaw College. Therea er, he went Within months of an- superannua on on January 1, 1982,
on to study engineering in Patna nouncing and starting when curtain was drawn on an even ul,
Engineering College with Kalahandi a Regional Engineering fulfilling and inspiring professional
State Scholarship (Kalahandi was a College at Rourkela, Biju career.
princely state then and perhaps was not
as emaciated as it is today!). A er Patnaik, the then-Chief A thinker of the western world has said,
gradua ng in Civil Engineering with a Minister shifted him and “An ins tu on is a lengthened shadow
First Class Honours in the year 1943, he posted him as the first of a man”. RENGCOL is the frui on of a
worked in Orissa Works Department and Principal of RECR. vision conceived by the visionary Prof
Jog Hydro Power Projects in the State of Behera, in fulfillment of the command
Mysore. Then he came back to his own of his mentor Biju Patnaik. For the
State of Kalahandi and worked in the Irriga on Ins tu on named NIT at Rourkela, Prof Behera is The
Department. He did intense survey in the hilly terrain, Man. Every brick of the edifice and the campus bears his
could visualize the possibility of a hydro-project by emo on and dedica on. That the shadow lingers like the
diver ng water of Indrava river to river Ha , prepared sweet fragrance emana ng from a perennial
6
fountainhead much a er the man is dead and gone, was

realized the other day, when it was revealed that what
he could not provide in 1962, he wished the posterity to
fulfill by leaving a well with false wall (space) at the
lobby, for installa on of an elevator in the four - storey
Ins tute building.
Prof Behera was Sir Visweswaraya of the twen eth

century Kalinga that once had created Konark. A visionary
nonpareil, he was a technocrat, an educa onist, a
thinker, an administrator, an epitome of sincerity,
integrity, convic on and dedica on, a crystalline
Himalayan personality with humane feelings, a crea ve Prof Behera at the first Athletic meet
writer and above all a man with a heart full of love to
take the en re world in one immense embrace. He is a an episode that had temporarily devastated the secular
legend, he is his own comparison. fabric of the steel town, a virtual mini India, RECR was
converted to a fort by the leader of the campus, ably
A er assuming charge of REC Rourkela, Prof Behera, the supported by the Rengcollian family comprising the
visionary, acquired about 670 acres of non-agricultural students and the staff, to offer protec on to the minority.
plane land bordering steel town, The Mini India, symbol of
in a surrounding amenable for
The staff, the students, the faculty and Cultural harmony was
an educa onal ins tu on and subsequently demonstrated on
created high class infrastructure. every one living in the campus was like the Rengcollian stage. Under
Not only library and laboratory the members of a family, which he al- the direc on of Prof
but he built elegant hostels with ways called as the Rengcol family. He Nagabhusanaiah, songs and
spacious dining halls, developed did not administer with threat express dances from all the states of
wonderful sports ground,
or implied. His inherent capital was a India, from Kashmir to Kerala
installed the first wooden were presented by the students
badminton court of Orissa & mega wide, loving, forgiving and trust- in a programme tled ‘Around
tennis fields etc. that produced ing heart. India in two hours’ in December
Orissa-champions and Ranji 1965.
players. He believed in all-round development of a
student; Therefore, besides academics, need in every Prof Behera was a natural leader, not of an enterprise,
conceivable area, be it sports or cultural or photography but of a family. The staff, the students, the faculty and
or an audio-visual hall for entertainment were all every one living in the campus was like the members of
addressed within a couple of years. During his visit in a family, which he always called as the Rengcol family. He
1968, the-then Central Minister of Educa on, Dr Triguna did not administer with threat express or implied. His
Sen was so impressed with facili es at RECR that he inherent capital was a mega wide, loving, forgiving and
made an unguarded spontaneous remark that RECR is trus ng heart. Any unruly boy got transformed with his
now at the top, surpassing REC, Warrangal. loving words. Whenever there was a row between two
batches, the next morning would see Prof Behera si ng
During the ugly communal upheaval of Rourkela in 1964, under the Banyan tree in front of Hostel-2 and he would
not touch water un l the two batches buried the hatchet
and became friends as before. The great banyan tree is
mute witness to many such emo onal scenes. A hundred
pages would be inadequate to narrate each event that
demonstrated the fountainhead of truth, love and
compassion in him. He was affected by TB during ini al
days and the day he landed at Rourkela sta on a er
ge ng cured from Vellore was a scene to be seen. All
the students had covered a long way on bicycles or on
foot to be there to receive him and brought him back in
a procession. A votary of love and truth, he was a
prac oner of Gandhian values.
While serving as Vice Chancellor of Sambalpur University,

With the Hostel Executive Council he started wri ng in Oriya when he was in his late for es
and also published a quarterly magazine named
7
“Saptarshi” from Jyo Vihar. Within a short me he got shock, they found that though money was released
bracketed with writers of top order in the state. Even along with Govt. sanc on, construc on work had not
with only a few books to his credit, he was conferred the progressed much at Jamshedpur and Durgapur, while at
pres gious ‘Sarala Samman’, though many senior Rourkela, without Central Government sanc on or
established Oriya writers were in queue. Shorn of money, the college was running in full swing and
grandiose, ar ficiality or ornamental vocabulary, flowing construc on work had reached the comple on stage.
from silence of his heart, his wri ngs were marked by The Team went back, organised post-facto approval with
originality, freshness, related-to-reality and humanism. August 15, 1961 as the date of birth of RECR, regularised
They made a radiant niche for their content and sincerity and reimbursed en re expenditure incurred along with
of purpose. funds to meet further requirements.
Those who were the students in From his personal funds Biju Babu re- He had further reminisced to a
REC, Rourkela, during the leased Rs 25 lakhs to Prof. Behera to smaller group about his role as
helmsmanship of Professor a member of the UPSC. He had
Bhubaneswar Behera are
build a high class Institute. After a year pleaded with the fellow
privileged and lucky. It was also or so Central Government Team visited members of the commission
a lucky event for some of us Durgapur, Jamshedpur and Rourkela that those days the syllabus and
who were associated with the and to its utter surprise and shock, they method of examina on for Civil
‘Millennium Home Coming’ of found that though money was released Services were lted in favour of
our “Old Boys’ students of Humanity. But in
Associa on“(started with his
along with Govt. sanction, construc- order to build an industrially
Presidentship in 1965) held on tion work had not progressed much vibrant and developed India,
April 16, 2000, which was at Jamshedpur and Durgapur, while at the syllabus and examina on
graced by him; his name had Rourkela, without Central Government system needed review to afford
a racted close to 700 alumni to sanction or money, the college was run- equal opportunity to engineers
the func on. He was as loving and students from Science
as before and magnanimous in
ning in full swing and construction work Stream and thereby make them
affording us his invaluable had reached the completion stage. equal partners in building a
company and shared his strong and prosperous India.
reminiscences of RECR and post-RECR days. His submissions appealed to the UPSC and the
examina on system was changed in 1979, a er which
In his reminiscence he had narrated the history of more students from science and engineering streams
forma on of RECR in this way: in the year 1961, Govt. of appeared in the list of finalists of the Civil Services
India accorded sanc on for the first Regional Engineering Examina on.
College (RIT) for the Eastern Region at Jamshedpur. But
Biju babu strongly reacted that as an underdeveloped The Millennium reunion had generated overwhelming
state, Orissa deserved the first Regional Ins tute and in emo ons for the alumni as well as Prof. Behera. We feel
the next mee ng second Regional College of the Eastern it is not fortuitous that he breathed his last on the same
Region should be sanc oned for Orissa. But it was not to date i.e., April 16, a year later.
be. In the second mee ng REC was granted to Durgapur,
West Bengal. Bijubabu vehemently protested and The news came as a shock not only to Yasodhara, Malay,
declared that if Centre does not help, Orissa can help Binay or Ajay; rather the en re fraternity of Rengcollians
herself. From his personal funds Biju Babu released Rs 25 felt orphaned! We as children observed his passing away
lakhs to Prof. Behera to build a high class Ins tute. A er and had arranged the 11th day func on at Sri Jagannath
a year or so Central Government Team visited Durgapur, Temple, Sector 3, Rourkela which was a ended by
Jamshedpur and Rourkela and to its u er surprise and alumni from REC Rourkela, UCE Burla and en re ‘who is
who’ of Rourkela. Hardly a few of his calibre are born in
a century. One feels sad that he did not receive the
honour and recogni on he deserved. As if struck by a
curse, ‘Parijata’, the heavenly flower bloomed unseen in
an obscure woods, spread its unmatched fragrance in
forest air and withered unsung.
On recommenda on from Rourkela Chapter of Ins tu on

of Engineers (India), State Centre has ins tuted a
‘Bhubaneswar Behera Memorial Annual Lecture’ since
January 2002. The first convoca on of the Ins tute, held
Millennium Home Coming...2000
on April 12, 2004 was dedicated to Prof Behera. On the
8
preceding day, a bust of Prof who, only with pure love,

Behera, the founder Principal Would anyone believe that a visionary understanding and trust, could
of the college installed by educationist was born at this corner of build and rear an ins tu on in
NITRAA at the Ins tute entrance
world who, only with pure love, under- the concept of a family, where a
lobby, was unveiled by his few thousand members grew
beloved student Nalini Ranjan standing and trust, could build and rear up with love and oneness,
Mohanty (Padmashree), the an institution in the concept of a family, cherishing human values,
then-Chairman, HAL. Next where a few thousand members grew pursuing academic and all-
morning, the convoca on up with love and oneness, cherishing round excellence!
procession started off from the
human values, pursuing academic and
lobby a er the dignitaries and Did the legend not deserve
the senate-body offered floral all- round excellence! more?
tributes at his bust. In his
honour, the Ins tute has named the auditorium a er Veritably, a doll of salt that I am, a emp ng to fathom
him as ‘Prof Bhubaneswar Behera Auditorium’. the depth of an ocean that was his genius, is a mere
audacity. What more can this doll of salt offer on behalf
Sri Binay Behera, IPS (we are grateful to him for helping of ‘The Rengcollians’ Family’, other than our immense
us in many ways during the Millennium Home-Coming gra tude and humble saluta ons and genuflec ons to
event & therea er), his illustrious son has done a great Sir, the one and only one...Professor Bhubaneswar
job by transla ng into English the magnum opus of Prof Behera!
Behera; ‘Ganra Daaka’ ‘The Call from the Village’ or ‘The
Homeland Beckons’ (Prof Behera, post-re rement, went
back from coveted posh office of Member, UPSC, Delhi to
his hamlet where he was born, where his mortal remains
have been consigned to fire god as per his wish. He even
had arranged marriage of his eldest son Dr Malay Behera
from there.) Prof Behera the genius, the thinker, the Bharat Bhusan Mohanty, an alumnus of 1969 batch of
visionary, the radiant pure personality, will now get Electrical Engineering, has led a long and successful ca-
unfolded to the wider world through his wri ng. reer in SAIL in the fields of Maintenance Management,
Contracts Management, Project Management & Supply
A er the assassina on of Gandhiji, Einstein had Chain Management. He superannuated from the Ma-
haratna company as its Execu ve Director in 2006 a er
remarked; “Genera ons to come will scarce believe that
which he is engaged as a Techno-legal Consultant and has
such a one as this walked the earth in flesh and blood”. se led in Bhubaneswar.
In a similar tone, with reference to Prof Behera, a thought E-mail: bharat.mohanty@mbecl.co.in
flashes: now or decades later, would anyone believe that contact: 09883012549, 09437176633
a visionary educa onist was born at this corner of world
A view of the Alma Mater
9
GRATITUDE TO
MY IDOL
P K ROUTRAY 1970
‘Prof. Bhubaneswar Behera’ is a name that draws instant respect from everyone inside and outside the state
for his great achievements and contributions to the society in a number of fields. The author, one among
thousands of his grateful students, pays his emotional homage to this great patriarch.
I came for admission in REC Rourkela from a remote beside him on the floor in junior lecturers’ club in 1970,
village of Orissa. I had my schooling at Dhenkanal. People a er I had joined as a faculty. He fondly and jokingly
from Dhenkanal were considered to be too rus c and ensured that I shouldn’t be able to get up without help
were o en made fun of. I had never dreamt of working a er having my dinner. In 1968, when I approached him,
in an industry nor did I contemplate the life of an Engineer. he himself went to the college office to see whether he
The scenario at midnight of my arrival on 30th June 65 could help me in my cousin’s admission. I played a game
and that of the subsequent morning in the steel township of chess with him in the annual compe on in senior
alerted me about the vagaries and vicissitudes in the life lecturers’ club. Then I had the rarest opportunity to play
of an Engineer in an Industry. Their thin ffin boxes against him face to face, one on one. The game had
containing the meal for the whole day, the deafening lasted two hours and I cherish that as the most precious
sounds ren ng the air, belching and proud moment of my life.
of smokes from the chimney But when I look back to offer my deep- For helping me get a job, on my
and the heavy helmets and er worship, I find only a single personal- request, he dra ed and gave me
boots with soiled uniform that a character cer ficate a er my
made scores of living men look
ity standing tall over others and smiling annual result. This invaluable
like ghosts frightened me at me affectionately. He is none other tes monial of my life is preserved
enough to think of running than my beloved Prof. Bhubaneswar as a prized treasure for my future
away from the engineering Behera. genera ons to look at it and to
profession then and there. remember me with awe and
wonder that such a cer ficate was won by a forefather in
But when I reached the REC campus for admission I fell their clan!
in love with the ins tu on and felt rejuvenated. An aura
of self-confidence and inner urge for the profession He gave me my first job and my first salary. He also advised
germinated within me. For inducing this most valuable me to leave teaching for industry, when I got a job in
seed of confidence in life, I certainly owe my gra tude to Bhilai Steel Plant. It was my Master’s instruc on, which I
all those who created the campus and set it amid the honored and accepted as his blessings for me. In fact,
serene mountains and valleys, away from the maddening each of us, the fellow Rengcollians, had the same
din and bustle of the steel township. aspira ons for unparalleled blessings from him.
In course of my subsequent life as an Engineer and In April 2000 he came as the chief guest to the Millenium
playing my professional role in the industries for further get-together at NIT long a er he had quit as its Principal.
forty years, I came upon many personali es to whom I Mr Nabin Patnaik, CM and Mr Dilip Ray, MP shared the
owe my gra tude. But when I look back to offer my dais with him. He was not able to walk properly. He looked
deeper worship, I find only a single personality standing at me and I felt a surge within me to go up to him and
tall over others and smiling at me affec onately. He is help him walk. The look remains cherished forever; it was
none other than my beloved Prof. Bhubaneswar eloquent with love, advice and teachings! But we could
Behera. not talk as the melodius jubila ons of the occasion overtook
us. I never knew it was my last opportunity to see him.
Before I pay my epilogue of gra tude I shall, as a prelude,
narrate a few of his personal touches I was fortunate to Once in a chilly morning in 2009, while walking behind
receive. I had the opportunity to have my dinner squa ng the Golf club of Bhubaneswar, almost in a jungle, under
10
patchy darkness, I saw a vibrant young man of around 20

in a motor cycle aiming for snaps of moth and bu erflies
and unknown creepers of his choice all alone in the
lonely place.
On my natural enquiry I was pleasantly surprised to find

him to be a grandson of Prof Behera. In that calm and
serene surrounding I experienced a contempla ve mood
and I felt as if I could communicate with Prof Behera right
then. However, words that I could not express were, “sir,
the last me I met you, I could not express my gra tude,
nor could I vent out my feelings and grievances on my
failures; but sir, I never knew that it was my last
opportunity to meet the greatest icon of my life. Sir, I
bow at your feet and touch the dust of the mother earth
sanc fied by your foot prints, with reverence and
gra tude. Here is your replica in flesh and blood who can
convey my feelings to you”.
Sir, I look at you and your achievements with unfathomable

esteem. When I search for a suitable formulae and
algorithm for an analysis of your achievements, I fail
miserably because of the limita on of my one life me
and my ignorance. I wonder how you achieved all these
that very few on earth might have a ained! Was it your
knowledge, devo on and dispassion? How did Saraswa ,
the Goddess of learning and Laxmi the Goddess of
prosperity, both bestow on you their choicest blessings
together? Prof. Bhubaneswar Behera
Leaving behind the opulence of a govt. job, you came nights.

forward and embraced the teaching profession. You felt • When REC came into being, it was 1961; Rourkela Steel
it more worthwhile to devote and dedicate yourself to Plant had already come up with its rich township
build the life and career of your students. Coming from a inhabited by its highly paid employees. But you could
humble background of Kalahandi you must have build a college in the close neighborhood with far less
nego ated through all vagaries and vicissitudes of life to monetary emolument enjoyed by your staff members,
reach such great heights of achievement. We are indeed who were also depending on the same market at Rourkela
awestruck at this amazing journey and so many thoughts to maintain their families. But they con nued to work for
swell up within my heart! Sir, while you watch us from long years with sa sfac on and contributed their best
your heavenly abode, allow me to express my humble thanks to your successful mo va onal ini a ves and
observa ons as a mark of my love and gra tude. I shall inspired leadership.
try to pick a few sand grains from the vast riverbed of
your array of achievements par • Many of the teaching staff
excellence. When I search for a suitable formulae were be er than average and
and algorithm for an analysis of your possessed higher qualifica ons
• Your chairman was Mr. Biju achievements, I fail miserably because than the engineers at RSP. A
Patnaik, who was known as a comparison of their rela ve
of the limitation of my one life time and
flamboyant and high profiled material prosperity would have
visionary beyond all prac cal my ignorance. naturally got the professors
limits. He dreamt of establishing frustrated. But your inimitable
REC even with the handicap of any financial sanc on or charisma could mo vate them and retain them. In fact
budget and in spite of obvious hurdles from centre. But you got Prof Pani from RSP and got many toppers as your
you were the catalyst in fulfillment of this vision and faculty from the best ins tutes of the country and
translated it to a prized gi to Orissa in the form of our abroad.
Alma- mater. It must have been a Herculean task to
arrange the resources for the infrastructure, besides • During the communal riot of 1964 in Rourkela, your
dealing with the usual high handedness of the bureaucrats handling of the situa on inside the campus by providing
at the centre, which must have given you sleepless shelter to many vic ms as well as mely service rendered
11
in the Steel Township has remained as an example and a affec on towards your students whom you regarded as
lesson for all. your own children.
• With my humble experience of se ng up an industry I
have seen the difficul es of acquisi on of land, various • Your be er half, madam was an extremely nice person;
li ga ons and compensa on claims. RSP is s ll struggling however, she did not match your height. But God
to solve these problems even a er 60 years. Vedanta Almighty in His cosmic wisdom had made the best choice
University is yet to take off. But it was your able handling for you. Her smiling self always commanded our regard
of the situa on that could amicably se le the claims of and respect. She was lucky and you ensured that she
the displaced forest and adivasi land. would keep smiling ll she breathed her last in your lap.
Both of you ensured that none of your sons and daughter
• It is a common observa on that no great project is free were made engineers to vie with us.
of blame and s gma; but no finger was ever pointed at
you by the media, CBI, vigilance, poli cians, bureaucrats • Some mes I envy the elder brothers of our pioneer
and public. Every one had full trust on your honesty and batch as I know that you loved them more than us
integrity while you built and maintained such an including your own children. They are really lucky. They
ins tu on and made all necessary recruitments. are our torch bearers and we too love them and respect
them deeply.
• Though you yourself didn’t It is a common observation that no
have a Ph.D, you could command great project is free of blame and stig- • Your confidence in delega ng
due respect from Dr Dasgupta, ma; but no finger was ever pointed at should be an eye opener to the
Dr Trinath Ratho, Dr
you by the media, CBI, vigilance, poli- present day managers. You
Rangaswamy, Dr Raman Rao delegated all co-curricular
and so many other scien sts. I ticians, bureaucrats and public. Every ac vi es such as audiovisual
have seen their profound regard one had full trust on your honesty and society canteens, games and
for your knowledge, wisdom, integrity… sports cultural func ons, even
administra on and love. It is an technical seminar ac vi es etc
enigma how you could command all their respect and to us. We put in our best efforts because we would never
reverence. In fact many of them had le their old and let you down.
reputed research ins tutes to be a part of your team.
• You got all toppers as your teaching staff. I saw them
• I have never seen you angry or losing your calm queuing up for a post in the college. It was obviously
composure. Perhaps your saintly nature was built on because of your encouragement to teachers to produce
prac ce of yoga and medita on. All of us were awe research papers and your facilita on in their academic
struck at your God gi ed personality. But sir, we have pursuits. Your emphasis on research gave a name and
seen you crying in the car a er burial of our friend fame to the college within years of its coming into
Srinibas Samanta. He was not your kith and kin but a existence.
mere student. Your inner equanimity was shaken at the
incident. It was because of your profound love and • Our genera on was thrilled to hear your erudite
unparalleled speech and just like many other readers I
too was a fan of your wri ngs. During those days when
your wri ng was rather rare we went through your
simple scribbling to our enjoyment. Your amusing tles
and lucid narra ons, which even covered our plight in
the hostel, shampooed head or soaped body with li le
or no water supply le and worse even in the toilet, were
really enjoyable and funny. Your masterly narra on
would steal our anger and frustra on and we would
forget our real plight. You used your literary skill to
express your concern for us and to prepare us to face the
greater hardship of life with humor and aplomb.
• Had you focused on your wri ng at that age you could

have earned the pinnacle of glory and definite knighthood
in literature. But you loved us and devoted all your me
for us and REC. A er re rement from your assignments,
nevertheless, you got a few of them as a token. Your
At the Annual Athletic meet...1962 -63 illustrious daughter has con nued to keep your literary
flag high with her excellence in short story wri ng.
12
• In our very first year your mul -cultural endeavor contempla ons by this minor mortal fall far short of your
“Around India in two hours”, co-produced by Prof. Himalayan contribu ons. We have limita ons compared
Nagabhushanaia, had a posi ve impact on all of us. You to your limitless personality and achievements.
ensured that all your HODs belong to various states of
India. The shopkeepers around the campus belonged to You were one of the founder technocrats of the Hirakud
all parts of India; it was a real picture of unity in dam, the savior of flood-hit Odisha; you were associated
diversity. with founding the University College of Engineering,
Burla, the first Engineering college in the state and you
• You had ingeniously seen to it that not only the were one of the architects of Sambalpur University and
Professor’s quarters but also your own residence are Jyo vihar, where you had donned the mantle as its Vice-
located at the strategic entry and exit points of the Chancellor. You were also only the second Odiya as a
campus, so that your students feel the eyes of member in the Union Public Service Commission. Your
guardianship on them and refrain themselves from any achievements at each posi on brought laurels and
off campus revelry and misdeeds. acclaims, which is indeed a rare achievement. You
excelled in later life in your inborn caliber of crea ve
• I remember during my stay, there was no untoward law wri ng. Your glory in all these fields put together is like
and order situa on in the campus even though we the brightness of a thousand suns. It will take many a
some mes managed to go and life me for a mortal like me to
show our muscles against any Your masterly narration would steal surmise your greatness and
muscle shown to us. However, our anger and frustration and we begin to emulate it.
whenever any such incident would forget our real plight. You used
came to your no ce, you had your literary skill to express your con- All your students at REC, who
protected us from police-ac on
cern for us and to prepare us to face were lucky to be blessed with
on one hand and privately your benign grace in the college,
expressed your frustra on at us the greater hardship of life with humor feel sen mentally a ached to
on the other. That was enough and aplomb. that part of their life and long to
for us. hold on to it as a treasured
memory. All the posi ve teachings imparted directly or
• You had kept a close watch on our ragging scenario and indirectly in the college under your dynamic leadership
while you believed that in its modera on it built bridges have placed all of us at par with the best in the world.
between the batches, you also came down heavily upon
those who crossed the line of decency, which happened Sir, as a concluding invoca on I can say that no tles, no
very rarely. The tradi on con nued by and large on a awards and no crown, which could have been bestowed
healthy and friendly note. upon you by any one or by any organiza on, could be
thought of as befi ng to your caliber and contribu on.
• We remember all our celebra ons in the campus with We all your students, your colleagues, your associates
nostalgia, the food, fun and frolics, which we never got and all Odiyas in all walks of life bow to you with gra tude
again in life. It was possible because we felt you were and reverence.
always there at our back to save and guide.
Sir, please allow me to stop here, as the percep ons and
Prashant Routray, an Alumnus of 1970, Electrical Engg.,

started his career as a Teaching Assistant at REC, Rourkela
and later served in SAIL at Bhilai and Bokaro Steel Plants
ll 1982. He then joined NALCO, a Navaratna PSU, and re-
red as its Director (Prodn.) in 2009. An avid enthusiast
in a variety of games and sports, he has widely traveled
across the globe in course of presenta on of technical pa-
pers as well as for business purposes. He is now engaged
in philanthropic ac vi es at Bhubaneswar.
Signing the winners’ certificates E-mail: pkroutray2009@gmail.com, contact: 0 9437000443
13
MY MENTOR,
MY MOTIVATOR...
NALINI RANJAN MOHANTY 1965
With a feeling of deep reverence total surrender, the author dedicates the achievemnts of his own long jour-
ney of life to his mentor, motivator and Guru Professor Bhubaneswar Behera. Starting from the first year
in the college, the author has felt the hand of guidance of his mentor through his later professional life too
and expresses some of those unforgettable episodes in this touching saga.
W e have all assembled today in our Alma Mater to studies, I started dreaming of becoming an engineer
celebrate the Golden Jubilee of our great ins tute. All of from a reputed Engineering College, preferably from one
us have been wai ng quite eagerly for this celebra on. of the IITs. A er comple ng my Pre-Professional, when I
The feeling is no different at my personal level too. Being obtained the IIT prospectus for admission I got a rude
a product of the first batch, some of us have literally shock of my life. I found that I was not eligible because I
observed the evolu on of our ins tute over the last 50 was below the required minimum age limit. Being totally
years. An ins tute which had started in a small campus frustrated, I decided to con nue in Ravenshaw for a
of an Industrial Training Ins tute (ITI) at Panposh has degree with Mathema cs Honours.
grown today to an amazing height as a premier Na onal
Ins tute of Technology. For this incredible growth, we, Then came the turning point. On 15th August 1961, our
the 16,000 engineers graduated from this premier legendary Chief Minister Biju Patnaik declared the
ins tute, owe our profound gra tude to the “Founding establishment of a Regional Engineering College in the
Professors” not only for their Steel city of Rourkela. I
professional competence but applied for admission and
also for their devo on and within a few days, got the
sacrifice in building up this in ma on for admission in
temple of learning. Mechanical Engineering. I
was overwhelmed with joy
Today, when the mind moves and started profusely
down the memory lane, I am thanking God Almighty for
able to see quite clearly the helping me realize my
loving faces of all my dream. But the path for
professors. But one face with reaching the goal was quite
that charming smile con nues bumpy. When I went to
to look at me with a lot of Mathema cs department to
affec on. He is my Guru, my obtain the clearance for
mentor and mo vator…my College leaving cer ficate,
Principal, the First Principal of all my professors in the
our Ins tute, Prof. department, dissuaded me
Bhubaneswar Behera”. from going for Engineering. I
vividly remember today,
Because of limita on of space Prof. Karamat Alli, who used
I shall just a empt to narrate to treat me like his younger
only a few unforge able brother, was quite firm. He
facets of my associa on with said, “Forget about
this great personality. engineering. I am sure; you
will top in the university, get
HE MADE ME AN ‘ENGINEER’ the Gold medal, and easily
As a student of Ravenshaw get into IAS. What will you
College, doing fairly well in achieve by becoming an
14
engineer?“ When he looked at my face and saw tears in

my eyes, he consoled me, took me from table to table in
the college and helped me get the college leaving
cer ficate by 7.30 pm. Expressing my hear elt gra tude
to him, I ran to the hostel, picked up my baggage and
rushed to Cu ack railway sta on to catch the night train.
In the train, I met quite a number of my classmates who
were all in real high spirits. Everyone was expressing
profound gra tude to Biju Babu for star ng this new
college. All of us were quite relaxed and slept well that
night. Next morning we reached Rourkela. It was a great
morning. We were all greeted by the morning sun with
With Sri Navin Patnaik at Millennium get together
all its brightness as if it was just wai ng to greet this
bunch of youngsters, aspiring to become the engineers
of tomorrow. admission. That was organized by my father and I was
admi ed to the college.
A er a wash, we all rushed to the college and waited for
our names to be called out for admission. A er a while, A er a few months our permanent principal, Prof. B
my name was called. I handed over all my documents to Behera joined the college. Everyone was quite happy. He
the staff. Suddenly I found that some serious talk was was a fatherly figure, a reputed administrator and a
going on among them in a very loving teacher. In the mean
hushed manner. Then an elderly After a few months our permanent me, one of the professors told
person signaled me to principal, Prof. B Behera joined the col- me that the affidavit for the age
accompany him to his office. increase might not be accepted
lege. Everyone was quite happy. He was
Later I was told that he was the by the university and advised
Registrar of the college, Mr. a fatherly figure, a reputed administra- me to bring this to the no ce of
Satpathy. He informed me that I tor and a loving teacher. the principal. I sought an
was not eligible to take appointment for the mee ng
admission because I did not meet the minimum age and it was granted immediately. This was my first
limit. At that moment, heaven collapsed on my head. I personal mee ng with the principal. I was quite scared
was totally sha ered. I could not go back to Ravenshaw and apprehensive. But he made me quite comfortable.
and get readmission because the last date for admission A er listening to my story, he said that there was a
was over. Everyone had taken admission except me. I similar case when Burla Engineering College started and
tried con nuously for three days to meet the ac ng the concerned student was not permi ed to appear in
Principal Mr. Balaram Mishra who was on deputa on the university examina on. But he assured me that he
from State Industries department. But he was not giving would posi vely take up my case. That day, I felt that
appointment to meet him. On the fourth day, all the probably I could never become an engineer in this life
students led by my friend Biplab (S.K.S Narayan), who is me. But keeping to his words, he fought for me in the
currently the President of our Associa on and is s ll university syndicate mee ng and I was allowed to sit for
maintaining his vibrant leadership quali es, met the the 1st year University Exams. By grace of God, I stood
Principal and pleaded for my cause. Finally, the Principal first in that exam from our college. I felt that this Principal
suggested that if I could increase my age by filing an was God incarnate for me. He had laid the path for me to
affidavit in the court, then he would permit me to take become an engineer.
TESTIMONY OF HIS LOVE & TRUST

Those four years (1961 – 65) in the college were probably
the best period of my life. As a good student, you are
loved by all the professors and staff. You are cared for
and nurtured by them. You are always at the top of the
world. I wish I could get another chance to study in the
college under those loving teachers.
1965 was my Final year in the college. In April that year,

a er appearing the Final university exam, I went back
home. Hardly three days had passed at home, one
morning I was si ng with my parents along with my
younger brother and sisters. I could sense that my father
At a get together with students
wanted to tell me something, but he was trying to hold
15
it back. Finally, he opened up and said that the then programme, during course of introducing the Chief
Industry Minister of Orissa was personally known to him. Guest I said, “Prof. Behera is my Guru. He is my mentor.
The minister was quite happy and proud of my academic Whatever li le I have achieved in my professional career
achievements and had proposed to my father that if I today is all because of him. I owe him a lot...” Then he
agree, he would arrange a job for me in Hindustan got up to address the gathering. There was absolutely no
Machine Tools (HMT) as a change in his personality. He
Graduate Engineer. Believe me, “Nalini says, I am his Guru and he is my had the same sweet smile and
it badly hurt my ego. I told my Shishya. Ladies and gentlemen, let me the same firm voice we used to
father that I would posi vely hear almost 25 years back in
get a job. Let us not approach a tell you today this Shisya of mine has the college func ons. He started
poli cian for this. It was again a beaten me in all facets of life.” Dear his speech to the thunderous
Divine grace; just the next day, I readers, those kind words of my re- applauds from the gathering.
received a le er from the vered Guru are still reverberating in my He began saying, “Nalini says, I
principal appoin ng me as a ears till today. am his Guru and he is my
lecturer in the Mechanical Shishya. Ladies and gentlemen,
Engineering department and let me tell you today this Shisya
asking me to join immediately. Final year results were of mine has beaten me in all facets of life….” Those kind
not announced, I did not yet have an Engineering degree. words of my revered Guru are s ll reverbera ng in my
No interviews were conducted. How can I be appointed ears ll today.
as a faculty in the college? What reason, one can a ribute
to this other than to believe that the Principal had Next morning, before his departure, I had invited him
profound trust and love for me! and Madam Behera to our house for breakfast. They
spent almost two hours with me and my wife. That was
HIS BLESSINGS an unforge able morning. All four of us were slowly
It was the year 1988. I was the General Manager at HAL, climbing down the steps of the house. He was in front of
Koraput. At that me, I was also the Chairman of me. Suddenly he turned and caught hold of my hand
Ins tu on of Engineers of Sunabeda Sub- centre. For the with both his hands. I could see tears in his eyes. His
Engineers’ Day celebra on that year, we decided to voice was choked. He said, “Nalini, I want to see one day
invite our Principal Prof. Behera as the Chief Guest. He in my life me that you become the Chairman of HAL.”
was staying at Kalahandi with his son. When I contacted
him, he readily accepted our invita on. We had organized Those were not ordinary words. Those were the words
the func on at NALCO, Damanjodi. His presence as the heavily laden with love and blessings. Sir, your words
Chief Guest had a racted many engineers from HAL, would never go wrong. Your Nalini became the Chairman
NALCO and adjoining State Govt. organiza ons. Most of of HAL in due course of me and could become the first
the engineers had come with their families. The huge person from your ins tute to receive the Na onal Award
auditorium of NALCO was jam packed. At the start of the of “Padma Shri”. No doubt, you have le your mortal
body but from heaven, you are s ll showering your
blessings. Sir, please con nue to do that; I need your
blessings ll I complete the rest of my life’s journey.
Sir, really how fortunate I have been to have had a

teacher like you!
Nalini Ranjan Mohanty, an alumnus of the pioneer batch

of Mechanical Engineers, started his career as a lecturer
in NITR. Later he joined Hindustan Aeronau cs Limited
and went on to become its Chairman. In 2004, he was
conferred the “Padma Shri” in recogni on of his out-
standing contribu on to the field of avia on. Currently,
he is the Chairman & Managing Director of Textron In-
dia, a Mul -industry American company, manufacturing
Cessna Aircra , Bell helicopter and many other industrial
products including state of the art defence systems. He
lives in Bangalore.
The crest ...up in the sky !
E-mail: nmohan01@textron.com, cell: 0-9845038631
16
FOOT PRINTS OF
A GREAT MAN
AMAR KUMAR BEHERA 1968
Having grown up under the care and tutelage of Prof Behera, the “Visweswaraiya” of Orissa, the author
pays this glowing tribute to his inimitable and multi-dimensional personality in this brief offering.
P rof. Bhubaneswar Behera was a towering and mul - known as “Visvesvaraya of Orissa”. For a person, who
dimensional personality no less than a colossus in every has neither worked with him nor met him from close
sense of the term. A dare-devil na onalist, freedom quarters, it would be virtually a herculian task to grasp
fighter, dis nguished ins tu on building leader, able the totality of his personality. Most of the NITRAAns of
administrator, great Oriya writer, outstanding engineer 70’s and beyond belong to this category, having only
and above all, a humanist. Prof. Behera is popularly heard about him a li le bit. In this Golden Jubilee year of
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The bust of Prof. Behera installed at the entrance
17
our Alma Mater we can only salute this great man, “The and medical colleges of the state were having students’
Universal Father of REC” and a worthy son of Mother union, students’ poli cs could never enter into the REC
Utkal. The glimpses of some of the events which the campus. All a empts for installing students’ union in
author had experienced himself as a student, more than REC failed miserably because of student-centric, par-
four and half decades back, when Prof. B. Behera was cipa ve, responsive and accountable administra on
the Principal of REC may help this category of people of Prof. B. Behera. Thus REC was the first college in the
to conceive and understand the height of his towering state without a students’ union.
personality.
His greatness has le an indel-
The rousing recep on he was Mr. U. Thant, the then Secretary Gen- ible imprint on my mind, which
accorded by the students and eral of United Nations Organization, can be assessed from two let-
the inmates of REC campus at while applauding his benevolent deeds ters I had received from him
Rourkela Railway Sta on, when in my early days. The first of
he returned a er his treatment
during riot, mentioned that during the these was during the students’
at Vellore, in the year 1964 sad days of communal carnage Prof. B. agita on of REC in 1967 for
was to be seen to be believed. Behera converted the REC campus as demanding a Technical Univer-
In Rourkela’s history of six de- the Riot Eradication Centre. sity at Rourkela, where he had
cades, no dignitary including cau oned me against taking a
poli cians, bureaucrats and administrators has had such leading role in boyco ng the classes and organizing the
a rousing recep on so far. strike. The second was later during my student days at
IIT, Delhi, wherein he had offered me an appointment
It was the towering personality of Prof. B. Behera that in the college.
had kept the REC campus free of any disturbances dur-
ing the hard days of communal carnage of Rourkela in Prof. B. Behera has le his footprints not upon the sands
the year 1964. REC campus was the most peaceful zone. of me but upon the rocks of ages. I bow down at the
Mr. U. Thant, the then Secretary General of United Na- lotus feet of this great man.
ons Organiza on, while applauding his benevolent
deeds during riot, men oned that during the sad days
of communal carnage Prof. B. Behera converted the REC
campus as the Riot Eradica on Centre. Amar Kumar Behera, a graduate of 1968 Batch (Mechani-
cal) completed M.Tech. (Ind. Engg.) from I.I.T., Delhi joined
The students of all the colleges of Orissa were par ci- SAIL, Rourkela Steel Plant in 1971. A er a long and illustri-
pa ng ac vely in the famous 1964 Students’ Agita on ous career there he re red as General Manager in 2005.
against the then Government and REC too was going to He was conferred with “Carl Duisberg Gessellscha Fel-
join. But a single sentence of Prof. B. Behera changed the low”, Germany in 1980 and the coveted “Jawahar Award”
in 1988. Presently he is the Chairman, Jan Shikhyan Sans-
minds and hearts of the students and REC was the only
than, Rourkela, a Govt. of India undertaking. Engaged in
college which did not take part in that agita on. rendering his services as a visi ng professor to Manage-
ment Ins tutes, he lives in Rourkela.
In six es, it was unthinkable for a college in Orissa to E-mail: bamarkumar@yahoo.in, cell: 0-9437647077
go without a students’ union. While all the engineering
18
PROF DR. SOMNATH MISRA,

THE DOYEN OF TECH. EDUCATION
SMT. PRAMILA PANDA RETD. FACULTY, NITR
In this brief but eloquent tribute the awestruck author presents a word picture of the personality of Prof.
Dr. Somnath Misra, the great educationist, who had very ably held the reign of NITR as its Principal for
a record tenure of 22 years.
T he incident was so amusing that even a er thirty six Ins tute of Sc, Bangalore (Metallurgy) (1958) ; Masters
years, it is s ll so fresh in my memory! The day was 16th and Doctorate Degree (Metallurgy) from the world
October 1974. Our HOD had famous Massachuse s Ins tute
gone to receive the new of Technology (MIT, USA, 1963).
Principal, scheduled to join that He had served with dis nc on
day; while I was stuck up in his as Research Metallurgist
room a ending to a phone call. (TISCO) 1959, Research
At that moment a stranger, Assistant and Associate MIT,
youthful in looks and style and USA, 1959-64; Research
having a pleasing personality Physicist and Metallurgist,
entered the room. I was rather Nuclear Division, Union Carbide
surprised. In case he might be Corpora on, New York 1964-
looking for our HOD, I informed 65.
him that he had gone to receive
the new Principal. The On a call for serving the
gentleman turned back without motherland he joined the
u ering a word. Such a response Banaras Hindu University as
intensified my surprise and Reader in Metallurgy (1965-
pu ng down the receiver, I 69), where he was elevated to
followed him. I found the man Professorship in 1970 at the
following him was the PA to the record young age of 34 years.
Principal of our college, who Four years later he joined our
whispered to me “He is our new REC, Rourkela as the Principal.
Principal”. I felt embarrassed Prof. Misra’s dynamic efforts put Odisha
that the new Principal would solidly in the Computer Education map. It is a popular belief that only
have carried an impression that Due to his dedication, REC, Rourkela, as a er austere prac ce and
the lady teacher lacks sense of
e que e. The feeling, however,
early as in 1980, was the fourth institu- intense aspira on through life
a er life, virtuous parents are
normalized a er Principal tion in the country and first among the blessed with a son who emerges
addressed the teaching staff NITs to install a 4th Generation VAX as a sun bringing light, joy and
and I was introduced to him. 11/780 computer (1980). glory to the family, locality and
state. In my view Prof Misra is
Another surprise was in store one such son, who has grown
for me, when I saw his name plate, a couple of days later. to be a sun, an inexhaus ble source of knowledge that
It read – Prof Dr. Somnath Misra, Sc. D (MIT) USA, FIE, has pervaded and illumined the scene of technical
FIIM, LM, ISTE, SGAT. A student of Humanity that I am, I educa on in the state. Indeed I o en wonder, how
was wonder-struck and reflected on how many years he fortunate his parents must have been and how much
must have taken to acquire so many qualifica ons! I austerity they would have observed to receive this
gathered – Prof. Misra had an outstanding academic boon!
career, standing first class first throughout: Best Graduate
and gold medalist from Utkal (1956), DIISc from Indian Prof Misra’s contribu ons to elevate the Regional
19
Engineering College (REC) Rourkela, during his record

tenure of Principalship from 1974 to 1996, to the status
of a premier interna onal ins tu on are legendary. He is
the architect for evolving RECR to the status of the first
Academically Autonomous College (1990) and then to
the first Unitary University of Odisha (2002) as Na onal
Ins tute of Technology. He adorned by invita on, the
Indian Ins tute of Technology, Kharagpur as Tata Chair
Professor (1996-98). The Ministry of Steel, Government
of India appointed him as the first Director of Biju Patnaik
Na onal Steel Ins tute at Puri, which he shaped into a
Centre of Excellence during 2001-2003. He was a At the Millennium Function
member of the Advisory Council for Educa on,
Government of Orissa and Chairman, Hospital Ethical • Na onal Metallurgist award from Government of
Commi ee for Research, Ispat General Hospital, India and Indian Ins tute of Metals in 1972.
Rourkela. Presently, he is a member of Commi ee for • Indo-Hungarian Cultural exchange award in 1974.
Environmental and Impact Analysis and Appraisal for • Na onal Unity award in 1993.
Iron and Steel Projects for Odisha State Pollu on Control • Shelter award in 1996.
Board, Research Advisory Council, Dalmia Ins tute of • Golden Jubilee award from Ins tu on of Engineers in
Scien fic and Industrial Research, Rajgangpur, and Board 1998.
of Trustees, Bas a Memorial Trust, Rourkela. • Visheswaraya award from Orissa Engineers Forum in
1999.
Prof. Misra’s dynamic efforts put Odisha solidly in the • First Biju Pra va award from Biju Pa naik Jayan
Computer Educa on map. Due to his dedica on, REC, celebra on commi ee in 2001.
Rourkela, as early as in 1980, was the fourth ins tu on • Moreover the Rourkela Chapter of Indian Medical
in the country and first among the NITs to install a 4th associa on felicitated him Doctor’s day on 1st July
Genera on VAX 11/780 computer (1980). He was the 2001 for his outstanding services.
first in Orissa and sixth in India, to have ins tuted courses
in MCA (1981), Computer Science and Engineering, (BE With a dignified demeanor and a grand refined accent,
in 1983, ME in 1995) and a Prof Mistra happens to be an
centre for Computer Literacy Rare qualities like a balanced compo- accomplished orator, who has,
and Awareness Studies in
sure, noble conduct, concentration, on invita on, lectured on a
Schools (CLASS project- 1983). wide range of subjects across
Prof. Misra strived to introduce consistent effort, sincerity of purpose the country. When asked why
many relevant and new courses and steady perseverance have been his he chose Metallurgy as the
such as, Bachelor Degree strength. He picked up the threads of subject in Engineering, he
Courses in Mining Engineering, the institute virtually from where Prof men oned that his passion for
Ceramic Engineering, Applied the subject was shared in his
Bhubaneswar Behera had left it.
Electronics and Instrumenta on hugely appreciated lecture
Engineering; Masters Course in en tled “My Fascina on into
Coal Chemical and Fer lizers, Slow-Paced Masters the World of Metallurgy” delivered under pres gious N
courses in Mechanical, Electrical and Metallurgical P Gandhi Memorial Lecture, on the Na onal Metallurgists’
Engineering. In view of the excellence so generated at day celebra on on the 14th November, 2008 at New
Rourkela, Government of Odisha subsequently Delhi.
established Biju Patnaik Technological University at
Rourkela.
An academician, thinker and researcher of rare genre

with authorship of more than a hundred technical
papers, Prof Misra has received countless awards and
accolades in his illustrious career; It is worthwhile to
men on a few of the several awards bestowed on him:
• Utkal University Mayurbhanja God medal for the

best graduate in 1956.
• Binani Gold Medal from Indian Ins tute of Metals in
1969. With Prof. Misra, offering obeisance
• Indo-UK exchange of young Scien st award in 1969.
20
Such a genius is born in decades, normally to a noble ins tute virtually from where Prof Bhubaneswar Behera
lineage. Once in a private mee ng Prof Misra was had le it; since there was a kind of stagnancy during the
reminiscing about his grandfather Sj Maguni Brahma (He interim short period. At the end of an even ul career he
was a celebrated expert in his me in Ayurveda, the bid adieu as a sa sfied man a er actualiza on of his
Indian system of medicine and was conferred the tle of dreams for the ins tu on he steered for a long 22
Vaidyaratna by Governor General Lord Chelmsford), years.
serving as Rajavaidya at Puri. He was once approached
by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya (founder of BHU) to Also, he nurtured a symbio c rela onship with the Old
head the department of Ayurveda at BHU. Sj Brahma Boys’ Associa on and had organized both Crystal Jubilee
preferred to serve Lrod Jagannath at Puri and had politely in August 1976 and silver jubilee in October1986 in a
declined. Prof Misra got emo onal while sharing that he befi ng manner. The silver jubilee was graced by Hon’ble
decided to serve BHU, a noble ins tute, since his Governor Sri B N Pande and Sri Biju Patnaik, the founder
grandfather had regre ed the offer. of the ins tute. I hope the alumni and students of the
hallowed ins tu on of technical learning and research
Verily Prof Somnath Misra is a living legend of Odisha, a follow his foot prints and the professed philosophy of
doyen in the interna onal domain of educa onists and the Ins tute; be good and do good.
administrators in Technical educa on and is a celebrity
in the field of engineering educa on and research. I feel, May God bestow a long and prosperous life on this living
it was our good luck that he was helmsman of REC legend of the country!
Rourkela and during his tenure the ins tute forayed into
new fields and took great strides. I too nurture a personal wish to see NIT, Rourkela scale
lo y heights and earn the brand as ‘The symbol of
I also felt personally lucky and honoured when Prof Excellence of Techno Management’.
Misra reviewed my book ‘Yajnasenira Jaya Jatra’. I know
my limita ons and realize that I have not been able to do
jus ce to the mul - faceted intellectual, thinker,
administrator and educa onist with accomplishment in
varied fields. The extraordinary achievements of Prof
Misra did not come by fluke. As Longfellow wrote, while
Smt. Pramila Panda was a faculty in Humani es in NITR
his companions were in deep slumber, he burnt midnight
from 1966 to 1997. Well known for her social ac vi es-
oil to reach his goal. Rare quali es like a balanced and literary profile, she devotes her me to crea ve writ-
composure, noble conduct, concentra on, consistent ing and edits ‘Yagyaseni’, a leading woman’s journal. She
effort, sincerity of purpose and steady perseverance lives in Rourkela. Contact: 0661-2475547.
have been his strength. He picked up the threads of the
A closer view of the college building
21
THE SAGE OF THE KOEL

NALINI RANJAN MOHANTY Professor, Civil Engg., NITR
KAPIL CHARAN BARIK Retd. Professor, Tr&Pl, NITR
The authors pay a respectful tribute to Prof. Ashok Mohanty, Head of Metallurgy and later Principal of
NITR till his retirement in 2001. He was distinguished by his inordinate depth of knowledge, calm nature
and deep concern for the pupil, which earned him the distinction of a ‘Technocrat-Saint’ of the department
and of the institute.
15 th August 1961 came as a red le er day in the stalwarts as faculty, such as Prof. S. Pani, Dr. C. R. Nanda,
annals of Odisha when the name of REC got annexed Prof. S. Misra (Principal), Prof. Ashok Mohanty and later
to the panorama of technical educa on in the state on, Dr. R. I. Ganguly.
under the apt ini a ve of the then Chief Minister Sri Biju
Patnaik, with support from Pandit Nehru. A er a s nt Prof. A. K. Mohanty, born on 01.10.1941, passed his H.S.C.
of interim stewardship, came Prof. Bhubaneswar Behera examina on with First class in 1955 and was ranked 4th
as the final founding Principal. As the founding father in Orissa. He passed his I. Sc Examina on, again holding
of the College, Biju Patnaik, a farsighted na onal level the same 4th rank in the Utkal University. Orissa had no
statesman of the me, became the First Chairman of the Engineering College during that period; so he went to
Governing Body – a very rare dis nc on for the College. the Benaras Hindu University from where he graduated
Ini ally started at the Rourkela ITI in 1961. He then le for England to
at Panposh, the college moved to its study in the Sheffield University for
permanent site, spread over a 665 acre his Masters (1965) and Ph.D degree
area not very far from the bank of the (1967). He started his engineering
River Koel and very adjacent to the teaching career in his alma mater from
Sector No.1 of the Steel Township. Oct, 1961 and con nued ll August,
1963, which he quit and joined M. R.
To start with, the ins tute had five College, Jaipur (Rajsthan) as Reader
disciplines; Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, in November 1967. He then resigned
Chemical and Metallurgy. The last from there to join REC, Rourkela
named discipline i.e. Metallurgy had as Asst. Professor of Metallurgy in
a great significance for this college, March 1969. A er Prof. Pani resigned
established in the steel town of he assumed the headship of the
Rourkela. Our first five year plan department from 28.07.1972. In the
had emphasis on agriculture. Hence following month, he was elevated to
construc on of a number of river dams the post of Associate Professor. He
was undertaken during the period. In became a Professor on 31.08.1974
the second Five Year Plan, emphasis and con nued as such ll 1999
shi ed from agriculture to industry. Hindustan Steel with the addi onal charge of Principal from 1996. He
Limited at Rourkela, kick-started under the German superannuated as Principal on 30.09.2001.
collabora on, was such a venture. It was a Public Sector
undertaking (1954). In 1961, when our founding father The most striking feature of Prof. Mohanty as a teacher
Biju Babu selected the steel township of Rourkela for was his unique approach to explain a difficult topic in
loca ng the Regional Engineering College, he had a clear a simplified manner, underlining the significance of
vision of Industry-Ins tute interac on in his mind, which the different processes. His mode of recapitula ng
is being realized in a great many ways, at present. From and highligh ng the salient points of the previous class
this point of view, Metallurgical Engineering department (before star ng a new one) was very much beneficial
of the then REC had an extra special significance, even to the poorest of students. As a guide and
in comparison with the other departments. This supervisor of U.G., P. G. or Doctoral projects, he had an
department had a unique dis nc on of having a few extremely humane approach towards his pupils. His
22
Deptt. of Metallurgical Engg. New Ladies hall (Old hostel - 6)
depth of knowledge, calm nature and deep concern for of which, a great number of old students and teachers
improving the understanding of a pupil earned him the turned up for the event. The highlight, of course, was
dis nc on of a ‘Technocrat-Saint’ of the department the august presence of Prof. Behera, along with other
and of the ins tute. dignitaries including Shri Nabin Patnaik, CM of Odisha.
Prof. Dr. Somnath Mishra, the celebrated metallurgist Prof. Mohanty had a great love for Metallurgical
and technocrat of the country, re red as the Principal on Engineering as a subject. Therefore, he had ins tuted
31 January 1996. Prof. Mohanty a ‘Best UG All-Rounder Award’
took over as the Principal-in- As a Principal he was always quite sup- of Rs. 5000/- in NIT by dona ng
charge from him on 01.02.1996 portive. Unparallel as an academician, a good sum of money. He was
and con nued as such ll his his non-controversial personality has a member of the Senate and
re rement on 30.09.2001. Syndicate of the Sambalpur
always been a role model for all. It is University and played a key role
He had a very construc ve and therefore fully justified to name him as in formula ng the rules and
even ul tenure. The reserva on the ‘saint-technocrat’ of the Institute. regula ons conducive to the
for women (for admission into healthy academic growth of the
the college) amoun ng to 30% of the state quota had College. He was a member of many professional bodies
just been implemented. The brunt of the problem was at the Na onal level.
born by the Ladies Hostel, which had been ini ally
designed as a 30-seater Hall. Within a few years, the As a Principal he was always quite suppor ve. Unparallel
number of girl students exceeded 200. They even could as an academician, his non-controversial personality
not be accommodated in the second block known as has always been a role model for all. It is therefore
A-Block. The unused dining hall of the first block was fully jus fied to name him as the ‘saint-technocrat’
to be renovated to lodge the students. They were also of the Ins tute. We pray God to give him a long and
temporarily lodged in the common room for two months. healthy lease of life to champion the cause of technical
During this period, a sloped roof block was constructed educa on.
on war foo ng to quell the problem. Incidentally, the
co- author was the Warden and the author was the
Superintendent (and also an elected member of the
Board of Governors of the College) of the Ladies Hall. Prof. Nalini Ranjan Mohanty, a Civil Engr.of 1971 from UCE (now,
At that me Prof. A. K. Mohanty had kept a close watch VSSUT), Burla, was the first M.Tech. from REC Rourkela in Civil
on the problems. He had readily assessed the needs and Engg in 1973. A crea ve writer of merit, he is also the editor of
extended all required support. several magazines. A member of college governing body for 8
years, at present he is the Chairman, Public Rela on Commi ee
The pay revision of the non-teaching staff of the college of NIT. He lives in the REC campus.
as implemented on the execu ve orders of the ex- E-mail: nrmohanty@nitrkl.ac.in, Contact: 0661- 2462311
Chairman of the Governing Body was not accepted by --------------------------------------------
Prof. Kapil Charan Barik, the topper of 1967 batch of Civil Engi-
the government of Orissa for a long me due to want of
neers from UCE Burla, joined REC, Rourkela as a faculty in Civil
concurrence from Finance Department. Prof. Mohanty
Engg in the same year. He did his Ph.D. from IIT, Chennai in 1982.
pursued the ma er expedi ously and got the approval He worked as Professor and Head, Training & Placement for 8
of the government, to the great relief of the employees. years ll his re rement in 2002. He lives in Rourkela.
It was his inspira on to the Old Boys’ Associa on to E-mail: kcbarik@rediffmail.com, cell: 9437172570
hold a Millennium get together of the alumni, as a result
23
ABOUT A LOVING
TEACHER
DR. SWATI MOHANTY 000
Being taught by an exceptionally efficient as well as affectionate teacher can be a very alleviating experi-
ence in life, says the author as she recounts her student days under the tutelage of Prof GK Roy at REC.
Prof Roy, who had built a unique teacher-student relationship has always been a source of inspiration to
all his students.
I n the ancient Gurukul system in India, the rela onship teaching involving interac on with the students. The
between the teacher and the taught was something dif- Equipment Design subject taught by him, I believe, has
ferent, rather inconceivable in the present day society. been by far the favourite of most of the Chemical Engi-
The teachers those days were like parents. They were neering students of the Ins tute. He would give a design
the mentor, friend, philosopher and guide for the stu- problem and then explain all the steps on how to solve
dents. We have heard Prof Bhubaneshwar Behera had it. If slightly distracted, one would miss some steps.
a empted to establish such a system based on similar Then he would ask the students to solve it. Of course
rela onship at our Alma Mater. Close one could take his help in case one was
on his footsteps, one of my teachers, unable to proceed; but then everybody
Prof Gopendra Krishna Roy has tried to would try to be the first to complete it
emulate that model. Prof Roy, who was and show the answer to him. It used to
appointed and mentored by Prof Be- be something like solving a puzzle.
hera, I believe, must have been inspired
and influenced by his mentor through Apart from a large body of more than
their associa on of five years in the col- 120 research papers, he has published
lege. several books to his credit including
“Solved examples in Chemical Engineer-
Prof G K Roy earned his B Sc Engg. de- ing”, “Fundamentals of Heat and Mass
gree in Chemical Engineering from the Transfer” and “Chemical Engineering
Banaras Hindu University in the year Mechanical Opera ons for Chemical
1966 and a er being selected by Prof Engineers” for the undergraduate stu-
Behera he joined Regional Engineering dents. He has also authored two books
College, Rourkela, as a faculty on 15th in Oriya, “Chemical Engineering Glos-
October 1966. He later completed his sary” and “Fuels and Combus on”.
M.Tech in Chemical Engineering from A person of his caliber
IIT Kharagpur and PhD from Sambalpur could have easily been a His passion for academics came to light
University in the area of semi-fluidiza- when he did not apply for the regular
on. During the span of 44 years as a
faculty in any IIT but he post of Director of NITR in response to
teacher, mentor and administrator he preferred to continue an open adver sement. During his short
has le an indelible mark through his at RECR and to nurture s nt as the first Director of the newly re-
incredible teaching and love for the the students in his own structured Na onal Ins tute of Technol-
students. Regarded as one of the best state. ogy, Rourkela, he also proved his me le
teachers in the Department, he is fondly as an administrator by running the Ins -
remembered for his helpful and loving tute smoothly, bringing small improve-
nature. A person of his caliber could have easily been a ments silently within his limited authority. When he was
faculty in any IIT; but he preferred to con nue at RECR the Director, he once said that the best part of the day
and to nurture the students in his own state. He taught for him was when he took the classes.
the difficult subjects with such lucidity and made them
so interes ng that those subjects would become the As a man of ethics and integrity, he never took any un-
favourite of all the students. He had a unique style of due credit. He stayed away from hun ng for power and
24
avoided limelight. His unassuming personality, silent and

loving demeanour and humble nature a racted the stu-
dents to him. He could easily mix with students and was
very fond of their company. When it came to undergrad-
uate project work, he was undoubtedly the first choice
of all the students. One of my seniors once narrated an
incident how Prof Roy had remembered his students.
A er 35 years of passing out from college, he had been
to meet Prof Roy. As he started saying, “Sir I am your
student. You wouldn’t remember me…” Prof Roy’s inter-
rup on surprised him, “Anant, your roll no. was 402.”
He was amazed that Prof Roy had remembered not only
his name, but also his roll number! In fact he used to
Pof. Roy being felicitated by Dr S. Mishra
maintain a directory of his students and monitored their
progress. Anyone in need of the address of any Chemical Prof. Roy has also been silently involved in various social
Engineer from RECR could have that informa on from service and philanthropic ac vi es. He had been associ-
Prof Roy. ated with AASRA as a faculty advisor and guided a dedi-
cated group of NIT students to bring smiles on the faces
During my stay of fourteen and of the less fortunate children
a half months at REC as a Lec- It is rare to find a teacher like him, who of our society. AASRA has been
turer I had the opportunity of is also so humble a human being. A man able to fulfill the dreams of many
co-authoring a book with him
with a balanced mind, he was never such children of the leprosy col-
which had given me immense ony and orphanages in Rourkela.
pleasure. We had plans of writ- seen getting annoyed. It had been his He is also the president of an or-
ing another book together but inherent conviction that it is possible phanage named ‘Sishu Sadan’,
unfortunately I had to leave to get things done by students through which shelters children of poor
REC and had to shi to Bhu- love and affection rather than by repri- parents. The children of Sishu
baneswar. I s ll remember, Sadan study in the Government
manding.
he had jokingly told me “I will school nearby.
not forward your applica on
for ‘no objec on cer ficate’ and then I had replied that I feel my words are inadequate to describe the person
anyway I would not be leaving REC, but would like to ap- that he is. He was admired not only by the students of
pear for the interview just to put my knowledge to test. Chemical engineering but of other departments also.
But des ny had something else in store. He worked very A er his superannua on he has se led down in Bhu-
hard and very o en he used to work beyond office hours baneswar and I look forward to be associated with him
when everybody in the department was gone and sat in some of his future projects as he wishes to con nue
down to write an ar cle or to work on a book he was with research and teaching.
wri ng in the s llness of the night.
I pray to God to bless him and Madam with a long, happy
A very approachable person, one could walk into his and healthy life.
room with a problem without any hesita on. He was
ready to help when anybody was in need and was very
encouraging and mo va ng. Even a er leaving REC I
used to contact him whenever I needed any help, which
he never refused. His wife, Mrs. Kamala Laxmi Roy
was our Maths Professor and was equally affec onate.
Whenever some women graduates of Chemical Engg like
me visited the Alma Mater, sir and madam liked us to be
their guests. It is rare to find a teacher like him, who is Dr. Swa Mohanty, a Chemical Engineering graduate of
also so humble a human being. A man with a balanced 1983, excelled in the areas of Process Modelling, Simu-
la on, Op miza on and Control. She has been the re-
mind, he was never seen ge ng annoyed. It had been
cipient of Alexander von Humboldt Reseach Fellowship
his inherent convic on that it is possible to get things
(Bonn), Commonwealth Science Council Fellowship (UK)
done by students through love and affec on rather than and AOTS/CICC Scholarship (Japan). She is a Visi ng Sci-
by reprimanding. We are indeed very proud and lucky en st to a number of Universi es in Germany and UK. She
to have had the privilege of being taught by him. He works as a Scien st at Ins tute of Minerals and Materials
has been able to give us a strong founda on which has Technology and lives in Bhubaneswar.
helped us in taking up challenging work in life and com- Email: swa .mohanty@gmail.com, cell: 0-9437253298
pete with the best in our field.
25
A VISIONARY,
PAR EXCELLENCE
SANTOSH KUMAR UPADHYAY REGISTRAR, NITR
Prof. Dr. Sunil Kumar Sarangi, a higly acclaimed expert in the field of Cryogenics in the country, took up
the responsibility of heading NITR as its first Director and brought about a sea change in terms of develop-
ment and expansion. The author pays a handsome tribute to his capability to dream big matched by his
enthusiasm for translating that dream into reality. This is the hallmark of a true visionary, he observes.
I feel humbled to write a few lines about the first He is one of the foremost researchers in Cryogenic
director of NIT, Rourkela. A er the erstwhile REC, Engineering in the country and is associated with a
Rourkela was upgraded along with other RECs to NITs, number of Sponsored Research projects in collabora on
Government of India advised the senior most professor with Government and Industry. His fields of interest are
of RECR to take charge and simultaneously ini ated Cryogenic Refrigera on and Liquefac on Systems -
ac on for selec on of a regular director. Dr Sunil Kumar Process Design, Heat Exchangers, Expansion Turbines,
Sarangi, a thinker, intellectual, eminent Air Separa on, Liquefied Natural Gas
educa onist and an authority in the (LNG), Liquid Hydrogen and Applica ons
country in the field of Cryogenics was and Cryogenic Applica ons in Industry.
appointed by the Government of India as He has provided industrial consultancy to
the first Director of NITR in May 2003. a number of Industries/ Organisa ons in
the country, such as ISRO, BHEL, DRDO
Born on 12th January, 1949 in the and Dept. of Atomic Energy (DAE) etc.
Jagatsinghpur district of Orissa, Prof. Prof. Sarangi’s research interests also
Sunil Kumar Sarangi had a brilliant include Cryogenic Systems and their
academic record throughout his career. applica on to industrial gas manufacturing
He had his educa on from Revenshaw and distribu on. He has successfully
College and subsequently completed his guided a large number of PhD Scholars at
B.Tech from IIT Kharagpur in 1970. He IIT Kharagpur and NIT, Rourkela.
was one among the ten best students in
the Pre-University and Pre-Professional He is a fellow of the Indian Na onal
examina ons. He worked as a Graduate Academy of Engineering (INAE) since
Research Assistant from 1970 to 1974 at He is one of the foremost 2001. He is also a member of several
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
researchers in Cryogenic associa ons including the American
State University of New York, Stony Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME
Brook, USA and obtained his Ph.D, a er Engineering in the Interna onal), Life member, Indian
which he worked as Research Associate, country and is associated Society for Heat and Mass Transfer
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, with a number of (ISHMT) and Founda on Fellow, Indian
USA during 1975 76. He returned to India Sponsored Research Cryogenics Council (ICC).
and served at Physical Research
projects in collaboration
Laboratory, Ahmedabad as a fellow During his tenure as Director, NIT,
during 1976-77. He joined as a Lecturer with Government and Rourkela his contribu on to the growth
in the Cryogenic Engineering Centre at Industry. and development of the Ins tute has
IIT, Kharagpur and was subsequently been excep onal. The land records of
promoted as Assistant Professor in 1979 and as Professor NIT, Rourkela were regularised a er a period of almost
in 1987 at IIT Kharagpur. He was appointed as Director of 50 years and 170 encroaching families were rese led
NIT, Rourkela by Ministry of Human Resource and rehabilitated peacefully outside of the campus area,
Development, the posi on he held during 2003-05 and without much protest. He was responsible for
a er a small gap again, during 2005-10. streamlining academic regula ons, sponsored research
26
Welcoming Dr. APJ Kalam for Convocation-2010 Welcoming CM, Orissa for an inauguration in 2010
and consultancy procedures, administra ve procedures undertaken during his period. The aesthe c appeal of
such as leave rules, purchase procedures etc. With his the campus also got a face li with newly laid out lawns
exemplary visionary abili es, during his tenure, NIT and gardens and massive planta on drives were also
Rourkela progressed from being a basically undergraduate taken up in the campus premises. Through his dynamic
teaching college to be at par with some of the best post- leadership a permanent solu on to the water and
graduate ins tutes of the country. As a result, more than electricity crisis has been planned, which is soon going
18 numbers of post graduate courses in various to be implemented.
departments were opened. He also pioneered the
implementa on of the concept of M. Tech research Some of the other addi onal measures that he had taken
programs for the first me in the country at NIT, Rourkela. up strongly with the State Administra on were the
As a result, a number of research construc on of a two lane
scholars and other working Intellectual capital is one of the major approach road from Biju Patnaik
execu ves are ge ng scope for factors for rating an educational road (Ring road) to NIT campus,
pursuing masters’ degree in
Institute. Since 2003, he has been acquiring 170 addi onal acres
their respec ve fields while s ll of land from SAIL for expansion
con nuing with their jobs. Both continuously striving to induct brilliant of the Ins tute, laying a road
PG & UG curriculum underwent faculty members to the Institute. structure skir ng NIT campus
a sea change during his tenure and acquiring 2.5 acres of land
as Director. Since 2004, convoca ons are also being held at Bhubaneswar for NIT extension centre.
regularly and the number of Ph.D awardees has increased
more than 5 fold in last the five years. His dynamism and hard working nature is a role-model
for many. As a person his simple style of living, polite and
Intellectual capital is one of the major factors for ra ng amiable manners and easy accessibility are quali es that
an educa onal Ins tute. Since 2003, he has been have been the source of inspira on for many. His fast
con nuously striving to induct brilliant faculty members and convincing decision making abili es and strong
to the Ins tute. As a result the number of con nuing leadership skills are a rarity among academicians.
educa on courses and consultancy and sponsored
research projects in the Ins tute has increased manifold. His capability to dream big and a matching enthusiasm
At present the number of PhD holders among faculty for transla ng that dream into reality are the hallmark of
members is more than 95% in the ins tute. A number of his greatness. He is truly a visionary, par excellence!
new departments, such as Bio-technology & Medical
Engineering (BM), Life Science (LS), Industrial Design
(ID), School of Management (SM) etc, have started in the
last three years. The total student strength has gone up
two mes in the last five years and is likely to get doubled
in the coming five years. Santosh Kumar Upadhyay, an Electrical Engineer of 1980
from UCE, Burla and M.Tech of 1982 from IIT, Kanpur,
Infrastructure development has been of special interest started his professional career in SAIL, RSP in Power Plant.
A er a subsequent s nt at MTI, Ranchi as a Faculty mem-
to him as he had understood that without proper
ber, he worked up to 2004 at NIST, Berhampur as Profes-
infrastructure and adequate resources even the best of
sor, Electrical Engg.. He has been working at NITR as its
brains would find it difficult to perform to their poten al. Registrar since 2004. He has been associated as the sec-
New academic buildings, widening of roads, swimming retary to a number of commi ees in NITR and lives in the
pool, playgrounds and moderniza on of staff quarters campus.
are some of the developmental works that were Email: sku_seema@rediffmail.com, Cell: 0-9437153285
27
2
ALMA MATER
ARTICLES ABOUT THE INSTITUTION AND RELATED CONCEPTS

AS WELL AS ABOUT THE ALUMNI ACTIVITIES
28
HISTORY OF
NIT, ROURKELA
DR. SAROJ KUMAR PATEL 1985
The long journey of REC Rourkela from the banks of Koel in 1961 to its neo-modern shape of NITR is
indeed a very absorbing saga of vision, dedication and transformation. Change of its name is only symbolic
of its change of guard, change of look, change of curriculum and a change of traditions. This article is a
compendium of some of its important events and transformation that have taken place over the last five
decades on the basis of information collected from various sources, and the author’s own association with
the institute for about 25 years first as a student and then as a teacher.
O n 15th August of 2010, the year long Golden Jubilee COURSES

celebra on of Na onal Ins tute of Technology, Rourkela It started with 40 students each in three core disciplines
(NITR) has been flagged off on entering its 50th year of undergraduate course of engineering namely Civil,
along with the celebra on of Ins tute Founda on Day Mechanical and Electrical in 1961. The name of the
started three years ago. The ins tute was established course was Bachelor of Science (Engineering), in short
on 15th August, 1961 under the name of Regional Engi- B.Sc. Engg.. Subsequently, it was changed to Bachelor in
neering College, Rourkela (RECR) with the bold ini a ve Engineering (B.E.) and then to Bachelor of Technology
of the then Chief Minister of (B.Tech.) with effect from the
Orissa Late Biju Patnaik, with- The intake capacity in B.Tech. course batches passed out in 1992 and
out wai ng for the approval
has increased from 120 (in 1961) to 720 2003 respec vely. The dura on
of Government of India. Over of course was ini ally 4 years
the last 49 years, it has steadi- (in 2010). In 1961 only B.Tech. course and then changed to 5 years for
ly grown from a small college was offered for admission whereas now the batch taking admission in the
with uncertain beginning to there are 8 other courses. The total year 1963. It reverted back to 4
an Ins tute of na onal im- sanctioned student intake strength has years course for admission in the
portance, duly recognized by
increased from 120 to 1659 (i.e., around year 1980. The divisions were
an Act of Parliament on 15th awarded on the basis of marks
August, 2007. Major changes 14 times) obtained in the last two years
have taken place a er it was under B.Sc. Engg. course whereas
upgraded to Na onal Ins tute of Technology (NIT) on in B.E. course it was on the basis of 50% weightage to
June 26, 2002. first 2 years’ marks and 100% weightage to last 2 years’
marks. Under B.Tech., marks-system got replaced by
SOURCE OF FUND grade-system and equal weightage is now given to grades
As Regional Engineering College (REC), it was funded obtained in all the years. The individual marks sheet
equally by Government of India and Government of of each semester/year is now replaced by one grade
Orissa. Accordingly, 50% of its seats were reserved for sheet containing grades of all semesters. Thus, B.Sc.
the students of Orissa and the other 50% was filled up Engg., B.E. or B.Tech. are different names of the same
from other states as per the quota fixed up on the basis undergraduate course of engineering (hereina er all are
of their popula on. As a result, one can find the students referred as B.Tech.). The intake capacity in B.Tech. course
of all parts of the country in every batch giving a picture has increased from 120 (in 1961) to 720 (in 2010). In 1961
of mini-India. This unique feature is no more guaranteed only B.Tech. course was offered for admission whereas
a er becoming NIT when it is fully funded by Govern- now there are 8 other courses as listed in Table 1. The
ment of India. The 50% reserva on for other states has total sanc oned student intake strength has increased
been abolished since 2008. However, the home state from 120 to 1659 (i.e., around 14 mes) excluding that
quota of 50% is s ll con nuing for students passing +2 of M.Tech.(Research) and Ph.D.. There is no limit to the
Science in Orissa. intake of research scholars either at M.Tech. or Ph.D.
29
A view of the Main Building
levels so long as the faculty and students are willing. This neering college in Orissa to introduce entrance exami-
number is increasing every year. At present there are 98 na on. Next year it was started in the then University
and 236 students on roll under M.Tech. (Research) and College of Engineering (UCE) (in 2009 renamed as Veer
Ph.D. programs, who remain in the campus even during Surendra Sai Universiy of Technology , in short VSSUT),
vaca on. Table 1 shows the number of currently running Burla. In 1978, both colleges joined together to conduct
courses with their details like dura on, sanc oned intake one joint entrance examina on called Orissa JEE (E&M)
student strength and number of disciplines. The number which con nued for all engineering and medical colleges
of disciplines has increased from 3 to 27 in B.Tech. and of Orissa. A er becoming NIT, along with other NITs, it
from zero to 23 in M.Tech. In due course of me, many got delinked from Orissa JEE and started taking through
new courses and disciplines have opened up and their AIEEE (All India Engg. Entrance Exam) conducted by CBSE
chronological sequence is shown in Table 2. from the year 2003. The admission criteria for various
courses are listed in Table 3.
ADMISSION PROCEDURE
Ini ally the admission to B.Sc. Engg. course was based ACADEMIC PROGRAM
on marks secured in Pre-Professional (PP) or Pre-Uni- A predominantly undergraduate level college has been
versity (PU) examina ons for 4 or 5 years courses re- now upgraded to a composite undergraduate-postgrad-
spec vely. At that me, PU and PP examina ons were uate technical university. The focus has changed from
held a er 1st and 2nd year of study in science course dissemina on of exis ng knowledge basically to man-
in a general college a er comple ng 11 years of school age shop floor to innova on, research and development
educa on. Now, one has to complete 2 years of science of new technology. The evalua on of student’s perfor-
at +2 level to be eligible for 4 years of B.Tech. course. mance has been made on con nuous basis. The weight-
In the year 1976, REC, Rourkela became the first engi- age distribu on pa ern has been changed from 40-60 to
Table 1 : Details of courses offered for admission in AY 2010-11

Sl Course Dura on (years) Sanc oned intake strength No. of disciplines
1 B.Tech. and dual degrees 4 420 27

2 M.Tech. 2 575 23
3 M.Sc. 2 214 5
4 Integrated M.Sc. 5 90 3
5 M.A. 2 30 1
6 M.B.A. 2 30 1
7 M.Tech. (Research) 2 NA 12
8 Ph.D. 3 NA NA
30
Table 2 : Chronological sequence of opening of academic programs

YEAR OPENING OF ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
1961 4 years B.Sc. Engg. in Civil, Electrical and Mechanical

1963 i. Admission started for 5 years B.Sc. Engg. courses
ii. 5 years B.Sc. Engg. in Chemical and Metallurgy
1965 2 years M.Sc in Physics, Chemistry and Mathema cs
1967 Affilia on shi ed from Utkal to Sambalpur university
1970 2 years M.Tech. in Mechanical, and Metallurgical Engg. Depts.
1971 M.Tech. in Civil and Electrical Engg. Depts.
1972 Semester system of examina on in place of annual
1976 Admission to B.Sc. Engg. course through entrance examina on
1979 B.Sc.Engg. in Mining
1981 M.Tech. in Chemical Engg. Dept.
1983 M.C.A. (now admission to this course discon nued since 2007)
1986 B.Sc. Engg. in Computer Science & Engineering
1987 B.Sc. Engg. in Applied Electronics & Instrumenta on Engg.
1990 Academic autonomy under Sambalpur university
1992 B.E. degree awarded first me in place of B.Sc. Engg. to passed out students
1994 B.E. in Ceramic Engg.
1995 i. 30% reserva on of girls introduced in admission (discon nued since 2003)
ii. M.Tech. in Computer Science & Engg. Dept.
2002 i. Declared as NIT with deemed to be university status on 26th June, 2002
ii. Ph.D. in all disciplines
2003 i. B.Tech. degree awarded in place of B.E.
ii. Admission through AIEEE in place of Orissa JEE (E&M)
2004 i. M.Tech. by Research in all disciplines
ii. 1st convoca on on 12th April, 2004 ( i.e., 2003 batch)
2005 B.Tech. in Electronics & Communica on Engg.
2006 M.Tech. in Ceramic Engg.
2007 i. B.Tech. in Bio-Technology, and Bio-Medical Engg.

ii. M.Tech. in Bio-Technology, and Bio-Medical Engg.
iii. M.Tech. in Mining Engg. [ No students admi ed ll 2010 ]
2008 QIP sponsored M.Tech. and Ph.D. extended to all disciplines
2009 i. 2 years M.Sc. in Life Science
ii. 5 years integrated M.Sc. course in Physics, Chemistry and Mathema cs
2010 i. 4 years B.Tech. in Industrial Design
ii. 5 years dual degree B.Tech./M.Tech.
iii. 2 years M.B.A.
iv. 2 years M.A. in Development Studies
31
Table 3 : Courses and admission criteria

COURSE ADMISSION CRITERIA PERIOD
B.Tech. Marks in PU / PP 1961 – 1975

Orissa JEE(E &M) rank 1976 – 2002
AIEEE rank 2003 – ll date
M.Tech. Marks in B.Tech. 1970 – 1982
GATE score 1983 – ll date
Dual Degree M.Tech. AIEEE rank 2010 – ll date
MCA Orissa JEE (MCA) 1983 – 2006
M. Sc. Marks in +3 Sc./ B.Sc. & career 1965 – ll date
Integrated M.Sc. AIEEE rank 2010 – ll date
MA Marks in +3 Arts/ Sc. /Com. & career 2010 – ll date
MBA B.Tech. with CAT/XAT/JMET score 2010 – ll date
20-80 and now to 20-30-50. Now in 20-30-50 system, 20 course has been reduced from unlimited to 8 years and
marks is given by the teacher based on a endance, class now to 6 years. Unlike in the past, now there is a risk
performance, regular class tests, assignments, quizzes for a student to lose his B.Tech. seat a er one year. The
etc, 30 marks for mid-semester examina on of 2 hours students now clear back papers either by staying back in
dura on, and 50 marks for end-semester examina on summer vaca on to undergo condensed course or going
of 3 hours dura on. The academic programs have been through slow paced program thereby avoiding embar-
now made more flexible by introduc on of wide range rassments of wai ng at home for a semester/ year to
of elec ve papers including interdisciplinary subjects appear in the next semester/ annual/ supplementary
in syllabi. All the courses have been restructured giv- examina on. All syllabi are being now revised more fre-
ing emphasis on topics of current interest and project quently. Course appraisal system, semester registra on,
work and self-learning instead of the tradi onal subjects fee payment etc. have been now made online. Students
and examina on centric pedagogy. The mark sheet is have now the op on of rechecking of papers and alter-
now replaced by grade sheet with introduc on of grade na on of grades in end semester examina on. Results
& credit system. The dura on of comple on of B.Tech. are being now published within 15 days of examina on.
Biju Patnaik Central Library
32
Now, all engineering departments are offering SIP spon-

sored M.Tech. and PhD. courses in addi on to B.Tech.
courses.
PLACEMENT
Earlier, the placement through campus was limited to
a few private companies. The majority of jobs were ob-
tained through all India level open compe ve examina-
ons for public sector and Government jobs. The place-
ment improved considerably in late nine es a er the
so ware industries started recrui ng in large numbers Rear view of Bio-technology dept.
through campus. The percentage of B.Tech. students
placed through campus interview during last year was as NITRutsav a er 2000. The Na onal level Technical
around 90% and it was 20% for M.Tech. students. Last fes val started in early nine es by a few departments
year as many as 60 companies visited the campus and separately under different names, but now this is being
offered about 600 jobs to the students. arranged for all departments at a me under one name,
‘Confluence’ since 2004. Every week, an electronic cam-
EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES pus news magazine called ‘Monday Morning is now being
Secretaries of all associa ons like cultural, audio-visual published on the website since 2007. The students are
and sports were earlier elected from B.Tech. pre-final now par cipa ng only in Inter-NIT sports tournaments
year students through direct elec on. Now any one can usually held during winter vaca on through O-INSA (Or-
be elected as secretary irrespec- ganiza on for Inter-NIT Student
ve of his/ her course and year. The total student strength in all pro- Ac vi es). Similarly, inter-NIT
The elec on process is made so cultural meet has started since
cumbersome that no contestant
grams and all years of study has gone 2009.
can feel any me confident of up to 2693 in 2010, out of which 449 are
winning the elec on. The Cul- girls i.e., around 17%. Similarly, at pres- AUDIO-VISUAL
tural Secretary who was earlier ent the faculty strength has gone up In the beginning, the weekly
regarded as the representa ve to 204 out of a sanctioned strength of film show was being screened
of en re student community is in the exis ng laboratory of Ap-
now called as General Conve-
230 and there is a proposal to further plied Mechanics and then in the
nor. A er becoming NIT, a new increase it to 315. first room of Civil Engineering
cons tu on of SAC (Student in ground floor of main build-
Ac vity Centre) was adopted in 2004. It now consists ing ll the Audio-Visual Hall was made ready in 1972.
of four main socie es namely i) Literary and Cultural, ii) With the advent of TV, VCR, Computer etc. the craze for
Film and Music, iii) Technical, and iv) Games and Sports. watching films on big screen in the Audio-Visual hall is
Under each society there are many voluntary clubs like on the decline. However, the weekly film show is con-
SAE-India chapter, Entrepreneurship cell, Uddan club etc. nuing but with VCP and LCD projector in place of reel
The annual inter-college cultural meet called Spring me projector. The si ng arrangement has improved from
started in the year 1984 which later on was renamed foldable steel chair to fixed plas c chair and recently to
Guest House
33
fixed cushion chair. The shadow of ceiling fans on screen, 1 in the year 2010. A new building for Electrical Sciences
throwing of chappals during screening, cut reel show etc is under construc on in the low lying area behind Cen-
are now things of the past. The annual film fes val is tral Workshop which is planned to accommodate three
now replaced with two weekly film fes vals, one in each departments i.e., Electrical Engg., Electronics & Commu-
semester. A er major renova on, it is now renamed as nica on Engg., and Computer Science & Engg. Extension
Bhubaneswar Behera Auditorium since 2009. of the dispensary building is in progress.
POSTS Besides the departments there are now four Centres.

A er becoming NIT, the immediate change of name was Material Science Centre was set up in nine es with
from College to Ins tute and from Principal to Director. foreign collabora ve funding under Indo-UK REC proj-
In course of me, various posts of faculty and staff mem- ect. With another foreign funding of World Bank-cum-
bers have been abolished, added or renamed as shown Swiss Development Corpora on two more departments
in Table 4. namely Computer Science and Electronics Engineering
were thoroughly modernized under IMPACT project.
BUILDINGS / FACILITIES All the departments have been modernized with latest
Ini ally, in 1961, the college had started func oning in equipments with the government support under Techni-
the building of Government ITI cal Educa on Quality Improve-
(Industrial Training Ins tute), The campus spreads over 262 hectares ment Program (TEQIP). A state-
Panposh. A er about one year of land. Recently, it has been made free of-the-art mul media digital
and a half it was shi ed to its language laboratory with com-
own campus near sector-1 of
from all unauthorized encroachment puter assisted language learn-
steel township in December, and has a boundary all around. The ing facili es has been set up
1962. The ini al building con- movement of outsiders through the in the Dept. of Humani es and
sisted of the Central Workshop campus has been stopped since last 5 Social Sciences. Recently in the
and Mechanical Engg. Dept./ years. A new road has been made out- year 2008 three new centres
Applied Mechanics & Hydrau- namely, Centre for Develop-
lics Dept. buildings in 1962. The
side the boundary on Jagda side for the ment of Nano-materials, Centre
main building was ready around movement of for Industrial Refrigera on and
1964. Later on separate build- Cryogenics, and Centre for In-
ings for the departments of Chemical Engg. (in 1967), dustrial Electronics and Robo cs have been established.
Postgraduate building for Mechanical, and Metallurgy
(around 1976), Mining Engg. (in 1983) , Computer Sci- Besides AV Hall, a mini-auditorium was constructed in
ence & Engineering (around 1990), Electronics Engg. around 1976 on the first floor of PG building with a seat-
(around 1991), Ceramic Engg. (in 1996) and Bio-Technol- ing capacity of 80 where the welcome farewell inaugu-
ogy / Bio-Medical Engg. (in 2010) were added. The build- ra on etc. func ons were held. It is now converted to
ings of audio-visual hall (in 1972), library (around 1973) departmental seminar room for Mechanical Engg. Now
and lecture gallery (in 1988) and student ac vity centre each departments has its own seminar room. The Lec-
(around 1992) have come up. A li has been installed in ture Gallery with sea ng capacity of about 200 came up
the main building in the year 2007. Classes have started in 1988. Its extension & renova on work was complete
in the new Lecture Hall Complex recently built near Hall- in 2009 and renamed as A.N. Khosla Conference Centre.
Table 4. Changes in official posts
SL OLD NAME NEW NAME
1 Principal Director
2 Lecturer Assistant Professor
3 Assistant Professor Associate Professor
4 Warden Chief Warden
5 Superintendent of Hall Warden
6 Assistant Superintendent of Hall Assistant Warden
7 PTO / PTI SAS Officer (Student Ac vity & Sports Officer)
8 Accounts Officer Finance Officer
9 Controller of Examina ons Post Abolished
10 Proctor Post Abolished
11 Superintendant of Examina ons Professor-in-charge(Exam)
34
A new senate hall will soon be ready for use in the lo- ing. The School of Entrepreneurship and Management
ca on of old Reading Hall of the Central Library. A new Studies started with Government funding in around
Lecture Hall complex near Hall-1 has started func oning 1986 and con nued ll about 5 years ago. A separate
this year. administra ve cell for Sponsored Research, Industrial
Consultancy and Con nuing Educa on (SRICCE) was cre-
Among the facili es, the Computer Centre with VAX-11 ated in 2003 to take care of increasing volume of work.
came up in around 1982. It now func ons 24x7x365 days The founda on stone for TIIR (Centre for Technology In-
basis with 150 kVA generator power backup. There is nova on and Industrial Rela ons) has been laid down by
now 60 mbps internet connec vity throughout the cam- former President of India Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam on 16th
pus. Majority of the hostels, AV Hall, class rooms, Lecture January, 2010 to help young student entrepreneurs to
Gallery etc. are connected with wireless LAN. The cen- incubate technology concepts for crea ng real products
tral workshop has been thoroughly revamped with the or services.
addi on of many new machines. The Forge sec on has
been closed to accommodate the new Welding shop. A When the college shi ed from Panposh in December,
new Electrical sec on has come up at the loca on of old 1962 all the students of first two batches were accom-
welding and sheet metal sec- modated in Hall of Residence-1,
on. The students are now us- The library has gradually expanded and in short called as Hall-1. A er
ing power tools instead of man-
is now equipped with around 55000 staying there for a few months,
ual hand tools in carpentry and they all shi ed to Hall-2 in sum-
fi ng sec on. They are now books, 20000 bound volumes of jour- mer 1963 to vacate Hall-1 for
provided with aprons in all sec- nals, e-library, high speed book scan- the third batch of students. Then
ons while working. The library ner, facility of self-issue/-return using Hall-3, Hall-4 and Hall-5 were
has gradually expanded and is RFID, digitization of Oriya books, digital made ready one a er another.
now equipped with around
repository of research papers through All these five hostels are for
55000 books, 20000 bound vol- boys and located all along one
umes of journals, e-library, high dSpace etc.. side of a straight road. Later on
speed book scanner, facility of to accommodate postgraduate
self-issue/-return using RFID, digi za on of Oriya books, students Hall-6 came up behind the tennis court in the
digital repository of research papers through dSpace year 1996. The number of girl students was earlier very
etc.. The telephone exchange has been upgraded with less and they were accommodated in one faculty quar-
a 1200-lines Siemens set-up with 2 mbps op cal fibre ters in the campus. A small 30-seated separate building
line and DID (direct inward dialing) facility for easy ac- for Ladies’ Hall of Residence came up in the year 1983
cess from outside to all phones. inside the residen al area of staff members. The num-
ber of girl students has gradually increased and accord-
Beside the tennis court a new swimming pool has been ingly the size of Ladies’ Hall has expanded to four blocks,
built and has started func oning since the beginning of but all within the same premises. In July 2010, one boys’
the year 2010. In view of growing popularity of cricket hostel (Hall-6) has been converted to 2nd Ladies’ Hall.
among students, one more play ground has been pre- A er becoming NIT, two new boys’ hostels namely, Homi
pared in front of Hall-4 in the year 2009. This ground as J. Bhaba Hall and Vikram Sarabhai Hall were made ready
well as the stadium has been fi ed with flood lights in in 2006 and 2010 respec vely. In the year 2010, Hall-3
2010. and Hall-4 were extended with one extra block each.
The four seated Hall-1 meant for 1st year students was
The Nodal Centre for the state of Orissa for Na onal converted as married hostel for Ph.D. students in 2007.
Technical Manpower Informa on System (NTMIS) was Thus, there are now a total of 2 ladies’, 6 boys’ and one
established in this ins tute in 1983 and is s ll con nu- married hostel.
Most of the buildings have been extended/ renovated

a er becoming NIT and renamed as shown in Tables 5
and 6
CAMPUS
The campus spreads over 262 hectares of land. Recently,
it has been made free from all unauthorized encroach-
ment and has a boundary all around. The movement of
outsiders through the campus has been stopped since
last 5 years. A new road has been made outside the
A view of the Institute Guest House boundary on Jagda side for the movement of outsiders.
Besides bank, post office and dispensary, it has now a
35
community centre, one Oriya medium high school, the Table 5 : New names of buildings / facili es
Ins tu on of Engineers (India) Rourkela Local Centre
and three temples i.e., Maa Mangala, Lord Shiva and BUILDINGS / NEW NAME
Lord Ram. The number of staff quarters has increased FACILITIES
to 462. 84 new flat type quarters for faculty members Central Library Biju Patnaik Central Library
are under construc on behind D-type flat quarters. With Audio-Visual Hall Bhubaneswar Behera Auditorium
the expansion of old Guest House and construc on of
Lecture Gallery A.N. Khosla Conference Centre
Visitors House the total capacity has increased from 6
to 50. Out of the two gates for entry from sector side to Guest House Ins tute Guest House (South Block)
campus, the one near the staff quarters of B and C blocks Visitor House Ins tute Guest House (North Block)
is now being renovated and will be used as the main Stadium Dilip Tirkey Stadium
gate. The exis ng main gate leading straight to ring road
Basket Ball / P.T. Usha Sports Complex
at Indo-German club will be closed and on this loca on,
Tennis Court area
there is a plan of construc on of new buildings for bank
and post office so that outsiders need not enter the cam- no longer followed now. The number of holidays dur-
pus for using them. All the roads have been widened and ing semester has been reduced. There is no more Durga
repaired. All street light posts have been replaced with Puja vaca on. But the X-mas vaca on is now stretched
new ones with underground supply. The vacant space to cover en re month of December. Similarly, the sum-
outside the boundary on Jagda side has now become mer vaca on is also increased to 2 & ½ months up to
livelier with plenty of private houses and few establish- mid-July. Instead of filling up form towards the end of
ments like BSNL exchange with its campus, a mission- the semester before appearing examina on, one has to
ary private hospital run by Community Welfare Society now fill up the semester registra on from on the first
(CWS) and All India Radio sta on with its campus. day of each semester. There is no longer any case of
postponement of examina on. The academic calendar
WORKING HOUR is now being strictly adhered to. There is no more a gap
With conversion from REC to NIT, the rules of Central of 2-3 days between two consecu ve papers in semester
Government were followed in place of State Govern- examina on. The system of morning classes during sum-
ment. Accordingly, the working schedule got changed mer is no longer followed now. The roster system of half
from 6 days per week to 5 days per week. The half work- day working with less number of staff during vaca on is
ing day on Saturday was made full holiday. The number now abolished. The ins tute is open for full eight work-
of periods increased from seven to eight every day. The ing hours even during vaca on, even when there are no
dura on of each period has been increased from 50 to 60 classes for students.
min. The daily working hour is now from 8AM to 5.15PM
with a lunch break from 12 noon to 1.15PM. The siren WORKING ENVIRONMENT
is no longer in use now. The tradi on of theory classes The academic premises now look more or less liter free.
in the morning and sessional classes in the a ernoon is The lawns and gardens are well maintained. Keeping
Table 6 : Details of Hostel buildings

OLD NEW NAME NO. OF YEAR ROOM OCCUPANT
NAME ROOMS FROM TO CAPACITY
Hall-1 Shan Swaroop Bhatnagar Hall 67 1962 2006 4-seated Boys
2007 2010 Family Married
Hall-2 M. Visvesaraya Hall 255 1963 2010 Single Boys
Hall-3 Ghanshyam Das Birla Hall Hall 67 1964 2010 4-seated Boys
Hall-4 Dhirubhai Ambani Hall 59 1965 2010 4-seated Boys
Hall-5 M.S. Swaminathan Hall 247 1966 2010 Single Boys
Hall-6 C.V. Raman Hall 196 1996 2009 Single Boys
2010 2010 Single Girls
Ladies Kiran Mazumdar Shaw Hall 180 1983 2010 4-seated Girls
Hall 104 2001 2010 Single Girls
Hall-7 Homi J. Bhaba Hall 400 2006 2010 Single Boys
Hall-8 Vikram Sarabhai Hall 1000 2010 2010 Single Boys
Hall-9 Sa sh Dhawan Hall 1000 Proposed Single Boys
36
cows in quarters has been now banned. The sight of undergoing some short dura on training courses.Now
ca le moving on department corridors and some mes most of the laboratories of the ins tute are found to re-
ea ng away books and paper, and roads and corridors main open beyond working hours and during holidays
defecated with cow dung is no more in vogue, thanks as all post graduate and research students have the per-
to ghter security. The acceptability of engineering edu- mission to issue building keys on 7 x 24 basis. All faculty
ca on among the girls has improved significantly. For members and research students (Ph.D. and M.Tech.- Re-
the last five years the security, gardening and cleaning search) are given individual PCs with internet connec-
works have been out-sourced. The toilets and floors are on at desk top. Each department has now been given
now more neat and clean. The lawns and gardens are a computer laboratory of propor onate student size. All
now be er maintained. The student co-opera ve store, departments have been provided with LCD projectors
guest house, hostel mess etc are now managed by pri- and digital Xerox machines since 2003. The department
vate agencies. of Applied Mechanics & Hydraulics has been closed and
merged with Civil and Mechanical Engg.
The significant rise in the number of girl students was
first observed when MCA course was introduced in 1983 HOSTEL LIFE
and then in 1995 with the introduc on of 30% reserva- The first two batches had stayed together in the same
on for girls in all government colleges of Orissa State hostel throughout the course period. From third batch
during Chief Ministership of Late Biju Patnaik. In spite of onwards, the students of one batch always used to stay
the removal of this reserva on together in a separate hostel.
a er becoming NIT, there has A new road parallel to the existing road Thus, every year the en re
been no decline. Till 2-3 years has already been laid out on the back- batch used to shi to a new
back, almost all the girls used side of the first five hostels. Along this hostel. This was leading to a
to put on the tradi onal salwar strong fellow feeling in a batch.
kameez or churidar dresses. But
new road, new hostels are under con- Some mes, this batch feeling
these days they are found to struction. All the old hostel rooms have was believed to be responsible
wear all types of dresses includ- been recently renovated. for figh ng among juniors and
ing jeans in the classes. A er seniors. Therefore, towards the
the use of two-wheelers by students was banned inside end of eigh es the first two years’ students were made
the campus 2-3 years back following a few incidences of to stay together in four seated hostels, Hall-1 & Hall-3;
accidents, the students are seen either walking or riding whereas the final and pre-final students were mixed to-
bicycles inside the campus as in earlier days. gether in single seated rooms of Hall-5 & Hall-2. A er a
few years, due to increased incidences of ragging the 1st
Earlier an engineering student was recognized for car- year students were reverted back to stay in a separate
rying T-square, Mini-dra er and drawing sheet. For last hostel i.e., Hall-1. Hall-4 con nued to accommodate stu-
2-3 years drawing sheets, mini-dra ers and drawing dents other than B.Tech. course and Hall-6 was used for
boards have vanished from the campus with the intro- final year postgraduate students. When the Hall-1 was
duc on of computer assisted drawing courses in place converted as married hostel in 2007, Hall-3 was used as
of manual drawing sessional classes. For last 3-4 years, 1st year B.Tech. hostel and rest of the hostels for seniors
everyday morning one can see first year B.Tech. students were all mixed together. In the year 2010, both Hall-3
in white jersey and blue track suit jogging around the and Hall-4 were used as 1st year B.Tech. hostels with six
road in hostel area a er introduc on of Extra Academic students staying in four seated rooms and each single
Ac vity (EAA) as 2 credits compulsory academic course. seated rooms in other hostels are used to accommodate
Some mes, groups of foreign students are now seen two senior students. Hopefully with the comple on of
new hostels being constructed, the accommoda on of
students would be again comfortable as before. A new
road parallel to the exis ng road has already been laid
out on the backside of the first five hostels. Along this
new road, new hostels are under construc on. All the
old hostel rooms have been recently renovated.
The dining hall of each hostel has been modernized

with led walls, dining tables and chairs made of stain-
less steel, hygienic utensil cleaning site, fume extractors,
cooking aides etc.. Cooking gas is being used in place of
coal and fuel wood. The students’ co-opera ve mess with
varying mess bill has been replaced by private mess with
Students’ Activity Center a fixed tariff rate. The system of charging extra dishes
through monthly mess bill has been discon nued. One
37
Blue waters of the swimming pool
has to pay directly to the mess manager for extra dish strength has gone up to 204 out of a sanc oned strength
through coupon or cash. Earlier there was a freedom for of 230 and there is a proposal to further increase it to
the students to take food a er night show of films. Af- 315. Accordingly, the non-teaching staff strength is pro-
ter becoming NIT, mess ming is being strictly followed posed to be raised to 346 from a present figure of 285.
and one has to carry his utensil a er ea ng from dining By 2014-15, the student, faculty and staff strength in the
table to the cleaning area. The small and temporary tea campus is expected to rise to around 8000. A new 33kV
stalls like those of Kaesto and others have been evicted supply line is proposed to be installed to meet the in-
from the campus. As a replacement, almost all halls are creasing demand of electricity. There is also a proposal
now provided with a private stall for tea, snack, fruits, of construc ng a 1500-seated convoca on hall, lecture
juice etc. A new small shopping complex consis ng of an hall complex-II, Mechanical Science building, Golden
Amul parlour, ATM of SBI, books & sta onary, and an air Jubilee building, 1000-seated Sa sh Dhawan hall of resi-
condi oned saloon has come up in front of Hall-3 since dence, common dining hall for Halls 2, 3, 4 & 5 and ad-
around 2009. di onal faculty quarters etc.
ALUMNI CONCLUSION
The alumni of first batch established Old Boys Associa- The ins tute has grown by leaps and bounds over the
on in 1965. It got officially registered in the name of last 49 years and has become NIT from REC, where the
Regional Engineering College Rourkela Alumni Associa- technology has become a way of life and not merely a
on (RECRAA) on 2nd April, 2002 under Socie es Regis- source of livelihood. It is all set to grow in future too and
tra on Act. With the conversion of REC to NIT, the name is expected to cross the benchmark of IIT and reach the
of RECRAA also got changed to NITRAA i.e., Na onal In- level of MIT of interna onal repute with commi ed con-
s tute of Technology Rourkela Alumni Associa on with tribu on from all its faculty, staff, students and alumni
effect from 9th September, 2002. It is managed by Ex- combine.
ecu ve Council with members from any place elected
through e-polling. It has now eight chapters located at
Rourkela, Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Chen-
nai, Visakhapatnam and Qatar each of which is man-
aged by a local council. Recently a chapter has been set
up at Sambalpur. Its cons tu on went through a major
amendment in the annual general body mee ng held
in April, 2009. It has its own website at www.nitraa.org. Dr. Saroj Kumar Patel, a B.Sc.Engg. (Mech) graduate of
Till date there are a total of 15540 alumni out of which 1985 completed his MTech (IIT, Madras) and PhD(IIT,
12039 are B.Tech. (77.5%), 1714 are M.Tech. (11.0%), Kharagpur) and started his professional career in Hindu-
1059 are M.Sc. (6.8%), 703 are M.C.A. (4.5%) and the stan Aeronau cs Ltd for the ini al 5 years, a er which he
rest 25 are Ph.D. holders (0.2%). joined NIT Rourkela as faculty. He is now Associate Prof,
Mech. Engg. and resides in the college campus. An FIE (I)
and a Past Honorary Secretary of Rourkela Local Centre of
FUTURE
Ins tu on of Engineers (India), he was also the Past Gen-
The total student strength in all programs and all years eral Secretary of OBA/ RECRAA/ NITRAA for 9 years.
of study has gone up to 2693 in 2010, out of which 449 E-mail: skpatel85@gmail.com , cell: 0-9437484951
are girls i.e., around 17%. Similarly, at present the faculty
38
VISION OF NIT ROURKELA

AS A DREAM INSTITUTE
ASHOK TRIPATHY 1969
The author revisits the college campus after four decades and proudly notes the metamorphosis it has under-
gone. The sight inspires him to weave a dream campus of NITR with a number of unique features, which
transport the reader to a visioning of an ideal premise of learning that could materialize, the author would
like to believe, in half a century from now.
A view of the Bio-Technology Dept
W hen I was a student of REC Rourkela from 1964 the memory of old mes, old faces and old values. The
to 69, I was witness to a wonderful campus that was college campus looked adorable with addi ons of tons
developing very fast. A er forty years when I revisited of bricks and mortar, new departments, an auditorium, a
the college, I was delighted to hostel for women and a gym with
see the changes. The campus patches of greenery all around.
had grown and presented a Every engineering institution has a vi- A good mix of tradi onal and
prosperous look. It was difficult sion to be a center of excellence in modern architecture, a hallmark
to locate the workshop and the technical education and research. The of good ins tu ons was very
hydraulics laboratory buildings vision would be more apt if it aims to pleasing to the eyes.
that served as class rooms for
have excellence in ambience in addition
the first four batches. I finally In my career of forty years a er
located them and they revived to education and research. passing out from REC, I had
39
occasions to see campus of many I.I.Ts, I.I.Sc, IIMs and to walk from there or be taken by a ba ery car. O en the
a few campuses abroad. I have also seen campus of departments are connected by under passes and over
many research organiza ons and IT companies including bridges but they are strictly for pedestrians. Every one
Infosys at Mysore. All these are similar in many respects walks, so you love to walk.
but differ in details. There are some unique features,
which give them their brand image. Here I pick up some The hostels, the streets, the auditorium, all have their
of the best features of these campuses and weave a names, some mes a er dis nguished persons, famous
dream for NITR over the next half century. rivers or mountains. They help you to repeat good words
that improve your thoughts.
Every engineering ins tu on has a vision to be a center
of excellence in technical educa on and research. The O en you no ce minor aberra ons like students busy
vision would be more apt if with their laptops under
it aims to have excellence The success behind these world class some of the trees, students
in ambience in addi on to institutions is that both the professors and professors moving with
educa on and research. chappals and khadi bags hanging
and the students know that they need from their shoulders, research
What is meant by excellence in each other, and both are prepared to scholars in kurta pajama and
ambience? Perhaps it is adding stretch. The professors are friends of a couple of scholars roaming
visibility and percep bility of performing students and nightmare oblivious to their surrounding
knowledge to an environment of for the non-performers. The fear of be- in a mood of introspec on
an ins tute when it is pursuing probably with cigare e in their
excellence in educa on and
ing leveled as a non-former drives the hands. You wonder about such
research. students and the staff. things as dress codes and ethics
on smoking. But honestly the
The percep on starts at the airport from where you are absence of such codes and ethics in ins tutes of class,
picked up, the students who escort you and your first give the freedom to the intellectual minds to innovate.
impression at the entrance when you get inside the Therefore it is accepted as perfectly normal in an
ins tute. The design of the main gate and the way the environment that has higher priori es than ar ficially
name of the college is scripted display a certain character imposed discipline.
and serve as a reminder of a heritage besides presen ng
an architectural beauty. A er you talk to people you come to know that the
staff here is known by their work and not by the size of
Once inside, you are be able to see, smell and feel rooms they occupy or the number of stenos they have.
knowledge in the air. The displays, the sign boards, the The management is very protec ve about its intellectual
department buildings, the streets with old and maturing staff and it may be easy to meet the ins tute Director but
trees, the all visible library, the greenery and the beds of difficult to meet a professor without an appointment.
flowers make the drive inside the campus an experience
by itself. There is a level of ins tu onal ego bordering arrogance
in these ins tutes who value their reputa on above
The environment in such a campus is one that visibly everything else and do not compromise on the high
supports simple living and high thinking. It believes in standards they maintain. So a professor’s post may fall
silent working. No automobile horns and noise pollu on. vacant if no suitable candidate meets the standard. By
You park your cars at least 200 meters away and you have the same yards ck there is always scope for the right
man to come in at any me if he is good. Rules and
codes may be there for average performers but not for
those to whom the ins tu on owes its fame. No one
tells the professors when to come and go except for
the scheduled mee ng mes fixed with his permission.
Teaching hours are flexible, venue is flexible, syllabus is
flexible, and examina on pa ern is flexible. Everything
is tolerated except mediocrity and stupidity.
The success behind world class ins tu ons is that both

the professors and the students know that they need each
other, and both are prepared to stretch. The professors
are friends of performing students and nightmare for
Interactions over a cup of tea the non-performers. The fear of being leveled as a non-
former drives the students and the staff.
40
In such ins tutes me follows the individuals, not the intellectual minds do need recrea on and relaxa on.
vice-versa. It does not mean that me once fixed is not These ins tutes provide these in plenty in the form of
honored, on the contrary it means that the commitment good gymnasiums, swimming pools, market centers,
and the sense of loyalty is so deep rooted that no one recrea on clubs, indoor and outdoor games not only for
needs to remind another of the me. For example there the students but also for the staff and their family. The
is no re rement me. A professor can con nue to work campus may literally go crazy if a top-notch technocrat is
ll such me he decides to rest. visi ng the campus or a Tech Fest is ge ng organized.
Such an environment is not a place that is against Why do these organiza ons have a brand image, a
disagreement and debate. O en disagreement can high- profile staff or brilliant students? Or is it staff
be bi er, but it is accepted because it shows pressure plus students and an ambience? The ambience comes
and compe veness and o en enhances the ins tute’s from the environment in campus and from hobby
reputa on rather than bringing any bad name. Experts clubs, student projects, compe ons, entrepreneurship
do fight on issues. There is a centers, student welfare
saying that two experts don’t ac vi es, scholarships, awards,
The ambience comes from the environ-
agree on the same solu on to a rewards, and recogni on.
problem; conversely, if they do, ment in campus and from hobby clubs,
then they are no experts. Now student projects, competitions, entre- We hardly have many such
think of a place where all are preneurship centers, student welfare dream ins tu ons in India. We
experts! activities, scholarships, awards, re- are yet to have campuses that
can match the Harvard, MIT or
wards, and recognition.
It is a fact that, to the ordinary the Cambridge. We don’t have
eye, people of top order have Nobel laureates moving in the
some eccentricity in them. It holds true for famous corridors of our organiza ons but we s ll can dream for
persons in general like Einstein, George Bernard Shaw, one such a campus in our vision for the college. Part of
Mahatma Gandhi and many more. One can’t possibly it will come with maturity and the other part through
do jus ce to work, family, society, money and himself sheer hard team work.
at the same me and be a genius. A couple of such
eccentric geniuses add glamour to the campus, and such Let the next 50 years be devoted to build such a dream
eccentrici es are talked about and respected. ins tute with a dream campus and may it be at our dear
NIT, Rourkela.
An ins tute of class has its library, laboratories and
cafeteria open 24X7. The lights in these places don’t
switch off and the gates are not locked. The management
ensures that every one, be it a student, a researcher or
a professor has some corner to retreat so that they can
innovate. No surprise therefore when you see some of
them occupying the same corner for several years as long
as they con nue in the ins tute. I have seen the ins tute
directors finding out when such professors come to the
cafeteria for a cup of coffee and then walk down to join
them to have some quality me with him.
The Mission statement at the entry point
What is at the root of success? I think it is ‘empowerment’.
The students are empowered to learn not for an
examina on but for knowledge; the professors are
empowered to teach beyond syllabus and the
Management is one that empowers the two to perform.
At the end, it is your performance that ma ers. It takes Ashok Kumar Tripathy belongs to the 1969 batch of
me to build good reputa on. Reputa on a racts Electrical Engineers. With his exper se in the field of
Electrical Power System, he has been decorated with a
talent and talent builds reputa on. Once reputed, an
number of dis nguished na onal awards to his credit. He
ins tu on has only two tasks; recognize talent and
has held a number of important posi ons including the
celebrate success. There is no me for pe y things like Chief of Transmission and Distribu on, BHEL, Director
strike, ragging, protest etc. General CPRI and Chairman IEEE Bangalore sec on.
He now works as Director, Research, Silicon Inst. of
I have seen the vibrant side of the campus of these Technology and lives in Bhubaneswar.
ins tu ons. It is ac vity galore 24X7 but for causes that E-mail: tripathy_1948@sify.com, contact: 0-9938696023
have an element of innova on and compe on. The
41
NITR AND NITRAA

DR. HIMANSHU BHUSHAN SAHU 1995
The changing panorama of progress at NITR has been brought out in this article in a very poignant man-
ner. Developments in the campus have been the part of a continuous process under successive leadership with
their sensitive insight into the needs of the changing times and optimization of facilities. The author feels
happy to be a part of this journey too.
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
During my college days, we were hardly aware of Prof. L. N. Bhuyan, an alumnus of 1972(Electrical), Prof.
the Alumni Associa on, then known as Old Boys’ Debendra Kumar Das, alumnus of 1972 (Mechanical)
Associa on. However, a er joining REC, Rourkela Shubhang Pandya (1973, Chemical), Samir Da (1988,
as a lecturer in January 1996 I got introduced to the Mechanical), Sudipta Bhowmick (1993, Mining),
associa on. I remember in every home coming func on, M.V.Sheshagiri Rao (2001, Metallurgy). This was made
Prof. B. Satapathy used to explain that the term Boys’ on possible by the constant encouragement and support I
Old Boys Associa on being a proper noun involving both received from the Execu ve President Sri Subhadra Kar
boys and girls. Gradually, I became ac vely involved and Execu ve Vice President Sri F.C. Mohanty.
in the ac vi es of the associa on from that me and
remained commi ed to the During my tenure as the General
cause of the associa on. I was Gradually, the home coming function Secretary of the Associa on,
given the responsibility of the was conducted in a large scale with me- with the help of a few student
treasurer of the associa on mentoes being presented to the final volunteers (Sabyasachi Das,
during the period 1998-2000 year students followed by a grand din- Chandan Rai, Abhishek Singh etc.)
and then I became the General
ner. Needless to mention that all this an electronic quaterly newsle er
Secretary of the associa on tled NITRAN was launched by
from 2004 to 2006. At that
was possible with the support of our P.K. Mahapatra (1972 batch,
me, the associa on was alumni in higher positions, who came Chemical), President and CEO
func oning on the meager forward in extending sponsorship from (Telecom Business Sector), RPG
contribu on from alumni, their respective organizations. Enterprises, Mumbai, who was
mostly from the outgoing final the Chief Gust of the Annual
year students. Gradually, the home coming func on Home Coming Func on held on April 2, 2006. The
was conducted in a large scale with mementoes being first issue of the news le er s ll exists at www.nitrkl.
presented to the final year students followed by a grand ac.in/nitran. However, due to lack of sustained interest
dinner. Needless to men on, all this was possible only the newsle er has been discon nued. I also made a
with the support of our alumni in higher posi ons, presenta on on “NITR - then and now” at NALCO Club,
who came forward in extending sponsorship from their Bhubaneswar on December 27, 2005; during a get
respec ve organiza ons. In fact the final year students together to formalize the chapter as per the by-laws of
now look forward to the Annual Home Coming ceremony NITRAA.
with much more interest.
Prof. G. K. Roy whole heartedly supported the ac vi es
During my tenure as the General Secretary, more of Alumni Associa on and during his tenure as Director,
interac ve sessions among the alumni and the students Rs 500/- each was collected out of the cau on money
were organized by invi ng a number of our fellow alumni of the outgoing final year students towards Alumni
either to guide our students for their future career or to Associa on. When I started to collect the informa on
share their experiences. Notable among them were for the alumni data-base, Prof. Roy called me and gave
42
Shri Navin Patnaik felicitates Prof. Behera at the Millennium Home Coming - 2000
me a list of more than 100 Chemical Alumni. Prof. Rourkela wrote to the Government to reinstate him. The
Sarangi, our former Director has played an important Alumni Associa on also played a major role. It is another
role in revitalizing the Alumni ma er that subsequently there
It is worthwhile to mention that so far
Associa on. He mo vated us to were conflicts of ideas between
collect the data of 5000 alumni
90 projects of Rs. 8.6 crore have been the Associa on and the Director.
within one year. Under his completed and 95 research projects Thankfully, the problem had
guidance the alumni website sponsored by various organizations for been sorted out later. Like
was completely revamped a total value of Rs 19.0 crores are cur- Prof. Behera, he will also be
and made user friendly with rently in progress. remembered for pu ng up the
the help of Prof. B.D. Sahu infrastructure and systems in
of Computer Science. The website was subsequently place. In fact, because of his efforts only NIT Rourkela is
modified in 2007 to accommodate more informa on now a role model for other NITs in the country.
in the database viz. alumni search, photographs, group
email, exper se etc. The exper se field was introduced MILLENNIUM HOME COMING
so that the Ins tute can u lize the exper se of the alumni The one event that has le an indelible impression on
for the be erment of the Ins tute. He con nuously
stressed on making the associa on a global one. During
his tenure, the contribu on from final year students
was raised to Rs. 1000/- . However, it has been stopped
subsequently. Prof. Sarangi became immensely popular
during his first tenure among all the stake holders of
the college, because of his reless effort to project NIT,
Rourkela in the na onal scene. When his tenure was
abruptly terminated along with a few other NIT Directors
because of the change of Government at the centre,
there was a large scale resentment against the decision A view of the audience at Home coming-2006
and the faculty, students, alumni and eminent ci zens of
43
me is the Millennium Home Coming in April 16, 2000. of HRD, Govt. of India. However, it was due to the
On 15th evening we were making prepara ons in the efforts of Prof. Sarangi, the just-re red Director of NIT
AV Hall for the func on, when a few outsta on alumni Rourkela, which put an end to this prac ce here. In 2003
arrived. They had a few friends among the organizers. he intervened with the 2nd year students as well as the
Seeing each other they embraced with tears in their freshers to curb the prac ce and also took serious ac on
eyes, some of them were mee ng a er decades. The against the offenders. Over a period of four years the
next morning the homing coming func on started with Ins tute came to be known as a ‘zero-ragging’ Ins tute.
alumni being present from across the globe. The founder Thankfully, no one was expelled from the Ins tute
principal Sri Bhubaneswar Behera was the Chief Guest in the process. We do not have an an -ragging squad
of the func on along with Sri Naveen Patnaik, Chief since last several years. Many Ins tutes can learn from
Minister of Orissa. I had heard and read a lot about Prof. our experience that ragging can be stopped with a
Behera and was anxious to see determined effort.
him. I have read how he broke On seeing Prof. Behera, almost all the
a student’s strike by si ng pioneer batch alumni and many others The college, which had started
in front of Hall-2 on fas ng. had tears in their eyes. There were tears with three branches and 120
When Prof. Behera entered in the eyes of Prof. Behera too. Anyone students, has now twelve
the stage there was a collec ve
who has witnessed the event will not Engineering disciplines, five
applause from the audience. Science disciplines, a Business
forget that moment. It was amazing to
On seeing Prof. Behera, almost Administra on department
all the pioneer batch alumni
see such love among the teacher and and five Centers of Excellence.
and many others had tears in his disciples in the materialistic world The student strength has
their eyes. There were tears in of today. reached 3369 with 2210 B.Tech
the eyes of Prof. Behera too. (sanc oned strength-2333),
Anyone who has witnessed the event will not forget 549 M.Tech., 98 M.Tech. by research, 276 Science and
that moment. It was amazing to see such love among 236 Ph.D. students. Five year integrated course has been
the teacher and his disciples in the materialis c world of started in all departments from the academic year 2001-
today. All the pioneer batch alumni went up to him and 11. The student strength is expected to reach 6000 by
sought his blessings. Sri Naveen Patnaik, who was si ng 2015.
next to Prof. Behera, was bemused to see the love and
affec on. The percentage system has given way to cumula ve
grade point average system (CGPA) with much more
NITR – THEN AND NOW emphasis on project work; the best B. Tech project
The ragging menace exists in many technical ins tutes in work is also awarded with a gold medal. The dra er
our country. I have heard that during 70s’ and 80s some has given way to CAD/ CAM so ware. The students
students used to spend the night near the hill to avoid are now encouraged to present papers in na onal
physical torture, but have never tried to verify the truth. and interna onal conferences. A lot of infrastructure
During our mes, it had reduced considerably. There befi ng the status of a na onal level ins tute has been
were always a few individuals who derived pleasure created. The ins tute is consistently ranked among the
in physically abusing the freshers and one would have top twenty engineering colleges of the country.
thought that this prac ce would never stop irrespec ve
of the strictures from the Supreme Court and Ministry The Ins tute which was known for impar ng quality
Dilip Tirkey Stadium An athletic event in progress
44
A view of the PG building Upstair canteen for a quick break
undergraduate educa on has also made remarkable unauthorized houses and resided inside the campus. But
progress in the field of research and development, and with the determina on of the Ins tute administra on
industrial consultancy. It is worthwhile to men on and support of the district administra on and Rourkela
that so far 90 projects of Rs. 8.6 crore have been Steel Plant (RSP), they have been rehabilitated beyond
completed and 95 research projects sponsored by the boundary of the campus. It is learnt that RSP has
various organiza ons for a total value of Rs 19.0 crores agreed to provide an encroachment free two lane road
are currently in progress. There are 7 FIST (Fund for from Biju Patnaik Square, Sector-2 to our campus.
improvement of S&T infrastructure) projects worth 2.97
crore rupees which are con nuing. Similarly a number of A representa on has been made to the Chief Minister
industrial consultancy projects worth a few crore rupees to provide 400 acres of land to build a second campus of
are also being conducted by the faculty members of the the Ins tute. Addi onally a demand has also been made
ins tute. Every year a number of Short Term Courses, to provide 2.5 acres of land at Bhubaneswar to build an
Interna onal and Na onal Conferences and Workshops extension centre which would boost the distance and
are being organized. con nuing educa on ac vi es of the Ins tute. Some
other infrastructural facili es are also on the anvil
The Ins tute has made remarkable progress in keeping in view the expected increase in strength of staff
infrastructure with the establishment of new and students by 2015.
departments like Biotechnology and Medical
Engineering, Life Sciences, Business Administra on etc. It is expected that the Ins tute will flourish in the years
With the coming up of a state of the swimming pool, to come and being a part of this journey has been a
flood light stadium, basketball and lawn tennis court wonderful experience for me.
the ins tute is always abuzz with ac vity. With the
development of lawn and gardens within the academic
and hostel areas the campus now looks like a lush green
picturesque landscape, against a hilly backdrop, crea ng
a tranquil environment crea ng a very good academic
atmosphere. The Ins tute has undergone a sea change
since I joined this ins tute as a student in 1991 and I
have seen those changes from close quarters. I can draw
personal sa sfac on from the fact that I have been
associated with the implementa on of some of those
Dr. Himanshu Bhushan Sahu belongs to the 1995 batch of
changes like modifica on of screening arrangement in
Mining Engineers. He joined as a faculty in REC Rourkela
AV hall, designing and naming of the canteen in front of and went on to complete his PhD from ISM, Dhanbad,
Hostel-3 and the design and construc on of Dillip Tirkey with specialisa on in Mine Environment, Solid Fuels and
stadium. Clean Coal Technology. General Secretary of NITRAA from
2004 to 2006, he has featured in Marquis Who’s who in
Earlier, the campus did not have a complete boundary. Science and Engineering for the year 2010 -11. . He works
as Associate Professor, Department of Mining Engineering
In spite of the security provided, outsiders s ll sneaked
and lives in Rourkela.
into the campus. Now, there is a complete boundary. E-mail: hbsahu@gmail.com, cell: 0-9437245625
Over the years about 170 families had constructed
45
MODERN GURUKULS,
GURUS AND THE SHISHYAS
PROF. DR. GOPENDRA KISHOR ROY RETIRED FACULTY, NITR
The centres of advanced learning, which the author terms as the “Modern Gurukuls’, have a responsibility
for the development of efficient human resources in the larger interest of nation building. The alumni in the
advanced countries have a tradition of paying back to their Alma mater by way of huge donations and
thus play a supporting role. This trend of ‘Gurudakshina’ is fast catching up with some of the institutions
in our country as well. Is any body listening…the author seems to ask.
A “Gurukul” is a residen al type of school, which has portals. This inseparable bond between the alumni and
existed since the Vedic age with “Shishyas” (disciples) the alma mater, which results in the ul mate success
residing together as equals irrespec ve of their social story of both, is the central theme of the so-called alma-
standing. The Guru-Shishya Parampara (tradi on) is a mater songs of various universi es abroad .The following
hallowed tradi on in our society since those prehistoric lines from the alma mater song of the Ohio university,
days. The Gurukul was supported by public dona on U.S. highlight the philosophy:
and assistance by the administra on and over and “Our Alma-Mater calls us ever,
above, by ‘Gurudakshina’ offered by the Shishyas at the And love of country has its claim
me of leaving the Gurukul – a tradi onal gesture of The one but makes us prize the other,
acknowledgement, respect and thanks, which may be And thus we cherish both the same.
monetary or may also be a special task the Guru wants When Alma-Mater sends us forward,
the Shishya to accomplish. And in her name we stand in line,
Then we will serve the na on be er
In the present context, the universi es, na onal For having gathered at her shrine.”
ins tutes can be termed as ‘Modern Gurukuls’,
which are the centres of advanced learning to impart THE INTERACTION
appropriate training for the development of efficient The world of academic has two wings: the students
human resources, who are to shoulder the responsibility (shishyas) and the faculty (gurus). Flight becomes difficult
of na on building in the days ahead. These modern if either of the above is weak. Both the communi es have
Gurukuls have been rechristened as ‘Alma-maters’ in the close and in mate interac on not only during the stay of
present context. Alma-mater in La n is for ‘Nourishing the former in the ins tu on (guruku/ alma-mater), but
mother’. It is now a term that even a er leaving its portals.
is mainly used in academia-as The graduates out in the world in their The alma mater can always look
a sobriquet for the university or individual journey of profession can- forward to enriching experience
college a person has a ended. not severe that umbilical cord. Further with her alumni. The alumni
This usage is taken from ‘Alma the alma-mater remains as an ever-il- can persistently find crea ve
Mater Studiorum’ (Nourishing
luminating beacon of light to guide the ways of suppor ng their alma-
Mother of Studies), which is mater. In the process they can
also the mo o of the University alumni through their arduous journey help building great ins tu ons
of Bologna, the oldest of life after they leave its portals. of higher learning, integra ng
con nually opera ng university latest technology and the best
in the world, founded in 1088. The rela on between func onality to their tradi on. Their presence can affect
the alma-mater (Gurukul) and the alumni (Shishyas) is the scenario profoundly; influence the decision to be
like mother to children. The graduates out in the world made, the roads to be traversed and the perspec ve to
in their individual journey of profession cannot severe be assumed to view life.
that umbilical cord. Further the alma-mater remains as
an ever-illumina ng beacon of light to guide the alumni PAY BACK CULTURE: AMERICAN PSYCHE
through their arduous journey of life a er they leave its Suppor ng one’s alma mater both emo onally and
46
A bird’s eye view of the driveway
economically is a core American value. It is pursued necessary to be wealthy to make a difference; thousands
life-long with passion and very o en across genera ons of alumni collec vely can make a difference. That is why
.There is an altruis c element in this tradi on. There is the total endowment of the top fi y universi es of the
also a strong self-serving mo ve beyond gaining social U.S. is well over 160 billion dollars, which is almost a third
stature. As the universi es gain reputa on through of India’s GDP. The dream of all these endowments is to
pursuit of excellence made possible by the generosity make a be er future for the next genera on, promote
of the alumni, alumni stand to benefit as the value of academic excellence, leave a las ng legacy and simply
their educa on goes up in the market place. A Harvard pay back to the school or the community that has given
or Stanford degree commands more in the professional them so much.
world by way of annual compensa on.
INDIAN SCENARIO
The U.S. as a land of opportuni es and innova ons did The concept of alumni-alma mater interac on through
not happen overnight through miracle. It has been carved alumni associa ons did not work so effec vely as its
and etched over 300 years by likes of John Harvard, western counterpart almost up to the turn of the last
Leland Stanford, John Hopkins, Andrew Carneige and century. Till then the alumni associa ons were run by
Elihu Yale, whose generous a handful of ac ve members,
gi s created university in The dream of all these endowments is who took their own ini a ve
their names and which have to make things happen. A few
developed to centres of to make a better future for the next years back, in a press interview,
academic excellence over the generation, promote academic excel- the organising secretaries of at
years by contribu ons in which lence, leave a lasting legacy and simply least five alumni associa ons
the alumni have a lion’s share. pay back to the school or the commu- of prominent educa onal,
In the early twen eth century, nity that has given them so much. management and technical
Andrew Carnegie, the steel ins tu ons in the eastern India
magnate, gave away much of admi ed that not even 25
his wealth of nearly 400million dollars for educa on and percent of their former students are members of their
knowledge crea on .In 2001, colleges and universi es in alumni network, leave aside the ac ve par cipa on!
the U.S. raised over 24 billion dollars from individuals,
founda ons and corpora ons. In 2002, Mr.Jackson, But there has been a silver lining to the dark scenario in
an oilman and geologist, le his en re estate worth the recent past. With improvement in the connec vity
232 million dollars to his alma mater, the school of technique and the ins tutes realising the power of their
Geosciences at the university of Texas at Aus n. It is not alumni network, greater number of them are coming
47
under the fold of alumni associa ons. There has been a a ract be er faculty and strengthen research. So far
recent flurry of financial support to IITs both in US and IIM, Ahmedabad has raised Rs.18 crore through alumni
India. This spontaneous ac vity started a li le over a contribu on. “It’s a moral calling towards our alma-
decade ago as a trickle and gained momentum over the mater. We are together to support our ins tute. It’s our
years to become fairly significant. Cash-rich IIT alumni responsibility to see that our ins tute stays on top,”-
started to follow the American tradi on and donate - said Rakesh Godhwani, head, IIM-Bangalore alumni
generously to the ins tute that gave them the best years associa on and has put a lot of effort to ins tu onalise
of their lives. alumni involvement.
They have not only contributed to strengthening the A LOOK TO THE FUTURE
infrastructure with respect to be er learning but also “Knowledge is the currency of the twenty first century”-
for the faceli of the campus in various ways. Alumni - so said President Obama in his recent address to Indian
like Vinod Gupta (IIT, Kharagpur) and Kanwal Rekhi parliamentarians on the 8th of November last. India is,
(IIT,Mumbai) have gone a step forward by contribu ng no doubt, emerging as a knowledge economy .However
single-handedly for the establishment of independent very li le a en on is paid as to whether the Indian
centre/ department added to higher educa on system can
their alma-maters. If India has to emerge as a super power meet the challenges of the
future without broader support
The IIT-Mumbai seems to be
in the world economy, then creation for research. There needs to be
reviving the old tradi on of of knowledge in the centres of higher a culture of research, where
“Gurudakshina” and has devised learning is indispensable. In this con- knowledge will be created
recently an innova ve way for text, “Gurudakshina” from the alumni and not just consumed. It is
fund raising under a drive called will go a long way in the creation of really heartening to note that
“Give one for IIT-Mumbai”. in modern India some of the
Under this scheme more than
new knowledge of global standard in knowledge crea on came in
735 students out of the 1000 the modern “Gurukuls”. the early and mid-twen eth
in the gradua ng batch of 2010 century from the likes of Sir
have pledged to donate one percent of their salary to C.V. Raman, J.C. Bose, Satyen Bose, Homi J. Bhaba and
their alma mater every month. This money will be u lised Sir Viswesarayya. However the present-day situa on
to develop infrastructure and facili es at the ins tute. with respect to crea on of knowledge is not very much
encouraging.
IITians have achieved great success abroad (as 30 to
40% of IITians generally go abroad for higher studies India has reasons to be proud of her educa onal
with only 8-10% coming back) both professionally and ins tu ons such as the Indian Ins tutes of Technology,
economically. It is suppor ng IITs with gusto knowing the Indian Ins tutes of Management and of late, the
fully well that as IITs gain more prominence in the Na onal Ins tutes of Technology. It is me for these
world stage, IITians will do be er; a classical win-win and other educa onal ins tutes of higher learning to
situa on! create knowledge for which enormous resources are
needed. These are to be procured from varied sources,
Following the footsteps of IITs, the Indian B-schools have which include both the government and the private
started ac va ng the interac on between the alumni sectors. If India has to emerge as a super power in
and the alma mater. The Indian Ins tute of Management, the world economy, then crea on of knowledge in
Ahmedabad has set a target of raising Rs.250 crore by the centres of higher learning is indispensable. In this
the end of next year through alumni contribu ons. By context,”Gurudakshina” from the alumni will go a long
this the premier B-school is aiming not only to replenish way in the crea on of new knowledge of global standard
its dwindling corpus, but being self-sufficient can in the modern “Gurukuls”.
Prof. Gopendra Kishor Roy, B Sc Engg. (Chemical) from

BHU, joined REC, Rourkela as a faculty in 1966. He later
completed his M.Tech from IIT, Kharagpur and PhD from
Sambalpur University in the area of Semi-fluidiza on.
Author of several Technical papers and books to his credit,
Prof Roy had briefly held the charge of the first Director
of NITR. A er his re rement in 2010, he has se led in
Bhubaneswar.
Dept. of Chemical Engineering E-mail: gkroyster@gmail.com, Contact: 0674-2560950
48
A TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY IN
ORISSA – THE FIRST ATTEMPT
AMAR KUMAR BEHERA 1968
The author, along with a few like minded friends, had realized that technical education in the state must
be freed from the bureaucrats and brought under the control of Engineers through a Technical University
that needed to be established rather soon. The article covers the detailed account of their movement demand-
ing a Technical University in Orissa till it met with a virtual let down by circumstances. Nevertheless, the
germination of that idea achieved fruition after a quarter century, and vindicated the vision, the author
observes.
F orty-four years ago, on a dull wintry morning of its engineering graduates. We were looking forward to
January 1967, we commenced our movement for a an opportune me to start our opera on for demanding
Technical University for Engineers at Rourkela. Few of a Technical University in line with IIT and Roorkee
us would remember that day. We were a small group University for Orissa.
with only one preoccupa on; how to get the Technical
University sanc oned and approved by the Government Due to acute unemployment problem, an atmosphere of
of Orissa. The idea of a Technical University at Rourkela uncertainty was prevailing amongst us. We were feeling
that was worth figh ng for, struck to us under a very very insecure about our future and career. Exactly at this
peculiar situa on and circumstances. point of me, our REC got affiliated to the newly formed
Sambalpur University. This sudden development sparked
On 2nd of January 1967 Dr. A.N. Khosla, the then off an agita on. We apprehended that the insecurity
Governor of Orissa inaugurated the Sambalpur and uncertainty of our future would become manifold
University at Sambalpur and our college was affiliated because of this affilia on. Our apprehension was based
to it. In late six es, a problem on the fact that the newly formed
that was looming large among We had a very strong conviction that Sambalpur University was yet to
the engineering graduates was receive recogni on from other
unemployment. There were the society in general and the common State Governments, various
only two engineering colleges man in particular could be benefited to state and na onal Service
in the state, (1) University the fullest extent from engineering and Commissions, Government
College of Engineering, Burla technology, only when both engineer- of India, Inter-University
(UCE), now known as V.S.S.U.T. ing education and profession are fully Board and other Universi es
and (2) Regional Engineering & Ins tu ons in India and
College, Rourkela (REC), now controlled by engineers. abroad. The administra ve and
known as NIT. In Orissa, the processing me for securing
engineering educa on and profession were planned, due recogni on from all the concerned agencies were
executed, monitored, administered and controlled by not under the control of the newly formed University
non-engineers / bureaucrats / academicians having no and would take a considerable amount of me. This was
knowledge of engineering either at the University or at the the backdrop of the situa on and circumstances when
Government level. We had a very strong convic on that we commenced our opera on for a Technical University
the society in general and the common man in par cular for engineers at Rourkela.
could be benefited to the fullest extent from engineering
and technology, only when both engineering educa on Our only demand was that a Technical University must
and profession are fully controlled by engineers. We be established immediately with its campus at R.E.C.,
were convinced that like IIT and Roorkee University, the Rourkela. Both REC and UCE were to be affiliated to this
quality of engineering educa on in Orissa could improve University. During the interim period, the affilia on of
to a great extent, which in turn would contribute in a these two colleges was to con nue with Utkal University
big way towards eradica on of unemployment among as its engineering degree had already been recognized
49
by all concerned agencies. For headquarters of the

envisaged university, REC Campus was proposed because
a single plot of 650 acres of land was already available
there. Like other universi es, provision of Registrar,
Deputy and Assistant Registrars, Accounts Officer etc.
was already there in REC and no substan al addi on was
required to start a university immediately.
An Ac on Commi ee was formed to spearhead the

agita on. The names of the members of the Ac on
Commi ee were kept secret so as to avoid the usual
ac on against them by the college authority. The Ac on
The inner court yard
Commi ee had to work hard for keeping the students’
unity and solidarity. Classes were boyco ed and
demonstra ons were staged in support of the demand. Rath, President of the Students Union, UCE to support
Procession and mass delega on to Bhubaneswar to the demands by joining the agita on and the delega on
meet the Chief Minister and Sri Biju Patnaik were to the Chief Minister. His response was in the nega ve.
organized. Our teachers were disturbed and angry with The delega on met some of the key players of the newly
us. College authori es issued threatening le ers and got formed Sambalpur University namely Sri Manabhanjan
16 of us arrested by police. Criminal cases against these Bahidar and Sri Pankaj Babu and others and made it very
16 arrested students were registered. As days passed clear to them that our demand for Technical University
on, the agita on gained momentum and received at Rourkela was in the best interest of Western Orissa.
unprecedented support from all sec ons of the society.
The strategy lines were drawn and the micro planning A three-member delega on proceeded to Cu ack
for the mely execu on of ac vi es of Ac on Plan was and Bhubaneswar to garner support for our demands.
worked out. Sri Jaya Prakash Chand (1969 Batch) and Sri Santosh
Kumar Mishra (1968 Batch) and myself represented
The greatest hurdle of the agita on was crossed Western, Central and Southern Orissa respec vely, in
over, when Sri Jogendra Kumar Mishra (1969 Batch) the delega on. The delega on camped at the Burdwan
volunteered to lead the students’ procession and hand Compound residence of its member Sri Mishra, at Cu ack
over the memorandum to our beloved principal Prof. for about a week. The delega on met Sri Radhanath
B. Behera. A single filed silent procession of students Rath, Editor, “The Samaj”, Sri Janaki Ballav Patnaik, Editor,
with placards in hand, for the first me in the campus, “The Prajatantra”, Editors of other daily newspapers
started from Hostel No. 5 and like “Kalinga”, “Janashak ”,
reached the residence of Prof. Finally, the cabinet acceded to both our “Matrubhumi” and also many
B. Behera. Sri Mishra handed demands and approved them. That de- leading personali es like Dr.
over the memorandum cision of the cabinet appeared on the Sreeram Chandra Dash, Sri
to Prof. B. Behera. While
front-page headline in most of the dai- Ashok Dash, Sri Surajmal Saha
apprecia ng our demands, of Cu ack and others for their
Prof. Behera appealed that the lies. The A.I.R. had already broadcast supports for our demands.
path of agita on was not to be the news. Our demands received
adopted and affilia on of our unprecedented support from all
college was to remain with the newly formed Sambalpur print media houses, especially, “The Samaj” and from
University ll the Technical University was established. leading intellectuals of the state.
For garnering support of the general public and masses
and to impress upon the authori es, the same singled We showed Prof. B. Behera, who was at Bhubaneswar
line silent procession was taken around the streets of for a ending convoca on of Utkal University our
the Steel City. The issue appeared in headlines on the memorandum, meant for the Chief Minister and on his
front page of all na onal and regional dailies. advice modified it to some extent. In spite of the fact that
no visitor was allowed to meet the Chief Minister, as he
There were serious a empts by some leading individuals was sick, our agita on had gained such momentum and
of Western Orissa to generate public opinion in the lobbying was so strategic that the en re delega on of
region against our agita on that it was against the three members was allowed to meet the Chief Minister
interest of the newly formed Sambalpur University in in his bedroom. The Chief Minister gave us a pa ent
par cular and Western Orissa in general. They could hearing; while lying on bed, he said “I am not going to
influence the students of UCE, Burla in favour of their promise you, but I assure you that your memorandum
propaganda. The three-member delega on, while will definitely be placed before the cabinet in its next
proceeding to Bhubaneswar, approached the Sri Dama si ng for considera on”. We lost all hopes for ge ng
50
Lead kindly light...the entry gate in the evening
our demands fulfilled. However, we did find out the next the rest all students of 1st year to 4th year.
date of cabinet mee ng and returned back to Rourkela.
In March 1967 a er the 4th General Elec on, a new
The 4th General Elec on had already been announced. government came into place in Orissa. The new
All the poli cal par es and the government machinery government was of the view that our demands were
were quite busy with the elec on process. It was “DO not in the interest of the newly formed Sambalpur
or DIE” situa on for us. About 1000 students proceeded University and hence the State Legisla ve Assembly did
to Bhubaneswar via Kharagpur. From Bhubaneswar not ra fy the Ordinance of the previous government.
Railway Sta on, in a single lined procession, shou ng However, the efforts of the students of REC, Rourkela for
slogans in favour of our demands and placards in hands, establishing a Technical University at Rourkela did not go
the students first reached M.L.A. quarters, where Sri Biju waste. The seed they had sown in 1967 took more than
Patnaik was staying. Sri Patnaik was very much pleased three and half decades for ge ng congenial condi ons
to see us at his door-steps and congratulated us for our for its germina on. In the year 2003 Dr. A.P.J. Abdul
demands. Besides being the industrial capital, although Kalam, the then President of India inaugurated the Biju
Rourkela is also the epicenter of trade union ac vi es Patnaik University of Technology at Rourkela. R.E.C.,
of Orissa, it could never ever organize a procession Rourkela was elevated to University status and became
and demonstra on at Bhubaneswar like this for any Na onal Ins tute of Technology (NIT) in the year 2002.
demand, ll date. Sri Amar Kumar Behera (1968 Batch) In the year 2008, University College of Engineering, Burla
presented the case before Sri Patnaik. The delibera on (UCE), was also elevated to a University – Vir Surendra
and discussion with Sri Patnaik con nued for about Sai University of Technology (VSSUT).
45 minutes. In our presence Sri Biju Patnaik spoke to
the Chief Minister Sri Sadasib Tripathy for ge ng the The stand of the REC students at last stood vindicated!
approval of the cabinet for our demands. He also spoke
to Dr. A.N. Khosala for promulga ng the cabinet decision
as an ordinance. From there the procession proceeded
to the residence of Chief Minister and demonstrated
there. The very day evening students in groups met
Ministers of their respec ve locali es, for their support
in the cabinet mee ng to be held the next day.
Amar Kumar Behera, a graduate of 1968 Batch (Mechani-
Finally, the cabinet acceded to both our demands and cal) completed M.Tech. (Ind. Engg.) from I.I.T., Delhi joined
approved them. That decision of the cabinet appeared SAIL, Rourkela Steel Plant in 1971. A er a long and illustri-
on the front-page headline in most of the dailies. The ous career there he re red as General Manager in 2005.
A.I.R. had already broadcast the news. The victory of the He was conferred with “Carl Duisberg Gessellscha Fel-
students called for a celebra on and it was organised. low”, Germany in 1980 and the coveted “Jawahar Award”
Unfortunately, during the victory celebra on, there was in 1988. Presently he is the Chairman, Jan Shikhyan Sanst-
a clash between the final year (1967 Batch) students han, Rourkela, a Govt. of India undertaking. Rendering his
who did not join the agita on under the apprehension services as a visi ng professor to Management Ins tutes,
that the final examina on might get delayed and push he lives in Rourkela.
E-mail: bamarkumar@yahoo.in, cell: 0-9437647077
them into further problems in their future careers and
51
THE EARLY HISTORY OF NITR ALUMNI

ASSOCIATION IN NORTH AMERICA
DR. DEBENDRA KUMAR DAS 1972
The objective of the author is to familiarize the reader with the history of the National Institute of Technol-
ogy Rourkela (NITR) Alumni Association of North America, which began in the USA around 1996. It
started with the prime objective of fund-raising so that it could award scholarships to the needy students
pursuing technical education.
P REAMBLE students of RECR by collec ng contribu ons from

It is important to know the history of an organiza on. alumni. He presented the idea to other professors and to
This ar cle is wri en with that objec ve to familiarize the Principal. Following that up, during my subsequent
the alumni with the history of the Na onal Ins tute of visits to RECR, I explained the scholarship idea to other
Technology Rourkela (NITR) Alumni Associa on of North professors and also to Principal, Prof. Somnath Misra and
America. The associa on began in the USA around 1996 therea er, to Prof. Ashok K. Mohanty, who succeeded
with the name, Regional Engineering College Rourkela Prof. Misra as the Principal.
(RECR) Overseas Alumni Associa on. Subsequently RECR
was replaced by NITR. Although born in North America, By 1996, Prof. Ajit Behera had consulted many professors
ini ally the word “overseas” was included in the name and the Principals and informed me that a Professorial
to welcome alumni from all over the world to join this Commi ee was in place and if we raised money, the
organiza on who were living outside of India. Now with commi ee would handle the fund and review applicants
the goal to form chapters in many foreign countries, the every year to award this scholarship.
appropriate name is NITR Alumni Associa on of North
America. THE BEGINNING
Soon a er that confirma on, the alumni associa on
THE INITIAL IDEA in the USA was formed in early 1997 with the primary
The thought of forming an alumni associa on had objec ve to raise funds for scholarships for RECR students.
grown in my mind in response to receiving the fund- It began with an execu ve board for transparency and
raising solicita ons from Brown credibility in our fund collec on
University every year before The thought of forming an alumni efforts. I was nominated as
the Christmas holidays, which association had grown in my mind in the President, Dr. Birendra K.
was regularly followed up by response to receiving the fund-raising Jena (class of 1973, metallurgy)
a telephone call from a Brown as the Vice President, Mr.
solicitations from Brown University Pratap K. Dash (class of 1993,
University student asking
me for a pledge of dona on. every year before the Christmas electrical) as the Treasurer of
I observed that Brown and holidays... the execu ve board. With the
other Ivy League schools in the execu ve board in place, we
USA had well-organized fund raising schemes in place started raising funds earnestly. Our efforts began with e-
through which they were raising substan al sums of mail messages to RECR alumni I knew in North America.
money every year.
Like any new organiza on, the NITR Alumni Associa on
This fund-raising idea appeared very appealing to of North America had a humble beginning. The first
me to successfully apply to RECR. In December of mee ng of the associa on was held in Newport Beach,
1994, while visi ng our alma mater, I presented my California in July 2005. It was an informal gathering of
thought to Prof. Ajit K. Behera, who was the head of about a dozen alumni who had come to a end the Orissa
the mechanical engineering department then, about Society of Americas (OSA) annual conven on. We met
crea ng a scholarship fund for needy and meritorious on one a ernoon and discussed about good projects for
52
the students and our alma mater. In subsequent years, suppor ng comments to my ini al e-mails.
for maintaining face-to-face contact and cohesion, the
REC/ NITR alumni con nued to meet in the annual OSA I also vividly recall one e-mail from my classmate Jaisen
conven ons. It was not the best approach, since we were Mody (class of 1972, Mechanical), from Portland,
missing out mee ng our non-Oriya friends; however it Oregon. He wrote “Deba, in the United States many
was be er than having no mee ng at all. schools are raising millions of dollars from their alumni;
there is no reason why we can’t raise a small por on of
ENCOURAGEMENT FROM ALUMNI that for REC Rourkela.”
In the early stage of fund raising I was sending e-mails
to a limited number of alumni I knew in North America, An earlier version of this ar cle appeared in the Orissa
reques ng them to forward the message to their friends. Society of Americas Journal in 2006 in Columbia,
In order to expand our e-mail base and to streamline Maryland. Dr. Debendra K. Das, Professor and Past Chair
the process, I sought help of my RECR classmate, Prof. of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Alaska,
Laxmi N. Bhuyan (class of 1972, Electrical). He lined me USA belongs to the RECR class of 1972.
up with Mr. Ashutosh Du a (class of 1985, Electrical) of
Columbia University to be our mailing coordinator. With The overseas RECR Alumni Associa on started with
the mass mailing in place we approximately 10 members,
were more effec ve in reaching I also vividly recall one e-mail from my including the execu ve board.
a larger audience to raise funds. classmate; he wrote “Deba, in the Unit- They were the ones who replied
Furthermore, through this mass
ed States many schools are raising mil- to my e-mails with interest for
mailing system, I could keep the RECR. In those early days
the alumni informed about lions of dollars from their alumni; there of forma on of this associa on,
important events at our alma is no reason why we can’t raise a small many alumni sent their financial
mater. The mass e-mail system portion of that for REC Rourkela.” contribu ons unhesita ngly.
expanded the circle of contact Mr. Satya Parakala, who was
of alumni in America and promoted fellowship amongst staying then in Virginia; Mr. Bhaskar Marthi, who was in
us by bringing us closer. graduate school in the Dakotas; Mr. Raja Sekhar Reddy,
etc., all RECR graduates of early 90’s, sent me their
Prof. Niranjan Mishra of Canada, a graduate of the contribu ons and suppor ng e-mails. Over the years
first batch of RECR (class of 1965, Civil), was also an I have lost contact with them. But I truly valued their
ardent supporter of this associa on from the beginning support during that crucial period.
and provided his valuable advice. I even received an
encouraging message from India from Prof. Deba Tripathy ENDOWMENT MODEL
(class of 1968, mechanical) of IIT Kharagpur, who was Buoyed by the enthusias c support of REC/NIT Rourkela
very pleased to hear about the forma on of this alumni alumni, I visited the University of Alaska Founda on
associa on. Many of my classmates of the RECR 1972 officers to learn about their successful endowment
batch: L. N. Bhuyan, Srinivasan Giridhari, Prakash Patro, model. They receive contribu ons from alumni and
Hari Arjuna Patro and many more sent their incredibly channel them to separate endowment funds for various
A view of the University of Alaska
53
causes depending on the wishes of the donors. The

Founda on invests those endowment funds carefully
in stocks and bond markets and receives investment
earnings every year. From those earnings a por on is
put back into the endowment fund to infla on-proof
the principal and the rest is disbursed as scholarships or
for other developmental projects. The earning in a good
year supplements the earning in a lean year, so that the
scholarships are guaranteed every year. Historically it
has been observed that the principal of the endowment
keeps growing as a result of which, the scholarship
amount or the number of scholarships keep increasing
modestly over years. The best advantage of this
endowed fund model is that the scholarship will remain
in perpetuity, long a er the donors have departed this
good earth, however, their funds will remain forever as
their legacy.
PROF. BHUBANESWAR BEHERA SCHOLARSHIP

By February 2004, owing to the generous support of
the North American alumni, the total amount raised
for the scholarship in installments came to $2506. Our
Treasurer, Mr. Pratap Dash delivered a cheque of that
amount to RECR through Prof. Ajit K. Behera during his
visit to our alma mater around 2005. The bust of Prof. Behera at the college
In due course of me, with the sugges ons of REC/ NITR model, a substan al amount of funds can be raised for
faculty and our alumni, the name of the scholarship scholarships and other developmental projects.
became Prof. Bhubaneswar Behera Memorial
Scholarship. We received an update from the NITR that I believe our best hope of large dona on lies with alumni
the principal of this endowment fund stood at about Rs. in India, because a great majority of alumni are in India.
1.1 lakh in 2006. Scholarships The number of overseas alumni
have been given to needy
Our best hope of large donation lies is very small. The alumni who
meritorious students from are presently business owners
the earning of its interest for with alumni in India, because a great will be the best poten al for
the past several years. In April majority of alumni are in India. The sizeable contribu ons, because
2006, it was awarded to a well- number of overseas alumni is very the tax structure provides
deserving chemical engineering small. The alumni who are presently an incen ve to donate tax-
student.
business owners will be the best poten- deduc ble contribu ons to
educa onal ins tu ons. To
OTHER CONTRIBUTIONS tial for sizeable contributions. accomplish those goals, we
Several years ago, our North need alumni with strong fund-
American associa on received a request from the Head raising experience. With efforts in this direc on, I am
Office of our NITR Alumni Associa on in Rourkela to op mis c that NITR will reach the levels of fund-raising
contribute towards the construc on and erec on of that American universi es are able to accomplish.
a bust of the founding principal, Prof. Bhubaneswar
Behera. Under the leadership of Prof. Laxmi N. Bhuyan, Due to health reasons, around 2005, I was unable to
Prof. Niranjan Mishra and Dr. Birendra Jena, $1857 was con nue my service to the NITR Alumni Associa on
raised. This helped in the construc on and installa on of of North America. Therea er Prof. Niranjan Mishra
a bust of Prof. Bhubaneswar Behera at the entrance to and Dr. Birendra K. Jena each served as the President
the main building of our alma mater. for subsequent terms. Mr. Sandip K. Dasverma (class
of 1965, Mechanical) and Mr. Pratap Dash served as
POSSIBLE IMPROVEMENTS officers in the execu ve board. In early years, no charter
What we had raised then was a small amount of had been prepared for the associa on due to a lack
endowment fund. This fund-raising effort can be of volunteer me. Around 2006, Prof. Niranjan Misra,
improved a great deal. For example, at Brown University, spent a substan al amount of me in preparing a set of
each year’s gradua ng batch has a volunteer who raises bylaws and policies for the North American Associa on.
a sum of money for that batch. If NITR can adopt that However, it was not adopted since we came under the
54
umbrella of the parent organiza on at the alma mater,

which was renamed from the Old Boys’ Associa on of
the RECR to the NITR Alumni Associa on. Under the
new leadership, the NITR Alumni Associa on of North
America con nued its ac vi es and made progress.
MY GRATITUDE
I personally thank the people who helped me in the early
stages of the forma on of this associa on, those who
contributed funds for this great cause, and the past and
present execu ve board members of the NITR Alumni
Associa on of North America who gave their me to
volunteer unhesita ngly. I also thank the NITR faculty
Approach to the Lecture Gallery
serving in the commi ee to manage the scholarship
fund and select a truly deserving recipient each year. I
am personally grateful to Prof. Ajit Behera and Dr. Saroj PATH AHEAD
Patel (class of 1985, mechanical), the NITR Associa on I am op mis c that the associa on is flourishing under
Secretary for many years, for their service in managing the leadership of young alumni. Small gatherings of
the affairs of this scholarship. Dr. Saroj Patel receives NITR alumni are taking place nowadays in San Francisco
my applause for his dedica on to the NITR Alumni Bay area, Toronto, Houston and Calgary. I feel we have
Associa on. He helped us maintain contact with our reached the cri cal mass to organize an exclusive NITR
parent organiza on, NITRAA and kept us informed about reunion in North America.
NITR issues in a mely manner.
In the early days we did not have the In the early days we did not have
Dr. Birendra K. Jena, who served the manpower and resources to
manpower and resources to celebrate
as the President of NITR Alumni celebrate any occasion through
Associa on of North America any occasion through felicitous events. felicitous events. I can see that
for many years, receives my I can see that the association has grown the associa on has grown and
utmost gra tude. He kept the and has reached a critical mass. Now it has reached a cri cal mass. Now
alumni informed and engaged is in a position to celebrate some occa- it is in a posi on to celebrate
by crea ng an overseas NITR e- some occasions and felicitate
sions and felicitate members for their
mail group. He kept our North members for their success.
American Associa on going and success.
communicated the messages of To find volunteer me was
our affiliate to the parent organiza on. In recent years, Mr. a challenge to our associa on, because the job
Sandip K. Dasverma as an execu ve board member has responsibili es of alumni kept them quite busy. However,
been instrumental in the membership drive, enhancing gradually the number of re red alumni is increasing and
the number of registered alumni in the NITR database. I believe some of them will be able to devote me for
Furthermore, he has been encouraging the young alumni the associa on unhesita ngly. With the determined
in North America to form NITR chapters at various places efforts of the members, the NITR Alumni Associa on can
in the USA. He has also solicited and provided financial become well-endowed in the future, fostering a spirit of
support for NITR students to par cipate in interna onal fellowship among the alumni.
design compe ons.
Belonging to the 1972 batch of Mechanical Engg., Dr. De-

bendra Das, with his specializa on in Fluid Mechanics,
Heat Transfer and Thermodynamics, has fully devoted
himself to academics and has earned several dis nc ons
at the interna onal level including becoming the Elected
Fellow, American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the
Chairperson, Mech. Eng. Dept., Univ. of Alaska. Currently
he is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Fairbanks,
Alaska, USA;
A view of the PG building E-mail: dkdas@alska.edu, contact: 9073885601
55
A BRIEF HISTORY OF ALUMNI

ASSOCIATION, NIT, ROURKELA
Closely associated with the Alumni activities of NITR from the beginning, the author takes the reader on a
retrospective and recounts the trials and tribulations as well as the successes and the dreams of NITRAA.
1. INTRODUCTION
Soon a er successful comple on of the undergraduate stone The Alumni Home was inaugurated by the Hon’ble
course, the Pioneer batch prepared Bye Laws and started Governor during the Silver Jubilee Celebra on.
the ‘Old Boys’ Associa on’ (OBA) in the year 1965
with blessings of Prof Bhubaneswar Behera, the-then III. Millenium Home Coming
Principal of RECR. It was envisaged that membership A day long reunion that stretched beyond mid-night was
fee of Rs.30 each would be paid by RECR to the OBA for organized on April 16, 2000 a ended by about 700 alumni
its day to day opera on out of the cau on money paid from different parts of India which was inaugurated by
by students and each technocrat passing out of college Sri Navin Patnaik, the then Chief Minister, Orissa and
would thus become a member of the OBA. The Principal graced by Prof. Bhubaneswar Behera.
would be the ex-officio President of the Associa on while
a member from alumni will be elected as the General IV. Allotment of Land
Secretary along with suppor ng commi ee. Associa on RECR Governing body provisionally allo ed a land
has passed through rela ve spells of ac on and inac on measuring 2 acres in the RECR campus for building an
and the records have not been maintained properly. independent Alumni Home Complex, subject to scheme
In the auspices of Golden Jubilee of the Alma Mater, and plan submi ed and got approved by Board. Based on
a empt has been made to chronicle a brief history of OBA’s request, Dr. A K Mohanty had taken this ini a ve
the associa on through facts reconstructed by Dr. Saroj in 2001.
Patel a er scanning through available records, which
also treasures precious signatures of Prof. B. Behera as V. Registra on of OBA
President of the Associa on. Brief details are given as Based on decision taken in AGM of June 2001, the OBA
follows. was rechristened as REC Rourkela Alumni Associa on
(RECRAA) and got registered under socie es Act vide
2. IMPORTANT EVENTS le er dated April 12, 2002.
I. Crystal Jubilee of the College
The college and OBA organized Crystal Jubilee Celebra on VI. Enhancement of Membership fee
of the college along with a Na onal Seminar of ‘Role The one- me membership fee was increased from Rs.30
of Engineers in Industrial Revolu on’ in August 1976. fixed in 1965 to Rs.1000 in the AGM held on April 5,
Prof. Bhubaneswar Behera, the then Vice-Chancellor 2001.
of Sambalpur University inaugurated the event. Out of
savings of the generated funds a “Best All Rounder” VII. Observance of Shraddha func on of Prof. Behera
award to a gradua ng class student and a “Dis nguished Prof. Behera passed away exactly a year a er the
Alumnus Award” to an alumnus from the proceeding 15 Millennium Home Coming. On this occasion, memorial
years were ins tuted. service with Narayan Seva was organized in the Jaganath
Temple, on April 26, 2001, a ended by all important
II. Silver Jubilee dignitaries of Rourkela and hundreds of alumni of UCE
The college with support from OBA, celebrated its silver and RECR.
jubilee in October 1986. The event was inaugurated by
the Governor Sri BN Pande and a ended by Biju Patnaik, VIII. Registra on of NITRAA
the founder of the Ins tute. OBA generated funds, for Immediately a er upgrada on of RECs to NITs was
the event and built an Alumni Home, an extension in announced, a fresh registra on was received in the
the top floor of the college guest house, for which Prof. name of NIT Rourkela Alumni Associa on (NITRAA) vide
Bhubaneswar Behera had earlier laid the founda on le er dated September 7, 2002.
56
IX. Installa on of a Bust of Prof. Bhubaneswar Behera small installments from me to me by the ins tute.
A bust of Prof Behera was installed and unveiled on April Consequently, NITRAA con nued with poor bank
11, 2004 prior to the 1st Convoca on of NITR and AGM balance. A er e-polling in April 2010, about Rs 5 lakhs
of NITRAA. has been released, but even now the Ins tute s ll holds
about Rs 8 lakhs of membership fee.
X. Laying of Founda on for ‘The Rendezvous’, the
Associa on Office Complex. 4. WELFARE ACTIVITY
On the same day, i.e. April 11, 2004 a founda on With financial posi on outlined above, no worthwhile
tablet was laid by Sri NR Mohanty, Padmasree, for the welfare ac vi es could be contemplated. Notwithstanding
Associa on Office Complex, adjacent to the Ins tu on this limita on funds have been raised for specific causes.
of Engineers’ Building in presence of director, NITR, Rs 5.8 lakhs have been raised for helping an alumnus
alumni and NITR officials. undergo kidney transplanta on and more is wai ng for
the same. Smaller amounts have been raised for helping
XI. Amendment of Cons tu on alumni for heart and other ailments and encouraging
The Director of NIT did not wish to con nue as the the BAJAA group of students in developing an all-terrain
President of NITRAA. He also observed that the elec on vehicle.
was being held by a li le more than a hundred members
on behalf of 16000 which is not fair and therefore, 5. DATABANK AND WEBSITE
he suggested e-polling. The idea of e-polling was Databank was started manually during Millennium
supported by a few outsta on alumni too. In view of Homecoming. Subsequently with overwhelming use
this, the cons tu on was amended in AGM of April 2009 of e-mail, Dr Himanshu Sahu gave a boost to the drive.
introducing e-poling. In this AGM it was also decided that Subsequently Dr Saroj Patel took this up as a mission
President-ship should be undertaken by an alumnus, and has entered data of more than 8000 alumni and has
while the Director, NITR would reamin as the Patron. launched a website. Alumni are expected to make use
Therea er for the remaining period of tenure, Execu ve of this and update their own details from me to me.
President operated as President. Further expansion and upgrada on of the ini a ve is
planned ahead.
XII. E-Polling
The first e-polling was held on April 4, 2010. Well before 6. FUTURE OF NITRAA
the date, a polling officer from among the alumni was Some members of previous commi ee had requested
decided. In spite of extending the dates for nomina on the present president, a known pioneer batch alumnus
several mes and allowing all flexibility by the Poling to shoulder the responsibility of presidency for NITRAA
Officer to switch over from the posi on applied for, to during the Golden Jubilee celebra on. He has taken up
vacant posi on, two posi ons remained vacant. Further the responsibility with right earnest and has prepared
due to late entry of a candidate, polling was held for a road map for NITRAA and is commi ed to pursue the
a post, which was conducted a er the AGM. But the same. Though fund raising efforts on the auspices of
response was poor and the number of votes polled Golden Jubilee has met with limited success, many of
was not declared. In living memory of OBA/ RECRAA/ the alumni are now coming forward and a larger fund
NITRAA, this was the only me that poling was held. will soon be available for future endeavours.
A er registra on of NITRAA, even overseas members
were members of execu ve council. But since many posts It is expected that the Golden Jubilee Home Coming
remained vacant, dedicated members were persuaded scheduled on December 25 and 26, 2010 will be the
to take up the posi ons. This me too for Treasurer turning point and will usher in brighter days for NITRAA.
and Co-Treasurer, the posts were vacant and dedicated
alumni have been persuaded in the AGM to occupy the
posi ons. The experience suggests that the process of
e-polling needs a closer look and improvement.
3. FINANCIAL POSITION Bharat Bhushan Mohanty, an alumnus of 1969 batch of

One me life membership fees remained the only source Electrical Engineering, has led a long and successful ca-
of income for OBA and thus annual income remained in reer in SAIL in the fields of Maintenance Management,
the range of Rs 10000/- or below. Whatever funds were Contracts Management, Project Management & Supply
raised in Silver Jubilee was spent in building an Alumni Chain Management. He superannuated from the Ma-
Home in guest house complex, which has been taken haratna company as its Execu ve Director in 2006 a er
over by the Ins tute (NIT). Some funds were raised
se led in Bhubaneswar.
during Millennium Homecoming with which ac vi es
E-mail:bharat.mohanty@mbecl.co.in,
con nued for a couple of years. Even a er revision Cell: 09883012549, 09437176633
of membership fee, the money was released only in
57
INFORMATION RELATED TO ALMA MATER
1. SUCCESSIVE LIST OF PRINCIPALS/ DIRECTORS

REGIONAL ENGINEERING COLLEGE, ROURKELA
SL NAME PERIOD
FROM TO
1 Sri Balaram Mishra, Admn. I/c 15.08.1961 11.02.1962
2 Prof. Bhubaneswar Behera 12.02.1962 19.07.1971
3 Prof. H. S. Nagabhusanaiah, I/c 20.07.1971 30.08.1972
4 Prof. R. Mishra 31.08.1972 30.08.1973
5 Prof. H. S. Nagabhusanaiah, I/c 31.08.1973 16.10.1974
6 Prof. Somnath Misra 17.10.1974 31.01.1996
7 Prof. Ashok Kumar Mohanty 01.02.1996 30.09.2001
8 Prof. Gopendra Kishore Roy, I/c 01.10.2001 25.06.2002
1 Prof. Gopendra Kishore Roy, I/c 26.06.2002 06.05.2003
2 Prof. Sunil Kumar Sarangi 07.05.2003 28.03.2005
3 Prof. Bijaya Kumar Rath, I/c 29.03.2005 02.11.2005
4 Prof. Sunil Kumar Sarangi 03.11.2005 02.11.2010
5 Prof. Prafulla Chandra Panda, I/c 03.11.2010 Con nuing
College main building seen through the arch-gate
58
2. BEST ALL ROUNDER AWARDS OVER THE YEARS
The award of ‘Best All Rounders’ is being given every year to one of the final year undergraduate
engineering students based on his all-round performance in the field of academic, games and sports,
cultural and literary, social services etc during his four years of stay in the ins tute. It was awarded by
Alumni Associa on ll 2002. From 2003 onwards, it was renamed as Prof. Bhubaneswar Behera Gold
Medal for Best All-Rounder and is being given by the ins tute during convoca on every year.
YEAR OF PASSING NAME BRANCH

AWARDED BY OBA/ NITRAA
1978 Mr. Saroj Kumar Patel Mechanical
1979 Mr. Jagadis Mohapatra Electrical
1980 Mr. Ashok Kumar Basa Civil
1981 Not awarded
1982 Mr. P.K. Routray Civil
1983 Mr. Raj Raman Mechanical
1984 Not awarded
1985 Ms. Meenakhi Singhal Chemical
1986 Mr. Lalit Das Metallurgy
1987 Mr. Chi aranjan Swain Civil
1988 Mr. Pradyumna Kumar Pradhan Electrical
1989 Ms. Dip Sahu Electrical
1990 Mr. M. Anil Kumar Civil
1991 Mr. Prasanta Kumar Rout CSEA
1992 Mr. Satyashree Mahapatra Mining
1993 Mr. Sachin Chandreshwal Dayal Electrical
1994 Mr. Prasant Kumar Mallick Chemical
1995 Not awarded
1996 Mr. Rajesh Panda Mining
1997 Mr. Siddhartha Patnaik Mechanical
1998 Mr Siddharth Mohapatra Chemical
1999 Mr Amit Kumar Agrawala Mechanical
2000 Mr. N. Kushal Mechanical
2001 Mr. Anuj Sharma Civil
2002 Ms. Alina Mishra Ceramic
AWARDED BY INSTITUTE DURING CONVOCATION
2003 Mr. Sandip Raj Sharma Electrical
2004 Mr. Siddharth Nair Electrical
2005 Mr. Piyush Kumar Electrical
2006 Mr. Surjyendu Narayan Dhal Electrical
2007 Mr. Sidhartha Patnaik Mechanical
2008 Ms. Amrita Patnaik Mechanical
2009 Mr. Bidhan Kumar Pradhan Mechanical
59
3. BEST ALUMNUS AWARDS

YEAR OF AWARD NAME YEAR OF PASSING BRANCH
BEST ALUMNUS AWARD GIVEN BY OBA

1978 Mr. Nalini Ranjan Mohanty 1965 Mechanical
1979 Dr. Prasanta Kumar Mishra 1966 Mechanical
1980 Not awarded
1981 Dr. Prabhat Kumar Sahoo 1968 Metallurgy
1982 Dr. Lalit Mohan Patnaik 1969 Electrical
1983 Dr. Damodar Acharya 1970 Mechanical
1984 Dr. Josyula Suryanarayana Murthy 1971 Chemical
1985 Mr. Laxmi Narayan Bhuyan 1972 Electrical
1986 Mr. Raghu Nath Patnaik 1972 Metallurgy
1987 Dr. Syed Naimathullah 1973 Chemical
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS AWARD GIVEN BY INSTITUTE DURING CONVOCATION
Padmashree Nalini Ranjan Mohanty,
1965 Mechanical
Chairman, Hindustan Aeronau cs Limited
Mr. Sukhendu Bikash Misra,
Founder & MD, 1969 Metallurgy
2009
Minex Metallurgical Co. Ltd, Mumbai
Prof. Damodar Acharya,
Director, IIT Kharagpur; 1970 Mechanical
Ex-Chairman, AICTE; Ex-VC, BPUT
The Scholar Avenue in front of Hostel -6
60
4. ATHLETIC RECORDS
SET BY STUDENTS OF NIT, ROURKELA
Yr. of
Event Record Yr. of Record Record Holder Course Branch
Gradua on
100 m Sprint 11.2 sec 1969-70 Lalatendu Rath 1970 B Sc Engg ME
200 m Sprint 23.3 sec 1962-63 Kir Chandra Parija 1966 B Sc Engg CE
400 m Sprint 53.9 sec 1979-80 Gyana Ranjan Mohanty 1980 B Sc Engg ME
800 m Race 2 m. 10s 1979-80 Gyana Ranjan Mohanty 1980 B Sc Engg ME
1500 m Race 4 m. 28.6s 2000-01 Anam Charan Behera 2002 M Sc MA
5000 m Race 18 m. 28.6s 1984-85 Pankaj Kumar Singh 1987 B Sc Engg EE
110 m Hurdles 18.91 sec 2010-11 Sunil Oram 2012 B Tech CS
Pu ng the Shot 10.34 m 2010-11 Aaron D’souza 2011 B Tech CS
Discus Throw 26.69 m 1971-72 Charanjit Singh Bhue 1975 B Sc Engg EE
Javelin throw 47.83 m 2002-03 Alok Kumar Sahu 2003 B Tech CR
Hammer Throw 22.87 m 1985-86 Ajay Sivan 1985 B Sc Engg MM
Broad Jump 6.25 m 2005-06 Alankar Sharan 2008 B Tech ME
High Jump 1.80 m 1983-84 Alexis Clyde Martyn 1984 B Sc Engg ME
Triple Jump 13.13 m 1983-84 Ja ndra Naik 1986 B Sc Engg ME
Pole Volt 3.05 m 1964-65 Sivanand Purohit 1967 B Sc Engg ME
B S Gajannavar (2009, ME)

Ashutosh Panda (2010, EE)
4x100 m Relay 50.55s 2008-09 B Tech
Sa sh Franklin Tirkey (2010,CR)
Vishal Gagrai (2010, EC)
Ja ndra Nayak (ME),
Nila Madhab Padhy (CE),
4x400 m Relay 3 m 58.19s 1984-85 1986 B Sc Engg
Jayanta Kumar Naik (MN),
Arjun Behera (EE)
( NB : Informa on given in all above tables have been contributed by Dr. Saroj Kumar Patel, 1985-Mech. )
An athletic event in progress 110m Hurdles in progress
61
3
REMINISCENCES
ARTICLES IN NOSTALGIC MEMORY OF THE GLORIOUS DAYS

SPENT IN THE BOSOM OF THE ALMA MATER
62
A LETTER FROM THE GRAND

PATRIARCH
PROF. BHUBANESWAR BEHERA
In response to a request for an article, Prof. Behera, the patriarch of Rengcol family, had penned this let-
ter for publication in the Souvenir brought out on the occasion of Millennium Homecoming, celebrated
on April 16, 2000, which he had graced through the day. This article is taken from the above Souvenir.
Inscrutable are God’s ways; Prof. Behera breathed his last exactly one year later, on the April 16, 2001.
Dear Rengcollians,
I am extremely happy to get an opportunity to
meet and spend some me with a sec on of
you a er a very long period. Those of you, who
had joined the first batch of REC, had come
to Rourkela in July 1961. I joined REC in the
first week of February 1962. The polytechnic
at Panposh where ini ally the REC had been
housed was the mee ng ground for all of us.
63
The industry Department very fast and due to the joint

of Orissa had based the Do not grieve for what you have not effort of the staff and students, a
Polytechnic building achieved. Take life easy. We are to do family rela onship developed. If
along with its hostel and our duty as it comes without being en- the teachers faced any problem
staff quarters for the purpose. gulfed by the results. Unlike other cul- the students came down to help
Two officers from the Industry tures who believe in one definite path and when the students had any
Department had been deputed of progress, our culture believes in vari- problem, they could count on
to the new organiza on; ous paths to reach the same destina- the teachers’ help any me.
Sri Balaram Mishra as the Some of the Indian scholars
tion. So have faith in that destination
Special Officer in charge of who had been sent abroad by
and march ahead.
administra on and Sri Swain the Govt. for higher studies
as the Registrar. Students had joined as teachers. Research
been admi ed as per the rules of a Regional Engineering work in every field of Engineering marched ahead. The
College – 50% from Orissa and the balance from other teachers were worried about the future employment
states of India selected on popula on basis. prospects of the students of the new college. Ini ally it
was a difficult problem to solve, but the good records
Selec on of the Principal on all-India basis as described and performance of the students made it easy for them
by the REC rules took some me and I joined the College to find gainful employment.
as Principal in the first week of February 1962. As I was
the Principal of University College of Engineering, Burla In July 1971, I le REC to join as Vice-Chancellor,
before I joined REC, the students were evidently very Sambalpur University. By then REC was well developed
happy. and was generally recognized as a college next only to
IITs. The Graduates of REC were well received everywhere
We had a very tough me in the ini al days at REC. and trusted as reliable engineers. A large number of
There were no facility for recrea on ac vi es and life them had gone abroad and made their mark.
was dull. I remember the occasion when the students
wanted to hold the annual athle c meet, there was a It is now almost 30 years since I le REC, Rourkela.
sports ground in the Polytechnic, but it was not in a Whenever I get a chance to meet a Rengcollian, I get
good condi on. The students worked hard to make it the pleasure of mee ng a family member a er a long
fit for the meet. An old shamiana and some chairs were period of separa on. It is quite lucky that some of you
borrowed and a loudspeaker with a rope tying the stand have se led down in life comfortably well and some are
and the speaker was used for announcing the events. not that fortunate. That is true with everyone in every
The ground was however full as the students had invited profession. Do not grieve for what you have not achieved.
almost all the celebri es of Rourkela and were taking Take life easy. We are to do our duty as it comes without
care of the invitees to the best of their ability. It was being engulfed by the results. Unlike other cultures who
the first such occasion in Rourkela and Panposh. As I believe in one definite path of progress, our culture
welcomed all of them describing the torn shamiana and believes in various paths to reach the same des na on.
repaired loud speaker, the students’ secretary of the So have faith in that des na on and march ahead.
meet, boldly announced that the next annual athle c
meet will be held in their own new campus with all their I wish you best of luck,
new equipments. The general mood was very cheerful
all round and we did hold the annual meet on our own Bhubaneswar Behera
campus the next year. The difficul es faced both by the Former Principal, REC, Rourkela
students and teachers brought them close together. In Ex-Vice Chancellor, Sambalpur University
the new campus the development of the college became Ex-Member, Union Public Service Commission
Prof B Behera and Shri Naveen Patnaik at the Millennium Home Coming...April, 2000
64
FIRST YEAR OF THE FIRST

BATCH…1961
PURNACHANDRA SAHU 1965
Through these graphic descriptions of the initial days of the college the author has painted a nostalgic word-
picture which takes us to an era half a century back and we move with him from the serene settings of the
holy site of Panposh to the new campus of REC full of greenery, upholding a new promise.
S hri Biju Patnaik became the Chief Minister of Orissa Joint Director, Industries of state government was
in the year 1961 and in the same year, he succeeded in deputed to be the ac ng Principal. Mr. Pulin Behari
opening the Regional Engineering College (now NIT), Behera, EE Mechanical deputed from state government
Rourkela in Orissa. He inaugurated the college in the was our hostel superintendent and took classes for the
evening of the Independence Day, 15th August 1961, in engineering subjects of 1st year. Mr. Jayant Mohapatra
a modest but colorful func on a ended by dignitaries deputed from G M College, Sambalpur took physics
and German officers of Rourkela Steel Plant. Biju Babu classes. Similarly for Mathema cs, Mr RKS Julu and
remained chief minister of Orissa up to 1963 and then for Chemistry, Dr. RK Patnaik came on deputa on. All
resigned on Kamraj-plan. our teachers were very knowledgeable and cordial to
the students. We had a wonderful student-teacher
I was fortunate to a end rela onship. The mutual love
the func on, and listen to We had a wonderful student-teacher was intense and deep. The
the inspiring words of Shri deputed teachers stayed hardly
Biju Patnaik.. I had reached
relationship. The mutual love was in- for a year and went back to their
Rourkela the same morning tense and deep. The deputed teachers parent units. But their devo on
by bus from Cu ack, with stayed hardly for a year and went back to teaching and love for us has
the in ma on le er for to their parent units. But their devotion made them unforge able to us.
admission in the college. Very to teaching and love for us has made They are our unsung heroes.
few students, around 15, had Their short stay in the college le
arrived on that day. As it was
them unforgettable to us. They are our in us a las ng impression.
the month of August, all the unsung heroes.
prospec ve students had Our college at Panposh was half
already taken admission in some college or the other. a kilometer away on the northern side of Calcu a-
I had already taken admission in SCB Medical College, Mumbai railway line. The hostel was on the foothill of
Cu ack. a range of hills that separated the township and the
steel plant. The Panposh railway sta on was hardly a
We were only 120 in the first batch and there were only kilometer away from the college. Brahmani River formed
three branches namely Civil, Electrical and Mechanical
engineering. 50% of the strength was from Orissa, and
10% each, from adjoining states like Bihar, Bengal and
Assam. Rest 20% strength was from the rest of India.
1961 was the year our college was born. Now, in 2010,
we are in the 50th year. Ini ally, the college did not
have a building of its own. It started func oning in the
building of ITI, Rourkela at Panposh. The ITI hostel was
renovated and given to us for accommoda on. We did
not have regular teaching staff and the teachers came
on deputa on from other colleges and field units. Even People taking holy dip at the Vedvyas temple
we did not have regular Principal. Mr. Balaram Mishra,
65
at Vedvyas as a confluence of two rivers Sankha and Koel

started its journey southwards from here. The river is to
the west of Rourkela. The Chota-Nagpur Plateau, which
has a range of hills mostly in Jharkhand state, extends up
to Rourkela on the southern side. The sources of Sankha
and Koel rivers are the Hazaribag and Ranchi ranges of
Chota-Nagpur Plateau respec vely. Vyasadev wrote
Mahabharat at Vedvyas, a calm and quiet place very
close to Panposh. The small hillock near the confluence
of rivers Sankha and Koel has the monument of Vyasdev.
Because of this Rourkela is considered as a holy place
and an ideal place for learning. We were lucky to have
started our engineering educa on in a serene place,
The first ever sports event of REC at Panposh
which is historically so important for having inspired
a great rishi like Vyasdev to create his ageless epic the
Mahabharat. had a bicycle in the hostel. Walking was our main
means of transporta on. While going to sector area,
The nearest market to our college was Panposh bazaar. we had to walk down 10 to 15 kilometers crossing the
Next to it was the Uditnagar market. Rourkela old hills by climbing at suitable places. For going to old
township market, near the steel plant was then the biggest Rourkela market and Razak Talkies we used to catch
market in whole of Rourkela. the passenger train at Panposh
This market had a cinema hall Almost no body of our batch had a bicy- sta on to Rourkela Sta on, and
named Razak Talkies, which cle in the hostel. Walking was our main then walking down the rest of
screened hit films. The next means of transportation. While going the distance. The favorite Hindi
place for shopping used to be
sector 5, sector 4 and sector
to sector area, we had to walk down films of that year were Ganga
Jamuna, Dil tera diwana, Love
20 markets. The sectors which 10 to 15 kilometers crossing the hills by marriage, Jab pyar kisi se hota
housed the quarters of steel climbing at suitable places. hai, and Junglee etc. The first
plant employees were in the show of Junglee on its release
northern side of range of hills. There were many Germans was reserved for our college in the noon show in Razak
in Rourkela when we started our career in 1961. There talkies. Shammi Kapoor was a top star and every body
was a double lane ring road, going round the en re city. had liked that movie very much.
It is s ll exists with more beau fica on. It cuts across
the intervening hills at two places, one near Bisra chowk Our batch was a very coherent batch, very closely knit.
and the other at Uditnagar. Ambagan was also a market Our whole college consisted of only 120 students and a
place those days. Near this place, there was a cinema few teaching and non-teaching staff. It was very small
hall called Leela Talkies. In due course of me it was compared to my earlier colleges like SCB Medical and
converted to ‘Civic center’ and Ambagan market was Ravenshaw. We had all types of students. We had cricket
shi ed to the present Ispat market. players like Sirish Mishra, C R Mohanty, S S Mohapatra,
Bhuban Das, Bijoy Dash, S K Dasverma, A K Das etc,
For entertainment we used to come to these market football players like S C Das, D Barik, KK Ray etc, and
places and cinema halls. Almost no body of our batch badminton players like B S Mohapata, R K Bhola etc.
Alma Mater...1966
66
enjoyment; it was really a memorable day for all of us.
Our hostel housed a branch post office in one of the

ground floor rooms. One room was used for playing
table tennis and another was used for recrea on with
radio, radiogram, carom board and playing cards. There
was a big canteen hall for boarding. It was run privately
and was popularly known as Panda canteen. In fact Mr.
Panda con nued as the caterer of our hostel for many
subsequent years. There was no other ea ng-place
nearby. We had to solely depend upon this canteen for
breakfast, lunch, evening tea, and dinner. Therefore, any
The first Cricket team of REC deficiency in food quality was resented to violently by
students.
We had good student leaders like S S Mohapatra, R V M
Sharma, K B P Singh, Sudhansu Mohanty, and Naren Dash I now vividly recollect how natural and picturesque our
and so on. We had good actors like R N Bhu a, A K Das, campus was. It was a small campus but was completely
and Niranjan Mishra.. Among good singers were Sirish in the lap of nature with all its serenity and tranquility.
Mishra, Nikunja Mohanty and K C Patnaik and so on. In the southern side, the horizon extended for miles and
Among good literary writers were A K Das, Sirish Mishra, miles with a beau ful valley of greenery and wilderness
CVR Jogarao, Niranjan Mishra and so on. We also had in between. Through our windows we were able to
talented students like N R Mohanty, C V Ramajogarao, enjoy the nice view of the valley in all different seasons.
Basant Kar, Niranjanjan Mishra, N Bhoi, Manindra Panda, Now the en re scenery has been spoiled because of
Banamali Sarangi, A K Das, R C Sahoo, S Dandapani, SKS the concrete jungle that has come up in its place. At the
Narayan and so on. The college being so small gave us northern side, which was the backside of our hostel,
the advantage of ge ng the feeling of a family in the real we had a chain of green hills. In the rainy season, the
sense. Every body’s iden ty clouds grazing the hills at the
was prominent and every body It was a small campus but was com- top and pouring water that flew
got a homely feeling. pletely in the lap of nature with all its in beau ful streams down the
hills used to be a unforge able
We had one picnic that
serenity and tranquility. In the south- sight.
year during winter. It was to ern side, the horizon extended for
Darjeeing, a place around 45 miles and miles with a beautiful valley We had a Chinese student
kms from our campus on the of greenery and wilderness in between. Mr. Thong J Leong with us.
Bonai route. Mr. Lalit Mishra Through our windows we were able to He hailed from Calcu a. He
had surveyed the spot. He was was an interes ng character.
our NCC & PT instructor. The
enjoy the nice view of the valley in all Everyday, during study period
spot was in a valley surrounded different seasons. in the hostel, he would study
by high green hills, and the books of all the subjects from
river Brahmani flowed briskly with its clear blue water. the beginning and would read only up to the 1st chapter
Food was cooked there. We played, gossiped, danced, a er comple ng the preface and the introduc on. He
bathed in the river and swam along the current. The used to repeat the same episode every day. As a result
clear and cool water refreshed us thoroughly. The best he was not able to advance any further than chapter-
was the company of our beloved professor Mr Jayant 1. He was a good friend of mine. A er the half yearly
Mohapatra, who added so much life and cheer to our examina on, when I observed his gloomy face, I asked
Darjeeng ...the site of the first picnic of REC Panoramic beauty of the campus
67
him the reason. He replied that he expected 5 in physics

but had secured only 2 out of 100 and that was the
reason of his sorrow. I was dumbfounded with this reply
and with much difficulty suppressed my laughter. From
this result, I could know that he could never pass the
final exam. Actually, the same thing happened and he
failed in almost all subjects in the first year. He never
came back to our college in the following year. For me he
disappeared. I have never seen him again ll this date.
He was a simple and well-behaved person. I was told he
resumed his shoe business in Calcu a. I was astonished
how a person so poor in standard could take admission
in our college. I learnt, he had taken admission on spot
A view of the college building...2006
selec on.
We con nued in the same campus at Panposh ll the that, because I was able to compare my dream with the
Durga Puja vaca on of the following year. A er the reality. Whenever the dream matched with the reality I
vaca on we moved to the new original campus meant was delighted and when it did not match I was pleasantly
for our college. I would limit the descrip on of my surprised. The new place was much superior to our
experience to the first year only. In the first year we makeshi campus. But that earlier small campus was full
were completely in dark about of nostalgic feelings. Some mes,
our own campus and our I had never seen a piece of history being temporary things touch us so
future regular teaching staff. deeply. Our first year was an
Occasionally we were taken
created till that period of my life. When experience of a temporary place
to vacant plot of our future the construction work started, I could with our dear temporary staff
college. The plot was very vast experience the history of my college members spending a temporary
compared to the campus where being created. The construction was period together with a lot of
our college was func oning quite fast and I enjoyed that, because inconveniences. My subsequent
– around 20 mes its size. We experience was in a permanent
were to move to the other end
I was able to compare my dream with place with permanent staff. The
of the city. The plot was located the reality. permanent place was vast and
beyond sector 1 on north- sophis cated and members
eastern side of Rourkela city. Our make-shi college was of the permanent staff were talented. Life was more
located on the south-western side of the city. Both were comfortable; but it lacked something that made me long
located at two extreme ends diagonally opposite to each for my first year days in Panposh; perhaps we lacked the
other. The distance between them by crow’s flight would love, closeness, cordiality, liveliness, and a natural piety.
more than 20 kilometers.
We were in the world of imagina on about our future

college and hostel building. I used to dream about our
college in our campus. From the master plan shown to
us, I tried to have a future vision of the college in that
natural environment. The natural scenery of that plot of
land was so enchan ng that I loved to dream about our
college coming up there with matching majesty. There
was a chain of hills in the southern side. The land had a
slope towards north. Beyond our college area there was
a complete vacant land up to Jhirpani village. The church
and other buildings of Jhirpani were clearly visible from
our campus. Beyond Jhirpani was Koel River flowing Purna Chandra Sahu belongs to the pioneer batch, 1965,
from east to west. Beyond Koel river there was a chain of Electrical Engineering. He started as a lecturer in REC,
of very high hills. On the other side of those hills was the Rourkela and then led a successful career in Indian Tele-
communica ons Service with specialisa on in Computer
then Bihar state.
Networking (Internet), mobile communica ons, Broad
band services and op cal fiber cable. A er his re rement
I had never seen a piece of history being created ll that in 2004 he worked as a visi ng professor to a number of
period of my life. When the construc on work started, ins tu ons. He lives in Cu ack..
I could experience the history of my college being E-mail: pcsahu42@gmail.com , cell: 0-9437576400
created. The construc on was quite fast and I enjoyed
68
REC (NOW NIT) ROURKELA

AND ME
PROF. DR. BIMBADHAR SATAPATHY 1965
The author had been associated with the institution over a long stretch of time of nearly four decades, which
easily puts him in an exclusive category. He takes us to the early dawn and the first history of the institu-
tion that started in the riverside of Panposh and reminisces about a number of events and developments
right from the initiation to the end of his term in the college.
I think I am the only person among the Alumni who has perhaps the most efficient business management ability.
spent his en re working life including engineering study He kept most of the trouble mongers in good humour by
at this illustrious ins tu on from 14th Aug’1961 ll my providing his Ambassador car to go to Rourkela bazaar
re rement on 31st Aug 2000. either for watching cinema or marke ng. By his clever
business prac ce he could con nue as caterer of the hostel
REC, Rourkela was first started in Panposh and I was the not only at Panposh but also for a number of years at the
first student to set foot in the hostel (hostel of ITI at present campus.
Panposh) on 14.08.1961 where I met Mr P.N Tripathy, who
was in charge of the hostel and admission. There was no At Panposh we were going to the nearby hills and taking
water, no food in the hostel. My photographs in all possible
unique experience on that day
Prof. Behera immediately took action poses. At that me the teachers
was published in the Crystal and Late Balaram Mishra, Special
Jubilee Souvenir in 1976. Being and informed Mr. Biju Patnaik, the-then Officer ac ng as our Principal,
associated with the Ins tu on Chief Minister of Orissa, and sent some were staying in the sectors and
for such a long me, I have so of us to him. We met him and in front were coming to Panposh in the
much to say that it can be a book. of us he telephoned to the VC of Utkal morning in a green colored
However, I shall men on only a
University and told him to do the need- sta on wagon. We were wai ng
few here. outside the College (ITI Building)
ful so as to enable the students to ap- ll the vehicle was sighted
It is well known that Late Mr. Biju pear in the 1st year examinations. coming towards us and then we
Patnaik, the dare-devil man, were going to our classes. Things
established the College in 1961 instead of wai ng for one moved this way in the infancy of the ins tu on.
more year as decided by Govt. of India.
Mr. Balaram Mishra was a unique person. Once, due to
On 14th August, since there was no facility to stay in Hostel, some trouble in the mess, all the 120 students marched
Biplab (S.K.S Nayaran, the current President, NITRAA) and at 9:00PM all the way to his residence in sector-4. Mr.
Sushant (re red as ED works, SAIL, RSP) came to the hostel Mishra was surprised to see such a large gathering at his
by Sushant’s car and I went to the residence of Biplab’s quarter at such an odd me. However, he did not lose his
sister in sector-19. As a result, I missed the inaugural temper or showed any sign of anger on his face. He
func on by Mr. Biju Patnaik. A er a few days classes started pa ently heard us and told us to go back, as it was not
at ITI building and I came to the hostel, where the descent to gather there at that me of the night, because
arrangements for stay and food had been made. But water, other residents might be disturbed. Next day he summoned
which was being supplied, was most of the me looking the caterer and talked to him. Then he came to our class
like orange juice except the taste. and gave us a good thrashing. But he managed it in such
a way that we internally realized our mistake but could
We had a very even ul life at Panposh, where we not feel that he was banging us.
completed more than one year. Due to unsa sfactory
catering service by one Mr. Swarup, many mes his During his tenure he was stressing on academic side in
crockeries were broken by some of our friends. Finally he the least, but kept encouraging us to become members
le and Mr N. Panda took over the catering. He had of German club and take part in its ac vi es. However,
69
a er a few months, he le and Prof. B. Behera joined as

the first Principal of the College. He soon found that
academic progress had been lagging too much behind
schedule and then he ensured that classes were taken
very seriously to complete the course. Just a few days
before our final examina on, which was to be conducted
by Utkal University, it was found that the students had
not been registered with the University and the college
was not affiliated ll then. Prof. Behera immediately took
ac on and informed Mr. Biju Patnaik, the-then Chief
Minister of Orissa, and sent some of us to him. We met
him and in front of us he telephoned to the VC of Utkal
University and told him to do the needful so as to enable
the students to appear in the 1st year examina ons (it
was annual system at the me). To our surprise, within
First college building at Panposh...1961
the next two days we were asked to fill up our forms and
subsequently appeared the examina on in me, along
with UCE, Burla students. victory stand.
We cannot forget teachers like Kumud Patnaik (who At this stage, let me tell some thing about myself. I was
inspired us to do everything on ska ng shoes), Banambar addressed as “Bhaina” or “Bimbanna” by my friends (both
Das, Pulin Behera, Julu Babu, girls and boys) at FM College,
Jayant Mahapatra, Ajay Babu, One day we went on a strike in connec- Balasore, where I had studied I.
Sashikant Acharya, S B K Rao tion with problems in the mess. Prof. Sc; from there, it was carried to
(then Principal of I T I), Khirod Behera, after being unsuccessful in con- Ravenshaw College, where I
Babu , N.C Sahu and above all joined Physics Hons. along with
P.N. Tripathy, who even taught
vincing us, sat under the banyan tree in some of my friends from FM
us Building Drawing, even front of the Hostel on a fast and didn’t College. At Ravenshaw College
though he was not a teacher. I take any food or water. West Hostel, and to some extent
am sure our batch mates cannot in East Hostel, I con nued to be
forget the life at Panposh, which was so enjoyable in spite addressed in the same manner. Then it percolated down
of lacking many facili es. to REC along with my Ravenshaw mates and I was
addresses by this name by almost all of my batch mates
The first foot ball team of the college to take part in inter- and those from our next batch too, who were also an
college meet was born there with brilliant players like in mate part of us from our 2nd year. I must say I enjoyed
Nikunja, Susant, Biplab, Bhuban and many more. The first it all along and I s ll do. In this capacity, I had the
cricket team was also formed there. The first sports meet opportunity of being a part of all func ons, be it cultural
was conducted there and Mrs. Raja (wife of Mr. S.T. Raja, or games and sports, although, I must confess, I had very
the-then GM of Rourkela Steel Plant) and Mr. Das, the GS li le capability in these fields except in literary ac vity.
of the Plant, were the Chief guests and Mrs. Raja gave The same pa ern of address con nued even a er I joined
away the prizes to the winners of different events on the as a faculty in the College.
Alma mater...nestled in the lap of nature
70
a erwards.
One day we went on a strike in connec on with problems

in the mess. Prof. Behera, a er being unsuccessful in
convincing us, sat under the banyan tree in front of the
Hostel on a fast and didn’t take any food or water. Finally
we had to bow down before his deep love for us and we
took our food together in the mess. A er that we never
thought of going on strike ll we passed out.
The ‘riot’ of 1964 is well known. Our friends saw with

their own eyes the ghastly murder of innocent people
and gave protec on to a large of number persons. Curfew
The auspicious beginning ... 1962 was imposed at Rourkela. I was coming from Cu ack,
without knowing anything about it. I came to know at
One day Prof. Behera brought us over to take a look at Nirgundi that no bus was going to Rourkela, but couldn’t
our new campus. At that me it was an open land next know the reason. I came from Nirgundi to Meramundali
to the present Sec-2 market. From German club side, there and from there to Sambalpur by buses. From Sambalpur
were only a few hutment shops up to the present temple I came to Rourkela by train, but was not allowed to move
of the sec-2 NAC Market and beyond it there was open out of the sta on because of curfew. However one
land. In the campus two buildings (present workshop and member of the relief party of Smt. Mala Chaudhury, who
Mechanical & Hydraulics building) were nearing herself was camping at Sec-2, took me to their house from
comple on. And when we returned a er the Puja holidays sta on, fed me and le me in my hostel in the evening.
of 1962, we directly came to the Thus, it took me three days from
new campus and stayed in Hostel- Another unforgettable attraction on Cu ack to reach my hostel.
1 (presently S.S Bhatnagar Hall). this occasion was the programme Under the leadership of Mr. Lalit
Our belongings and other items Mishra, NCC officer, our students
of the hostel and mess had
“Around India in 2-hours” where folk and staff had extended so much
already been shi ed there. dances of all states of India were pre- of help to the campus people as
sented by the students. This grand well as to the people of Rourkela
Our classes were held in these programme was possible only due to during that riot that United
two buildings and the staff and the dedicated and untiring effort of Na ons had praised our College
our Principal were also si ng in global newspapers and had
there. The main building was
Prof. Nagabhushanaiah. It has not been sent their le er of apprecia on
under construc on. I remember, possible to arrange such a programme to Mr Biju Patnaik.
flooring was not done in our class again till now.
rooms and benches were placed Our farewell was arranged by
on earthen floor. In rainy season, the floor used to be wet Prof. Behera in a unique manner that touched the deepest
and the side of bench having a heavier load was going core of our heart. We were entertained by our teachers
down into the wet earth. Here also Mr. N Panda was our and their wives. Mrs Behera herself sang songs for us and
caterer. At the end of the year we shi ed to single rooms others like Mrs Rangaswamy, Mrs Jain, Mrs Burra, Mr
in Hostel-2 (presently Visweswaraiah Hall) where our two Sidheswar Sahoo (flute) presented vocal and instrumental
batches stayed ll we graduated in 1965. My room in music. Finally, beyond our imagina on, we were served
Hostel-2 was A/77 in top floor front block. In the mess, dinner by Prof Behera and our esteemed teachers and
some of us (myself, Sakya, Bhuban, Bijay, Susant, Biplab, their wives including Mrs Behera. We can never forget
Bimal, Satrughan and some others) had formed a “Chicken the magic of that touching evening.
Club” and had chicken in our dinner every day by paying
extra over the mess bill. Even a er passing out, my connec on with REC did not
end. Des ny had ed me with REC forever. I was at Cu ack
During this period of two years a number of memorable and had got an appointment as J.E in the R.E. Division
events took place. Once we had damaged a part of the office at Sambalpur. In the mean me Prof. Behera wrote
Razak Takies for not brining Oriya films and had given false to some of us to join as lecturer in the College. My family
names to the Police. Next day Prof. Behera saved us by and in-laws (I had been married before I joined REC as a
giving a statement to Police that none of the students student) wanted me to join the Govt. job and I started off
went outside the campus that day. But to us, he gave an from Cu ack to join at Sambalpur, but driven by my inborn
affec onate banging. On another occasion, some of our ins nct towards academics I got down at Rourkela instead
friends beat up a taxi driver for charging high rate and of going to Sambalpur and joined as a lecturer in REC on
Prof. Behera also saved them from police but banged them 31st May, 1965.
71
published whose symbolic cover page was designed by

Lalatendu Rath of 1970 Mechanical Engineering.
The curriculum of the college had started with 4 yr annual

system. 5 yr programme started from 1963. The college
was transferred from Utkal University to Sambalpur
University in 1967. Students, par cularly those from other
states went on a strike protes ng against this, but
subsequently accepted it. Semester system was introduced
in 1972. 5yr system ended and 4yr semester system was
again started in 1979, which con nues ll now.
Prof Behera and Mrs Behera at a college functiontion...1963-64
The college grew in size. In addi on to the basic branches
My affinity for REC was so strong that I couldn’t ever think of Civil, Mechanical and Electrical, two new branches of
of leaving it. I had to forgo the idea of going as Dean, CET, Chemical and Metallurgy had started in 1963. More new
BBSR or as Principal, IGIT, Sarang and even to the Roorkee branches started one a er another; Mining in 1981,
University. I was in charge of almost all academic and Applied Electronics and Instrumenta on and Computer
extra-curricular bodies of the college and all social bodies Science and Engg & MCA in 1984 and Ceramics subsequent
of the campus like Hostel, Book Bank, Teachers’ Council, to that, under the leadership of Prof. S. Mishra.
Teachers’ Associa on, Wind Tunnel Lab, Staff Club, Durga
Puja commi ee etc. During my service in college, two unpleasant events
happened. In 1967 the final year students were severely
Under the inspira on and guidance of Prof. Behera, Old beaten up by the juniors a er a grand victory dinner, as
Boys’ Associa on (present NITRAA) was formed with they were suppor ng affilia on of REC to Sambalpur
Biplab (Present President) as the General Secretary. The University. Subhas Mishra, Ramakanta Gochhayat,
first cons tu on was framed by me a er that of Iowa Kamalkanta Mishra and many more were bleeding and
University provided by Prof. Behera. The associa on was had to be admi ed in IGH for treatment.
very ac ve for some years because of persons like Niranjan
Mishra, Bagaban Jena, myself, Bharat Nayak, Upendra Another incident took place in 1970. All teachers went on
Mohanty, Lalatendu Rath, Drona Rath, Late M.P. Mishra, strike on issues like promo on, pay revision and anger
P.N Tripathy, Bishnu Mohanty and many more. Home against Chairman Dr. H.B. Mohanty. It con nued for a
coming ceremony used to be celebrated in a grand scale. number of days. Teachers gathered near the Pippal tree
Par cularly the theatre which was presented by Old boys under the leadership of Sashikanta Acharya and Khi sh
was unique and was very popular not only in Campus, but Jena and installed a stone as Maa Mangala below it.
in whole of Rourkela. I was General Secretary and Vice Subsequently that got a permanent status as the present
President of OBA a number of mes. Mangala temple near the Guesthouse.
Prof. Behera le in July 1971 to become the VC of I became Registrar of the college in 1996 and re red in
Sambalpur University. Prof. R. Mishra was the Principal August 2000. Now I live in a house just beyond the
from July 1972 to July 1973. Then came Prof. Somanath periphery of NIT stadium ground and derive a lot of
Mishra, during whose record tenure of 22 years, REC grew sa sfac on watching my beloved ins tu on grow from
to become one of the best ins tu ons in India. It was strength to strength.
upgraded to NIT in 2003.
Jai NIT (REC), jai NITRAA!
Prof. Somanath Mishra’s first achievement was the
celebra on of Crystal Jubilee in 1976. He was the Chairman
and as the General Secretary of OBA, I was the Organizing
Secretary. This was by far the best and most elaborate
programme ever celebrated in the college even ll today. Dr. Bimbadhar Satapathy, belongs to the pioneer batch
An Industrial Exhibi on was conducted where OCL, L&T, of 1965, Civil Engineering. He completed his Ph.D. from
Roorkee University (now IIT) with specializa on in Envi-
ORIND and many other industries of Rourkela opened
ronmental Fluid Mechanics, Turbulence and Non-conven-
stalls. Another unforge able a rac on on this occasion
onal Energy. He joined REC Rourkela as a junior lecturer
was the programme “Around India in 2-hours” where folk and a er a long career re red from there as its Registrar
dances of all states of India were presented by the in 2000. Presently he is engaged as Professor and Head,
students. This grand programme was possible only due Civil Engg., Padmanava college of Engg., Rourkela.
to the dedicated and un ring effort of Prof. E-mail: satpathy_1940@rediffmail.com,
Nagabhushanaiah. It has not been possible to arrange Cell : 09437115602
such a programme again ll now. A beau ful souvenir was
72
MY REMINISCENCES AT THE
ALMA MATER
PROF. DR. BHAGABAN JENA 1965
The author and the institution had started their journey together in 1961 and it continued till he retired as
a faculty from there after four decades. This close association has generated a trail of memories, some sweet
and some sour, which the author shares here with a soulful and sentimental indulgence.
NITR...the temple of learning
Almost fi y years ago on a very fine morning of the no menace of ragging, on the contrary every possible
month of August in 1961, I reached the Industrial step was taken by the college administra on to treat us
Training Ins tute (ITI), Rourkela, hostel to take admission as important guests.
into the august centre of technical educa on, Regional
Engineering College (REC), Rourkela founded by the In the hostel, inside the class room and everywhere
illustrious son of Orissa, Mr. Biju Patnaik, hardly within in the ITI campus, where our college was func oning,
two weeks of his becoming the Chief Minister of the every moment of the student life was found to be more
state. A er reaching the hostel, I interes ng and enjoyable vis- a-
could see at least half a dozen of Very soon scores of juvenile and vis the student life of one month
familiar faces as newly admi ed I spent at Ravenshaw College,
jubilant hearts from different parts of Cu ack before coming to
students who were quite eager
to welcome me to their fold. I India were verily packed in a package Rourkela for admission into REC.
was immediately allo ed a seat of love and lore and in no time our Very soon scores of juvenile and
in room No, 22 of the hostel in college cherished the cosmopolitan jubilant hearts from different
the middle floor. I got adjusted character, as the bigotry of regionalism parts of India were verily packed
with the new surrounding very in a package of love and lore and
or linguistics never came to our mind in no me our college cherished
quickly, did not suffer from
sickness of newness and did not as a hindrance in the establishment the cosmopolitan character,
at all feel like a fish out of water. of unity and fraternity amongst our as the bigotry of regionalism
Ours being the pioneer batch in Rengcolians. or linguis cs never came to
the new born college, there was our mind as a hindrance in
73
the establishment of unity and fraternity amongst our

Rengcolians. The cordial rela onship between the
staff and students and the impressive teaching of the
staff were mostly responsible for making the students
well disciplined and docile. The G.D.G.S. (Engineering
Drawing) theory and sessional classes which started
a er Puja vaca on in November used to con nue from
1.30 P.M. to 9.30 P M. without any grumbling from any
side with a single minded devo on to come at par with
our counterparts of U C.E., Burla in facing the University
examina ons.
When our REC was at the nascent stage, further to the The first football team of REC
astonishment of one and all, in the month of April 1962,
we could very nicely conduct the 1st Annual Athle c
Meet and cultural ac vi es when no infrastructure or students and like playing a ring ball he flung that huge
facili es for organiza on of above events were available garland towards Mr. Chandrakanta, who was behind Mr.
with us. The Chief Guest, the then General Manager of Patnaik at a distance of twenty feet or so. To the surprise
Rourkela Steel Plant highly appreciated our ac vi es for of one and all, the garland, flung in the air, descended
excellent arrangement of those func ons. He profusely around the neck of Mr Chandrakanta. There was a
admired and congratulated the students and the staff of thunderous applause.
new born REC, Rourkela. The Chief Guest of our Annual
Func on and our Principal Prof B. Behera had proudly A er the Board mee ng the members had their
promised a resplendent future for our Alma Mater. lunch in our hostel, each member of the Board si ng
around one table with a group of five or six students.
The mee ng of the college authority, the Board One of the members of the Board Mr. H. K. Ghosh,
of Governors was held at the then Secretary of Finance
ITI premises under the Biju Babu snatched the garland from the Department, the Government
Chairmanship of Mr. Biju
hands of the students and like playing of Orissa was si ng with our
Patnaik. We the students stood group of five students. From
in two lines on either side a ring ball he flung that huge garland my discussion with Mr. Ghosh,
of the road to welcome the towards Mr. Chandrakanta, who was I came to know that he knew
Honourable members of the behind Mr. Patnaik at a distance of twenty some of my rela ves and had
Board. The Chairman, Mr. Biju feet or so. To the surprise of one and all, been to my village Gurandi to
Patnaik was leading the group of
the garland, flung in the air, descended inaugurate the Pra va Talkies
Governors. Five or six students in 1955 when he was the then
with a wreath of flowers around the neck of Mr Chandrakanta. District Collector of Ganjam.
approached the Chairman to There was a thunderous applause. This prac ce of taking lunch
garland him. His immediate by the members of the Board
reac on was-”stop this business”. Poin ng his fingers during its mee ng in the hostel con nued as a healthy
towards Mr L. S. Chandrakanta, who was represen ng tradi on. On fes ve occasions like Ganesh Puja,
the Government of India in the Board, Mr Biju Patnaik Saraswa Puja, Independence Day and Republic Day the
said - “He (Mr. Chandrakanta) is the Government of faculty members used to a end and grace the func ons
India. You chaps should profusely garland him “; saying and dine with students.
so, Biju Babu snatched the garland from the hands of the
It was the usual prac ce of the Utkal University to
complete the curricular work by end of February leaving
the students with thirty to forty days for preparing
themselves for the ensuing annual examina ons in April.
Almost sixteen hours a day were devoted exclusively
towards study. Students were hardly ge ng any me to
visit the township sectors or even to go to the check post
more than once or twice a month.
The most tragic and sorrowful incident was witnessed in

our third year while we were staying in Hostel No.2. That
Prof Behera and guests at college sports..1962 was the month of March 1964. Consequent upon some
communal disturbances in the erstwhile East Pakistan
74
as a safe shelter for the panic stricken people. We served

them food for two days from our Hall No 2.
Fortunately, the Board mee ng was scheduled to be

held on the same day. Our Chairman came from Rourkela
aerodrome to REC campus and was taken aback to see the
horrifying hooli¬ganism and man-massacre. Immediately
he made an arrangement of airli ing of armed forces and
twenty four hour curfew was proclaimed in the evening
and the situa on was brought under control. The arrival
of our Chairman Mr Biju Patnaik for the Board mee ng
of REC, Rourkela was just a s tch in me to save Rourkela
reeling under the riot. He was extremely happy to know
that the engineering students of his college had saved
scores of innocent lives and upheld the chas ty of its
cosmopolitan character of our Alma Mater. He brought to
the no ce of Mr U. Thant, the then Secretary General of
the United Na ons (UN), the benevolent deed of saving
the lives of hundreds of innocent people consis ng of
ladies and children. Mr. Thant highly appreciated the
humanitarian service of our staff and students in a le er
addressed to our Chairman, Sri Biju Patnaik and Prof B
Behera, our Principal.
Maa Ramadevi, the recipient of the pres gious Jamunalal

A ‘Pala’ performance in the college
Bajaj award for social work of the highest order, who
had devotedly tried to restore peace and communal
(now Bangladesh) thousands of refugees were pouring harmony in and around Rourkela had greatly praised
into India and the Government was sending them to in her autobiography the humanitarian work rendered
different camps in Madhya Pradesh, Orissa etc. for during the riot by the REC students and its Principal, Prof
their rehabilita on. Some of the na onal newspapers, Behera. She was accompanied by another great social
published mostly from Kolkata, were vividly descri-bing worker of Orissa, Maa Mala Devi Choudhury. This
their woeful tale of trouble and torture, illustrated with brought a great credit to our Alma Mater. It is gra fying
photographs. This had substan ally a ributed to crea on to note that the same tradi ons of selfless service and
of religious fana cism which jeopardised the communal philanthropic work by NITR students con nues ll today
harmony in ci es like Rourkela, Ranchi, Jamshedpur by way of helping the vic ms of natural calami es or by
etc. Rourkela started reeling under an unprecedented dona on of life saving blood to the pa ents of Rourkela
riot resul ng in arson, loot and inhuman butchering of and so on, showing that the products of our Alma Mater
innocent people, even small children and ladies were are not only engineers and technologists for enhancing
not spared. The law and order of the town was in the prosperity of the mul tudes of the country, but that they
hands of hooligans for three consecu ve days or so. are also worthy men with human values.
On the morning of 21st March 1964 we witnessed a

horrible sight from Hostel-2; we saw some four people
were running towards our hostel from Bondamunda
a er crossing the hill to save their lives. They were being
chased by some cruel man-hunters interested in slaying
innocent unarmed human beings. Had they reached our Dr. Bhagaban Jena belongs to the pioneer batch of Civil
Hostel they could have saved their lives. But they were Engineering graduates of 1965. As a brilliant academician
a acked with bow and arrow and boulders from the he was offered the post of a lecturer at RECR before com-
front by two or three other butchers, who massacred ple on of his term. Ardently devoted to his profession,
them nearly four five furlongs away from our hostel. he specialized in Analysis of Structural joints in Compos-
Our college campus was a peaceful zone protec ng and ite material required for Aerospace Engineering and also
took a lot of interest in cultural, literary and Sarvodaya ac-
saving the lives of scores of innocent people. Therefore,
vi es. A er re rement in 2000, he worked as a Principal
ladies and children belonging to different communi es, in a couple of Engineering Ins tu ons for some me. Now
scared of the communal carnage, came in thousands he lives in the campus with his son at Rourkela.
from villages far and near to our hostels. Hostel No. 3 E-mail: mysomesh@gmail.com, cell: 09437522895
was not yet occupied by the students and so it was used
75
CLASS OF 1968
SANTOSH BISWAL 1968
Traveling down the memory lane, the author recollects some of the trials and tribulations encountered,
talents discovered as well as some new traditions installed by their class of 1968. He fondly remembers how
they discharged various responsibilities and learned from them as well.
E very good thing, unfortunately, comes to an end The college life started with an induc on program
before one feels one has had enough of it. No wonder addressed by Prof. J Banerjee along with others. Prof.
my campus life in REC Rourkela came to an end some Banerjee assured us that “the faculty would chisel,
me in April 1968 with a wish that it could have lasted a hammer and polish us to make us perfect engineers”.
bit longer. The memory of those days has not yet faded
from my mind. I thought this will be a good occasion to The class of 1968 responded posi vely to that comment
share some of them. when out of a total strength of nearly 200 students 12
students secured Honors in the final university exam in
My first impression on entering the campus was one of 1968. Such an academic achievement was a record at
a scenic campus located within a dense forest contrary that point of me and was beyond our expecta ons
to the prior percep on of a also. The class of 1968 will be
steel township full of brick The state champions in Badminton & grateful to all the faculty who
& mortar. Soon the joy of TT were from our class. The state Ranji were in REC at that point of me
living in a beau ful & natural for facilita ng us to achieve this.
environment was overtaken
team had members from our class.
by the apprehension of They inspired others in the class to get The class not only excelled in
having to live with a period inducted into games. I still remember, academics but in all other co-
of introduc on guised as many from the class learnt & started curricular ac vi es too. The state
ragging. playing tennis during their stay in the champions in Badminton & TT
were from our class. The state
It was a unique experience
campus… Ranji team had members from
to live in mini India. The our class. They inspired others in
format of admission into REC ensured that students the class to get inducted into games. I s ll remember,
from almost all states were present. Each hostel was many from the class learned & started playing tennis
earmarked for students of one class. This enhanced the during their stay in the campus though some of us
feeling of togetherness among the students of a batch (pranksters) never lost an opportunity to pull their legs
and developed a close bonding. The mini India concept for this.
helped in broadening our outlook.
The class had talent which was exhibited in various
cultural pla orms. Classical Odishi & Manipuri dances
were presented by the students, which were of a
professional level. It is notable that one student, who
started learning Odishi Dance during his REC days
and followed it up during his work-life, has become a
dis nguished Guru today; definitely a rare & creditable
achievement. Ar sts from the class presented classical
instrumental recital on the flute & Veena solo as well as
in Jugalbandi .
Machine Shop...1966
Ours was the first batch of 5-years’ program in REC. Thus
76
the decora ons and conduc ng the Puja. The lead was
provided by two highly talented ar sts from our class.
If I am asked to list one characteris c of our class which
appealed to me, I will say it was the “non-compromising
a tude with Status Quo”. This came to the fore when
our batch unanimously rejected the contract students’
mess system. The weak link in our otherwise comfortable
Traditions started...Ganesh Puja and college drama hostel life was the quality of food in the mess. Many
of us may s ll be remembering Mr Lala & Patra Babu.
it was natural that other batches, which followed us in to The quality of food was deteriora ng and the cost was
the ins tute, developed very close bonding with us. We moving up. So the class requested for a change to a new
therefore took it upon us to introduce certain tradi ons canteen system managed by the students. The Principal
to enrich the quality of life in the campus. & management were very coopera ve and encouraged
us to try out the system. The mechanism was very simple.
The tradi on of an annual college drama was started Every week 5 to 7 students were in charge of running
during our period. Students of all batches par cipated the mess. Their responsibility was to design the menu,
in the annual drama. Students themselves did the stage procure materials and ensure their quality. Their brief
design & management, ligh ng was to provide good quality
and provided back ground If I am given an offer to travel in time food at reasonable cost. This
music. The en re produc on
machine back to the point when I had was taken very seriously since
was managed by students. it was our sugges on. Students-
Only we did not have enough decided to join REC and given a choice in-charge used to get up early to
girl students to par cipate in to decide between REC & any other go the wholesale market to buy
Dramas. So some of the male campus, I will have no hesitation to vegetables and fish/ meat etc.
students used to enact the decide in favor of REC with a request It set in a compe on among
female roles; invi ng female
to grant me the company of the same the weekly commi ees each
ar sts from outside could thus one trying to do be er than the
be avoided. class of 1968. other. It resulted in remarkable
improvement in quality of food
Before we bid adieu to the campus, we presented an and the cost came down by almost 25%, despite every
evening of variety entertainment named “B Sc II night”. commi ee offering a week end party dinner from the
This showcased all the cultural ac vi es the class could savings they generated from their budget during the
present ending with a full length drama, completely week. From REC, I went to one of the best ins tutes in
produced & managed (all aspects) by the students of the the country for PG program. The contrast in food quality,
class. This was our way of expressing our gra tude to all at a cost 15% higher than ours, was so much that when I
faculty and staff members and their families who made completed the 2 years’ program I had lost 5 kgs.
our stay in the campus meaningful & memorable.
Thus we had enough opportunity to learn inside the
We were told, this prac ce of “B Sc II night” con nued class room as well as outside it.
for many more years that followed.
If I am given an offer to travel in me machine back
We started celebra ng Ganesh Puja in the hostel, a to the point when I had decided to join REC and given
community Puja celebrated in one nominated hostel. a choice to decide between REC & any other campus, I
Here also the ar sts from all the batches managed will have no hesita on to decide in favor of REC with a
everything, star ng from sculp ng the idol, doing up request to grant me the company of the same class of
1968.
Santosh Kumar Biswal, an alumnus of the 1968 batch of

Mechanical Engineering and an expert in Industrial Engi-
neering & Opera ons Management, re red as the Chief
Opera ng Officer (East) for spirits division of UB. At pres-
ent he is engaged as a faculty (OM & DS Area) at the Xavi-
er Ins tute of Management, Bhubaneswar.
Team spirit...ready to take on the rivals E-mail: skb@ximb.ac.in, cell: 0-9437160047
77
REFLECTIONS &
MUSINGS
JNANA RANJAN DASH 1969
The author has briefly but carefully documented the journey of his life starting from the impressionable
age in the institute right through the forty years in the corridors of the world of IT. Recounting the early
years in the college the author feels that seeds of everything to follow in later life were sown during those
years…the future technocrats learned about how to prioritize their time, how to show leadership in extra-
curricular activities and how to dream of a future.
P ROLOGUE
I belonged to the fi h batch of NIT (then REC) that our hostel construc on was behind schedule. We all
graduated in 1969. So when we started in 1964, the parked in that unfinished hostel in a rainy August, along
first batch was in the final gradua ng year. We had the with students who joined the senior batch on the four
opportunity to see the first four batches of our college year program. Bonhomie started instantly between the
preceding us plus four batches two batches which lasted ll
that followed us. Academic learning was coupled with the end. Some seniors gave us
instant lessons on a new dance
broadening of our minds. Seeds of ev- form called “Twist” and someone
In this brief wri ng, I would
like to talk about three things: erything to follow in our lives were even played unintelligible songs
my years and impressions as sown during these years. We learnt by Elvis Presley, whom we had
an undergraduate student; my how to prioritize our time, how to show never heard of. Pre y soon, we
journey of 40 years since then; leadership in extra-curricular activities, discovered the check-post and
and how I see the ins tute back-post for our tea escapades
and how to dream of a future. with these senior year friends.
today. So here we go.
MY YEARS AND IMPRESSIONS AS A STUDENT (1964-69) Everything was new and mee ng many out-of-state
As we landed in the campus during the summer of 1964, students was a novel exposure for us from Odisha.
78
Suddenly we had a glimpse of various Indian states like Cu ack, I met him at his campus residence where he said,
Assam, Rajasthan, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, “Join from tomorrow”. As simple and uncomplicated as
Punjab, UP, Manipur through these new classmates that! Like a caring father he wanted me to stay busy un l
from those states. Some of us prac ced speaking Hindi my trip abroad for higher studies. His care for the staff
with our North Indian friends. Professor B. Behera and students was exemplary and beyond words. REC
was a father figure, highly revered as the head of the was his extended family. When students went on a strike
ins tu on. Professors like T.N.Subramanium, Jyo rmoy during our Ist year, Professor Behera took the Gandhian
Bannerjee, and N. Vi al made deep impressions on our approach of si ng in front of the second hostel under
youthful minds. the banyan tree, on a hunger strike un l we all went
back to classes.
Academic learning was coupled with broadening of our
minds. Seeds of everything to follow in our lives were During my brief s nt as a lecturer, I became friends with
sown during these years. We learnt how to priori ze many teachers and met their families over lunch or
our me, how to show leadership in extra-curricular dinner. There was our chemistry lecturer Mr. Manzoor
ac vi es, and how to dream of a future. Our batch had Ali, who would explain urdu ghazals during our table
many talents in athle cs, sports, and cultural ac vi es tennis games while Nitai Das of Mechanical Engineering
like drama. Besides playing pranks, we bonded closer would extol his deep knowledge of par cle physics during
and closer with every passing year. check-post tea sessions. That was a lovely few months
for me to hang around the campus as the youngest staff
We watched the first batch of engineers graduate and member.
the topper of mechanical engineering Mr. N. R. Mohanty,
who later became the chairman of HAL (Hindusthan MY JOURNEY OVER THE LAST 40 YEARS (1970-2010)
Aeronau cs Limited), taught us for a few months. We I le India in 1970 and went off to Canada on a scholarship
were inspired by many such brilliant students from our to do my post-graduate studies in Aerothermodynamics;
senior batches. Our teachers but subsequently I decided to
were extremely caring and dear When students went on a strike during change to the newly exci ng
to us. I had a special problem our Ist year, Professor Behera took the field of Systems Design
of “expecta on management”. (University of Waterloo), where
Since I topped the first two years,
Gandhian approach of sitting in front computers were used as a
teachers had big expecta ons of the second hostel under the ban- tool for simula on of systems
from me. For example, our yan tree, on a hunger strike until we all behavior. As someone said,
mathema cs professor Dr. went back to classes. “Engineering teaches you to ask
Shiba Prasad Mishra would the right ques ons. So switching
scold me lovingly if I had not done everything correct in fields does not ma er.” I worked for IBM for sixteen
a test (like 100%, nothing less was acceptable). The five years, mostly at the premier so ware development lab
years flew by very fast and soon we were ready to face in California’s Silicon Valley. I rose through the ranks at
the real world. IBM and played a significant role as head of database
technology, strategy and architecture. Subsequently I
Incidentally I also served as a lecturer for 10 months, was recruited by the founder-CEO of Oracle as the Vice
specially invited by Professor Behera when he heard President of Technology, where I spent the next ten years
that I was wai ng for my visa to go abroad within a few helping the rapid growth of that company to become a
months. This was a special quality of Professor Behera, worldwide so ware leader. I had the fortune to travel
who had a personal connec on with many students like to over 50 countries speaking on future of so ware
me. My joining the staff was prompted by a personal technology.
le er from him and a er reaching Rourkela by bus from
When I connect the dots, it is easy to see that these
career successes had their roots at REC - the “confidence
and can-do a tude”, “an ongoing curiosity to learn” and
“problem solving”. For example, in my final year when I
read about the stride NASA was making to launch space
shu les, I arranged a special seminar for the Mechanical
Engineering faculty and final year students and presented
the working principles of a rocket engine (I had to study
like crazy to learn it). The historic “landing on the moon”
happened that summer a er our final examina ons
in 1969 and we stayed up all night glued to the radio
hall-1(SS Bhatnagar Hall) listening to Neal Armstrong’s voice as he set his foot on
the lunar surface.
79
AN Khoshla Conference Centre
HOW I SEE THE INSTITUTE (NIT) TODAY ins tute of innova on and thought-leadership for India.
I had the opportunity to a end the 40th re-union of our This, for example, can be a core competency in computer
batch-mates during December, 2009. When I walked engineering. Similar non-linear thinking should be there
all over the beau ful campus, I was amazed to see for every branch of engineering at NIT.
the progress; the old buildings looking fresh and new,
manicured lawns, clean roads, flower gardens and water EPILOGUE
fountains, inspiring words on signboards, hostels with An organiza on thrives on collec ve op mism and
names of well-known technical personali es of India posi ve energy. Many ex-students have excelled in
and much more. Besides the external look, the soul of their professional fields, both in technical achievements
the ins tu on seems to have as well as in execu ve level
undergone a metamorphosis. When I walked all over the beautiful leadership. A good construc ve
Students are dynamic, approach would be to harness
campus, I was amazed to see the prog- the alumni-energy in helping the
confident and have spread all
over the globe a er gradua on. ress; the old buildings looking fresh and ins tute in various dimensions –
Companies from all over India new, manicured lawns, clean roads, academics, industrial research,
are a racted to the sylvan flower gardens and water fountains, entrepreneurship, financial
campus for early recruitment. inspiring words on signboards, hostels endowment, etc. The alumni
Much credit goes to the current associa on needs egoless
with names of well-known technical leadership with a “laser-focus”
director (a dear friend and
classmate) and his vision. He personalities of India and much more. on goals, just like our two
explained to me that NIT has all pioneers - Mr. Biju Patnaik
the tenets to become as good as or even be er than an who created this ins tute and Professor B. Behera who
IIT. An incuba on center with industry-par cipa on is nurtured it during its ini al years.
coming up. Emphasis is given to innova on and crea ve ,
thinking.
We live in this age of Informa on which is seeing very

rapid changes. Companies like Microso and Intel are Jnana Ranjan Dash of 1969, Mechanical Engineering, de-
already considered laggards. What we see are two veloped a successful career in So ware Engineering with
specialty in design and development of Database Man-
trends - a centripetal force (computers consolidated
agement Systems. He was the Head of IBM’s Database
into huge datacenters) and also a centrifugal force (large Architecture, Technology, and Strategy group and was
prolifera on of mobile devices with user interac vity). the Group Vice President of Technology at Oracle Corpo-
Gone is the model of PCs (Personal Computers) now ra on. Currently he works as Execu ve Consultant and
replaced by “Cloud Compu ng”. New technologies Board member at several so ware companies in USA and
from Apple, Google, and Amazon are leading the way. India. He lives in California, USA.
NIT should stay on the cu ng edge of such forces as an E-mail: jdash@sbcglobal.net, contact: - 1-408-268-5056
80
FRIENDS OF A
GOLDEN ERA
P K ROUTRAY 1970
The five years spent at REC was a great time of friendship, fun and frolics for many. In this hilariously
written article the author undertakes a journey and recounts such intimate memories that might have van-
ished from the minds of many. He pays his tribute to the batch mates with an uncanny raunchy humour
and tact even at the risk of splashing a little mud here and there; but every thing is narrated in good spirit
and it successfully recreates the colourful aura of the yester-years.
I reached REC Rourkela campus for admission I had not studied the extra laws at my college. Guessing
accompanied by my father and uncle at 10 AM on 1st July something fishy my uncle approached the area. Suddenly
1965 with a headload of anxie es and apprehensions the tone of all ten of them changed. Then only I could
of uncertain future to be spent with unknown devils realize that I was being ragged.
at an alien place. At the entry por co of the college,
to my pleasant surprise I found Gopal, my high school I remember with pleasure, the pain I had taken on the
classmate; in fact a tui on mate, standing and staring night of 14th July by crawling in darkness all the way from
at me reminding me of my nasty fall from his cycle chemistry gas sta on through the crema on ground
while coming from tui on one day. He was an expert in to my hostel. That was the only safe way perceived
cycling where as I was a non- to avoid seniors’ hawk like
starter. He came via Stewart And from his friends came the bom- hungry eyes searching for a
College of Cu ack and had two bardment of a question to explain one prized prey during their frenzy
or three friends from Cu ack extra law each in physics and chemistry for relishing the final phase
accompanying him in this
journey.
over and above what had been taught of ragging for the year. 15th
July is customarily celebrated
to me. I felt guilty as I had not studied as welcome ceremony and no
However some students, mostly the extra laws at my college. further ragging takes place
from outside the state, seemed a er that date. But to my u er
to my unini ated eyes as alien and strangers. I used to ill luck, when I reached the hostel I had to join ten of my
wonder; here they would stay and study quite far from ill-fated friends who could not flee and had failed in their
their homes and parents. This aroused my compassion tricks to avoid the final phase of the frenzy. They were
for them; however, it later turned to in macy. swinging their hips in ball dancing as per the innova ve
direc ons of the seniors. Three of them were crawling
Hostels no 4 was allo ed to our batch and rooms were
given temporarily with roommates of our choice. In order
to see the hostel and the facility I followed the black-top
road with my father and uncle. This road was usually
used by the visitors and freshers. A student from hostel-
1, later known as hostel for 3rd year students, beckoned
me by gesture from the por co. Thinking him to be a
known senior hailing from Angul, where I had studied
for three years, I le my father and uncle and went to
him and greeted him with Namaskar. But lo! what a fire
back! ‘‘From which jungle?” was the curt ques on. I was
in cofusion, is Angul a jungle? Am I fit to study here? And
from his friends came the bombardment of a ques on to
explain one extra law each in physics and chemistry over
The entrance to the learning zone
and above what had been taught to me. I felt guilty as
81
under four cots and I, being the fa est, was asked to

pass through the windows where glasses were yet to be
fi ed. This was repeated not once or twice but ll God
took pity on me.
I remember watching with horror future CMDs,

Professors, Directors, Vice-chancellors and technocrats
with successful and pres gious status in later life
innocently complying to perform the odd and funny
acts as per the whims and commands of the seniors. I
only smile now at their past behavior when I recollect
the scene and compare it with their current status.
How amusing it is to be reminded of the scene in which Front view of the AV Hall
a renowned Director of an IIT and a Chairman of a
Navaratna Company of today were crawling under cots
and dancing on a table! and showed them to only a few of our friends and had
taken their promise that they would not disclose it to
With 3 to 4 days of experience of being ragged, we any body else.
prematurely started applying the same to our batch
mates who were latecomers to our hostel. Once it so Many methods were adopted to know the probable
happened, we mistook one of our seniors, who came to ques ons in the examina on such as taking the help of
meet one of his friends or rela ves, to be a fresher and astrology, astronomy, analysis of examiner’s psychology
a empted to rag him. This resulted in dire consequences. and even calling the ghosts through ‘planchet’ during
I remember one night at 1.30 AM in hostel-1, during our mid-nights. Our planchet sessions were visited by a
3rd year; everybody vanished from the site of a funny number of ethereal guests including some ghosts of
kabaddi match of the hapless the riot-vic ms of 1964 and
freshers, leaving Pratap on I remember watching with horror fu- you have to believe me when
the spot, when the warden, I say that the answers they
professor Subramaniam came ture CMDs, Professors, Directors, Vice- gave could not have been
for a surprise check. Pratap was chancellors and technocrats with suc- masterminded by any of the
embarrassed and was found cessful and prestigious status in later friends whose trembling fingers
begging for mercy. He was life innocently complying to perform touched the n lid of a jar within
excused by the professor; but the odd and funny acts as per the whims the chalk circle. Forecasts were
the next day Pratap did to us kept secret not for compe on
what the professor could not and commands of the seniors. or exposi on but to avoid any
have done. embarrassment of its fu lity.
Mayadhar, my dear friend, did I do anything wrong I fondly remember the asympto c rela onship of
by dropping your stock-pile of love le ers to your Tickoo with the famous actor Rajkumar and Mr.Kohli,
sweet heart studying in the medical college then? I the president of Indian fans for Elvis Priesley. Hiralal
had observed you several mes humming and wri ng claimed to have spent his vaca on with Mumtaz and
something confiden ally in a roman c mood. I had a Vaijyan mala in Bombay his home town. We used to
suspicion in my mind. When I saw some twenty love enjoy Hira’s narra on of his proud moment with Mumtaz
le ers wri en by you tucked under your bed without and how Mumtaz had lovingly called him ‘stupid’.
going to the addressee, I could not resist my friendly
a tude to help you. Srinivas Samant, the brilliant topper of our class, once got
furious when in a laboratory experiment his gravita onal
Narayan, now I admit my fault. You had fired Gopal and constant (G) came as 1500. He broke the instrument out
didn’t talk to him for two years because you thought that of frustra on. I s ll remember his remarks on Murty,
he had taken out all the love le ers from your nned who got second-class. As per him, Murty would not get
trunk. But he had no major contribu on except for giving any girl to marry as nobody would marry a second-class
me the key to independently open your trunk. Actually engineer. But Srinivas, you commi ed suicide before
I had taken the full bo le of ghee from your trunk as you completed the degree, while Murty is doing fine
had been permi ed by you; but in exchange I wanted to with both sons at U.S.A and having houses at Banglore
help you and therefore I removed those le ers so that and Singapore. The performance in the college and
you would concentrate in studies and remain a faithful classroom is not a barometer to judge anybody’s success
son and get married as per your family’s choice. Please in life. Earlier I had never lost to you in T.T. But finally
excuse me from U.S.A. I had only read the le ers briefly I lost to you, a day before your suicide. I could not get
82
another chance to avenge my defeat. You would never manners of the modern society. Some drank up hot
understand what a shock your suicide was to all of us! limewater thinking it to be a mark of aristocracy li le
knowing it was served for washing hands. Some started
Set Square, Slide Rule, T-squares were our ornaments taking alcohol considering it a mark of dignity, but
at college. The act of pu ng a decimal point a er many of them also added water or soda in the beer not
calcula on by Slide Rule was considered to be an artless knowing its chemistry. Life gives great experiences and
art. I s ll dread our tall, squint eyed and gentleman one learns from mistakes, they say.
professor Mr. Vital and his isometric views of inter-
penetra on of solids. Then we had friends who were real actors in stage
and stage actors in real life. Some of the friends were
Though copying was not so much in fashion, copying the midday visitors to stare at English movies and midnight
drawings by an innova ve technique called ‘topo’ was seekers of books of the forbidden kind. Ac ng as a
generally acceptable, because ghost one night at 2 AM to
photocopying or scanning were In our open book examination of ma- frighten the so called book
not known then, There were chine design, we used to carry 10 to 15 worms, Subas discovered many
friends who engaged others interes ng pictures of secret
for topoing from other people’s
books with a hope to get the answers nature that provides for our
finished drawings to complete directly from the book. But to our utter fun and discussion even today.
their own sessional work. frustration it never happened anytime. During nocturnal sojourn Uma,
Invariably the topoed drawing Prafulla, Chi a and Dambaru
looked more neat and clean than the original and o en witnessed two persons walking away at a distance in
fetched more marks. In our open book examina on of street light without their feet touching the ground. Then
machine design we used to carry 10 to 15 books with a the figures suddenly vanished and reappeared near
hope to get the answers directly from the book. But to hostel-1 gate. Our friends came back running into the
our u er frustra on it never happened any me. hostel. Till today they swear, they had seen ghosts that
fateful night!
We remember the day when the then Prime Minister
Shastriji advised everybody for skipping Monday dinner We had weekly film shows by our audiovisual society.
to save food grain and thus help the poor. Our dinner in But it was not enough for some of our friends. Besides
the hostel was stopped as a mark of patrio sm. However, visi ng theatre halls at Rourkela they used to go to
almost all of us used to go for dinner outside – it gave us Jharsugda, Sambalpur, Calcu a and other places to see
a legi mate license to go out and visit restaurants. We a picture as soon as it was released. Some of them used
explored reputed hotels like ‘Standard’ and ‘Sen’ and to see the same picture umpteen mes depending on
others, which were usually visited by the elite group of various factors like somebody’s favorite hero, heroine
the steel township. These occasions proved to be our and songs and even under the influence of friends. Bidus
learning ground to pick up some e que es and table Tripathy used to imitate Joy Mukherjee and he used to
83
sit and enjoy all films of Joy Mukherjee at least six to The meaning of absent-mindedness was clearly
seven mes from the first bench close to the screen. demonstrated and understood by us when we were in
He used to invite friends to accompany him to see his the radio room of our hostel -3, which was adjacent to
favorite hero close to the screen from the first row. But the toilet. To the pleasant embarrassment of twenty
once out of boredom Prabhat accompanying him for the five of our class mates assembled to listen to the cricket
third me to the same film within a span of a week found commentary of a test match between India and Australia
an innova ve way to watch and enjoy. He sat with his in 1967, suddenly Sarat Mohanty rushed semi-naked
back to the screen and enjoyed the audience in stead. into the room while s ll a emp ng to unbu on further
Bidus used to follow the dress in prepara on for the toilet;
and hairstyle of Joy Mukherjee Unlike our senior and junior batches we perhaps he had misjudged the
with “love in Tokyo” songs on entry to the toilet door by one
his lips. Alas, he is no more!
didn’t have any lady students and hence foot. Students generally in their
we used to carry the tag of ‘Brahmach- a empt not to lose a moment
One must remember the ary Batch’ with some pride and preju- from their study me, would
interest taken by friends like dice. In our fourth year, however, a slim prepare themselves right from
Kedar in managing the mess and petite lady named Miss Preeti Rout their rooms so that they might
affairs and keeping the mess finish the call of nature as fast
bill between Rs.90 to Rs.100/-
joined us on transfer from UCE, Burla. as possible a er reaching the
and the effort of Chandramani toilet. This unexpected act
in excellent garden development from barren field in of Sarat gave us a surprise and an involuntary chorus
hostel 4 of first year to hostel 2 of final year. emerged from all of us as if India had got the wicket of
Simpson.
Some of us competed to write le ers to celebrated
actresses for their autographs. Generally an occasional We s ll believe that our friend Rawat wrote his name
reply would come from their muscle men to the frustra on in the Guineas book of record when he broke his tooth
of our friends. But Saroj celebrated with a reply from Anju on the altar of the table tennis table. While playing,
Mahendru, who was the talk of the country because of we ourselves usually become all in one i.e., player,
Gary Sobers. Later on Dama got a le er from Sharmila commentator, fans, press and audience etc. On one such
that he kept secretly close to his heart for a number of occasion, in a game of table tennis before dinner, while
days, li le knowing that the le er had been planted. expressing his carnivorous pleasure Rawat a empted
to add an open mouthed posture to the game. As
At this moment I must narrate a funny incident involving an unfortunate result, while returning a smash from
three of my friends. Two of them, alas, are no more. Padmanabh, Rawat fell on the table in his athle c
On a late and lonely evening they were taking a stroll a empt in trying to hit the ball and in the process, broke
in the ground in front of the hostel, while one of them a tooth. The broken tooth is s ll brandished proudly and
suggested that in order to be smart in life they must we are reminded of our golden days in the Alma-mater
break free and get rid of inhibi ons. It would be a bold when we see his smile even today. Hope it did not give
experiment to shout a few forbidden words at the top of him much discomfort at his height of success in SAIL.
the voice to enjoy the thrill as well as to break away from
the torment of professors. While a few of the choicest I will be failing in my tribute if I do not share something on
words rented the air, another friend, who had kept quiet the two lady personali es at the college during our stay.
so far, spontaneously shouted at the top of his voice the Prof Miss Mishra, an epitome of God’s cra smanship in
name of a fairly good looking south Indian girl student her prime, stepped into the college in 1965 for teaching
from the junior batch! us English and was very quickly termed as the queen.
The dining hall used to open at 8.30 PM. There were

friends who used to arrive first and wait to take the
head piece of the fish. Some claimed to have taken 1500
heads in the hostel. Generally Bengali friends loved fish
and enjoyed the head piece the maximum. They would
take rice or ro and hold the fish in their hand and lick
around the clenched fist by the tongue with closed eyes
and derive a divine pleasure. Once Hazra lost his temper
out of frustra on, when he reached out to take the last
bite of the fish but found no fish in his tray. That had been
eaten away by Nilakantha. We could understand that day
what is meant by frustra on. Of course Nilakantha made Common room, Hostel-2
up for it later.
84
We the students with our new found youth some mes your cycle had got punctured. Madam you may have
forgot the sacred rela onship and were elated at this been the first lady in India to pioneer woman’s libera on
precious gi for the sore eyes. Needless to men on, by fearlessly coming to room no C-47 in 2nd hostel, a
the a endance in her classes used to be the highest. single seated accommoda on only for final year gents,
Collec on from check post gossip revealed that the that too when co-educa on was scarce and you were
teachers were also on the same wavelength. The habitual the only girl student of the class and one among a very
late comers among teachers were also seen moving on few in the college.
the verandah quite early with a youthful vibra on and
dar ng glances. Actually our Principal was a man of far My dear friends, by now most of you have re red,
sighted strategy. When the professors used to compare some have le for their heavenly abode and some are
themselves with the pay and perks, ethical or otherwise, s ll ac ve. In the process of narra ng these fun-filled
of their contemporaries in other fields of service, they incidents that are s ll live in my memory, as if it all
used to get frustrated and would develop a tendency happened just yesterday, I have taken the opportunity to
of leaving the college for such lucra ve jobs elsewhere. pay my love and gra tude to all of you. When I look back
The invincible incen ve in the form of Miss Mishra might at those days and think of the friendship and bondage I
have arrested the turnover of some professors a er had with you for those glorious five years, my dear batch
rethinking and recalcula on of the pros and cons. mates, I consider myself fortunate and tears come to my
eyes. How fast the me has passed indeed! Our stories
Unlike our senior and junior batches we didn’t have any have become folklore in our families and are now the
lady students and hence we used to carry the tag of subject of fun and laughter by our grandchildren, who
‘Brahmachary Batch’ with some pride and prejudice. In can never perceive what a great me we had had at our
our fourth year, however, a slim and pe te lady named Alma-mater! We all affec onately remember that era
Miss Pree Rout joined us on transfer from UCE, Burla. and cherish and pray for the same to return life a er
Suddenly the class became vibrant. The skeletons life.
started to gain fat. Unusual a endances were observed
in beau cian’s shops. The misers visited restaurants
and picture halls. I as a friend observed her with
amazement and her smart and tac ul handling of the
young enthusiasts commanded my respect. Now being
a grand mother of two brilliant girls and having served Prashant Routray, an alumnus of 1970, Electrical Engg.,
as a Principal in an ins tute, madam, I can share that started his career as a Teaching Assistant at REC, Rourkela
your charming presence had changed the life of many. I and later served in SAIL at Bhilai and Bokaro Steel Plants
s ll remember how your famous le er “In spite of kadi ll 1982. He then joined NALCO, a Navaratna PSU, and re-
red as its Director (Prodn.) in 2009. An avid enthusiast
dhoop I’m ready to go to the picture” fell in the hands
in a variety of games and sports, he has widely traveled
of Jagata instead of Prabhu. Were you told about the
across the globe in course of presenta on of technical pa-
situa on that developed a er the incident in the college pers as well as for business purposes. He is now engaged
hostel? Madam, I propose to celebrate the first birth day in philanthropic ac vi es at Bhubaneswar.
of your great grandchild with our batch mates in our E-mail: pkroutray2009@gmail.com, cell: 0-9437000443
college campus, preferably in hostel no 2 where once
At one of the regular get-togethers of 1970 batch...BBSR, 2009
85
A PIECE OF HISTORY
RAJ KISHOR PATI 1972
A live encounter with the lion of hearts Biju Babu is indeed a life-time experience for any one, especially so
for a student of the same college established by the great statesman; the author narrates with passion the
unforgettable experience.
I t was the 1st of July 1968. It was a rainy, but pleasantlythe College. I shared the responsibility of the posi on of
warm day when I landed at Rourkela. I was embarking the Cultural and Drama c Secretary with Birendra Jena
on a new chapter of my life as a student of the most of Metallurgy. The annual day was coming up and we had
pres gious engineering ins tute of Odisha. I was among to select a Chief Guest for the func on. As per tradi on,
the first ones in my batch to take admission, with roll we could not invite anyone who occupied an elected
number 104 and, therefore, the most favourite of my poli cal posi on. That is why the father of our Alma
seniors, if you know what I mean. But truly speaking, I Mater, the one and only Late Mr. Biju Patnaik, had never
became a favourite of all my seniors and I cherish many been invited to the College as Chief Guest for the Annual
memories of my associa on with them as also of all the Day celebra ons. But that year Biju Babu happened to
help they rendered me. be the Chairman, Orissa Planning Commission, and did
not hold any elected poli cal
From my stay of five years as a As per tradition, we could not invite posi on. So the choice was
student and later another year anyone who occupied an elected politi- given to us on a pla er.
as a faculty, I have countless
stories of my life at REC (now cal position. ....But that year Biju Babu I, along with Anjan Panda
NIT). I am sure each one of happened to be the Chairman, Orissa (Mechanical), a batch mate of
us could reminisce about Planning Commission, and did not hold mine, went to Bhubaneswar
such stories, some more than any elected political position. So the to meet with the founder of
others. What is uncanny is that choice was given to us on a platter. our College and to personally
the same nostalgic images take invite him to be the Chief Guest.
shape in our mind—and the When we reached Biju Babu’s
same vocabulary too—whenever we share these stories. residence near the airport at around 10 AM, the wai ng
It is hard to single out any one story that is completely hall was full. We were disheartened because we thought
unique. But I consider myself lucky to have a singular, we would never get an audience with him. Nevertheless,
unique experience associated with our Alma Mater. we jo ed down on a piece of paper who we were and
what was our purpose and handed the chit over to the
I was in my 4th year of Engineering, B.Sc. (Engg) Pt. I, as a endant, who took it upstairs to Biju Babu. We could
it was called. That year I was the Cultural Secretary of well imagine how busy he would be, with everyone
wai ng for him with a pressing issue. The a endant
came right down and accosted us. “Babu will see you
now,” he said. We were shocked, surprised, elated and
nervous, all at the same me. Meekly we made our way
up the stairs, not knowing what to expect, and entered
the room where Biju Babu was seated. His towering
figure and overpowering personality filled the large
room. I am not quite sure, but it seemed that he was
happier to see us than we were to see him! Then started
his barrage of ques ons about our College: what is new,
how are the faculty, what sports ac vi es are going on,
A view of the Biju Patnaik Central Library how is the food, are the hostels adequate etc. It was this
love he cherished for our College that had prompted him
86
to drop everything and see us immediately. the decision. But Biju Babu had already figured out the
problem. So, when he got up, he moved the microphone
We were there for a full hour and though we felt guilty stand out of the way and spoke so that his natural
about keeping all those people wai ng downstairs, we gruffly voice carried to everyone present in the hall. His
enjoyed every minute of it. Then Biju Babu called his was the only speech that was audible that evening. His
secretary and asked him to love for our Alma Mater was
enter the date on his calendar. Then started his barrage of questions overflowing in his speech and
He was going to be our Chief about our College: what is new, how he made us feel so proud to be
Guest! Our joy, pride and are the faculty, what sports activities part of the College and part of
gra tude knew no bounds! are going on, how is the food, are the this event.
hostels adequate etc. It was this love
It was also the year when the I am thankful to you, my Alma
new Audio-Visual auditorium he cherished for our College that had Mater, my batch mates and
(now known as the Bhubaneswar prompted him to drop everything and the Late Biju Babu to have
Behera Auditorium) was almost see us immediately. given me such an unforge able
completed, but had not become experience. I am elated for
func onal. We had, however, determined to hold all the the opportunity to share it with all of you on the 50th
func ons associated with the Annual Day in the new birthday of our Alma Mater.
auditorium. It had its challenges, but the en re body
of student volunteers made it possible. So we had the All of us have gone our own merry ways in life; but wait
first ever event in the auditorium, for which our batch of for the moments when we may chance upon one another
1973 can jus fiably feel proud. and recreate that ‘electric’ connec on. We immediately
go back to the moment of our being together at the
The poor quality of acous cs of the hall was evident campus of our Alma Mater.
from the start of the first speech and I was regre ng
Words of Mary Hopkins’ song come welling up into my
mind:
“Through the door there came a familiar laughter,

I saw your face and heard you call my name.
Oh my friend, we’re older but no wiser,
For in our hearts the dreams are s ll the same.
Those were the days my friend,
We thought they’d never end…”
Raj Kishor Pa (Raju to his friends), a Mechanical Engineer

of 1972, subsequently completed M.Sc. Engg. from IISc
and MBA from Marque e University in US. An expert in
Forecas ng and Planning products of PeopleSo , he now
implements PeopleSo Supply Chain Management prod-
ucts for companies in all industries. Presently an indepen-
dent SCM consultant with his own company, he lives in
Wisconsin, USA.
Biju Babu, the founder of REC, Rourkela E-mail: rajupa @aol.com, contact: 1+ (262)-893-9005
(mobile US), 99376-71399 (India mobile)
87
ONCE UPON A TIME

ASHOK DAS 1970
Even a Yogi, who expounds difficult scriptures for the benefit of the soul seekers, had been a volatile youth,
once upon a time! The author, who renounced the worldly ways to go after spiritual attainment, looks back
at his turbulent life in the hostels as a fresher and describes them with a child like indulgence.
M y Master had taught me atma-vidya & had told were thrust upon me; but a young lad of 17 years could
me ‘If you concentrate & start going back in the me neither focus upon nor remember them. However, I
scale you can even reach your past lives’. On receiving do remember my first mee ng with our principal Prof.
Lala’s encouraging email to write an ar cle about my Behera, who smiled at me when he learnt that I came
memory of REC days, I pondered, ‘can I?’ because I could from the place of his origin. Coming from a small town
not remember any thing. Then I contemplated on my I was overwhelmed by the mammoth structures, large
Master’s words & concentrated on memory lane‘65. buildings, hostels & the large campus. On reaching the
4th hostel my heart almost stopped bea ng. I was to
One young & innocent boy entered the half finished live in a room with three other boys. Only one of them,
gates of Regional Engineering College Rourkela with his Bibhu bhushan Patel (alas, who is no more, may God
uncle who had passed out bless his soul!) had arrived
on the very year from the The bath room fittings were new and before me. And to my awe there
very ins tu on. My uncle taps were spewing tea colored muddy were open rectangular holes
was commissioned by my water which was to be used for bath. instead of windows, which I was
father to get me admi ed. Of told would be finished in due
course I had the type-wri en One incandescent lamp in the centre was course of me. The bath room
in ma on of selec on in my lighting the whole room. But it looked fi ngs were new and taps were
possession. My father wished like a dream to me, who thought, be- spewing tea colored muddy
me to be a doctor, but my coming an engineer should be the goal water supposed to be used for
lack of interest in life sciences of all intelligent young boys. bath. One incandescent lamp in
changed his wish. It was easy the centre was ligh ng the whole
at that me to be a doctor but room. But it looked like a dream
difficult to get admission in an engineering college, on to me, who thought, becoming an engineer should be
the basis of merit. And so my uncle was sent to introduce the goal of all intelligent young boys. Girls going in for
me to the ins tute of higher learning. Many an advice engineering were so rare at that me!
My uncle deposited me there in the hostel and le ,

saying his job was over. I was a li le homesick and started
wondering what to do. It was my first hostel experience.
I had my food & went to sleep. Then around well past
midnight there was a terrible noise & I naturally thought
there were thieves. Luckily the door had been latched by
us. But the con nuous pounding (I recollect an English
movie where Jews used to be evicted out of their houses
by Germans at mid night) drove us out of our wits. Then
of course we were hoarded to the wide veranda where
I found most of our friends si ng in cock posture. The
Ragging set in. Those elders who used to behave like
The college crest under the arch guiding angels during the day were standing over us
like gestapo guards issuing stern orders in four le er
88
profani es & ensuring that we come to our breaking

point. A thought flashed across my mind that we were
young stallions caught from the wild & had been brought
to the ranch for breaking as in America’s Wild West! Any
way this ragging or breaking con nued, it seemed to me,
for ever.
The tough classes in new subjects during the day me

& the Gestapo-like parades at nights made us look
like sleepless morons. They broke us down. We learnt
slangs, normally unheard of in our houses; we learnt
to live a life in such disagreeable situa on as Jews did
in a German camp. We even learned to laugh even at A vintage Alma Mater...as it looked in 1969
difficult mes. Then I, with my friends, discovered the
small building called the Back Post at the end of the road
which ul mately became an informal market complex. once awarded 9 gold medals to a young doctor called
There was one Chhotu there to serve hot parathas with Tejeshwar Rao & commented “Young man! How many
sabzi, which was like a great luxury to the deprived souls brains have you got?” If I happened to be a dignitary and
like ours. Once in a while we visited the three star cuisine Lala would have stood before me, I would have asked
(there were three people there). Days became months him, “Well young man! How many facul es do you own?”
& our immediate seniors stopped becoming tormentors. Our Lala was that & is s ll that. Like Lala there were so
I remember some of them many others I was impressed
saying, “Seeing the same faces So one night a committee secretly with in our batch of some 250
everyday is so boring”. Ge ng engineering students.
to see the same uninteres ng
formed and took charge to make him
faces must have been an ordeal realise our grievances. Lights were put There was a small boy called
for them too! off. Me & my friends entered Lala’s Kintala Chandra Mohan Rao,
room each holding a hot glass of watery who used to count ek ,
We were becoming accustomed health giving milk ready to be poured rundu, mudu with his fingers
to watery daal, burnt ro es, & always scored the highest in
diluted alu sabzi & milk added to
on his round bald head just like Rudra mathema cs tutorial classes.
plenty of water for developing Abhishekam. Alas, he is no more; may
muscles. All young persons at God rest his soul in peace! I
that age think of only developing muscles. Even now my remember one electrical technology class, in which our
9 year old grandson asks me 10 mes a day to cer fy that lecturer Mr. Basant Panda had fondly said in his typical
his biceps are growing. He jealously touches my muscles fashion of giving honor, “I will throw you out of the
& wonders how I got them. I remember there was a windows, sir, if you repeat this.” He always used to give a
rotund face, large-bellied Lala, who was our canteen lot of love and regard to his students. Where are those
manager. We requested, requested & requested for wonderful teachers, I some mes wonder!
improvements in the canteen; but our requests fell on
deaf years. So one night a commi ee secretly formed Memories come flooding in but I guess I’ll save the rest
and took charge to make him realise our grievances. for my contempla on.
Lights were put off. Me & my friends entered Lala’s
room each holding a hot glass of watery health giving
milk ready to be poured on his round bald head just like
Rudra Abhishekam. The manager could not understand
what was happening; but stood s ll just like a Shiva
Lingam. I confess I was one of the group who poured the
hot milk which I had not tasted. Of course on the next
day there was an inves ga on. But Lala was nowhere A er gradua ng in Metallurgical Engineering in 1970
to be seen as if he had vanished from the face of the Ashok Dash worked in SAIL, RSP as a Consul ng Engineer
earth. I must hasten to add that one should not mistake for some me. He relinquished the path of materialis-
this Lala with our classmate Lalatendu Rath whom we c pursuit and joined the Gayatri Parivar at Shan kunj,
Haridwar, where he has belonged and lived ever since. A
lovingly called Lala.
seeker of the ul mate in the path of spirituality, he spe-
cializes in Human Internal Personality Development..
Our Lala was a genius right from the beginning. We found E-mail: ashokshandilya@gmail.com
him every where; in sports, in drawing, in drama, in fine cell: 0-9358119925, 0-9720106282
arts as well as in singing! The then President of India
89
GROWING UP
BINOY BEHERA
The process of dealing with a crisis brings out the best in a person and it becomes a defining moment in
life. In course of narrating an eye witness account of the blood chilling mayhem of the ’64 communal riot,
the author recollects the supreme courage with which his illustrious father, Prof Behera had dealt with the
situation and as a cherub of three, how he had picked up his life’s first lesson in humanity that has never
deserted him since.
T he memories are somewhat indis nct, but indelible. that comes to mind is of someone recently returned home
Like a beau ful landscape in the distance through an a er a life threatening opera on and many months of
early morning haze. The beauty has kept it etched in hospitalisa on. However, when I remember Prof. Behera
mind but the long years now give it that inaccessible, the REC Principal, it is that same infirm and ailing person
faraway look. The mist offers that dreamlike, surreal but with the resoluteness that comes from unshakeable
atmosphere of a different world, of something no longer convic on – here, the infallibility of human ideals. As
real. And the early morning … well, for someone in Class groups of staff and students congregated in our house
3 it was early morning in life. for mee ngs and delibera ons, my father not having
recovered enough to a end office, I remember myself as
1964. Rourkela. The steel city had suddenly got into an inquisi ve and impressionable child eavesdropping
the throes of a communal orgy the likes of which had from behind the drawing room curtains. Physically weak
not been seen in Orissa before, he might have been, but there
seldom perhaps elsewhere in the The sight of frenzied mobs breaking was nothing even remotely
country. Atroci es commi ed in down doors in neighbouring Sector-1 weak about the decisions that
East Pakistan were said to have and with crowbars and axes hounding he took or inspired.
sparked off passions. Trainloads fleeing inmates in broad daylight, seen
of disfigured and mu lated While the butchery went on
human beings had arrived at
from the bedroom window of staff in the township area, the staff
Rourkela – so the people said, quarter A-2 where we lived, refuses to and students of the college NCC
though not many claimed to go away even now almost a half cen- carried .303 rifles and patrolled
have seen them themselves. tury later the campus to prevent the
And Rourkela burned. The civil blood and gore from spilling
administra on, police – it was slipping beyond them and in. Members of this persecuted community had been
the army had moved in to assist. housed in a staff quarter that was being used as guest
house. Even while they stayed indoors and the house
It was only a year or so earlier that we had moved into remained locked from outside to put the possible
the campus of the REC, then a fledgling ins tu on of a ackers off scent, the food and security requirements of
three years. Memories of hysterical cries in the middle of these people were quietly met by the college authori es.
the night as a house and its occupants went up in flames But word spreads and it was not long before there were
remain to this day. The sight of frenzied mobs breaking murmurs in town of such people being sheltered in the
down doors in neighbouring Sector-1 and with crowbars campus.
and axes hounding fleeing inmates in broad daylight, seen
from the bedroom window of staff quarter A-2 where we The head of the NCC unit, Capt. Lalit Mishra came in his
lived, refuses to go away even now almost a half century uniform every evening to report on developments. How
later. With this happening just a stone’s throw from the his patrolling team was confronted by armed people
campus, the trepida on in the staff and students of this trying to enter the campus and how they had responded
persecuted community was palpable even to this 6 year by threatening to open fire; how their raised rifles had
old. As I recall those days today, the picture of my father forced the blood thirsty groups to retreat and how this
90
macabre game of hide and seek was keeping them on situa ons. It was not long before he would look at us
their toes. But despite their efficacy in keeping the rioters as if asking why he was being made to sleep separately
out of the campus, the dead bodies found immediately and not in the bed with us. I being just over six and my
outside pointed to a more poignant story. It had come to brother Ajoy three, we o en got up in the middle of the
be known that the REC campus was sheltering members night to find the boy sleeping between the two of us.
of this community and news of this had given hope to And come morning, when we would ask him in mock
many of those outside to seek it as their last haven. anger why he had not slept in his own bed, he would
Only, they had been intercepted and hacked to death stare back as if it were an absurd ques on. But we did
just as they were on the verge of ge ng to the safety have a feeling of triumph when we finally had him speak
of the campus. Years later, whenever I saw films on his first word. ‘Kela’. He had got pre y fond of banana
the Second World War showing Allied prisoners of war and o en asked for it. And over me it was as if we had
trying to get to Switzerland to escape the pursuing Nazis, become the family he had lost.
I remembered Rourkela and the REC campus.
As a policeman, I have seen situa ons where the barbarity
One morning Capt. Mishra arrived early. With him was a of communal frenzy leaves one pondering on the depths
li le boy of about two who seemed to be in a daze. They that human depravity can descend to. Someone who
had been patrolling in the early has been a long me friend of
hours of the morning when Members of this persecuted commu- another is scared to be seen
they saw ac vi es immediately nity had been housed in a staff quarter with him because he belongs
outside on the Jhirpani side.
that was being used as guest house. to a different community and
Seeing them, the congrega on may therefore be targeted
quickly dispersed. As they Even while they stayed indoors and the himself. And in these situa ons
drove to the spot and alighted house remained locked from outside people have looked away
from their pick-up van, there to put the possible attackers off scent, helplessly as friends and known
lay several mu lated bodies. the food and security requirements of ones got killed. At a me of
Nearby was this li le boy. That
these people were quietly met by the such heightened communal
his parents had been killed right passions as prevailed in
before him was something he college authorities. Rourkela then, for someone
was unable to comprehend, or to take an unknown child of
perhaps was the cause of the stupor he was in. When the persecuted community and treat him like his own
the Captain and his team le , the li le boy stayed required uncommon courage of convic on. And this was
behind. And as my father walked back from the outer no ordinary riot. The Rourkela incident has a dubious
verandah where they had been having the conversa on, place in history as one of the worst post-independence
he had his hand on the boy’s back as he ushered him communal riots in the country.
into the house. And ll the situa on normalized, that
li le orphan child who had no one to go to lived with us Before long, the rioters from town decided to storm the
like a brother, like a household member. Schools being REC campus and flush out those sheltered there. But this
closed, most of the waking hours of the day and night was not something the college people were prepared to
were spent trying to work up a conversa on with him. take lying down. I quite remember that evening at the
badminton court of the staff club when hundreds of
“Tumhare pitaji mataji kahan hain?” students with lathis and other improvised appliances
No answer, just that vacant stare. of self defence walked the road in front to the check-
“Kya naam hai tumhara?” post gate. Humanity obviously being as much a part of
No change of expression. their unwri en curriculum as engineering was of their
“Ahmed… Anwar… Abdul…?” documented course, they had decided to physically
The same blank look. prevent the mob’s entry into the campus. Later the
“Tumhara ghar kidhar hai?” next day, when a mass of several thousand converged
S ll that tranced gaze. on the gate from the Sector-2 side, the students despite
their determina on to stop them were hopelessly
Not a word did he u er but as the days went by he outnumbered. And when word was sent to the Principal
seemed to be gradually ge ng more at ease. But about the situa on, he walked his laborious steps to the
whenever there were people at the gate or the front entrance gate to take charge. And by the strength of his
door coming to meet my father, he would run and cling personal credibility and power of persuasion, was able
to one of us, wide eyed in terror and panic wri en all to convince the leaders to take the mob back.
over him. Maybe he felt threatened by the presence of
people together, having been witness to the mob that Given the constant threat to their lives, those who had
had lynched his parents and others with them. But been given shelter all these days were escorted from the
love and tenderness have a way with the most trying campus to the government shelter camps the next day.
91
About the same me, when Muslim militants from Bihar love and affec on sir gave us.” And administra on during
reportedly entered Sundergarh district to avenge what that period of the college’s history was as effec ve and
happened to their brethren in Rourkela, tribals from the efficient as I have had occasion to see anywhere or can
Bonai region fled their homes and flocked the Jhirpani hope to see.
area near the campus. The students, who had with their
Principal and staff helped save several Muslim lives from It was 1964, some months before the communal pogrom
militant Hindus, now offered protec on to similarly in Rourkela. My father, accompanied by my mother had
persecuted Hindus threatened by Muslim aggressors. been away for several months, figh ng a diseased lung
And they vacated one of their hostels to accommodate in a ba le not many thought he would win. But when
the panic stricken men and their families, the numbers he did return, it was to a most unexpected and touching
such refugees being large. Not insignificantly, what the recep on. Even as they prepared to alight from the
REC staff and students did during the ‘64 riots found train, having presumed that there was some VIP on it
men on in the United Na ons later. who the big crowd had come to receive, they had been
overwhelmed to see the en re lot of students jostling
When one looks at teacher-student rela onships or with each other to welcome him back. And the several
commitment to human causes in many educa onal miles from the railway sta on to the campus was one
ins tu ons today, what big procession with crackers
happened then seems unreal, And when word was sent to the Princi- and fireworks, and joyous
distant, so very much like a pal about the situation, he walked his students on cycles and pillion
dream. Educa on is said to laborious steps to the entrance gate to escor ng his car all the way
be what remains with you take charge. And by the strength of his back. The spontaneous and
a er everything that you were unrestrained love that students
taught in the classroom has personal credibility and power of per- and teacher had for each other,
been forgo en. I did not study suasion, was able to convince the lead- their warmth and togetherness
in the REC. Indeed, my subject ers to take the mob back. in the face of the most trying
of English literature was as far crises, the shared ideals of
removed from engineering as could be. But I learnt human and ethical values – all seem like a dream today,
more about leadership, man management, team spirit incidents from a distant, unreal world where faith and
and human values in the REC of the 60s than I did from trust thrived … like a beau ful landscape through the
all my professional training in the country and outside. mist, faraway.
In mes of major tragedies when lives are lost, deaths
o en become numbers, mere sta s cs. But for each It may be asked why I have not referred to the ins tute
one of those who actually lose someone near or dear, as NIT that the REC has since become. Well, there was
every death is a separate, monumental personal tragedy occasion to men on only a few incidents but it was in
that alters his life forever. The li le boy who lived with that idyllic campus of the 1960s that I spent the most
us during those days taught me that, even though impressionable days of my early life. As I reminisce
there was no way of knowing what happened to him today, it was there that I saw humanity transcend itself
later. When the situa on had calmed and newspaper to divinity, where the moral and ethical values our Indian
adver sements for the boy’s rela ons drew no response, culture has always espoused were not just words but a
a childless mason couple in the campus took him as son way of life. Somehow, NIT – very deservingly though it
and lavished all their love and affec on on him. But some is now called – makes it feel like a different place from
months later, a person from Ranchi arrived with the the one that has always been in my mind’s eye. For me
police and claiming to be the boy’s guardian, took him it always will remain the REC, the place where I had my
away with considerable acrimony. I have o en wondered first educa on on life’s values.
if that li le boy came to live a life of hate because of
what happened to his parents, or of love because of the
affec on that he received from en rely unknown people
a er his tragedy.
Machiavelli has observed that there are two ways by Binoy Behera, MA (Eng) from Delhi University, had brief
which administra on can be done – through love or s nts in SAIL and SBI before joining the Indian Police
Service in 1982. He was the DIG of Police, Rourkela and
through fear. And that of the two it is the la er that is
the first Commissioner of Police of the twin ci es of Bhu-
the more effec ve. I don’t quite recall even a vaguely
baneswar-Cu ack. A keen games enthusiast and passion-
percep ble inkling of fear in the REC of the ‘60s, but ate lover of music and the arts, his hobbies include read-
there was love aplenty. I o en smile to myself when I ing and crea ve wri ng. He is presently posted as Addl.
recall what my senior friend, Sakya Singha Mohapatra of Director General of Police, Orissa at Cu ack.
REC’s first batch once said to me emo onally. “You may E-mail : binoybehera@hotmail.com, Cell: 0-9437031695
be his son, but even you would not have got the kind of
92
HOSTEL LIFE – A FLASH BACK

R. SHIVAJI VARMA 1971
As the author casually leafs through pages from memory’s chronicle, the reader revisits various episodes from
ragging to radio time, from games and sports to victory celebrations, from AV hall to movie houses, not
forgetting the colorful Holi celebrations. The hostel life was full of thrill!
T he invita on from the Organising Commi ee of the of having home food and new friends from all parts of
Golden Jubilee Programme acted as a s mulant to note the country, and to top it all, there was the famous or
down on a piece of paper the memories of the college infamous “Ragging”.
days long gone by. All these years these memories had
been etched and preserved in a corner of the mind and The first month was very ring. A er the day’s classes,
shared now and then with ragging would start on the way
family and friends or with Many times, after a long session of back to the hostel itself, being
fellow Rengcolians during
continuous ragging, the seniors would hijacked by the seniors straight
mee ngs at the annual into their rooms. Ragging could
gatherings of the local chapter take us to their mess for lunch or din- be classified into three main
or elsewhere. ner. Many of them sometimes even categories, namely, physical,
accompanied us to our hostels and up mental and intellectual. Exercises,
Even though a na ve of to our rooms to ensure that no other march pasts and running up and
Kerala, having completed my
senior would “capture” us for further down the staircase were part
school educa on in Orissa, of the normal physical category
I opted for admission into ragging. of ragging and were normally
REC Rourkela. There were no group ac vi es. This was, many
entrance exams unlike the procedure at present. I took a mes, conducted in the middle of the night for an
admission and was then directed to proceed to Hostel hour or so, disturbing the sleep. Mental grilling (surely
No. 4. not torture) was usually done within the confines of the
seniors’ rooms. Some seniors were not interested in the
At the hostel a room was allo ed and thus started the physical type of ragging, but were involved in tes ng our
long journey of five years of hostel life. The first few knowledge of subjects.
months were tough, but fascina ng, with subjects being
taught by lecturers instead of teachers, introduc on to Many mes, a er a long session of con nuous ragging,
subjects never heard of before, hostel food a er years the seniors would take us to their mess for lunch or
Married Hostel (old hostel - 1) Inter-class tug of war in progress
93
dinner. Many of them some mes even accompanied us

to our hostels and up to our rooms to ensure that no
other senior would “capture” us for further ragging.
The first vaca on was during Diwali, when every fresher

would be eager to “escape” from the campus and the
ragging seniors. Ragging was generally considered closed
with the start of the Diwali vaca on and the rest of the
year was used to be-friend the seniors. The beginning of
the next academic year was the subsequent important
event, when we would become seniors to the freshers
and use the posi on to rag them.
Winners of the staff race
The first few days of classes were very interes ng.
Having students from all parts of the country, the
lecturers would be trying to judge each student’s There were many of us who were interested in the indoor
knowledge level. In the process, it was discovered that games for which facili es were available in the common
there were two students who room. As a result, on most of
had secured very high marks Celebration of Holi was another great the days, there was always a
in Algebra and Geometry in
event. Celebrations started after break- rush to occupy the badminton
the qualifying exams but were court, the table tennis and
unable to answer even the fast with the compulsory dip in the chess tables and around the
elementary ques ons on these hostel garden water tank. Those who carrom boards. Many a mes,
subjects. Upon verifica on, resisted or tried to evade were sim- this problem was so acute, that
their cer ficates were found to ply lifted by two classmates, brought some of us decided to come to
be fake and these students had
down the steps and dumped into the the common room at night to
to leave immediately. play carom, TT and badminton.
water tank. Usually, a er dinner there
Outside the classroom, the would be a couple of hours’
sports facili es, cultural ac vi es like music and drama studies and then we proceeded to the common room
brought together many students to form new teams or around mid night for about two hours of enjoyment.
groups. There were many sportsmen, many of whom
excelled in not just one type of sport but were very In those days, there was no television; but in its place we
good in mul ple sports like football, hockey, cricket, had the radio. Most probably, the current genera on of
badminton and table tennis etc. students must not have seen a large radio, as at present,
we are familiar with the transistor radio and radio in
Sports and games were well arranged. Our college teams the mobile phones. As fans of the playback singers of
par cipated regularly in inter-collegiate and inter-varsity the Hindi movie world, we used to gather around the
levels and brought home many trophies. On such days, radio at the appointed hours to listen to the popular
it was a prac ce to set the hill on fire – the hill behind programmes like ‘Binaca Geet Mala’, ‘Hamesha Jawan
the hostels. The fire would be set in the form of a huge Geet’ and ‘Jaymala’. On Saturday evenings, there would
“V” (V for Victory) and it could be seen from Rourkela be addi onal rush in the Radio Room at 7.00 p.m. to
town and many kilometers away. listen to the programme from ‘Vividh Bhara ’ as it would
be a famous personality from the Hindi film world who
would be the radio jockey (It is to the credit of ‘Vividh
Bhara ’ that this programme is being aired even today
in the same format).
The weekends were eagerly awaited to know which

movie was to be screened by the audio visual club. The
first show would be on Saturday evenings exclusively for
the staff members, their families and students of final
year. Probably, the management thought that the final
year students, having spent four years in college, were
mature enough to sit along with the staff and their family
members, without crea ng any noise or disturbance and
expected to behave decently like gentlemen and not like
The AV Hall “engineering students”.
94
On one weekend, it was declared that a par cular movie, to the river Koel, North of Jhirpani beyond the hillock
which was a hit those days, would be screened. Even for in front of the hostels (beyond the present stadium;
the first screening on the Saturday evening, there was a those days, there was no boundary wall in the North
full house, including many “intruders” from the junior beyond the playgrounds). We had a good me wading in
batches, who could not wait pa ently for the next show. whatever water was available during that period of the
The an -climax was when the year and returned to the hostel
projector flashed the first few The invitation from the Organising for the special lunch.
scenes. The print happened to
be of the movie with the same
Committee of the Golden Jubilee Pro- One of the most exci ng days
name as the announced one, gramme acted as a stimulant to note of hostel life was when the
but made in the early 40’s or down on a piece of paper the memo- college re-opened a er the
50’s. There was a huge sigh of ries of the college days long gone by. summer vaca on of the third
disappointment. Probably, not All these years these memories had year and we were to start the
even one show was screened fourth year of studies. The
fully, as even the staff members
been etched and preserved in a corner college management probably
were bored and did not stay. of the mind and shared now and then thought that a er three years
with family and friends or with fellow of sharing a room with three
Talking about movies, there Rengcolians during meetings at the another classmates, it was me
were not many theatres in nual gatherings of the local chapter or for the students to become
town. It was during our stay in more serious about the studies
Rourkela that two new theatres,
elsewhere. during the pre-final and final
namely ‘Konark’ and ‘Deepak’ years, and for which, a separate
were inaugurated. The super hit movie ‘Aradhana’ was room for each student was be er. Thus we moved into
released in ‘Konark’. Apart from seeing the movie a our own single-bed rooms in hostel 5 during the fourth
number of mes, we used to take our hired bicycles and year and hostel 2 during the final year.
reach the theatre in me to see the song sequences.
The end of the final examina on of the fi h year was
The famous award winning Malayalam movie indeed a great relief a er months of prepara ons.
‘Chemmeen’ was released in ‘Deepak’ theatre. Many of Henceforth, we could call ourselves ‘Engineers’ and look
the classmates wanted to see this movie, but hesitated forward to new surroundings in the work place of the
since they would not understand the language and employers or enter the corridors of some other or the
there were no sub- tles. That was the me when the same educa onal ins tu on for higher studies. We
Malayalee students were in demand, to accompany the could probably con nue our hostel life there or lead a
others to help them understand and enjoy the movie. bachelor’s life in the town of our employment or some
could be staying with their parents. But none of these
Celebra on of Holi was another great event. Celebra ons would ever equal the thrill and experience of the five
started a er breakfast with the compulsory dip in the years spent in the hostels of REC, Rourkela.
hostel garden water tank. Those who resisted or tried
to evade were simply li ed by two classmates, brought
down the steps and dumped into the water tank. This
was followed by gathering outside the hostel gates and
a procession of students from all the five hostels would
proceed to go around the campus to the residences of
the staff members. The procession would end in front of
the Principal’s house, where he and his family members
would come out and join in the revelry and Prasad would
be distributed.
Raja Shivaji Varma is a Mechanical Engineer of 1971 and
While many students proceeded to the town for an has worked in a number of organiza ons like Jost’s Engg.
extended session, many returned to their hostels for Co. Ltd, Larsen & Toubro Ltd and Powai Works, Mumbai
a bath and the Special lunch. Some others proceeded in the field of Materials Management. Responsible
for introducing several successful innova ons in the
procedures and processes of materials management in
the pre-computer days, he took voluntary re rement a er
24 years of service. Se led in Mumbai, he is engaged in
popularising the works of the world famous Indian ar st,
Raja Ravi Varma.
E-mail: shivajee49@gmail.com, cell: 0-9869412969
The ‘Holi’ dip... & last day in the hostel
95
DOWN THE
MEMORY LANE: 1965 – 70
PRADYOT NANDY MAZUMDAR 1972
Freshers adopted innovative approaches to escape from the clutches of ragging. From mapping the township
on foot at dead of the night to chance-discovery of obscure places beyond the dark and thick forest around
the campus, the adventure of those nocturnal escapades are still fresh in a file in the memory folder of the
author. His journey down the memory lane uncovers a few other interesting events as well.
I remember that fateful evening at hostel in REC junc on railway siding, not a great place; but we did get a
Rourkela, in summer of 1965, when my elder brother kick out of our nocturnal adventure! This obscure place,
le me at the mercy of the rampaging seniors, a er Bondamunda became a safe haven for the harassed
comple ng the admission formali es. The inevitable freshers like us to escape from the rampaging senior
happened; at night a er dinner, ten odd seniors swooped Gods. To provide consola on of me pass, Bondamunda
into our hostel. About twenty unfortunate ‘bakras’ had a small cinema hall, showing old Hindi films, through
like me were hounded out from our rooms, German a 16 mm projector, catering mostly to adivasi crowd. The
gestapo style, made to form a human chain, passing one ample scratches in black and white posi ve film passing
of our hands between our legs and holding the hand of through the projector gave an appearance of perpetual
person behind, other, we were made to move and chant rain fall throughout the film! Well, as they say, beggars
“Seniors are Gods; Juniors are Dogs” one hundred mes. are no choosers. That should rather read, freshers are
We had never u ered the divine word so many mes; no choosers!
never proclaimed the canine animal word so many mes
either! Then, a er a few bouts of individual ragging, A er the classes started, the morning breakfast in hostel
cursing our existence on this of oil dripping ‘luchi’ and a highly
earth, we re red to bed well One night we just ventured into the diluted potato curry gave us the
past midnight. area behind the hostel and started much needed calories ll about
walking right through the jungle in dim noon. Just thinking of that oily
Next day Jairam, myself and moon light and reached the Bondamun- breakfast now, gives me acidity
a tall, fair and lanky fellow
da junction railway siding, not a great in the stomach and raises my
from Andhra Pradesh had a blood cholesterol! Such was the
brainstorming and hit upon place; but we did get a kick out of our good iron rich quality of water
a unique way to escape from nocturnal adventure! of Rourkela, we could digest
the horrendous ragging. Just anything. I joined in 1965 as a 47
before the dusk set in, we walked out of the campus kg weakling and by 1970 I was a respectable 53 kg.
gate and kept walking. I do not remember for how many
hours we walked or what we ate, but we returned to the Owning a bicycle those days was a status symbol and the
hostel well past midnight; by that me our senior Gods owners took a lot of pride. My room mate Amal Saha
were snoring comfortably in their own hostel beds! And, had a bike and he kept it well oiled and spotlessly clean.
as it happened, a er covering every sector of Rourkela We the under-privileged, who had acquired our walking
on foot, a la Vinoba Bhave, we got a trifle bored and felt habits during ragging days, con nued our daily stroll
it was a risky exercise too! in the evenings, crossing the campus gate and going
as far as we could, in company of Pradip Mukherjee,
The most happening place in REC/ NIT campus used to be Sarat Mitra, Dilip Purkayastha, Shantanu Banerjee and
the array of hostels, numbered 1 to 5 located in remote others. Evening me was cha ng me. I can not say
sylvan surroundings, far from the madding crowd. The who encouraged me to start smoking, but our Guru
hostels’ back side happened to be a forest area. One those days, Shankar Baral, ini ated many of us into the
evening as dusk set in, we just ventured into the area hard drink, rum punched with fruit juice. My evening
behind the hostel and started walking right through the 9 pm dinner partner, for savouring ‘macher muro’ in
jungle in dim moon light and reached the Bondamunda first batch, was none other than Bipul Nath, who was
96
anything but ‘Bipul’. A very interes ng character, short

and lean, he was a great fan of Madhabi Mukherjee and
had an autographed photo of the same actress as his
prized possession. I met him a few me a er leaving
college. But, alas, he is no more; he met with a tragic
accident about a year back.
The most talented guy of our 1970 batch, I would rate,

was Lalatendu Rath. On athle cs day, he would set the
track on fire. His ar s c skills of pain ng and singing, and
his humble nature, endeared him to all his class mates. Weathered many a storm...NIT, Rourkela
One occasion, I remember, a grand fes val of some kind,
where Lalatendu and Hiralal, in their jazzy red shirts and
black trousers, sang a modern song much to the delight Rourkela had a healthy climate; hence not many
of the audience. students fell ill. Doctor Das (not sure about the name),
LMP, did not have many pa ents, nor did he have many
On another occasion, I and another senior guy were medicines either! From what I can recall, Sulphadiazene,
made to stand on the stage in Maratha dress including Codopyrine and Alkali mixture and another white colored
pheta (pugri) and do some lipsing of a Marathi song. Our mixture comprised of all he had.
female partners were some of the super heavy weights
from our senior classes. They were the best the college I specially remember my final year Project mates, Jairam,
had in those days, when rarely any girls were taking up Dilip Kar Purakyastha and Sibabrata Kar and guides Dr.
engineering! It was when we were in our final year, that Banerjee and Prof. N. S. Das. We made a working model
svelte and slim Geeta Subramaniam, sister of one of our of a Ball Fly Press, which actually worked and could
faculty, joined the college and that she would get the punch one inch hole in steel sheets. Dilip informs me
maximum eyeballs, was a foregone conclusion! that this model was being shown for many years to the
students a er we had le college.
Talking of Hiralal, a late riser, he never a ended the
first two periods of early morning class; but by evening A li le ahead of hostel no.1, beyond the huge playground,
he was a charged person, playing hockey with aplomb. there was a distant adivasi village. In the early morning
Being a Mumbaiite, I am a cricket fan. Tarit Pal excelled the adivasi women, singing and briskly walking all the
as our cricket captain, with way to their work places 5 to
good contribu ons from Rourkela had a healthy climate; hence 10 km away, would have put to
Jairam, Shibabrata and that not many students fell ill. Doctor Das shame our long distance running
freak spin bowler Karmakar.
(not sure about the name), LMP, did athletes. The ‘reja’, as they were
Tarit and Mrinal Das used to called, had a unique simplicity
spend most of their me in the not have many patients nor did he have and held out a wild charm for the
evening at table tennis, in the many medicines either! parched students spending their
hostel. One of my favourite life in forced celibacy in hostels!
programs was to watch the body building compe on; In the quiet of the winter night the distant drum beats
Rengcol-Shri Rabi Patnaik and Sidu Bhuyan, with all signified the dancing, singing and merry making of those
their packs and bulges at the right places, came on tops villagers. One chilly winter night our curiosity got be er
closely followed by Jairam in the third spot. of us and we quietly slipped out of hostel and trekked to
the village. Arm in arm in typical Santhal tribal style, the
village belle were dancing to the drum beats of the men
folk. We stood quietly and watched. No one seemed to
no ce us. On such occasions in tribal areas, there is no
gender bias, we observed. Ge ng a li le light headed
with a gay abandon is their way of life!
A further 1 km ahead of the village, flew the river Koel.

An apology of a river, with hardly waist deep water and
a scanty sand bed around, would come to life once a
year, on the occasion of Holi. A er indulging in colour
smearing exercise in the hostels and exhaus ng their
quota of colours, the students would get down to some
Basking in the sun in front of hostel mad exercise of tearing each others’ shirts and trousers.
Looking like beggars in ta ers, students would then
97
charged mixture and did not care for anything else. On

some of the Saturdays, to celebrate an occasion, we used
to have a feast with tables spread out on the hostel lawn
embellished with some colorful ligh ng to bring on the
cheers. Non-vegetarians were dished out half a chicken
with gravy while the poor vegetarians in lieu had to manage
with Paneer masala and an apple. Half Chicken = Paneer
+ Apple; we could never make out how the equa on could
Dhirubhai Ambani Hall (Old Hostel-4) be balanced in terms of price or nutri on! However, all
said and done, as I have already men oned, guys like me
walk all the way to the river for a bath. Not having any gained weight and not many fell ill too!
girls’ hostel nearby certainly helped. A er returning to
hostels, spor ng just the towels, a la Ranbir Kapur, guys As a des na on for commu ng during summer holidays,
would change fast to a ack what ever was laid out for Rourkela was not exactly ideal for Bombay guys. Only one
lunch in the canteen. train, the Bombay-Howrah express running via Nagpur,
had a halt in a decent me at Rourkela. We the Bombay
Hostel food could be categorized into good, bad and guys did not have much of a choice other than to travel,
real bad. Being a coopera ve canteen, every day two reserved or unreserved, for 36 hours. One summer Pramod
students were in charge of buying the vegetables in Kapur, Hiralal, Rakesh Tikoo and myself were traveling in
the daily market of Rourkela. That was an exercise sleeper class III. Tikoo, who happens to be the nephew of
nobody really looked forward to. Also we had to work the great actor Raj Kumar and hails from a well to do
on a ght budget, our monthly Kashmiri family, did not have the
food bill never crossing Rs. One chilly winter night our curiosity reserva on. At night, he just spread
90/-. Breakfast of puri and alu got better of us and we quietly slipped newspaper sheets on the floor and
subzi was tolerable. The lunch out of hostel and trekked to the vil- went to sleep comfortably, showing
of dal and one vegetable, rice lage. Arm in arm in typical Santhal trib- what a down to earth person he
and ro never really appealed was, literally.
to anyone. Since we had
al style, the village belle were dancing
a ernoon classes at 1 pm, to the drum beats of the men folk. We Hostel life was a roller coaster ride
it was a blessing in disguise. stood quietly and watched. with some ups and some downs.
Evening ffin or snacks had its One of the saddest moments in
own detractors. One evening the Malpuas were extra my five years of hostel life was when the charming, boyish
thick and hard; some guy just threw it in the discus and intelligent Chemical Engineering topper Srinibas
thrower’s style to where it came from - the kitchen Samanta commi ed suicide by hanging himself from ceiling
pantry! fan, leaving us all in a shocked gloom in the mid-session
of our final year. Our hostel story will remain incomplete,
For not so aggressive individuals, there was a dhaba run unless we remember and pay our respects to Samanta’s
by Sitaram near hostel 5; he served excellent Parathas departed soul.
and delicious subzi at a price and he had good clientele.
The dinner was reasonably good at least for the non- Life at REC, now NIT, although short lived, was indeed a
vegetarians. A few small pieces of chicken and plenty of saga full of cherished moments and unforge able
curry to devour as many Ro s as you liked. Some students friendships!
did bring some of their own stuff. Most of the North Indians
brought ghee in a small plate. An Andhrite brought red
chilly powder mixed in ghee. He had the poten al to
devour a huge quan ty of rice mixed with the super -
Pradyot Nandy Mazumdar belongs to the batch of 1970

Mechanical Engineering. He served at Bhabha Atomic Re-
search Centre, Mumbai as Scien fic Officer for 21 years,
which he followed up as a Technical Consultant in the field
of Air Pollu on Control for 15 years. Re red and se led
in Mumbai, he now renders voluntary service at his Alma
mater, BES School, Mumbai.
E-mail: pnmazumdar@yahoo.co.in, cell: 0-9322298073
A hurrah on winning the Class-Championship
98
MY MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE
AT REC ROURKELA
DR. DEBENDRA KUMAR DAS 1972
Memories of the days spent at the college some four decades back are many and they come flooding in as
the author attempts to reminisce. In this process he recounts his own experience at achieving excellence in
studies as well as that of his friends in a number of other fields too. He does not forget to pay his tributes to
the highly learned faculty.
I NTRODUCTION
I studied at the Regional Engineering College Rourkela tea at Mr. Panda’s restaurant. Many hours were spent in
(RECR) during the period 1967 to 1972, which was heated discussions with friends about the inequality in
the most pleasant period of my life. Before I entered India and in our own idealis c way we used to formulate
engineering, some of my classmates from the Ravenshaw various solu ons to this na onal problem. Then I used to
College had joined the REC a er their pre-university head towards Hruda’s beetle shop to have a tasty “Pan”
or pre-professional studies and had already become and a packet of Panama cigare es. Going to the movies
senior to me. Being indecisive about choosing science at the Audio Visual Hall and in the talkies of the town
or engineering as my career path, I joined REC a li le was the favorite past me for many. As we progressed
late, a er comple on of my first year of the B. Sc. with year a er year right up to the final year, life became
Mathema cs honors. Therefore, I had my old classmates even more enjoyable due to the growing familiarity with
at REC in both the batches above me. In those days the the ins tu on.
hall of residence No. 4 was for pre-engineering, No. 3
was for I.Sc. Engg. Part-I, No. 1 was for I.Sc. Engg. Part-II,INSPIRATIONAL INFLUENCE
No. 2 for B.Sc. Engg. Part-II (final year) and No. 5 was for During my tenure at REC, I was greatly inspired by
B.Sc. Engg. Part-I students. observing many professors who had their higher
educa on at well-known universi es of the world: Profs.
EXPERIENCE AT THE BEGINNING Bhubaneswar Behera from IOWA, H. S. Nagabhushanaiah
As every newcomer faced in those days, I was subjected from Colorado, J. Banerjee from Illinois, U. K. Behera
to some ragging in the first few days of the first year from Texas, A. K. Mohanty from Indiana, A. K. Paul from
un l our welcome ceremony. The senior students used Georgia, S. Nanda from Canada and B. Rao from Louisiana
to raid the hall of residence No. 4 in the evening and and a host of other faculty with an impressive array of
make us kneel down and order qualifica ons and knowledge. I
us to pronounce in unison “The I had the opportunity to interact with had the opportunity to interact
seniors are Gods and the juniors them and their higher education great- with them and their higher
are dogs.” To get a reprieve
ly inspired me to emulate them. I am educa on greatly inspired me
from the ragging, I hid in the to emulate them. I am truly
quarters of Dr. R.K. Patnaik of truly grateful to those teachers and my grateful to those teachers and
Chemistry department. Since I alma mater which provided me with my alma mater which provided
myself had in this way escaped that environment. me with that environment.
the rigorous part of ragging,
I generally did not take part in ragging in subsequent Furthermore, I was closely following the foot steps
years. O en, I felt sorry about the freshmen when they of my brother, Dr. B. P. Das, the ex-Engineer In Chief
were being ragged. Despite the rigor of ragging, I no ced of Orissa, who had secured the highest percentage of
that my classmates overcame the hardship quickly and a marks in I. Sc. in Utkal University and had gone on to
harmonious environment prevailed between the seniors study engineering at Benaras Hindu University. When
and the juniors, giving rise to an overall experience that I was in my third year at REC, my brother went to
was quite pleasant in the first year. Canada to study for his Ph.D. under the Commonwealth
scholarship. His accomplishments certainly provided a
In our first year, we learned the a rac on of the back post great deal of mo va on and confidence in me to work
where we spent countless hours enjoying omelets and
99
hard to prepare myself for study abroad so as to achieve

my doctoral degree.
I fell two years behind my classmates of Ravenshaw

College when I joined REC. Therefore, I used to nurture a
degree of sadness, which turned out to be a blessing in
disguise. It drove me to study extremely hard, as a result
of which, I secured the 5th posi on in the first year, 2nd
in the second year and then maintained the 1st posi on
in the 3rd, 4th and the 5th years, among all the branches
of engineering including those of University College of Goddess of learning...Saraswati Puja in the hostels
Engineering, Burla and REC, Rourkela. During those days,
both the engineering colleges came under the umbrella class represented REC Rourkela in the youth camp at
of Sambalpur University and common examina ons Lucknow. It was not only our batch, but other batches of
were conducted for the students of each year. The class my period (1967-1972) at REC, produced well rounded
ranks were decided from the group of students. The accolades
performance of the combined Among 250 students we were fortu- they compiled for REC Rourkela
students’ body of both the
colleges. Upon gradua on, I nate to have three girls in our batch: was unmatched and made us all
very proud.
was awarded two gold medals Binapani Sahoo, Pravati Mishra and
from the Sambalpur University: Arati Das. I admired their courage for During our senior years, to
(i) the best graduate gold entering a male-dominated profession take a break from the intense
medal for securing the highest
in the 1960’s. With their gifts in music, studies, I used to occasionally
percentage of mark among slip away to the villages behind
all branches in 1972 and (ii) drama and arts they brought elegance the back post with a group of
for se ng a new record of to our batch. friends to observe the dances of
marks secured by the best tribal folks in the evening under
graduates to that date. Soon a erwards I le Orissa the dimly lit nights. Their simple manners and carefree
for higher studies with an offer from Brown University, life style made me appreciate their culture deeply. The
USA. I am immensely grateful to my alma mater for my Ganesh and Saraswa Puja and the sumptuous annual
comprehensive undergraduate educa on without which dinners in the hostels brought sparks to our lives.
my aspira on for post graduate degrees in the USA
would not have been possible. REQUITAL
It was my love for my alma mater that inspired me to
ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF CLASSMATES form, with the help of some alumni, an overseas REC/
I fondly remember clapping profusely for the dazzling NIT Rourkela Alumni Associa on, around 1996 in North
performance of the thespians of our batch: Late America. It has grown steadily to become an ac ve
Nrusingha Panda, Ajit Mohanty, R. P Das, Satya Patnaik associa on. Through that associa on we aim to assist
and Subhas Nanda in annual drama compe ons, in our students, alumni, faculty and the ins tute.
which they brought laurels to our batch.
All in all it was a wonderful experience to be a student of
In the game of cricket, I recall roo ng loudly for our REC Rourkela. It was a dis nct privilege for me to study
gi ed Ranji and Vizzy Trophy players like Asit Goswami, there and she will always remain as a very respectable
Sohan Sharma and Sup Ghosh who contributed to ins tu on of learning.
bringing many victories for our REC. The basketball
team, aided by Jaisen Mody, made us very proud with
his dunk shots. Even to this date, I s ll encourage him to
coach high school kids in Oregon. The thunderous hits by
Ajit Mohanty and precise setups by R. N. Patnaik in the
volleyball court made their game very exci ng. Belonging to the 1972 batch of Mechanical Engg., Dr. De-
bendra Das, with his specializa on in Fluid Mechanics,
Among 250 students we were fortunate to have three Heat Transfer and Thermodynamics, has fully devoted
girls in our batch: Binapani Sahoo, Prava Mishra and himself to academics and has earned several dis nc ons
at the interna onal level including becoming the Elected
Ara Das. I admired their courage for entering a male-
Fellow, American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the
dominated profession in the 1960’s. With their gi s in
Chairperson, Mech. Eng. Dept., Univ. of Alaska. Currently
music, drama and arts they brought elegance to our he is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Fairbanks,
batch. On the aspect of humanitarian services, six of Alaska, USA;
our batch mates provided voluntary services at the E-mail: dkdas@alska.edu, cell: 0-9073885601
Chakravata refugee relief camp. Another group of our
100
BEHIND THE SCENE

AKHILA T. 2006
Having to live away from the cozy comforts of home can always be very difficult; but the homely touch
provided by all the friends and caretakers in and around the hostel in NITR had not only made life so
comfortable for the inmates, but their loving personal touch has also left a lasting imprint on the mind of
the author.
T he name NITR brings back many memories right from If I have to sum up my college experience, it would be
the very first day I walked into the Ladies Hostel to the incomplete without a men on of all those who made a
final day when I kept peeking out of the auto to get one significant impact on my life in the 4 years in the most
last look at the place which had been my home for 4 unexpected way. The first person that I s ll fondly
long years. When we talk about the college days we talk remember is Chunni apa. She was like a mother to all
about the hostel nights, our friends, the ins tute and the 250 girls in the hostel, present at our every beck and
all the events surrounding it; but one thing that almost call to get us all the things we wanted. She had the most
always slips out of our minds are all the “Behind-the- interes ng stories to tell about all the happenings in the
scenes” people who made NITR the home away from ins tute. Also she was the only person that I got to try
home for us. my newly learned Oriya on and no ma er how bad it was
CV Raman Hall (The new ladies hostel)
101
A view of the AV hall next to the main building The audience at an Annual Home Coming
I always got encouragement from her. I will never forget back door access to the printers in the SAC whenever we
her sincere a empts to find a “Bhala Oriya Pua” (Good needed them. Everyone at the SAC office was like family
Oriya boy) for me to get married to. Her mere thought to us, when we ran out of things to do we would drop in
brings a smile to me. there and chat.
Not just her, all the apas in the hostel were so helpful The co-opera ve store waali didi, the cycle shop, the
and forthcoming all the me. I would eagerly wait for photocopy shop, the internet café and all these people
Sangeeta apa to call out my name; because that signified in some way or the other made our life so much simpler
either a phone call from home, a DD with the much to get by each day.
needed money or a much cherished visitor. I am filled
with immense gra tude for all the love, care and the The city of Rourkela was completely unknown to me
pampering that we got from all when I first stepped into NITR. I would never have felt
the apas. at home had it not been for all
I would eagerly wait for Sangeeta apa these people and many more.
Then there was Nakul bhaina, to call out my name; because that sig- I cannot really do jus ce to
all the servers and cooks in the nified either a phone call from home, a the list of people who in some
mess and the Maggi waali didi DD with the much needed money or a way or the other touched my
who all worked day in and day much cherished visitor. I am filled with life while I was at Rourkela and
out to provide us with food on how greatly each one of them
immense gratitude for all the love, care has enriched my life. All in all
me every single day. I know
we all endlessly complained and the pampering that we got from all it has deepened my belief that
about the mess food but I think the apas. no ma er where you are, at the
the efforts that these people end of the day, all that ma ers
put in surely deserved apprecia on. I was one of those is that each one of us should play our part in spreading
people who would be there in the mess dot on me for love around us.
the food and never once did I find that the food was not
ready or we were asked to wait for a long me to get the You never know when you might touch a soul in a way
food. The special treats - the ladoos on Independence that changes life for ever!
Day, the bhang on Holi, the once in a blue moon ice-
cream and the special meals on hostel day did add to
the charm.
Who can really forget Debu bhaina? For every student

in NITR, JAM signified so many things. A place to go
when you grew red of hostel food, place to hang out
with friends, a place to chill out in the hot summer with
endless glasses of nimbu paani and lassi. Debu bhaina
was the person who added a personal touch to it all. I Akhila Tadinada belongs to the 2006 batch of Electron-
remember when I used to walk into JAM and I would ics and Instrumenta on Engineering and has specialized
in Embedded systems and Digital signal processing. She
say “Debu bhaina, ek coffee”, he would go ahead and
has a Masters in Electrical Engineering from University of
finish the sentence by saying “Chinni kam, doodh zyada”. Minnesota-Twin Ci es. She works at Firmware Engineer
That’s how well he knew each one of us. at Seagate Technologies and lives in Minneapolis, USA.
E-mail:akhila17@gmail.com, contact : 001-612-802-1375
Moina bhai of course was a permanent friend, giving us
102
IN MEMORY OF THOSE DAYS

SIDHARTHA KUMAR BHUYAN 1970
The motivation he had derived during his student days at ‘Rengcol’ has provided a life-time of impetus to
the author, who was an ace body-builder and footballer in his hey-days.
I was drawn into sports ac vi es from the day of with admira on. Rabi became ‘Rengcol-Shree’ in May
joining ‘Rengcol’ in 1965. There were two main reasons; 1966 and I won it in 1967. Encouraged with our success,
firstly, extra curricular ac vi es were encouraged by many of our friends started prac ce and entered the
college management and secondly, a lot of support was compe on.
given to the students. There was a foot ball match for
fresher vs. exis ng students. I was made class captain Came 1969 and an extra responsibility of Athle c
for foot ball and remained so for the next five years. Secretary came my way. I remember, the total budget was
The physical training instructor Mr. Behera made a list Rs. 35,000/- that year. Prof. Behera used to encourage
of students to play against the college team. We were a me and give me guidelines in all ac vi es. During those
li le nervous to play against the same seniors, who had days the annual athle cs meet used to be a gala affair.
ragged us. I was the goal keeper and Sibabrat Kar was
the centre forward. The ground was full of all students My involvement in the extra-curricular ac vi es in my
and staff members. I made some brilliant saves against youth has helped me in many ways in my later life. I am
Mr. Subramanian and Mr. Ullash Pa naik, who were the indeed proud to have been a student of REC, Rourkela,
forwards of the college team. Although we lost by three earlier nicknamed as ‘Rengcol’.
goals, it was a sa sfying experience.
Body building and gymnas cs had good infrastructure in

the year 1965. I con nued with body building as I was
already doing that in my school days. I and Rabi Pa naik Sidhartha Kumar Bhuyan, a Chemical Engineer of 1970,
used to prac ce regularly. During those days “Rengcol- started his career in SAIL, RSP in the area of Power Genera on
Shree” used to be a very popular compe on and staff and later shi ed to Safety Engineering. He was associated
and students used to crowed the hostel-2 common with a number of Sports and Games at the Corporate
level maintaining a good balance with his profession. He
room. We used to prac ce well and would come to stage
resigned in 2008 and moved to Bhubaneswar, where he is
with a li le oil massage for the muscles to shine. At the
working as Principal, Mul -disciplinary Center on Safety,
end of the compe on prize winners would be declared Health & Environment.
and immediately a scroll would be put across the neck E-mail: skbhuyan2@gmail.com, Cell: 0-9438392288
by the Principal. Next day every body would look at us
Glistening bulges of the body builders Team and the mentors with Championship shields
103
“HERE,
LIFE IS DOOMED.”
RAMA PRASAD MOHANTY 1984
Notwithstanding the rigors of ragging, broken trust with friends, pangs of home sickness, unkempt living
environment and unfriendly race for one-up-manship, one learns to grow up under the caring hands of
the Alma Mater as ‘education’ takes over. The author takes a cursory glance at the process of growing up
from the moment he tip-toed into the college to another moment twenty five years later when he revisits the
premise and observes changes to his pleasant surprise…but then some bitter memories still hurt!
O urs was a group of 100 students, mostly boys, to sing paeans in favor of Ragging, but call it what may,
with the majority drawn from Orissa and rest from all ragging forced us absolute greenhorns, all of 17 years
over India. We had just completed our first year in the or thereabouts, with some of us having never ventured
erstwhile REC campus. Ours was a strange batch, a quirk outside our small hometowns inclusive of yours truly,
of fate, so to say. We were the last of 5-year batches and learn to expect the unexpected, forge friendship with
by a government decree, our batch was curtailed to half a stark stranger thrown together but united only by
the normal size to be meted with the similarly truncated a common fear of the demon collec vely called the
first of the four year batches, so that eventually the ‘Seniors’. We spent Saturday nights in the Circular watch
final batch strength remains tower perched mid-height on
unchanged. Meanwhile, being Over the course of the roller coaster the tall hill behind our hostel,
reduced by half, each of us
first year, our disparate groups had venturing the snake infested
faced the wrath of the seniors, trail route in the dead of night,
euphemis cally called Ragging, developed several survival techniques for Saturday was the deadliest
with double the force. We had which, most of us now pay to learn in of the days when we were
to learn to survive double quick fancy Management Consultants cours- the most vulnerable. It was a
in this hos le environment es; team work, mutual dependency, bap sm by fire.
where unfortunately for us, the
sharp eye for danger, ability to decipher
government decree to curtail Over the course of the roller
Ragging seemed not to work and read between the lines etc. coaster first year, our disparate
despite some serious faced but groups had developed several
good meaning Professors’ a empts to chaperone us to survival techniques which, most of us now pay to learn
our weekly group visits to Sector 5 market to buy our in fancy Management Consultants courses; team work,
ra ons. In today’s mes, it may not be poli cally correct mutual dependency, sharp eye for danger, ability to
decipher and read between the lines etc. We had moved
from one crisis ridden night to another and lived just for
the next day. That was achievement enough. Most nights
weighed heavy with horror stories of the par cular
inmate of so and so room having lost his hearing on
being brutally slapped by the demon of a drunk senior
(only temporarily, thank God and thanks to the expert
doctors at IGH) or some one about to jump from the 3rd
floor parapet on orders of the seniors but pulled back
at the last moment by the same Senior, later to learn all
that the Senior meant was an intelligent interpreta on
of his order in jumping towards the 3rd floor and not
to the ground so much below. As me flew, and as we
Alma mater, that cares ! the salmons became adept at handling the sharks in the
art of survival, more and more success stories of de
104
handling of the seniors and bea ng them at their own

games did the rounds, bringing in and firmly se ling in
to the young impressionable minds that together, we
can survive! Home was now faraway; an en ty we had
le behind ages back, though not so in the Gregorian
mescale. Finally, we have cut our teeth, Boys have
grown in to Men and we have cut the umbilical cords
and set ourselves free. We are now strapping young
male cubs, seeking out and savoring each others’ heady
company and with a swagger that comes naturally to a
young male cub, have begun to hunt in packs, for the
fun of it, birds or chicks of the not so feathery variety in
popular evening joints of Sector 5 market (others, more A view of the Central workshop
given to subtle es called it ‘bird watching’) Life was full
of possibili es and firmly in our grip, or so we thought. song of “Sholay” that cap vated our young minds a few
In to this se ng, one par cularly serene Sunday morning years before. And now, this guy has gone out and sat for
with some of us lolling lazily around, our good friend the exams, got through it, hidden it all along and has the
Lakra dropped the bombshell, “Here, Life Is Doomed!” guts to spit it out in front of us who knew each other
be er than our own brothers!
LIFE LESSONS
With eyes firmly focused on the ground and a cul vated His monologue con nued. In a few more well rehearsed
air of foregone conclusion about him, he con nued to staccato sentences it was all over. He has decided. He
explain, careful not to look at has decided to leave REC and
any body in the eyes or even He has got into an IIT, this double talk- leave all of us. My world was
respond to any one, lest some ing swine! He has already built a cozy falling apart. Our world was
of whom having disregarded his future for himself in the bosoms of his falling apart. We were hit by a
now unwelcome visage by the
new college! All these double crossings holocaust of no lesser propor on
force of their own emo onal than the most devilish seniors
convulsions, may succeed in from a guy who, a few minutes ago was that presented themselves to
reining him in. Clearly, I sensed, a sworn brother- at- arms! us on the 1st night, 1st show of
this guy has been rehearsing to the Ragging saga. It was even
act out this par cular scene in his mind for quite some bigger; each of us now knew in his private silence, that
me and was prepared for any eventuality. the magic of mutual trust and dependency is now gone
for forever. It’s a private war that each of us has to face.
The words hit hard not in their individuality but in the A war that most call Ge ng Ahead In Life, I s ll in my
consequences they represented. He has got into an IIT, naivety, called it Selfishness. Selfishness- that somebody
this double talking swine! He has already built a cozy found in somebody else. Not us! Not me!!
future for himself in the bosoms of his new college! All
these double crossings from a guy who, a few minutes In one quick stroke, this fellow succeeded in doing what
ago was a sworn brother- at- arms! When we were Ragging over the last one year un-did, at least to me.
literally kicked around together, we got be er of it by Every man was on to himself for a war called life!
learning to ring fence each other; when the seniors
were devious in their unpredictable nightly raids to our “The very essence of educa on is concentra on
hostel, we got the be er of it by quick fire planning of mind, not the collec on of facts”
and strategizing together. Numerous such trials by fire Swami Vivekanand.
developed a supreme mutual trust and belief in each
other that, I believed in my naivety, echoed in the famous Predictably, we were never the same again. Nor was any
one in the individual level. We had changed individually
and collec vely. Something was missing and a more
sinister ingredient replaced that. That was for sure. The
groups were there all in place but the chemistry was no
more the same. In the heat of the moment, we couldn’t
say what was what, but we could feel it all the same.
It was for real. Some weakling tried to take shelter in
caricaturing the less than perfect pronuncia on of the
word “Doomed” by our depar ng friend, some retreated
The Charter of dedication and sought solace within themselves. But the scars of
blows inflicted on our minds were showing whenever
105
we saw a broken widow pane in the class room dangling, Un l, one fine a ernoon 25 years a er, surrounded
perhaps for ages but never registered in our minds as by the same set of friends I walked down the distantly
such, watery soup that was, one found difficult to believe, familiar road leading from AV Hall to the Hostels, looking
officially called a vegetable curry but were overlooked all for our ever-present mental tormentors to get even.
along; unscrubbed floors of bath rooms that collected Like small children, we rediscover the old hangouts
slime for ages and took a perverted pleasure perhaps, but look for the old tormentors all the same. May be,
when we fell and took a nasty hit, but were OK and throw a stone or something at the old broken window,
manageable all the same .We were quieter and looked taun ng at him in a reversal of role and take pleasure in
inwards for answers to the raging conflicts in our minds, condemning him to his eternally doomed fate!
perhaps, ever so gingerly, he was right a er all !
That was not to be, we happily discover. Not a single
Sure, I looked inwards for answers to ques ons that were window in bad shape! The lawns have taken a new
flooding in; here we were busy discovering friendship in meaning! They look manicured and greener! The hostel
the all pervasive heady feeling of freedom; freedom from bathrooms are lined with sparkling white les! Even
the strict regimen of home and freedom from the great the hint of despondency that lurked around some mes
expecta ons of parents that never really got reduced but was conspicuously replaced by an air of posi ve vibes,
that could now safely be stashed away in some corner of aided no less by the old familiar road do ed with quotes
the mind, simply because we that exhort the students to get
are now physically away from on with life and perhaps, Get
the disapproving eyes. But
That was not to be, we happily discov- Ahead In Life! Yeah! My Alma
there were some, I discovered, er. Not a single window in bad shape! Mater has won, She has got
marched to a different band. The lawns have taken a new meaning! over her private tormentors!
They worked and worked with They look manicured and greener! The Both, our Mother and We have
a purpose; they found me to hostel bathrooms are lined with spar- won! Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!!!
think for themselves even in the
tumult we all found ourselves
kling white tiles! I run from one quote to another.
in. Maybe the answer lies in Pondering and thinking, I run my
there! In the last one-year my grades were in the dumps. eyes expectantly to the next. Each one is so though ul!
“You lose some, you gain some” I explained it away to I try to capture as many as possible in my mind, with the
myself; but here were some guys who apparently didn’t one quote from Swami Vivekanand crystallizing all my
lose a thing, on the contrary gained all things that were random thoughts. Yes! I got my true educa on here! I
valuable to our minds. got prepared for life here! I am what I am, but for my
educa on here! Educa on from our seniors, peers, and
With ideas thus gaining root and shape in our minds, teachers and from crises that loomed large at that me
the broken windowpane, the watery soups took on the but now look easy and like a child’s play, but for the
shape of mental rallying points for the next war to be training I received here!
won. Their very existence challenged us; their con nuity
mocked at us, incessantly repea ng the famous par ng Yeah. thank you, my Alma Mater! You had taken in to
words of our friend long gone. The like minded of us your bosom a raw novice who had nothing to offer and
naturally coalesced together, now driven with a single s ll, made a man out of him. That’s the best any raw
focus to silence the derisive windows, the soups, the novice can ask for and I hope and pray for the same gi
bath rooms and a countless other things that reminded for each and every raw novice in this country. And to the
the same thing. devil of seniors, here is the Rengcolian Salute that you
craved for, from an ungrateful junior who is planning his
next move to save himself from the nightly raids of yours
and ouch, that slap of yours hurts!!!
Rama Prasad Mohanty, a graduate of Chemical Engineer-

ing, belongs to the batch of 1984. With specialisa on in
the area of Petroleum Marke ng, he now works as the
State Head, Reliance Industries (Petroleum Division) and
lives in Bhubaneswar.
Hexagon Canteen in front of the hostels E-mail: mohantyr@mail.com, cell: 0-9937008959
106
THAT GREAT DAY

IN 1969!
V. GOVARDHAN PATNAIK 1970
Student career is full of adventure and a spirit of exploring one’s own potential triggers the drive to do
something different. The author here recalls his happy experience of winning a gruelling walkathon (while
another friend pddled away on a bicycle) followed by a recognition from Prof. Behera himself.
Sequences from ‘That great day!’
D ay : December 24, 1969 walk at 12 Noon on December 25, 1969. My marathon

Time : 9AM for 26 hours was logged con nuously by Pramod Kapoor.
Place : Play ground of REC I covered a distance of 116 Kms. along the Athle c track.
Environment: Highly charged I could not believe it myself!!
Event: A group of batch mates consis ng of S S Sinha, My feelings: It was a great day indeed for me and all my
Pramod Kapoor, Dibakar Sundi, S.P. Singh, Parvadia and batch mates, without whose support I could not have
a host of many other enthusias c par cipants of 1970 made it!!
batch were planning to undertake a marathon walk for
24 Hours. P Dilip Kumar came across to me and suggested Recogni on: Prof. B.Behara announced a “V G Patnaik
that I take part in the event scheduled to begin at 10 AM. & Prabhat Tripathy Rolling Shield for Endurance” for
I too jumped into the fray of over 30 par cipants. The students undertaking such mammoth events. I do not
event was flagged off at 10AM by Prof. B Behera, our know if the same shield con nues to roll today.
highly revered Principal.
That great day of 1969 will remain etched in my mind
2 PM: Only a handful of five par cipants were le in the for ever.
fray: me, S P Singh, Pramod and two more names I do
not remember.
6 PM: I was the lone par cipant le and S P Singh was

con nuing sporadically.
V. Govardhan Patnaik, Mechanical Engg. graduate of 1970
10 PM: I con nued, supported intermi ently by a few did his PG Diploma in Instrumenta on from IIT, Kharagpur.
from other batches also through out the night. A er a s nt in a few overseas assignments of erec on and
commissioning power plants across Europe, he worked as
6 AM next day: News percolated throughout the campus a consultant to GoI and then as President, GMR, Chen-
that a lanky and thin individual named Govardhan nai. He then shi ed over to academics and served as a
Director at GITAM school of Interna onal Business ll his
Patnaik and Prabhat Tripathy from final year Electrical
re rement in 2010. He has been awarded the “Na onal
were on a marathon endurance since 10AM the previous Best Teacher award in management educa on- 2009” by
day walking and cycling respec vely. MHRD. Engaged now as Dean and Professor, MITS Group
in Orissa, he has se led in Hyderabad.
8 AM: Prof. Mansoor Ali of Chemistry Department joined E-mail: patnaikvg@gmail.com, cell: 0-99373 39966
me and con nued with me ll the end of my marathon
107
FROM THE CORRIDORS

OF MEMORY
DR. ASHUTOSH ROUL 1996
The experiences of ragging are many in the memories of those who have walked through that corridor.
While these experiences are said to build bridges between the batches, some encounters go overboard and are
so severe as to leave a permanent scar in the mind of the person at the receiving end. The author presents
graphic descriptions of some of his chilling experiences as a fresher. However, he observes with some opti-
mism, life goes on and he has many reasons to be proud of his institution.
I was a student of Regional Engineering College, room and came back with my local guardian a er 5 to 10
Rourkela (now NIT Rourkela) from 1992 to 1996. I can minutes. A er seeing them, I started crying loudly and
very well recall my first day in college. My father, his packed my luggage for leaving REC and saying good bye
friend (my local guardian) and I went to REC Hostel to it for ever. They tried to console me. They asked me to
to stay in Hall No.1, which was meant for the 1st year leave the luggage at the hostel and then we decided to
students. My room No. was go to my local guardian’s house.
49 of ‘A’ Block, which was One of them switched off the lights. He We also decided to come back
situated in the 2nd floor. We started counting slaps on my face from the next day to take my luggage. I
had a warm welcome by the 1 to 100. After that both of them left agreed for the same and we went
2nd year students, who then the room. My cheeks had turned red to my local guardian’s house. This
escorted us to my room. They was my first day’s experience at
told my father not to worry
and were swollen and my eyes were full REC Rourkela. So tough!. My
and assured that they will take of tears ... this was my first day’s expe- father and my local guardian
care of me. I felt very proud rience at REC Rourkela. So tough! (who was a staff of NIT Rourkela)
to be part of this wonderful discussed with my seniors in the
college. Suddenly the same seniors closed the doors and room and a er ge ng their assurance le me back in
asked me to close my eyes. One of them switched off the hostel again.
the lights. He started coun ng slaps on my face from 1
to 100. A er that both of them le the room. My cheeks I am going to share another interes ng incident. One
had turned red and were swollen and my eyes were full of my seniors came to my room and asked me whether
of tears. I had ever been to Kanyakumari. I said, ‘No sir, I have
never been there’. He said, ‘OK, I will send you there free
Fortunately for me my father had le his spectacles in my of cost. Would you like to go’? ‘Yes Sir’ was my answer.
He said, ‘The spot near these beds (the seniors’ beds
were near the window) is India and Kanyakumari is
situated below India. I suppose your geography is good.
Now, you go and enjoy’. I crawled under the dirty bed
and came out. A er coming back the senior asked if I
saw a beau ful lady with swimming suit on the beach.
I could not understand anything as I was very simple
and answered him ‘No Sir’. He asked me to go again to
Kanyakumari and enjoy. This me I decided to answer
‘yes’ for every ques on that he would ask. I did the same
as I had decided. He then said, now you have become
smart and gave me some fruits to eat. In this way my
smartness and personality developed at REC Rourkela so
Our Alma mater has brought us together fast! It is not only the books that develop your personality
but the surrounding where you stay also ma ers a lot.
108
Once Susant Mohapatra, Lalit Beuria and I went to Konark

Talkies for watching a movie. I do not clearly remember
the name of the movie; perhaps it was something like
“Chor”’ or “Chand”. We le hostel- 4 at about 2.15 PM
by cycles and the movie was scheduled at 2.30 PM. We
were late and took ckets from REC counter (as reserved
by our seniors) and entered into the hall at about 2.45
PM. There were two men near the door of the hall. As
it was late we pushed them slightly and entered. They
picked up Sushant Mohapatra and started bea ng him.
They were drunk. In order to protect Susant, Lalit Beuria
Friends for ever ! jumped into the fray and they started bea ng him up
leaving out Sushant Mohapatra. I couldn’t understand
I have another incident to share. My room mate was anything. At that me I was very thin. I requested the
Sailav Kumar, who was from Kanpur. He was a dark and manager of talkies; but he didn’t listen to me. Finally
healthy boy. One of the seniors came and asked me, the manager gave us good chairs in balcony in the front
whether I have kissed any girl. I said, ‘no sir’. Then he line. We were not in a good mood to watch the movie
asked me to kiss on the lips of a er this incident. During the
Sailav. I hesitated. Then he told Not only did our education make prog- half me we saw that some of
Sailav to kiss me. I was afraid and ress, but also our fellow feeling, the our seniors were also present in
scared. Sailav also hesitated. the hall. They had seen us while
Then he asked me to slap Sailav
attitude to help others, working to- we were being beaten up. They
for this. I slowly slapped him, gether, sacrifice, smartness etc also de- called us and asked us where we
as he was my friend. The senior veloped during the memorable stay at were from. We told we are from
told me that I didn’t know how REC Rourkela. This was indeed the best REC Rourkela and we are in 2nd
to slap. He asked Sailav to slap platform to become a complete and year. ‘You are from REC Rourkela
me. Sailav slapped me pre y and you were beaten up? Oh
hard. Senior told me, now you
ideal engineer. my God’, they exclaimed. Their
know what a slap should be expression said that REC boys
and asked me to slap Sailav. As I was angry with Sailav cannot be beaten up. Around 70 to 80 REC boys were
a er he slapped me, I also slapped him very hard. The there in the hall. So we started searching for those guys
seniors went away and we said sorry to each other and and finally caught them and brought them outside and I
cried in the closed room. When I came home in holidays remember how they were beaten up. This was the unity
or during sine-die I discussed all these experiences with among NITRans at that me. That experience is helping
my family members as it gave me immense consola on. me some mes even today in handling unruly laborers
Those moments are unforge able even today. and subordinates in my present job at Nalco.
I fell sick during the 1st semester and was admi ed to A er comple ng my M.Tech from ISM Dhanbad I
IGH, Rourkela. I can remember my batch mates and even joined Na onal Aluminum Company Limited (NALCO),
my seniors, who had ragged me, were also coming to Damanjodi. Here also I revisited the same wonderful
visit me. Of course some of my batch mates were coming feelings for NITRans. The NITRans have helped me
and ea ng away the apples and grapes that were kept in many ways, professionally as well as personally. I
for me in the hospital. Not only did our educa on make remember, once 3 - 4 students from NIT Rourkela came
progress, but also our fellow feeling, the a tude to help to Nalco’s Damanjodi Mines for training. I told this to my
others, working together, sacrifice, smartness etc also GM (Mines) Mr.S.B.Patnaik (1967 Mech). He immediately
developed during the memorable stay at REC Rourkela.
This was indeed the best pla orm to become a complete
and ideal engineer.
In the Mining Engineering department we used to do

survey and keep the dumpy level and theodolite in
our rooms in the hostel. The visibility through these
instruments is very good. I can s ll remember the
figh ng for the theodolite on the day of Holi fes val to
see the beau ful sight from ‘C’ block of Hall-5. One of
my good friends, Himashu Nayak, who was a day scholar,
used to come to my room for study. But we studied less In the mood for a movie in the AV hall
and observed through the theodolite more.
109
Mining Engineering Deptt.
le all his work and asked me to call the boys from my before their re rement and today also NITRans are in
college as he wanted to meet them. Then he had a long top management posts (Directors, EDs, GMs) in NALCO.
discussion and shared his experiences at REC Rourkela This give us immense pleasure and make us feel proud
for about two hours. This was the affec on of our seniors that we are the best amongst all.
for NITRans. Mr.P.K.Rourtay, (1970 Electrical) had once
told me, ‘Ashutosh, you should be a manager like REC not I am very happy to be the Joint Secretary at REC
like Burla or Sarang or any other Engineering College’. Rourkela Alumni Associa on, Angul-Talcher Chapter and
We are fewer Engineers at Nalco compared to other organizing family get together on regular basis. All in all
engineering colleges, but all of us are in top posi ons it has been a wonderful experience to be a student of
in our respec ve disciplines. In NALCO we have very REC (NIT) Rourkela. It has indeed been a privilege for me
good rela onship with our seniors and juniors. We are to study in such a pres gious Ins tu on.
just ke a family here. It helps every body’s professional
and personal life. Many NITRans have crowned the top I am proud to be a NITRan.
management of NALCO (CMD, Directors, EDs, GMs)
A Mining Engineer of 1996 batch, Dr. Ashutosh Roul com-

pleted his M.Tech (1997) and PhD (2007) from Indian
School of Mines, Dhanbad (Environmental Engineering).
He works as Manager (Mines) in Na onal Aluminium
Company Limited (NALCO), a Navaratna PSU of Govt of
India and is located at Angul.
Fun, frolic and togetherness ! E-mail: aroul6374@yahoo.com / Cell: 0-9437012855
110
THE TRIALS AND TRIUMPHS OF

‘BEING GOOD’
RAMESWAR PRUSTY 1995
Inspired by the concept of ‘Education is for life, not for a living’, the author retraces his footsteps from enter-
ing the college to becoming the best graduate in Metallurgy and then on to his pursuit of ‘Being Good’ in
fulfilling the greater purpose of life of serving the humanity. In the process he narrates some of his experi-
ences and some of the illustrious staff he met during his stay in the college.
I t is a pleasure going down the memory lane and

recalling the memorable moments spent at NITR during
those five years (1991-95) of my life.
Thanks to des ny, I was brought up in a family where

becoming a ‘good human being’ was more important
than securing impressive marks. I, therefore, had no
ambi ous plans about where I would like to pursue my
higher educa on; notwithstanding this, strange it may
sound that I did do extremely well in my course, with Metallurgical Engineering Deptt.
the least effort I might add (the college awarded me
the Best Metallurgist Gold Medal in 1995). I a ribute right reasons. Being away from the comfort and care of
this to Providence and also definitely to my pursuit of my blessed family meant hours of homesickness; and
‘being good’; in fact, academic excellence was part of the insipid food served in the hostel did not help one bit.
this process. What was worse was the inhumane rigmarole of ragging.
I am sure now this must be a thing of the past. I could
Unlike many high school IIT aspirants, I never underwent never reason out myself nor get a convincing argument
any special coaching for my engineering entrance tests; I from anyone as to how this sadis c prac ce brought
wrote these exams as they came, with li le prepara on the juniors and seniors closer. If it did anything, it only
even as my a en on was on doing well in the final XII aggravated the mental trauma of the new entrants and
class CBSE examina on. In fact, I tried whatever came added fuel to the fire of groupism on regional lines which
my way – NDA entrance tests, engineering & medicine already existed. I remember how in those early days I
entrances and so on. One may say I was highly defocused; eagerly looked forward to the weekends to spend me
in fact, my focus actually was on something else. at my cousin’s place to escape the hos le atmosphere.
Once in three weeks I did not mind traveling 600 kms to
Nevertheless, my name appeared among the rank be back at home; it was surely worth it. Even though my
holders when the IIT results were announced and Mining quest for ‘being good’ helped me forgive, I s ll remember
was the stream offered to me. This did not appeal to my the last slap a mindless senior cruelly lodged on my face,
father. As for me, it wasn’t a major concern at all, for and this a er the so-called closure of ragging.
as men oned earlier my aspira on was more to be a
‘good human being’. The end of this exercise saw me in The story of my stay in this collage is slightly different
the Department of Metallurgy in NIT. My well-wishers from others who joined this ins tu on with conven onal
desired that I change my discipline a er 1st semester (I goals in their minds. My heart was somewhere else and
had the choice as I topped in my class) or even be er, therefore I did struggle. It was at this me that I met
give another try at IIT. Somehow, neither of these Prof. K. R. Patel from the Department of Mechanical
interested me as with every passing day my thought- Engineering; he was indeed God-sent. My innumerable
process increasingly leaned towards this profound mee ngs with him quenched the thirst of my soul
proverb “Educa on is for life, not for a living.” and made a posi ve quantum difference in the way I
treated and understood life. I found myself engaged in
My ini al days at NIT are unforge able but not for the various gra fying ac vi es, be it serving meals to the
111
poor or training li le kids in the salient values of life or mines. I also fondly retain in memory Prof. Agarwal, who
par cipa ng in thought-provoking spiritual discussions agreed to accompany us on a study tour of South India,
– all of this took me closer to myself and enriched my when no one else was ready.
life tremendously. However, never for a second did
academics take the back seat. Subjects were definitely As the courses concluded, campus interviews began and
important but only to some extent; because, as they say, life took each one to his chosen des ny. It was the same
“Man does not live by bread alone”. with me too. My ceaseless pursuit of “being good” finally
brought me closer to One who is Goodness Personified.
Fond memories of Prof. V.S.Pakala flood my mind when Life may be hard at mes but as we all know it never fails
I think of my classroom. He was a gem of a person. to reward us when we are sincere in our search.
A deep sense of respect
oozes out of my heart for I found myself engaged in various grati- I had the opportunity to visit
this commi ed teacher, who fying activities, be it serving meals to NITR, the new avatar of REC, in
explained his chapters in such the poor or training little kids in the 2007 and was glad to see the
a lucid manner; besides, he was
salient values of life or participating transforma on that has swept
always approachable and keen the ins tu on. Along with a
to lend his me and energy to in thought-provoking spiritual discus- new look and novel facili es,
clarify our ques ons, if any, and sions – all of this took me closer to my- there is a fresh and more
also pa ently listen to our new self and enriched my life tremendously. professional approach towards
ideas. Undoubtedly he was the impar ng technical educa on.
favourite of the class. I was pleasantly surprised and in It feels great to learn this college is now among the few
fact delighted when I ran into him a er 11 years in 2006 select and prized centers of excellence in India those
while I was trekking my way to Yamunotri. provide quality technical educa on. I am proud to be a
Rengcolian/ NITRAAn.
Prof. R.C.Behera was another admirable person
who reinforced the value of discipline in us by his
uncompromising a tude to adherence of rules, while in
Prof. A.K. Mohanty I saw the quintessence of serenity.
In gra tude I remember Prof. S. C. Mishra who was
my guide for the project that took me to BARC; I was Rameswar Prusty, graduate of 1995 and Gold Medallist in
to evaluate the possibility of having a coa ng of silica Metallurgical Engg., started his career in ESSAR and then
completed his Masters in Financial Management at Sri
& ilmenite (FeTiO2) over metals using the plasma spray
Sathya Sai Ins tute of Higher Learning, Prasanthi Nilayam.
technique.
He now serves at Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust, Prasanthi
Nilayam and lives there at Pu a parthi, Andhra Pradesh.
It was great to be in the company of Prof. S.Sen and E-mail: prustyrsai@gmail.com, cell: 0-9440741880
Prof B.C.Ray during our study trips to Tensa and Barsuan
Metallurgical Engg class of 1995
112
RECOLLECTIONS
DR. HIMANSHU BHUSHAN SAHU 1995
Memories of the carefree days spent with friends during the student career are indeed the sweetest. The
author thankfully remembers the help extended by senior associates and warmth received from mates. The
tender moments of togetherness have been treasured for posterity through words as well as pictures.
F IRST DAY IN COLLEGE who gave me all protec on from his tyrant friends. We
With a lot of excitement, I came to Rourkela and developed a strong bond during the year. I have a high
arrived at Sector 2 bus stand on a cloudy day in third regard for him and he loves me as his younger brother
week of August. Being a small town boy, I had no idea ll date, even though we have very li le communica on
about the demands of professional educa on. I had no these days.
knowledge about ragging either. Fortunately, one of the
seniors from my home town was traveling in the same NATIONAL ANTHEM
bus and during our conversion he came to know that I On the second day, we were having lunch in the Hall
was going to take admission at REC, Rourkela. He told dining room. Since it was completely filled up at that
me that I needed to be in complete formal a re with me, I and some of my first year friends were having
trousers, full sleeve shirt, full shoes and a clean shaven lunch standing as was the usual prac ce during lunch
look. I followed his advice and reported in hall-3 and hours during those days. Suddenly, I was asked by one
was allo ed room no. 17. Si kantha Parida, Mechanical of my seniors to sing the Na onal Anthem. I had no
Engineering, 1994 batch was my room senior. It was he other op on than to obey him, and I started singing.
Safe under your caring arch, O’ Alma Mater !
113
Some of the self-conscious seniors immediately stood

up out of respect for the na onal anthem, followed up
by every one else. It was another ma er that he who
had ordered me to sing got a fair bit of scolding from his
own batch mates.
SENIOR GODS
My room senior Si kantha bhai, as I have already
men oned, gave me all the protec on from his tyrant
friends. However, some of them s ll got their chances
when he was not present in the Hall. It was he, who took
me to the back post for the first me one evening which Long jump event in progress
was out of bounds for the first year students. I was like a
fish out of water. I never imagined that I would see such We had been advised by many of our teachers that
a large number my seniors in such a small place. I was having been educated in Oriya medium we did not lack
introduced to chow mien for the first me by him at the in talent, but many of us felt nervous and shy while
Madhuban restaurant. I remember I had vomited the facing an interview. This was one of the best methods to
whole thing a er reaching the Hall. However, it became overcome that. I s ll remember some of the topics we
one of my favourite foods therea er. discussed. This was the year when I developed strong
bond with a few of my friends, Debashis Sahoo, Pradeep
A er a few weeks of joining the college, I realized that the Tripathy, Guru, Bhola, Siddharth, Nageswar, Sabyasachi,
maximum harassment takes place while returning from Sunil and Sangeeta; and this bonding has strenghthened
the college in the a ernoon. So I found a way out. I along and grown over the years.
with Aditya (some mes along with some other batch
mates) usually would go to my local guardian’s house in SPRINGTIME ‘94
the campus (Qr. No. F/92) and spend the evening either The pre-final year was the me to showcase our
at his home or move around near the southern boundary organizing capabili es. Being a part of the cultural
of the hill, away from the gaze team, I was ac vely involved in
of the seniors. Prashant dada We had been advised by many of our organizing a number of events,
(my local guardian’s son) then teachers that having been educated in like freshers’ welcome, annual
would escort us back to the hall Oriya medium we did not lack in talent, day and spring me. We got
around 8.30pm. There was an to work under the patronage
unwri en rule that no senior but many of us felt nervous and shy of Prof. B. Pradhan, Prof. P.
would try to harass any fresher while facing an interview. K. Behera and Prof. P.K. Roy,
in presence of his rela ves or who were the Vice-Presidents
local guardian and every one honoured it. So we didn’t of cultural society during our mes. Their ac ve
face any problem while returning back to the Hall. involvement and guidance helped us organize almost
all the events in a very smooth and peaceful manner.
RENDEZVOUS Spring me ‘94 saw a large par cipa on from a number
In the second year, about fi een of our batch mates of reputed colleges of the state as well as a few from
formed a group called “Intrendz” and we used to meet the neighbouring states like NIT (then RIT) Jameshedpur,
every weekend in the Reading Room of our Hall with a XLRI Jamshedpur etc. There was a large con ngent
predetermined topic to discuss. The primary purpose of more than 50 par cipants from GM College,
of the group was to improve our communica on skill. Sambalpur. The sambalpuri dance performed by them
Wrist-wrestling at Spring-Fest AV hall crowd in the 90’s
114
Skit presented by girls...1999 Tug of war in progress...during the ‘90s
was the star a rac on and is s ll etched in my memory. CAMPUS INTERVIEW

The skit performed by the final year students, where Though many of our batch mates in other branches
they depicted the Mahabharat with Nakul and Sahdev had got jobs through campus interview, none of the
as REC students and Arjun hi ng the arrow in the eye of companies came for for mining engineering students.
the fish using T-square during Draupadi Swayamvar were The so ware industry had not picked up by then. It
the most hilarious performances I have ever seen. was only a few years later that the so ware companies
started picking up mining engineering students. Towards
There was a girl from IGIT, Sarang, who had become very the end of April 1995, Ferro Alloys Corpora on (FACOR),
popular during the course of the spring me with her Bhadrak came for the campus interview. Apart from
par cipa on in the street play, studies, I was asked to speak on
JAM and Quiz etc. She was The next morning I found out that he religion and poli cs. Since I had
asked a tricky ques on during prepared the pushing cards in my favour the experience of par cipa ng
the selec on of the Miss Spring all by himself using drawing sheets and in debate compe ons since
Time as to with whom would school days, I did not face any
sketch pens through the night and had
she like to go on a date. She difficulty in answering such
had the presence of mind and delivered them in each room of the hall. ques ons. A er the interview
she replied in the form of the we were informed that they
following song from movie Anari: will declare the results later. Just a er the final year
examina ons, I le for home. I was contempla ng about
“Sargam janu naa, sur pehchanu naa, janey kaise fankar my future, when I received a le er from Debashis,
ban gaya, who had stayed back at the college to complete some
Sabse yari hai natedari hai, jisko chaha woh yar ban unfinished work. He had wri en to inform that I had
gaya”. been selected by FACOR with four others of my branch.
It was one of the happiest days of my life, as something
She won every one’s heart and needless to men on, was be er that nothing at that moment.
became Miss Spring me too.
HAPPY MEMORIES
MY FRIEND DEBASHIS It has been fi een years since we graduated from the
I had my experience of college poli cs in the pre-final college, but it feels like yesterday. The memories of
and final years. I had the first hand experience of how the me spent together strolling beyond the back post,
poli cs creates bi er animosity among friends. In the Ganesh and Saraswa Puja, Holi, Spring me, athle c
final year, I filed my nomina on papers for the reading meet, movies in AV hall s ll linger in my memory.
room secretary in hall 2. I didn’t believe in campaigning,
and so I was almost silent a er filing the nomina ons.
Two days before the elec on my good friend Debashis
(Chemical Engineering) came to my room and asked as to Dr. Himanshu Bhushan Sahu belongs to the 1995 batch of
why I was not campaigning. I told him that, people would Mining Engineers. He joined as a faculty in REC Rourkela
and went on to complete his PhD from ISM, Dhanbad,
vote for me if they wish to. But he was not convinced.
with specialisa on in Mine Environment, Solid Fuels and
The next morning I found out that he prepared pushing Clean Coal Technology. General Secretary of NITRAA from
cards in my favour all by himself using drawing sheets 2004 to 2006, he featured in Marquis Who’s who in Sci-
and sketch pens through the night and delivered them in ence and Engineering for the year 2010 -11. . He works
each room of the hall. Debashis is no more. He le for as Associate Professor, Department of Mining Engineering
the heavenly abode on March 12, 2008 a er a long fight and lives in Rourkela.
with lung cancer, but he le an indelible impression on E-mail: hbsahu@gmail.com, cell: 0-9437245625
every one he came across.
115
A FEW REMINISCENCES OF
‘HALCYON’ TIMES
BHARATENDU DEO 1985
The author delves into a ‘peaceful, tranquil, happy, joyful and carefree’ reverie of an era left behind some
twenty five years ago. While some of the memories are still very fresh, some are fading; nevertheless, those
sweet memories will always remain etched in the mind and will never fail to rejuvenate the mood when they
rise in the horizon of recollections, the author feels.
As I was rummaging through my old belongings of described per nently those four years of bliss.
college days to look for old photographs that I wanted
to send for the souvenir publica on of silver jubilee I vividly recall the day in July 1985 when I went to Na onal
celebra on of my batch and golden jubilee celebra on ins tute of Technology Rourkela (the then Regional
of the college, I stumbled upon a small pocket diary Engineering College) for the first me with the in ma on
which I had used to maintain my accounts in the le er in hand to join the branch of Electrical Engineering.
engineering college days. This small diary had helped As all others, I was very pleased to have cracked the JEE
me maintain the ght rope walk between the income and was impressed by the reputa on and the size of REC
and the expenditure. I came across a word ’halcyon’ and its campus. A er a break of few days I came back to
which I had jo ed down on the last page of the diary, join studies and was allo ed a room in Hostel No. 1. The
in my pursuit of improving my vocabulary. The meaning hostel was only par ally filled hence the a en on of the
read ‘peaceful; tranquil; happy; joyful; carefree’; seniors was shared by those few who had already moved
an apropos tle for my Rengcol days’ memoir that in. In those ini al days there was many a brush with the
NITR, where potentials are harnessed with carenessed here!
116
so called informal introductory sessions; euphemism for us lost balance and landed on the ground with a thud.
ragging. It was one of those Saturday nights and we heard Fortunately for him he escaped with minor bruises as
a lot of commo on and I learnt that the seniors have the branch was not so high. Kesto, who was going about
come to rag. Normally Saturday nights and the nights his usual business, nonchalantly commented, “Babu, do
before a public holiday used to be favourite me for not a empt to fly. And if you do, then make sure not
the seniors to visit Hostel 1 for ragging. I was in the top to fall over me or break my cups”. During the last visit
floor in the back wing. All tried to run helter skelter and my heart sank a bit not to find Kesto or his tea corner.
hide wherever they could but to no avail. I also tried to I was told that he has le the campus some mes back.
escape but as there was no safe place to hide I clambered In pursuit of progress and development we have lost a
down the drain pipe and escaped through the bushes landmark for ever which was so dear to our memory.
in the backyards of the hostel. Railway sta on, Sec 5,
the temple near Dipak Cinema or the bushes behind the As an important task, more important then the sta cs
stadium used to be some of the favourite hiding spots. and dynamics, we were made to learn the Rengcolian
To my u er surprise I discovered that I was not the only anthem and the Rengcolian song by rote, which is s ll
one as some more of the batch there in the mind even a er
mates were already using these A couple of years back, during my visit years have gone by. In those days
loca ons as their hideouts. to the college, Saroj Patel was showing one could be more confident in
me around and we went to see Hostel reci ng the anthem and song
A couple of years back, during than spelling one’s name. On
my visit to the college, Saroj 1, which was being converted to a Fam- one such occasion one of us
Patel was showing me around ily Hostel. I made it a point to go to the was given a calculator and was
and we went to see Hostel 1, second floor of the back wing to check asked to calculate his age in
which was being converted to a the pipe, which had helped me in my light years. It took him a while
Family Hostel. I made it a point
numerous successful escapades during to realize the incompa bility
to go to the second floor of the of the units. In the middle of
back wing to check the pipe, ragging. those tensions filled sessions
which had helped me in my it was some mes difficult to
numerous successful escapades during ragging. The task differen ate le from right.
of climbing down the pipe seemed pre y formidable
because of the height. If I were to climb down the same A er the ragging days were over one felt like a free
pipe now I dare not do it and if I did, it will definitely bird out of a cage. On Sunday morning a er breakfast a
come crashing down under my weight. I also visited the group of us would decide to go for the morning show in
old room and checked the cupboard that I used during Konark cinema where they used to show English movies
those days. To my surprise I could s ll faintly read my and Bollywood oldies. Arranging bicycles used to be a
name, class and date which I had engraved on its door major challenge. In a mad rush to beat the me and
during the first year of my stay. A er the renova on the reach before the start of the show we used to pedal at
mark I had le on the cupboard must already have been a speed that would perhaps put an ace cyclist like Lance
lost for ever. Armstrong to shame.
In one of the ini al encounters with ragging, once a There used to be a large abandoned quarry about one
group of us were made to climb the tree near Kesto’s tea kilometer north of the hostels. Over the period it had
corner close to hostel 1 and asked to behave like birds. got filled with clear blue water which looked like a
In an a empt to emulate a bird’s flapping wings one of giant swimming pool. A group of us used to go there
Married Hostel (old hall-1) Exteriors of the swimming pool
117
The open air stage, opposite stadium
swimming and diving during summer. During my last visit to shoot the ball to the other corner. To my u er dismay
Saroj was showing me around the campus and he took the ball travelled straight and would have safely sailed
me to a newly built, recently commissioned beau ful into the goalkeeper’s wai ng palms had he not moved
swimming pool close the tennis court. A group of boys even an inch. That was the worst penalty shot of my
were enjoying the splash. At once it reminded me of en re nondescript football career. To my surprise the
those experiences of yesteryears and I almost felt like goal keeper dived to the right and the ball comfortably
diving into the swimming pool and joining the group of sailed in. My team li ed me and threw me in the air
swimmers in their fun and frolic. Now the whole campus before it sunk into me that it was really a goal, as I was
bears a much more improved look with many added expec ng the very opposite when the ball had le my
facili es, which is all for the be er. I wonder whether feet. I was in a trance and when I se led down I thanked
that ‘giant swimming pool’ s ll exists. my stars that the ball had gone in. Probably that body
dodge I tried did the trick and worked in my favour.
Football in monsoon was like fun which was a truly
exhilara ng experience. Nothing like wallowing under We were in B.Sc. I and were playing against B.Sc. II in the
incessant rain on a slippery surface when you kick the final of the inter-class hockey. We were trailing by a goal. I
ball and it moves a few inches and then starts merrily took a shot at the rival goal and the shot went through the
floa ng away. When there is a mad rush to get to ball hole in the net. We were ecsta c but Mr. Pa naik, the PT
you slide in the mud and fall and the next moment you instructor, who was the referee, was not convinced as he
find yourself at the bo om of a heap of other players could not see it going through the net probably because
who were in the same mad race to get the control of of his advancing age. We lost the game. A er the game
the ball; but you realize that the ball has already floated we protested a lot. Later a number of witnesses were
away in the stream of water. Football reminds me of ques oned and at last we were awarded joint winners.
an incident when we were playing against Deogarh
College in Sundergarh and the allo ed me has ended It was fun to take a long walk in the pouring rain or go out
in a deadlock and we were into the penalty shootout. for a jog with like minded friends. Another memorable
All the shots were taken and I was the last one to take event was the annual marathon from near the airport
the final shot which would decide whether we go to to Hostel 5, which needed a lot of stamina and discipline
next round or se le for another set of penal es. Soren to complete.
and Daya Behera came near me and urged me to do my
best to shoot the ball in. In an a empt to dodge the rival Has any one ever calculated the amount of potato one
goalkeeper I looked at one corner of the goal and tried consumed during one’s stay in REC/NIT in those four
118
years? There used to be potato in almost every meal slightly greenish looking sherbet, which could qualify as
and snacks and breakfast that was served in the mess lassi. The sherbet looked yogurt based with a lot of fruits
except Sunday morning when there used to be bread like banana, apple and grapes. Li le did I know that it
and omelets, which was eagerly awaited. A potato was also impregnated with some ‘bhang’ in it. The night
enthusiast would have consumed about 250 grams a day went off fine but the next day morning was completely
by a conserva ve es mate. If one sincerely consumed different. I had the worst paranoia laced hallucina on
all those potatoes that were served during nine months a ack of my life! A er that nightmarish incident I have
a year for four years in the hostels, it would come to managed to stay away from all “lassi” that has even a
3285kg of potato (that makes nge of green in it.
how many truck loads?). And The sherbet looked yogurt based with
as far as ‘potal’ is concerned, a lot of fruits like banana, apple and The movie nights in the Audio
well, you can make your own visual hall used to be an
calcula on.
grapes. Little did I know that it was interes ng experience. The
also impregnated with some ‘bhang’ in seniors used to occupy the front
One cannot forget those it. The night went off fine but the next chair and the juniors the rear
scrambles for mee ng record day morning was completely different. sec on quite contrary to real
submissions deadlines. I I had the worst paranoia laced halluci- world experience in the theaters
recollect one such incident where the one who pays more
during the second semester
nation attack of my life! occupy the rear most seats and
workshop prac cal record those who paid the least sat
submission. As the master copy was making the rounds close to the screen. My curiosity was put to rest when
and one had a fixed me to complete (read ‘copy’) and I realized that the senior sat in the front because when
pass it on to the next in line. During this rush job some they would throw the chappals at the villain as he
one had made the mistake of wri ng “safety fica on” in appeared on the screen, they wanted to be sure that
place of “safety precau ons”. All those who followed him chappals did land on him and not go abegging.
copied the same mistake without even once ques oning
the meaning of “safety fica on”. This did not miss the My me other than in the classes was mostly spent in
watchful eyes of the teacher and the rest is history. the playground. If not engaged in games I used to be in
the gym. I had opportuni es to visit the college a few
I learnt playing on the mouth organ in the summer mes in the last twenty five years whenever I visited
holidays before joining REC which came in handy and for Rourkela. Every me I made it a point to go and sit in
good use during those evenings when there used to be the stadium gallery and watch the students engrossed
power cuts and also to relax when tension was running in various games, which gave me a kind of vicarious
high during semester prepara on. There is nothing like pleasure of playing the games myself. There are many
playing those Hindi oldies in front of an apprecia ve more such incidents and episodes that took place during
audience. The mouth organ also helped me in winning those four years, about which I could go on for a few
some prizes in the instrumental sec on during the more pages. Some of the memories are s ll very fresh
“Spring fes vals”. in my mind and some are fading. Those sweet memories
will always remain etched in the mind and will never
We were in second year and it was end of a terminal fail to li my mood when they rise in the horizon of my
examina on and all were in a relaxing mood. I had a long recollec ons.
a ernoon session in the hockey field. On my returning to
the hostel, I was informed that on the some of the hostel
mates had arranged sherbet for the ensuing Holi fes val.
I also joined in the fes vi es had a few glasses of the
Bharatendu Deo, an alumnus of 1985 batch of Electrical

Engineering has focused in the area of Project management
and Maintenanace management of Large Capital Intensive
Infrastructure facili es. He has worked in NALCO (India),
Aluminium Bahrain and Qatar Liquefied Gas Company. A er
comple ng MBA he is pursuing Doctorate in Engineeeirng
Management from Univ. of Southern Queensland. Engaged
at present as ac ng Head of Maintenanace, Qatargas, he
lives in Qatar.
E-mail: bp_deo@yahoo.com,
A buoyant spring time...2002 Contact: +974-55835285, +974-44274627
119
GOLDEN DAYS !
DIPANKAR BOSE 1983
The author rummages through his kitty and comes up with a few photographs with his friends of the good
old college cricket team…and nostalgia flows into the landscape of memory.
T hose were the days I s ll cherish and can never forget.

Those were the carefree days of our dear Alma mater.
The golden moments spent with friends all around the
campus sipping tea and gossiping at the back-post or
taking a stroll up to the check-post are all treasured in
the memory for ever. A trip to the Sec-5 market or to the
AV Hall to see a movie, not to men on the whole night
slogging before the exams were really unforge able
moments.
This Golden Jubilee has provided us with the occasion

of home coming a er such a long me. It is indeed a
moment to cherish for all of us! College cricket team...1983
I looked into my old collec on and could come up with

a couple of photographs of the then REC Cricket team, The second photograph shows our Principal Prof. Somnath
which was the Inter College Mishra being introduced to
Champion for four consecu ve This Golden Jubilee has provided us the players. At the centre is
years during 1979-1982. I with the occasion of home coming af- the University Championship
thought I could share them
with others. Many players
ter such a long time. It is indeed a mo- shield. That was indeed an
unforge able moment of glory
were selected to represent the ment to cherish for all of us! for our victorious team.
Sambalpur University team.
Fortunately I was also a member of that team. I hope those present in the photograph can recollect
those golden moments.
Some of the prominent members were Mr. Carl D’Costa,
Mr. Subrat Jee, Mr.V. Mohan Rao, Mr. Tarun Mohanty, Mr. I s ll have contacts with some of them and we do talk
P.K. Sahoo and others. Mr. Kanak Patel was our coach. about those days quite o en. I am also looking forward
to see some of them during the Golden Jubilee.
Cheer up and all is well!!
Dipankar Bose, a College Blue from 1983 Mechanical

Engg., had represented the College and University in Bad-
minton and Cricket since his first year. He now works in
the field of Thermal Power Plant Engineering (concept to
commissioning) and is employed with Talcher Thermal
Power Sta on, Angul as AGM (O&M/ R&M).
Prof. S. Misra congratulates the winners E-mail: dbose55@hotmail.com / cell: 0-9437575672
120
GO, CONQUER
THE WORLD!
AVNEET SINGH BHATIA 2004
The author reflects that we come to the institute with dreams in the eyes as seekers of a glorious future …
four golden years of life are spent under the wings of the alma mater...then we leave and enter into our
professional life, taking with us many memories, both good and bad ….some of which we cherish for ever,
while some help us understand life better and enrich us with valuable experience for our future.
D ate: 24-August-2000
Time: 9 AM IST
Venue: Lecture Gallery
Event: Induc on Ceremony for the 2000-2004 batch
This is how it all began. This was the beginning of

countless dreams for around three hundred and fi y
students. And NITR (then RECR) waited in silence to
welcome the batch with which she was to begin the first
session of the Millennium. She watched as disparate
lives got entwined over jibes made and secrets shared as
they passed under her wings. She looked on stoically as A session in the lecture gallery
innocence got lost and carefree laughter was snatched
away by the grim ba le for that elusive place under the ones…the former we’ll miss and cherish forever, the
Sun. la er we’ll always use as valuable experience for our
future.
“The Summer of ‘69...those were the best days of my
life”. Can we say we never liked this song? We came to this ins tute with dreams, countless. We
always believed that everyone on
No Man! No Way! Coz we’ve She watched as disparate lives got en- earth is nice and understanding,
experienced a life...which twined over jibes made and secrets that this world is full of sincere
people who’ve actually lived it, shared as they passed under her wings. and honest people. Goshh!
would love to live forever. Yeah! She looked on stoically as innocence how wrong we were! S ll, we
our college and hostel life! carried on, experiencing all that
got lost and carefree laughter was people of our age group can do
Four Golden Years of our Life... snatched away by the grim battle for or become. And this helped us
memories both good and bad that elusive place under the Sun. make decisions on our own.
Then came du es and

responsibili es in our department, our class, our hostel,
etc. We were expected to take decisions maturely and
instantaneously. The status of our class, our department
and our ins tute depended on us. This brought out the
many talents that we were always afraid to show to the
world and even those we were unaware of.
And then we were complimented by our family, friends

and rela ves back home for our achievements. From
being a representa ve of our family at the me of
Computer and Electronics dept. admission, we became a representa ve of our college,
our state and now our country.
121
And the hostel life? Yaar! how we wish those days never
ended!
We were the heart and soul of our class and our group
of friends, whom we’ll never forget. Those late night
discussions and mas were out of this world! And we
can never say that we hated anyone because during all
those years, we saw some quality in everyone, which
we can’t deny. And this made us realise that nobody is
bad, everyone’s is good. It’s just that some people are
excep onally good. Spring Time...a season for new friendships
And then came the day when these birds had to set out my class of 2004. God bless our friendship, we owe it
on their journey into an unknown sky with the message: to our Alma Mater. God bless NITR. We can always say
‘Go Conquer the World! But if we’re proud to be from NITR
ever your weary soul cries for ‘Go Conquer the World! But if ever your (RECR)!
respite, do come back. I’ll s ll weary soul cries for respite, do come
be there, stronger yet more back. I’ll still be there, stronger yet This ar cle is dedicated
beau ful, wai ng with the especially to my batch mates of
more beautiful, waiting with the same 2004, as we complete a decade
same eagerness with which I
had taken you into my folds that eagerness with which I had taken you of our friendship, learning and
day, four years ago.’ into my folds that day, four years ago.’ growing together.
And like fossils we’ll always

be there with our Alma Mater, with our laughter, our
yelling, our ecstasy imprinted on to the steel, the bricks
and the woods. All our memories will remain with you, Avneet Singh Bha a, an Electrical Engineering graduate of
with us...forever! 2004, has developed exper se in the area of IT Dataware-
housing. Architect for the first DW-CRM Implementa on
using Cloud Compu ng and SaaS in a Fortune 500 Corpo-
Here we are, applying all this knowledge and adding shine
ra on, he works as IT Consultant, Cognizant Technology
to the reputa on of our ins tute and our na on. And as Solu ons US Corp and owns mul ple websites including
I write this message, I’m feas ng on Maggi with peanuts www.avneetbha a.com. He lives in New Jersey.
(my favourite backpost dish), watching fours being hit in E-mail: avneet.bha a@ymail.com
the Warriors vs Wayamba Elevens Champions League Contact: 001-973-452-9994
match. Every me I see a ball going for four, I remember
Life blooms here...like the Rangoli wall
122
4
POEMS
EXPRESSIONS OF EULOGY IN COMMEMORATION

OF THE ALMA MATER
AND A FEW OTHER THOUGHTS
123
ALMIGHTY!
NIRANJAN RATH 1971
He is the ocean of mercy and affec on, He is of all but not of any one,
That devotees can realize; It is His main philosophy;
He takes care of the whole universe, He loves all the living beings,
Repentance for sin is His advice! With compassion and philanthropy.
He is mountain of pa ence, He is the origin of medita on,

Controller of me, illusion and nature; With spiritual power in His hand;
Never bothers for the blame of others, Visualises every moment and event,
Solves all problems that ever occur. His arrangements always are grand.
Forgiveness is His main a ribute, He is invincible, munificent, beauty and truth,

As He is the savior of all, He is righteous and perfect master of all the arts;
He punishes the sinner; He is omnipresent, omniscient and omniform,
But does pardon him as well. He is the almighty with all these a ributes.
He is the supreme judge, Car fes val is a tribute to His a ributes,

Always in support of proper jus ce; Oh! Lord Jagannath, that all devotees pray;
His judgement balances the crea on, Under His care and custody,
Sun, moon and wind move at his wish. May all live with good health, wealth and joy!
Impar ality is His main stand,

As He is the creator of all;
Niranjan Rath belongs to the 1971 batch of Electrical Engi-
He takes care of all equally well, neers. Having had a long career in OSEB, later GRIDCO, he
And balances everyone’s rise and fall. re red as Execu ve Engineer in 2003. Contact: S-2/617,
Niladri Vihar, Bhubaneswar-751 021
124
THERE IS
NO FORGETTING
ASHUTOSH PARIDA 1968
In those years of pulsa ng youth

I inhaled the charged molecules of air
in that magic abode of technology
and something , I did not know,
was transforming me into a person.
Their voices ascended the hill
The hundred eyes of my Alma mater lying beside the giant spread of a plant
were cas ng their protec ve gaze fuming with fire in its belly.
passing through my raw interior.
Something, what you call knowledge, The steel city
was mixing with blood and was building up stretched its grey and green grandeur
the immunized cells of ambi on. and my Alma mater glowed
with unyielding pride.
The classrooms
revealed their solemn secrets All those who came out
and I learnt my first lesson in Mechanics, before me and a er me-
drew the first line of an Engineering drawing. my brothers and sisters
The machines opened their hearts dreamt of conquering the world
and let me imagine their intricate assembly. and the memories accumulated
layer by layer.
And the hostel
looked like a honeycomb of dreams What was the distance from that point
where my friends had vowed, not to grow old. to life’s deep arena,
where choices determined des ny ?
And when storms in the brain subsided,
the decades were surrendered to rou ne.
When life struck below the belt
or dragged towards preten ous pedestals,
a hidden strength surfaced from the past
and my Alma mater knew
how it had tempered the bones.
Ashutosh Parida, a graduate of 1968, Mechanical Engg., completed his Ph.D from IIT, Kharagpur and joined as a Scien st at IMMT
(Formerly, RRL), Bhubaneswer, where he took up R&D in the areas of Slurry Transporta on in Pipelines, Coal Combus on and
Process Equipment Design etc.. He superannuated in 2005 as Head of Design & Project Engg. Dep . Well known as a modern
poet in Oriya literature, he has 8 publica ons to his credit and has received a number of awards for poetry including that by
Orissa Sahitya Academy. He lives in Bhubaneswar.
E-mail: ashutoshparida@yahoo.co.in Cell: 0-9937563358
125
MOTHER LAND OF
MY DREAM
RAGHUNATH PATNAIK 1972
H igh above floa ng cloud, Where, wisdom dispels ignorance,

Beyond calm blue sky, Where, dignity is pride and virtue;
Beyond all human bondage, Where, love rules over evil mind,
Up, I soar and soar!!! Where, divine peace is the way of life.
In search of Supreme Wisdom In that world of abundant tranquillity,

And a blissful new World………. Let my thought, mind and soul transform,
To perform only noble deeds,
Where, Divine conscience rules the heart, To mingle with Supreme Almighty.
Where, Supreme dwells
In body, mind and intellect.
Where, fearless mind speaks the truth, Raghunath Patnaik, B.Tech (Metallurgy) of 1972 batch,
subsequently completed his M.Tech (Met - IIT ) GDMM
Where, heart overflows with joyous love. (Gold Medallist - IIMM), DIM (Mktg.) and became a Char-
tered Engineer, FIE. Re red as General Manager (Materi-
Where, truth emanates from eternal conscious; als) from NALCO, presently he works as a Professor in the
Department of Management Studies in GIMS, Gunupur.
Where, broadness overshadows narrowness; He is se led in Bhubaneswar.
Where, fruit of knowledge is shared, E-mail: rn_patnaik@yahoomail.com
contact: 09437498280
Equally amongst one and all.
126
RENGCOL,
I ADORE YOU!
DHRUBA RANJAN BISWAS 1969
RENGCOL, my abode of youth,

Your name gets me immersed in an ocean of nostalgia.
Those splendid four years spent in your lap
Like a far away melody
Are s ll fresh in my memory
And entwined in my being in a way
That scarce do I know where does dream end Leaving a roman c thought or two in my young heart
And where reality begins. And perhaps invi ng me
To share my words unspoken.
Painted for ever on my memory’s canvas is your image, And how on the colourful eve of Christmas and New
Of the beau ful college campus Year,
Sleeping under the canopy The winter, instead of feeling cold
of the mesmerizing moonlit night Offered warmth mingled with their innocence,
And the din and bustle of the hostels, And their rhythmic steps of in mate dancing.
our exclusive domain The drinks offered by them
And our home away from home. I can never forget.
The vast play grounds you gave us
The far flung hillocks that lined up the horizon I can also never forget my batchmates, my teachers
Flanking our campus area, And everyone else of the campus;
All so lively and so refreshing indeed! They are always beside me
The Church with its rising spikes flashes in my memory With their overwhelming presence
Not for its holy import, In my mind’s firmament.
But for its ornamental contribu on
To your scenic landscape. To fondly reminisce this day
The streams of the river Koel I waited for ages.
Whisper in my ears all the while, My heart is filled with ecstasy and with intoxica on
And beckon to me to come, play with them With a strange feeling of losing my iden ty
As I once earlier did. In the ocean of many of my own
Only at this long awaited moment of
The dusky tribal girls with red flowers in their hair, The Golden Jubilee Home Coming.
And with songs and smiles on their lips Only because of you, RENGCOL !
I s ll see them in my mind’s eye It was, it is, and it will
Walking away in a serpen ne row beside the stream Remain ever alive in my heart !
Dhruba Ranjan Biswas graduated in Electrical Engineering in the batch of 1969. With his area of specializa on in Telecommunica-
on, he worked in Telephone Dep of Govt. of India, which was subsequently divested and became the Public Sector, now well
known as BSNL. He re red in 2008 from BSNL as Divisional Engineer & has now se led at Kolkata.
E-mail: saptarshibiswas_99@yahoo.co.in, Cell: 09433757399
127
AN ODE TO
OUR ALMA MATER
CHINMOY DASH 1981
Golden moments come very rare,

And when they do, it is me for memories to share.
When we passed out of school we carried dreams,

And aspired to get into REC to pursue our choicest streams,
College and hostel life were so different from the cosy school days,
And this turned us into men from boys in so many different ways.
The thought of ge ng ragged by seniors gave us fears & chills,

But in hind sight don’t you think they were not bi er pills?
In School days the world looked at us as mammas’ boys,

But our REC days toughened us and the world looked up at us and not as mere toys.
The hostel life was a great leveling field,

Egos gave way to discovery of our poten al that in life became our shield
Academics, sports and fun - all went hand in hand,

And all did their bit to make themselves shine and stand.
Some might have realized their dreams and some might have not,
But ‘all is well’ and let’s not ponder over what we haven’t got.
Our Alma mater taught us, ‘keep heart and forever be upbeat’,
Follow this and you would realize that you are not driven but in the driver’s seat.
As me moves, our hair may turn grey and our health may fail,
Memories might fade but our Alma mater will stand tall and weather any gale
And forever be a silent witness to all our tale.
Whatever we are, we owe our existence to our Alma Mater,

Join hands to celebrate our College’s Golden Jubilee with a merry & joyous pla er.
Chinmoy Das graduated in Electrical Engineering in 1981 and developed specialty in Medical Electronics. He has been associated
with installa on of state of the art Medical Imaging Systems in mega hospital projects in various metros in the country. He serves
at Siemens India in the Health Care Sector in the Project Management Department and lives in Mumbai.
E-mail: chinmoy.das@siemens.com / cell: 0-9324115485
128
A TRIBUTE TO
MY ALMA MATER
NIVEDITA PATNAIK ȍROYȎ 1993
It was a bud wai ng within its folds, Alas! As hard-hearted me flew by,
You caressed it with loving hands, It glanced back at the spent precious years with a sigh,
It bloomed under your sunny warmth, Every second, you made it a richer personality,
Spreading sweet fragrance over the lands. The bud, the clay, the canvas – all of it was really me!
It was an unmoulded lump of clay, Today as I pen down my experiences in words,

You gave it shape with magical touch, In those even ul and heavenly years,
Affec on flowed from your finger ps, A saga of emo ons fill my nostalgic mind,
Making the live mould admire you so much. My eyes, O Alma mater! brim over with grateful tears.
It offered a blank sheet of canvas,

With brush and colours to paint your part,
You infused knowledge and love into your strokes, Nivedita Patnaik (Roy), an Electrical Engineering gradu-
and there lay ate of 1993, joined SAIL, RSP and worked in the area of
A breathtaking and lovely piece of art. Electrical Designing and Electrical Power Systems before
changing over to HR, subsequent to her Diploma in Busi-
ness management. Responsible for several useful inter-
It learnt to face the world with courage, ven ons which have won her a number of awards includ-
ing the Jawahar Award and Young Managers’ Trophy of
It longed to play under your benedic ons and care,
SAIL, she now works as Sr. Mgr. (Personnel) in RSP.
Sharing all its joys and sorrows, E-mail: nivedita.roy@sailrsp.co.in, cell: 0-8895500015
And remain in your affec onate fold for ever….
129
HOW GOLDEN
THE DAYS WERE!
AJAYA KUMAR MOHAPATRA 1990
Ah! how golden the days were!

Si ng at Back-Post & nothing to care…
‘Rekha’ & ‘Juhi’ passing by,

Adding flavour to Kesto’s chaey.
‘Alu-chop’ was the hot favourite,
‘Kesto’s Place’ in candle light.
Star ng from ‘Gorbachev’ to ‘Gori’ of our batch, The mid-night TT session of ‘Giri’ & ‘Khhadr’,
Bhaina (Subrat Das)’s thunder was of no match. Kept us reminding, nothing to bother.
Study tour, spring me, B Sc – II night & Rock sessions,
Ah! how golden the days were! Part of the never- ever- forget lessons.
Si ng at the Back-Post & nothing to care…
Anna – always glued to the TV set,
Somebody offering a Madhuban treat, Kukki’s (Kukreja) short punches were the best.
Leading like Alexander in bi-cycle fleet. Bugga’s (Khi sh) late entry was a rule,
Bu er Masala & bu erflies at Madhuban, Prasanna’s proxy was so cool.
Rejoicing, alas! I would have one. The reserved back- bench- boys,
Sectoring in Sector – 5 market, A class apart in their own ways,
Was the best part of our life you bet.
The bee-line in front of ‘TheNest’, What a galaxy of stars (Teachers) we had,
Some get a s ng & some go to ‘The Taste’. Who taught us to be different & lead the world!
The classes & sessionals were just rou ne,
Ah, how golden the days were, Eagerly wai ng, ll it was Back Post me.
Sipping double tea at ‘Bijoy’ & nothing to care… Tribals dancing to the beat of drums,
Me, at the Back Post with my chums.
It was our daily rou ne,
Not to leave before ‘twas nine. Ah! how golden the days were,
Its dinner me with friends ‘n’ all, Si ng at Back Post & nothing to care……..
Rushing for the front seats in AV hall.
Dhiraj’s dance & Nathani’s jokes,
Simply unforge able, you folks.
Ajay Kumar Mohapatra belongs to 1990, Mechanical
Engg. He works at NALCO as Senior Manager (Mechanical)
Enjoying the movie in the theatre,
in the Cap ve Power Plant at Angul. Besides his exper se
Back to hostel to close the chapter. in Opera on & Maintenance of Power plant and Material
The shouts of ‘lights-off’ on the way, Handling Plant, he is also a cer fied Lead Auditor of ISO
Keeping ‘Murgas’ on their toes all the day. -14001 & OHSAS-18000 system. His hobby includes quiz-
zing, reading & wri ng.
E-mail: ajaymohapatra@nalcoindia.co.in,
The sudden burst of “Puneet so gaya kya?” Cell: 09437065670
And Puneet’s response, ‘ha !! ha !! ha !!’
130
DEAR FOND ALMA MATER

SAGAR MOHANTY & Dr. PADMAJA PATNAIK 1983
Dear fond Alma Mater! Wherever we work, we find mates;

Happy, joyous days are here again Wherever we live we find neighbours;
My heart fills
With joy and happiness We cannot thank you enough,
As your memories O’ dear Alma Mater,
Overflow my heart You have dipped us in gold
Current runs through my limbs Whose value
As I recall my appren ceship Can never be sold
As expanded heart tries to Which never grows old
Match the ever expanding horizon. But keeps blinking,
Like the young blushing bride
Past are the days, Always tugging at one’s heart
Which once again Always overpowering with love
Seem so real, so near. And almost always,
Evergreen as one’s first love.
It is as though
We started to be born,
You Alma Mater Sagar Mohanty, Electrical Engineer of 1983 completed PG
Matched our skill and zeal in Power Systems and joined SAIL, RSP, where he is AGM
(HRD). Winner of many awards in the professional field,
You taught us to be Heroes in our
he is also a crea ve writer with keen interest in poetry.
Real life. ................................
Co-author of the poem, Dr. Padmaja Patnaik, spouse of
Sagar Mohanty, is an MPhil from JNU, New Delhi and PhD
Alas! I mourn the day there were no Alma Maters from Utkal University in English Literature. She is an Asso-
How should Heroes be born but for ciate Professor in Govt. Womens’ College, Rourkela and is
En es like you. well known for her publica ons and literary ac vi es.
E-mail : mohantys100@yahoo.com, Cell: 0-8895500300
Wherever we fly, we find friends;
131
5
PERSONAL SPACE
AN ENDEAVOR TO SHARE ONE’S OWN THOUGHTS, OPINIONS

AND EXPERIENCES OF LIFE WITH OTHERS
132
GOLDEN RULES OF
SELF-MANAGEMENT
ASHOK DASH 1970
Management is as relevant to corporate life as it is to a family. Often we find our intelligence is not enough
to manage others. We need something more than education, intelligence & experience. But we need to un-
derstand and internalize the basic tenets of self development. The author analyses these aspects in depth and
goes on to indicate the path forward in the light of wisdom given to us by the great sages of our heritage.
F riends, we have all had very good engineering made machines? Management is not connected only
educa on to start with but when we entered into to produc on or to earn wages. It is also important
industry, educa on or research and development we for our family members and friends. O en we find
found to our surprise that a large por on of our working our intelligence is not enough to manage others. We
me has to be dedicated to manage others. Managing need something more. Management in our family,
systems when human beings are not involved are management in our community and management in our
rather simple. Intelligence and experience are usually society and in state, country and the world needs more
enough. In our me when we had passed out there than educa on, intelligence and experience. This calls
was no computer. Later computers were introduced in for an analysis.
India to calculate pay packets. Presently no system is
managed without a computer. It is known that bad managers,
Most man made machines are However, when supervisory or higher poor managers, inept managers
controlled by computers. But employees continually demonstrate create nega ve environment
even now the most powerful negative values and ethics, the organi- which in turn impacts on
computers can not control the produc on, turnover resul ng
most sophis cated machines zation’s performance suffers from the in increased opera ng costs.
called the human beings. In bottom up. But unfortunately we are These individuals all share one
recent mes many engineers focusing on the symptom, instead of common trait- poor business
studied personal management the problem. ethics and values. In addi on to
and business administra on this they carry this environment
as a 2-years’ post graduate with them wherever they go
degree course. But in spite of this, the human resources and contribute largely to problems in their family and in
departments in many industries are struggling hard to their communi es.
keep the ins tu on’s health in proper shape without
much success. Why does this happen? Why is behavior We define an organiza on as a group of people working
of most human beings so difficult to predict unlike man- together to achieve shared goals where everyone
should have high personal ethics and personal values,
the customers, the vendors and even the community.
However, when supervisory or higher employees
con nually demonstrate nega ve values and ethics,
the organiza on’s performance suffers from the bo om
up. But unfortunately we are focusing on the symptom,
instead of the problem. Now the organiza ons and
ourselves are living examples of Einstein’s defini on of
‘insanity’ (doing the same thing over and over again
hoping for different results).
Some me back the Florida State University released

a study of more than 700 people within a variety of
industries and at different employment levels. The
133
interes ng facts are: those teachers, who teach by their ‘acharan’ meaning
* Almost two out of five managers (39%) failed to keep ac ons or way of living”, he said.
their word.
* One in four managers (27%) insulted those they Friends, that day, my vision became clear! My master
manage. used to say, “You go on doing your duty, people will
* One in five managers (23%) blamed others for their learn from you even if you don’t u er a word.” This
mistakes. statement probably made a niche in my mind; because
* Almost one in three managers (31%) used the silent of my educa on and my work-experience, I believed
treatment to show displeasure. that people learn by verbal tutoring! Now I understand
that selfless Karma makes us build an environment that
All of these behaviors demonstrate that these bosses persuades others to move on the desired path. It clearly
lacked personal values and personal ethics. This lack of means every one of us has to be a source of posi ve
ethical behavior may be a ributed to top management thought-radia on. When many such radia ng points
because upper management has probably modeled the are available in a spot, a work environment is built that
same behaviors. Finally, there is probably no core value matches with the objec ve of the ins tu on the miracles
adopted by the organiza on within the strategic plan. occur and the goal is achieved.
Even if there is a value-statement, it is much more for
show. Poor ethics a racts poor ethics and becomes the The next point is how to achieve it? And are there any
jus fying reason for con nued poor ethics. examples?
At such a juncture, I had an interac on with a renowned Great Rishis of the Himalayas who exist as astral en es
professor, Head of the London school of economics, (The Himalayan Parliament, My Legacy and Heritage) are
Dr. L.K. Jha, when his ins tute was at the pinnacle of great advocates of the Indian Culture. They have given
success. I was asked to talk to him when he came to us four Points of Power to look into our lives. These
Shan kunj Ashram. Friends, four golden points combined
let me introduce myself and Selfless Karma makes us build an envi- can be used as an instrument
my work in layman’s words: I ronment that persuades others to move to look, analyze and adjust
am a volunteer and we work in our lifestyle and fine tune our
the area of human engineering
on the desired path. It clearly means, thinking process, behavior and
viz. how to make be er human every one of us has to be a source of func oning and then watch
beings. So I was much delighted positive thought-radiation. When many life change direc on. Friends,
talking to him. To my ques on on such radiating points are available in a you might have heard of ships
the best book on management, spot, a work environment is built that urgently steered towards safety
he said,” My dear friends, the when the captain is alarmed,
books on management available
matches with the objective of the insti- ‘the ship is rushing towards an
in the western world are all tution and the goal is achieved. iceberg’. But if the great ship
trash”. I was surprised. To my has only a small steering wheel
awe he added “the westerners are trying to get a copy with four cogs, it has no hope of survival. Similarly, there
of my book like madcaps”. I was further surprised: such is absolutely no hope if we don’t act right NOW! The
an eminent person, but talking like an ego st. Then he power of ‘now’ and our ‘strong determina on’ together
revealed: “Look, don’t misunderstand my words. I have will change the course. The four points of power are:
only translated it; it was the book on self management 1)The power of dis nc on,
wri en by the great Rishi Kau lya”. I understood, Kau lya 2)The power of honesty,
was no other than the great Acharya Chanakya himself 3)The power of accountability and
who managed India as its prime minister. Then Dr. Jha 4)The power of courage.
elaborated, “Do you know why I have come here?” And
he answered his ques on himself,” To see the working
model of self management. At your place there is self
management prac ced very effec vely, which Rishi
Kau lya propounded. “Then he queried,” Why you call
this beau ful place an Ashram?” I replied what I knew.
Shram means labor and an Ashram is a place where you
honor human labor from dawn to dusk effec vely. He
added, “I don’t see any supervisors Mr. Dash?” I said,
“Right Sir, there aren’t any. Everyone understands the
value of labor and work, as if they are in bhak yoga,
doing worship. “So this is the self management he
emulated. This ashram is full of Acharyas. Acharyas are
134
horizon and then to take appropriate decision. Say let

‘me’ become ‘we’; then my family will broaden. Then
not only members’ health and educa on but also their
character building will become important for me. When
we give importance to posi vity, things will change
in the family. Removing minute vices will be seen as
important achievements. The members of the family
will be busy, collec ng virtues. Their objec ve of life
will ‘Be Virtuous instead of Being Successful’. They will
grow up to be good persons. They will understand that
shaping the character (self) as done by great persons is
more important than collec ng t bits of informa on
and being called ‘educated’. Thus with the Power of
Dis nc on switched on, the meaning of love will change
from physical in macies or emo onal a achments to
inspira on for a higher life, so that many are benefited.
When our family, society and the world will have plenty
of such virtuous persons, the scenario will change for
the en re world.
Next is the Power of Honesty. This is not simple honesty.

It starts from our core. Thus power of honesty cannot
be a mere lip service. The ques ons to be asked are:
am I honest about myself? Do I take care of my body?
Am I serious about my hygiene? Do I take my medicines
in me? Do I hanker for such food not suitable for my
body? Do I realize that my body is a temple where God
Himself wishes to reside and so I have to maintain its
health and its sanc ty?
Together they give us enough strength to steer the
ship of life. In addi on to this, we get support from the Am I careful so that vices like laziness do not creep in
Invisible helpers. There are many examples around us. and take over God’s seat? Procras na on is a virus too
We can also learn from the lives of great persons. When that a acks my mind! Am I honest about my mind? Do
you look at the life of a successful house-wife, all the I educate my mind with a regular study and configuring
four points will be evident. it from me to me? My mind o en gets confused. Do
I try to convince myself repeatedly that I am neither
The Power of Dis nc on is a point which is misunderstood the body nor the mind, when there is confusion? Do I
as the capacity of right decision making with respect to honestly believe this? Do I believe in eternity of the Soul
myself or at the most, my family. If I think myself as a (Atman)?
persona-animal then the Power of Dis nc on will only
revolve around me: my needs, Darwin proposed that man has
my desires, my pres ge and Am I honest about my mind? Do I edu- evolved from monkey; then, a
my ego. But I am no animal; cate my mind with a regular study & ques on comes to mind; is there
my decisions affect my family, configuring it from time to time? My any evolu on going on right
my society and my world. My now? The Rishis of the Himalayas
mind often gets confused. Do I try to talk differently, “Man has
children are not influenced as
much by my advice as they are convince myself repeatedly that I am tremendous divine poten als to
influenced by my ac ons. My neither the body nor the mind, when evolve and evolu on in a man is
wife (husband) is not swayed there is confusion? not at all physical”. It may be to
away by my suave manners some extent mental but largely
which my business colleagues like so much, during our that of self. The causal body which is the seat for Atman
brief encounters. con nuously evolves. Am I aware of this? Do I spend
some of my useful me for this evolu on, honestly?
What I do today may effect a change, posi vely or How many minutes per day do I dedicate for this
otherwise to my society and to the whole world purpose? Most of man’s problems surface due to three
tomorrow or the day a er! Thus Power of Dis nc on viruses: Greed, A achment and Ego. All evolved persons
should be linked to benevolence for many and bliss for understand this. Have I honestly tried to, at least reduce
many. Now the challenge before me is to broaden my these colonizing virus, if not eliminate them? This vision
135
is honesty. Once I have the Power of Dis nc on and the brave and valiant person.
Power of Honesty I can be given some responsibility for
higher purposes. Thus the four Power points will see to the development
of my Self, Family and Society. The great Rishis of the
The Power of Responsibility is the third one. But before Himalayas know it and that is why they expect us to
I take any big responsibility like social responsibility, I inculcate the four power points in our life. Once these
should take responsibility of my own nature, ac on and power points are applied and ac vated, a great change
behavior. I should look towards their gradual posi ve will take place. Because of them our inner self will evolve
development so as to become a virtuous person. I and with that our words will become source seeking
should evolve to become a responsible global ci zen, bullets like that of Mahatma Gandhi and other great
much more than ci zen of a country. (A global ci zen persons. The four speeches that make our words true
looks beyond the boundaries of his own country. He/ she and live will be energized. They are known as Baikhari
has a broader vision. He/she realizes that his arrival on (the voice we hear), Madhyama (the reac on that
earth has a purpose. I think of myself as a part of nature shows up on our face as we talk), Para (the speech in
and hence I cannot indulge in destroying nature. I know the form of radia on from our heart) and Pashyan (The
that the destruc on of nature will ul mately destroy speech in the form of radia on from our mind) will all
me. Thus the three powers are essen al for us. A person be in harmony. But many mes people get their work
equipped with them can be a good peasant and he can done without u ering a single word. This is what Dr. Jha
be a good president. The mankind will look forward to witnessed in Shan kunj and got impressed with.
his leadership, because he can show the way! He is the
divine angel on earth; a role model we are searching for Human beings have many latent facul es, but they
so eagerly. Once upon a me such emancipated persons are lying dormant. And when they are ac vated our
inhabited India (Bharat); that is why India was said to have personality gets a face li . Thus we can be called human
33 types (‘koty’ meaning ‘types’) of divine personali es and this truth will dawn upon us. The environment
and India was the Role Model for the World. around us about which we always complain will begin to
change. So friends, let us use these points of power and
The last Power point is the Power of Courage. I live this life full of contentment and believe me, our lives
understand right from wrong; I realize the meaning of will be more meaningful on this earth.
honesty and I mean to be accountable too. But I do not
have the courage to apply them in my own life. I am a
coward hiding behind my false knowledge, which cannot
propel me in the right direc on. If I would have had faith
in this knowledge, I would have surely applied it first on A er gradua ng in Metallurgical Engineering in 1970
my life. If I take nourishment from food, it will surely go Ashok Dash worked in SAIL, RSP as a consul ng Engineer
to my blood, improve my immunity and give me enough for some me. He relinquished the path of materialis-
power to fight the enemy- germs. But if I take junk food c pursuit and joined the Gayatri Parivar at Shan kunj,
it will not help me improve my immunity. Knowledge Haridwar, where he has belonged and lived ever since. A
seeker of the ul mate in the path of spirituality, he spe-
when not digested properly becomes Ego just as
cializes in Human Internal Personality Development..
undigested food becomes poison. This reminds me that E-mail: ashokshandilya@gmail.com
I should regularly study, may be a li le, but digest it with Cell: 0-9358119925, 0-9720106282
contempla on and then apply it on my own life like a
136
MY JOURNEY IN DANCE
CHITTARANJAN ACHARYA 1968
Life offers many opportunities to achieve excellence, but it takes a lot of courage to take up challenges and
utilise such opportunities to carve out a niche that the world respects. The author presents his absorbing
journey of how his path of life moved from engineering education towards the rigorous pursuit of the clas-
sical dance form of Odissi.
D uring my school days when I was running a er dance of Odisha could not get an entry due to non-
football as a centre forward I had never imagined that I availability of performers.
would be a dancer some day.
Perhaps it was then the desire of God that pushed me to
My Headmaster had once asked me, “What do you complain before our Principal Prof. Bhubaneswar Behera
intend to be in future?” and I had answered, “I want to that unless the heritage of Odisha is suitably highlighted,
be an Engineer”. That dream was of course fulfilled one the en re program must be cancelled.
day, but then I went on to become a dancer. And to my
astonishment I discovered in my later days that dance This par cular move proved to be the turning point in
also involves plenty of engineering with heaps of ar s c my life. My Principal asked me a single line ques on,
and mathema cal expressions scien fically coined with “Can you prepare yourself for an Odissi dance recital, as
fantas c concepts. nobody is available to take the lead?” and I took up the
challenge without a second thought to prepare for the
During 1962-63 in my college days, when I was marching same. Of course I put up a condi on that a Guru has to
with my rifle in the con ngent of guard of honour before be arranged for me. Though I was totally ignorant about
the then President Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, the idea of Odissi, such a challenge at the moment put me on a path
being a dancer was no where in my mind. When I was that provided me with a founda on to prepare for my
building my career as a sportsman with sprin ng as future in the field of dance and music.
my major event, there was a
smooth but transitory phase Though I was totally ignorant about Only two months were le
of movement into mediums of Odissi, such a challenge at the moment before the program and with
ac ng and pain ng. Even then put me on a path that provided me with much hesita on of Guru Sri T.S.N
I had nurtured no ambi on Patro my rigorous training in
about my entry into the field
a foundation to prepare for my future Odissi started secretly from 4am
of dance and music. However, in the field of dance and music. to 6am. Only a few friends like
somewhere along the way Pradipta Ratha, Chandramani
I developed a tendency to learn whatever I got on my Behera and Prafulla Das were helping me in carrying
way; it con nues even now and shall con nue ll I me by bicycle to the place of Guru, which was situated
breathe my last. nearly 7 kilometers away from the campus. I was so
determined that I was able to prepare a composite
During 1964 I took admission in R.E.C., Rourkela and item of 20 minutes dura on, which included Saraswa
took a lot of interest in playing table tennis, pain ng and Vandana, a pure dance number and one Abhinaya.
ac ng along with my studies. Towards the end of the
year there was a proposal of holding a cultural func on Going into the performance before an audience
“Around India in two hours” by Prof. Nagabhushania, comprising nearly two thousand spectators, I felt a li le
which was finally scheduled during 1965. The programme nervous and my right leg trembled with fear at the start.
was chalked out with the concept of projec ng the The ankle belt produced a con nuous rhythmic sound
rich cultural heritage of all the states and it was to be drawing tremendous applause from the viewers, who
performed by the students only. However, the classical thought that the sound was being produced by me.
137
This was a blessing in disguise; it gave me a big moral

support and the performance in my first appearance
went off smoothly. I remember very well that audience
was very much impressed. When Er. Prashanna Kumar
Mishra (Pari Bhaina), my senior college mate, who was
anchoring the program, declared on the microphone that
‘he is a student of our college’, the whole programme
got held up for nearly half an hour as friends came
pouring into the back stage to express their spontaneous
apprecia on. Principal Prof. Behera was so impressed
that he arranged everything for me including my tui on
fees so as to enable me to pursue my dance and con nue
to take lessons from Guru Shri Patro.
Since then I have never looked back and have par cipated
in as many cultural programs as I could find within reach,
where ever I have been posted during my service life.
Impressed with my desire of learning, a number of Gurus
volunteered to teach me and harness my poten al. In
course of me I learned Hindustani vocal as well as Sitar
besides my dance lessons. I have been fortunate enough
in coming across great Gurus like Ramani Ranjan Jena
(in the style of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra), Padmasree
Pankaj Charan Das (Mahari Gharana), Gajanana Nandi
(Sitar) and Bhakta Ballabha Prusty (Hindustani vocal).
In course of me I was able to develop a style of my own

incorpora ng various streams of Odissi, Chhou and Yoga
blended with sophis cated body movements. It gave a
poe c touch to my performances guided by mechanism
of body engineering, which incorporated various links Poetry in the sensory reflexes of Odissi
connected with dance and body movement in unison
with sensory reflexes. This has been the story of my drama c entry into the
field of dance and my painstaking journey for enriching
a typical style and to open up new vistas in Odissi dance.
I narrated this because I feel that unless I make myself
transparent before the cultural czars and peeping eyes of
cri cs, people will not be able to appreciate my reless
efforts of long 46 years.
Besides, I took up a job of handling physically challenged,

especially hearing and speech impaired, with whom
I applied technique of dance for their personality
development. In the process I could build up and project
one such student and took her up to the interna onal
level in the field of Odissi dance. Being impressed with
our work, Govt of India offered me a Senior Felloship
award for my contribu on to the field of dance and
music.
Our story, presented in a Bollywood movie “Hamari

Be ”, is about the determina on of a mute girl with
100% hearing & speech impairment, who struggles to
overcome her disabili es and to realise her dreams as an
Odissi Dancer under her Guru’s guidance. Both I and my
student have acted in the film in our respec ve roles of
The first performance real life. For the first me the en re grammar of Odissi
dance, choreographed by me, has been projected in a
138
Old is Gold ! A vintage view of the Alma mater
dignified personali es.
During my stay of four years at the college I had got full

support from my teachers and class mates, who had
whole heartedly helped me and respected my inten on
of study and preserva on of the classical heritage of
Orissa. One of my most enthusias c supporters was
Prof. S.S. Mishra, the then workshop superintendent,
who had searched over the whole of Rourkela to find an
Odissi Guru for me. Besides I will never forget the moral
and financial support provided by Prof. Bhubaneswar
Behera. During 2000 millennium meet I no ced a rare
glow in the face of Prof. Behera, when he asked me a er
my performance, “Are you s ll performing at this age?”
It was a very emo onal moment for me.
Dancer with his disciple I pray for God’s grace to give me enough strength
and to help me carry on my work for enrichment and
Bollywood feature film. The film earned high acclaim at propaga on of this rich classical heritage of India ll I
the interna onal level in the World cinema category of live on this earth.
the 42nd Chicago Interna onal Film Fes val 2006.
It has been a long me since we le the college, taking

away with us many sweet memories of deep friendship,
whole night involvement in sessional presenta ons and
many difficult periods that we had come across during
our study.
We had developed an unforge able rela onship between

the seniors and juniors, teachers and students, which
we shall cherish for ever and con nue to remember the
Chi aranjan Acharya belongs to 1968 batch of Electrical

Engineering. A er pursuing a career in Powerhouse opn.,
maintainance & renova on at Balimela and Chitrakonda
he took voluntary re rement in 1997 as AGM (Gridco). He
received Senior Fellowship Award from the Govt. of India
for his contribu on to Odissi Dance. Presently he runs an
ins tu on ‘The Legacy Of Art’ at Bhubaneswar and keeps
himself busy in reaserch on various subjects related to
dance.
E-mail: acharya_annapurna@rediffmail.com,
A scene from ‘Hamari Beti’
Cell- 0-9437408219
139
SPIRITUALITY FOR
SELF DEVELOPMENT
LAXMIDHAR BEHERA 1970
A God-sent opportunity in the later life of the author brings him under the tutelage of a spiritual Guru,
who initiates him into the path of self-development. Inspired with his own pursuit of the spiritual path, the
author shares some of his cosmic wisdom.
I t is a very happy and great occasion of sharing the Kriya Yoga training for 7 days, I was so much influenced by
joy of Golden jubilee celebra on of our Alma-ma er the blessed master’s spiritual awakening that I requested
amongst our Rengcollian/ Nitran friends during the last him to accept me as a disciple and ini ate me into
week of December 2010. It takes me back to the sweet Kriya Yoga, which is the faster way for gaining spiritual
and unforge able old memories of college days, where I awaking for Self development and Self realiza on and
have spent 5 long years amongst our Rengcollian mates. ul mately leading to GOD realiza on which is the real
and ul mate goal of all of us as human beings. Guruji
If we sincerely view in retrospect, the life we have spent advised me to prac ce Kriya Yoga regularly which would
and the achievements made so far, with all humility I can help me to climb the spiritual ladders step by step and
say that we have achieved very li le and have lost a lot wait for the opportune moment to come. I took Guruji’s
of precious me of our life by forge ng our real goal. In advice seriously and prac ced Kriya yoga regularly for
fact most of us have done very about one year during which I
li le for our self–development.
If we sincerely view in retrospect the life developed a strong desire for
acquiring further insight into
In this context I would like to we have spent and the achievements Spiritual Science and made
narrate my own experience. made so far, with all humility I can say efforts towards awakening the
I have come to realize the that we have achieved very little and latent spiritual power which is
above a li le later in my life’s have lost a lot of precious time of our latent within all of us.
journey towards the end of my
life by forgetting our real goal. In fact
professional career as Chief Guruji also advised me to read
Engineer, but nevertheless, it is most of us have done very little for our in detail the great epic, “Srimad
never too late. self–development. Bhagbad Gita” and other books
of great Yogis and God-realized
Right through my childhood, school, college days Masters. Besides my Guruji’s divine influence, the
and my professional career, I have been somewhat books which influenced the journey of my life a lot are
religious minded and have had some inclina on towards ‘Autobiography of a Yogi’, ’Man’s Eternal Quest’, ‘The
spirituality as I had on me the influence of my late Divine Romance’ and ‘The Art of Living’ wri en by the
parents, who were very religious and had spiritual bent great yogi and realized master Pramahansa Yogananda
of mind. But I had not taken spiritual study, yoga prac ce (1893-1952).
and pranayama etc. very seriously as I was busy with the
usual materialis c way of life in my professional career Srimad Bhagbad Gita is my regular guide and constant
as a Railway Engineer and discharging my du es towards source of inspira on of orien ng my life towards
my family and house. I had been fully engrossed in this spirituality and self development. In Bhagabad Gita ,
game of materialis c pursuit of unreal and transient Lord Krishna has given not only to Arjun but also to all of
worldly enjoyments which are perishable and is like a us, the knowledge and skill of self development and self
dream. management, conflict management, stress and anger
management, transforma onal leadership, mo va ng,
Mercy of GOD was bestowed on me during May 2007, goal se ng and many other aspects of management.
when I came in contact with a Guru and Kriyayoga Master Bhagabad Gita focuses on exploring the inner world of Self
Swamy Shri Yogi Satyam of Allahabad, Jhunsi Asram at and the poten al to achieve managerial effec veness for
Varanasi in a Kriyayoga Training Camp. A er a ending the managing both household and other fields successfully
140
unlike western philosophy of focusing on exploring the

external world of ma er and energy .The philosophy of
Bhagabad Gita is very relevant for all human beings and
has universal applicability for all mes.
A er about one year I visited Guruji’s ashram known

as “Kriya Yoga Research Ins tute” at Jhunsi, Allahabad
(UP) and a ended Kriya yoga Camp at Maghimela site
in February, 2008 where Guruji was pleased with my
progress and was kind enough to ini ate me into Kriya
Yoga. This is in brief about my spiritual journey which
is being con nued to get further insight. I would make
an a empt here to share some of the things of spiritual
science.
The knowledge that we have acquired, is Vijnan or ego) due to our limited knowledge about our Real Self
knowledge about visible material world or manifest which is individualized Sat, Chit and Ananda – ever-
Divinity. But the real knowledge or Jnana is the knowledge exis ng, ever-conscious and ever-blissful.
about Unmaifest Divinity, the Absolute, Parambrahman
who is everything - Sat, Chit and Ananda – Truth, Though we have been successful in material
Consciousness and Bliss and achievements, from spiritual
the one who is the cause of The knowledge that we have acquired, view point it is like various toys
all causes and is the Creator, is Vijnan or knowledge about visible GOD gives us from me to me
Operator and Destroyer or material world or manifest Divinity. to play with and He is again
cause of all changes in the tes ng us under the influence of
But the real knowledge or Jnana is the His Maya – the delusive power
universe and whom we in our
limited knowledge know and knowledge about Unmaifest Divinity, of GOD, ll we get red and
worship as GOD. This spiritual the Absolute, Parambrahman who is want no more of the worldly
knowledge will help us to first everything - Sat , Chit and Ananda Toys. But the Divine Mother like
know “Who am I”; that is to our biological mother comes
realize first our own self ( Higher self) or the individualized only when a child, a er ge ng red of playing with
Soul which is microcosmically a part of the whole - the various toys, cries for mother. That is the ul mate stage
Supreme Soul, the one and only Universal Consciousness or goal or Samadhi state where human being/ Jeevatma/
pervading the whole Universe macrocosmically . Individualized Soul is merged with the Paramatma – the
Supreme Soul and a ains permanent bliss and realizes
In Gita Lord Krishna had said to Arjun, “Earth, water, that “Aham Brahmasmi” or that GOD and I are one
fire, air and ether, mind, reason /intellect and also ego; – belong to one Universal Consciousness that is exis ng
these cons tute my lower (material) nature; other than and opera ng in all beings in the visible and beyond
by which the whole Universe is sustained, know it to which is invisible and is beyond the comprehension of
be my higher (spiritual) nature in the form of Jiva (Life our ordinary human intellect, mind and senses.
Principle). There is nothing else besides Me. Most of us
have knowledge about our self (lower or physical self My purpose of narra ng the above point is to bring
cons tu ng our body made out of the Panchabhuta : home that material advancement is not the only purpose
Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether, mind and senses and of our human life. This is the best form of life we have
got because of our good virtues a er going through
several cycles of birth and death and great sufferings and
miseries in various species.
We, the human beings are superior to all other living

species GOD has created in this visible world of ours.
Human beings (Jeevatma) have been made in the
divine image of GOD who is Omnipotent, Omniscient
and Omnipresent. So our individualized soul-Jeevatma
inherits the nature of GOD (the supreme soul ) in its
original stage of crea on having original impressions/
samskars as purity, bliss, peace and powerful but gets
tarnished by layers of various impressions (Samskar)
acquired by our inheritance from our parents gene cally,
141
The immortal Gurus of Kriya Yoga
from our own past life a er life, from environment/ fear, jealousy, lust, conceit, vanity and tempta on. Our
friend circles etc to sa sfy our desire for worldly mind is cons tuted by three substan ve forces or Gunas:
enjoyments for which we commit various misdeeds or Sa va (principle of poise conducive to purity, knowledge
sins. Ignorance or Avidya sets in and makes us illusioned and joy), Rajas (principle of mo vity leading to ac vity,
about this material world and worldly enjoyments which desire and restlessness) and Tamas (Principle of iner a
we presume as everything and suffer by forge ng our resul ng in inac veness, delusion and dullness). All the
real spiritual nature. How many more lives and deaths do three Gunas are also the basic cons tuents of en re
we have to con nue like this in sufferings and sorrow? universe– physical and mental. Man’s dominant nature
is governed by preponderance of one of the three gunas
Hence orien ng more towards spiritual way of life over the other two.
to achieve GOD–realiza on as GOD is “Vasudevah
Sharbami ”, the real purpose of our being born Impuri es can be removed by taking wholesome Sa vika
as human beings. So spirituality assumes greater food and by avoiding Rajasika and Tamasika food and
importance in human life by distancing ourselves from by effec ng changes in cons tu on of mind so that
materialis c achievements and Sa va guna prevails over the
reducing our desire for worldly So whatever is happening to us in this other two gunas and becomes
enjoyments, which are like toys world is taking place according to our gradually dominant. Finally
and transitory in nature. Human karma and a definite plan of the merci- Sa va has to be transcended
body is the only means of GOD
ful, loving and just God. Universal Law to get libera on or Mokshya
realiza on as enjoyment of from ignorance or Avidya.
senses is obtainable when one of karma or Law of cause and effect op-
takes birth in other species. erates on all of us. Ac on without noble
intensions does not lead to
In Gita, Ch.-18, sloka-61, Lord Krishna says, spiritual growth. Intensions are shaped by noble values
“Iswar Sarbabhutanam hrudese Arjuna stha , such as purity, self control, love for God, forgiveness,
Bhramayansarvabhutani yantrarudhani mayaya”. He detachment, non-violence, freedom from desire and
says, Arjuna, God abides in the hearts of all creatures, pride backed by regular medita on.
causing them to revolve according to their Karma by His
illusive power Maya , seated in the vehicle of the body. All these help us in our spiritual journey and spiritual
growth for self-development leading to SELF realiza on
So whatever is happening to us in this world is taking and to achieve the ul mate goal of life which is “GOD
place according to our karma and a definite plan of the realiza on”. So dear mates, as Swami Vivekanand had
merciful, loving and just God. Universal Law of karma or said, “Arise, awake and stop not ll the goal is reached”.
Law of cause and effect operates on all of us. Good karma
gives us good result but bad karma produces bad result, Om shan h, shan h, shan h !!
being the cause of all our sufferings and miseries.
To proceed along a spiritual path, the first requirement

is to control and purify the mind. In Gita, ChapVI, Laxmidhar Behera belongs to the 1970 batch of Mechani-
Slokas 34and 35, Arjun said to Lord Krishna, “Mind is cal Engineering. He joined Indian Railways as IRSME Offi-
cer with specializa on in maintenance, opera on, design,
very unsteady, turbulent, tenacious and powerful; it is
manufacture and management of Rolling Stock & Diesel
as difficult as wind to control”. Lord Krishna explained, Locomo ves. A er a post-re rement engagement for
“Mind is without doubt unsteady and difficult to curb, some me as Advisor to NALCO & Vedant Aluminum Co.
but it can be controlled through prac ce of medita on presently he devotes himself to his spiritual pursuit. He
and dispassion”. lives in Bhubaneswar.
E-mail: lbehera@hotmail.com, cell: 09438030639
The impuri es of mind are greed, envy, hatred, anger,
142
THAT HORRIBLE NIGHT!

SUDHANSU SEKHAR PRADHAN 1980
Youthful exuberance can sometimes land you in avoidable problems, the author seems to suggest through
this honestly narrated unforgetable experience from his student days at REC. The memory will live with
me and die with me, he laments.
L ife brings us face to face with many situa ons; some hostel by the 4th year students. I decided to join the
funny and some painful. We forget many, but remember most enjoyable event of the puja, i.e. ‘Visarjan’. One of
a few. A few of my hard-to-forget real life experiences the a rac ons of the Visarjan event happened to be the
from my days in REC, Rourkela, can be listed as follows: scheduled break journey in front of DAV Girls’ Hostel in
Sector-3.
• I lost my bi-cycle in ‘Konark’ talkies while watching
a ma nee show. I joined the caravan from the hostel and the procession
• A mad dog bit me while I was going to college and moved slowly in the planned route. Our pres gious
had to endure 14 injec ons therea er. college bus was accompanying us, though most of us
• I lost my slide-rule (a calcula ng device used before preferred to be pedestrian. How can you enjoy a Visarjan
the advent of electronic calculators) at the cycle- procession by si ng inside a bus? Amidst light, band
stand near the college library. and dances it reached the girls’ hostel. Some students,
• I was stung by a swarm of honey-bees in spite of who were known to have familiarity with some girls,
running at my best speed, again near the college went inside to distribute ‘Prasad’ and returned with
library. big smiles. I, like many others who could not go inside,
cursed myself and then the procession con nued.
But the most memorable experience was the one I and
many of my class mates had incurred during our fourth When we reached near ‘Ambagan Chowk’, at about 11
year. We had a five years’ term then. This memory of my PM we were stopped by police from proceeding further
student days in REC will live with because of some restric on.
me and will die with me. Thank Within the next few seconds I heard We felt sad as well as curious
god it is in the back, not in the a horrifying sound and before I could to know the exact reason of
front. It is about a two inches understand what was happening I saw the restric on. The police
by one inch scar I wear on my
back skin like a shining bracelet.
about 50 policemen rushing towards sta on, being near the chowk
a racted our a en on and
Although it has a ained a me us, each carrying a ‘lathi’. Then I could a few students of the leader
span of thirty one long years, it realize, we were inside a ‘lathi charge’ category proceeded towards
has managed to adore its place situation. it. I and many others followed
and reminds me about the them like obedient solders.
dreadful episode which I am going to describe now. As we waited outside the police sta on, our leaders
nego ated with police for permission to go ahead. The
A er comple on of first year science I joined REC in 1975 nego a on ul mately failed and it was followed by angry
in Mechanical stream. I was a day scholar by default. reac on of the students, who started throwing chairs in
Even though I experienced all the facets of academia in the police sta on. The police was expec ng this and was
the college, what I missed badly was the hostel life. I was ready to combat this.
literally jealous of guys who used to stay in the hostels.
My hungry soul was always searching for right occasions Within the next few seconds I heard a horrifying sound
and chances to get a piece of experience of the hostel and before I could understand what was happening
life. Out of many such a empts, this one happened I saw about 50 policemen rushing towards us, each
during our fourth year, in 1979 on the occasion of Ganesh carrying a ‘lathi’. Then I could realize, we were inside a
Puja. As per prac ce, Ganesh Puja was organized in the ‘lathi charge’ situa on. The police surrounded us inside
143
CV Raman Hall
a circle and charged mercilessly with their long tool. I injury. The me was about 1.00 AM.
was unfortunate to get one big bang on my back and
fell on the ground. The scene was like a ba lefield of I discovered that some students were clever enough to
the popular TV serial ‘Mahabharat’. I could only hear the refrain themselves from the venture and remained inside
sound of the dancing lathis and the painful cry of the the bus. They escaped the fearful episode but certainly
students. The bea ng con nued for about 5 minutes. missed a good experience in their life. Such clever
That was enough for us to forget our vanity and appeal persons are always around us and I am s ll learning to
for mercy. acquire their skill, but never quite succeeding at it. Well,
life is like that.
The a er effect of the bea ng was s ll more fearful. Each
one of us had an injury and swelling on the body, mostly Since my house was nearby I walked over to my house
in the hands or legs. Sanjay Mohanty & Rabi Panda had and quietly tried to sleep; but I was too dazed to
their hands fractured and even a few friends like Subrat sleep. In the morning I narrated the whole story to my
Jee had incurred head injury with bleeding. Since mine parents. When they saw the injury on my back they
was on my back, nothing was visible. I was feeling a were shocked. I tried to see the injury with the help of a
strong pain but could not exactly know the nature of mirror. The affected area was deep red and had swollen
up considerably. With the applica on of pain balm and
other medicines the pain gradually faded and the injury
also took its me to heal; but it le an indelible mark,
which has withstood all the bathing and soap rubbing for
the last thirty years and is only ge ng shinier, reminding
me constantly of the horrible night.
A Mechanical Engineering graduate of 1980, Sudhansu

Sekhar Pradhan acquired specialisa on in the area of In-
dustrial Hydraulics, Mechanical maintenance, Lubrica on
and Pumps. Deputed to Saudi Arabia in 2001 for impart-
ing training to Saudi Steel employees, he now works as
AGM (Water Management) in SAIL, RSP.
E-mail: ss.pradhan@sailrsp.co.in, cell: 0-9985500995
144
POETRY IN THE LIFE

OF AN ENGINEER
ASHOK KUMAR BISWAL 1980
Even after the path of the author’s life brought him to the rather prosaic stream of Engineering, he never
lost touch with the literary activities, for which he had been motivated right from his school days. He shares
here how he has balanced his materialistic life of being an engineer with the creative aspect of being a poet
and has found fulfillment in both.
T ime & de wait for none. Thirty valuable years have drama, literature, debate and cultural ac vi es were also
passed since I le my Alma mater. Much water has flown part and parcel of our school life. All these inspira ons
through the river Koel. In the meanwhile, our beloved contributed to a poe c stream within me; I took ac ve
REC, Rourkela, has been re- interest in Oriya literature
incarnated as NIT. Many I was enamored with the vast infra- and devoted myself to wri ng
demographic & socio-cultural poetry.
changes have taken place in
structure of the college, its library, the
and around Rourkela. It is all large hostels and gymnasium etc. I got 1973-1975: The inspira on
natural in phase sequence of completely engrossed in the academic which I got at the school level
me. S ll the sweet nostalgic life under the guidance and encourage- was further amplified at S.C.S
memories of the good old ment of learned Professors. College Puri, where I came across
days are very fresh in my mind. literary personali es like Dr. Fani
Being sta oned at Rourkela, Mohanty (eminent poet), Prof.
there is always a feel good factor of being close to the Ramesh Panigrahi (drama st) & Prof. Chintamani Behera
womb of the beloved Alma mater. (famous writer & cri c), who were all my ‘Guru’s. Ah!
the memory of those roman c days at Puri, of spending
I passed from the famous Alanahat High School of magical evenings and moonlit nights at sea beach,
Jagatsinghpur in 1973, nurtured under the guidance discussing roman c poems with friends at the balcony of
of eminent Headmaster Late Baikunthanath Acharya, ‘Pathar Puri’ hostel and par cipa ng in absurd theatre
a giant scholar in English. Besides academics, dance, of Prof. Ramesh Panigrahi are s ll fresh in my mind. In
A quiet moment at Puri sea beach
145
The sky line of Rourkela Steel Plant
1974, I was the literary champion of the college. of my poems have got published in various books and
journals of Orissa. I look forward to be of worthy service
Finally, with the blessings of Lord Jagannath, I was in the to Oriya literature as long as I live.
top twenty at ISc. in Utkal University and got admission in
REC, Rourkela in 1975 in the branch of Electrical Engg. In 1980, I joined SAIL, first in BSL and then in RSP. Today I
look back and find that thirty years of my life have passed
1975-1980: In 1975, I came to Rourkela. I was enamored in engineering stream. I feel proud each me I visit my
with the vast infrastructure of the college, its library, Alma mater. I have served as General Secretary and Vice
the large hostels and gymnasium etc. I got completely President of the Rengcollians for many years. My son
engrossed in the academic life under the guidance and has also passed in Electrical Engg from NIT, Rourkela in
encouragement of learned Professors. We also took 2007.
breaks from studies for cycling around the city, gossiping
at the back post with a cup of tea or bathing at the Whenever I have the occasion to visit my college, I get
Naga-pond. But, a er a few months I could feel there a nostalgic feeling that I am at my home…home, sweet
was something missing in that rou ne life at hostel and home…there is no place like my home. I realise that
college. My love for literature, roman c Oriya poetry and whatever success and prosperity I and my family enjoy
theater; everything appeared to be suppressed under today, the major contribu on of the same is from my
the burden of thick books of Electrical Engineering. glorious Alma mater.
However, I was in search of like-minded persons It is heartening, that we are celebra ng the Golden
interested in Oriya literature. At this juncture with the Jubilee func on on 25th & 26th December with a spirit
inspira on of Prof. B.Puthal, Prof. Nalini Ranjan Mohanty of brotherhood. The me has come to pay back to the
and Prof Pramila Panda, along with a few other seniors mother as per our might. I earnestly pray to the almighty
like Sri Srinivas Panda, Ashis Roy and my friend Ashok for all round prosperity of my Alma mater in the years to
Basa, we formed a literary society. come as an Educa onal and Research Centre of Techno-
managerial excellence.
The magazine ‘ANKAN’ was published for few years and
I was one of its editors. Regular ‘Kabi Sammelan’ (Poe c
meet) was held in REC campus with the associa on
of other poets in Rourkela. I tried to draw a balance
between my literary ac vi es and my life as an engineer. Ashok Biswal belongs to the 1980 batch of Electrical Engi-
neers. A er passing from R.E.C, Rourkela he joined SAIL,
I wrote more than fi y Oriya poems; most of them were
BSL and was subsequently transferred to RSP, Rourkela
published in my first book ‘Ababahikara Smru ’ in 1986.
in 1987. He has rich experience in the field of Electrical
That gave me enough mo va on to go ahead. Poetry Power & Automa on. Presently he works in SAIL, RSP as
gave me a fulfillment and I soon discovered how it AGM in the department of Computer Science & Informa-
played a complementary role in my life as an Engineer. on Technology .
There a er I never looked back. With the blessings of E-mail: ashok_biswal57@yahoo.com, cell: 0-8895500449
‘Maa Saraswa ’ I have con nued to write and a number
146
NIGHTMARE
Besides love and affection, conjugal bliss also needs fulfillment of the basic minimum needs of life so re-
quired for survival; but when that too is hard to come by then poverty and absence of support can shatter
a family. This poignantly told story of immeasurable pathos, illustrates the depth of observation and skill
of story telling of the author in his youth. This story was awarded 1st prize in the short story competition
conducted by RECR in December 1964, when the author was in the 1st year of the 5 years’ course. It was
later published in the first journal of REC, Rourkela in January 1968.
S lyly the night, like a rep le, came crawling in. The co age was exposed to incessant downpour for
Its octopus hands almost with the power of magic past three days and the weather had cleared just that
benumbed the world. The subdued infinite nature lay evening. The compartment was naturally damp, at mes
inac ve under its so , dark blanket. Its impenetrable giving access to the raindrops through the unrepaired
darkness had swallowed up the dim daylight. thatch.
It was a poor co age in the outskirts of a village. It The room was emi ng a piquant odour. A graveyard’s
awaited ex nc on being vic m to the ravages of me. silence prevailed all through. Frequently the fall of
In its single compartment was the last raindrops associated
sleeping, a ten-year old boy One night they had a serious quarrel. with the tragic yelling of some
suffering from some unknown The lady rebuked her man and sobbed unknown bird penetrated the
disease, watched over by a lady. since he could not afford to get some terrible tranquility. The boy was
She was grave and melancholy, surprisingly pale. His face was
completely lost in some serious
milk for their dear son. The following wan and bloodless like a sheet of
thought. The shabby bed and morning saw them parted. white paper. He lay unconscious
ramshackle furniture revealed for the last two days. The lady
the poverty of the owner. A dim lamp was burning along was pensive and though ul. Her eyes were fixed on
the bedside which produced shoot due to inadequate the face of the child lying close by. She was suffering
oil. A shadow seemed to dance on the broken wall. The the pangs caused by the expectance, when the light of
lamp was on the verge of its inevitable death. maternal love shall open his eyes!
Her penury did not permit treatment. She had been to

the village some hours back. None lent her money nor
did anyone u er a sympathe c word. She implored
the village doctor falling under his feet, begging a dose
of medicine which would awaken her hope. She had
washed his feet with flood of tears. But the benefactor
of humanity had refused u ering piercing rebukes as
– “The world is filled with beggars”. She silently returned
braving the heavy downpour. She had comforted herself
with philosophical reflec ons. “Emperors would have
been immortal if medicine could save life! The luxuriant
tree in front of the co age appeared like a ghost. She
closed the door half-eaten-up by white-ants. Her only
torn cloth was wet, to be dried on her body. She was
shivering both out of cold and fear. The last words on
147
his lips were “When will daddy return?” The lady so ly praying.
whispered in his ears, “Yes my child! He will return! He
will shortly return!” Some ill-ominous bird was heralding calamity. The
night was appalling like a witch and silent like a funeral
For years she had been speaking this apparent truth to procession. The moment was grave and the shadow
soothe the boy’s heart. In the midst of despondency, she danced. The lady had no sleep for two nights. In a train
has yet fostered this fond hope- her beloved husband of reflec ons and a series of conflicts between infinite
would return! hope and despondency she fell half asleep. In her sleep
she saw some ghastly appearance calling her aloud:
They had enjoyed a happy conjugal life in spite of their
poverty. They vowed to face boldly all hazards, all Wake up! Wake up! She awoke at once. The doors
misfortunes. They were bestowed with a sweet child, burst open with a gust of tempestuous wind. The lamp
the emblem of their pure and eternal love. They were ex nguished, throwing the compartment into an ocean
tortured by poverty. He could not feed his babe well. of darkness. She observed a silhoue e under the dark
One night they had a serious quarrel. The lady rebuked gigan c tree. With u er horror she tried to recognize
her man and sobbed since he could not afford to get the shape.
some milk for their dear son.
“Oh, what is this? Is this apparent or real?” she
The following morning saw them parted. She was le exclaimed.
alone to mourn her disaster in the forlorn state. Yet she
struggled for survival. She pa ently bore the piercing It was indeed her long lost husband, for whose return
glance of society. To feed her babe she worked in some she had awaited so anxiously. But alas! In spite of his
houses. He went away that day and did never return. charming appearance he had the shabby looks of a
And she eagerly awaited his arrival. fugi ve convict. The rose of his cheek had faded. The
silken hair had turned snowy. His bow-like eye-brows had
Her loving lad had slept for two days. If it becomes his withered. He had grown a long beard and nails and had
eternal sleep! “No – No! It cannot be. It can never be. put on wrinkles. With his black dry lips he tried to u er
What explana on will then she offer when he returns? some words, but failed. “You came at last!’, she cried. In
God! Oh, Benign Ruler – be not so merciless!” – She was a deep ecstasy she tried to run for embracing him. But
alas! Due to weakness she fell down on the body of their
son whom she had forgo en just for that moment.
“What! My child!” she yelled – it was cold like winter’s

snow and hard like their doctor’s heart!
Bharat Bhusan Mohanty, an alumnus of 1969 batch of

Electrical Engineering, pursued a long and successful ca-
reer in SAIL in the fields of Maintenance Management,
Contracts Management, Project Management & Supply
Chain Management. He superannuated from the Ma-
haratna company as its Execu ve Director in 2006 a er
se led in Bhubaneswar.
E-mail: bharat.mohanty@mbecl.co.in
Cell: 0-9883012549, 0-9437176633
148
AD MISSION
SHANTANU CHAKRAVARTY 1984
The author in this lucidly written story unravels the memory of initial days in the college hostel, through
the experience of a young man, who comes from North East to take admission in REC, Rourkela. Eventu-
ally he meets a charming lady from his region and the story comes to a touching end with the unravelling
of a charming suspense after two decades and half, at the doorsteps of the Golden Jubilee Home Coming
Celebration of their Alma mater!
N isith made sure that he was carrying the all important want?’ ques oned, the Hostel 2 occupant beaming in
paper in his bag and hurriedly got into a taxi saying, ‘Bye an cipa on. ‘Sir, I have come here to take admission in
mom, see you’. The lady running a er the car for a while REC’, replied Nisith. ‘Oh! then I have guessed right, from
was in all tears and then wiped her temples off with her which state?’ asked the senior. ‘Orissa, sir’ said Nisith
own ‘sari’ as she watched the vehicle vanish around the with the hope that this was a safe answer, as everybody
corner. past Guwaha appeared to him as some alien he had
never encountered in life and felt threatened every
He boarded a train from Guwaha and put his luggage on moment. But it did not take long to determine Nisith’s
the upper berth. The steam engine train rolled on; a er state and he was then deposited with a senior student
a few moments the natural scenic beauty with its lush of his own state, who did not much care about him but
green plain land was visible; this was quite in contrast allowed him to use his bath room to freshen up and then
with the hilly terrain Nisith was in the habit of living. he despatched Nisith to Hostel 1. In the process Nisith
thoroughly realised the dreadful result of his mistaken
Next morning Nisith arrived at the Rourkela Jn. and got apprehension of overcharging by the auto driver, who
into an auto rickshaw and asked the driver, ‘Take me to had alighted him in front of Hostel- 2, meant for final
REC’ in a voice of command. It was about 6:30 in the year students..
morning, the auto driver asked
Nisith ‘Are you coming here Dressed with a funky T-shirt & Hara Nisith showed the le er so
for the first me?’ Nisith said, Jeans, he was quickly spotted by a final carefully brought along with
‘No no, I stay in Bonda Munda’, year student, who had just woken up him to the Hostel warden’s staff,
he said with an a empt to who promptly allo ed a room
prove his local iden ty, fearing with a tooth brush in his hand. ‘Ha Ha, to him on the fourth floor. Nisith
that the auto driver might Guinea Pig has arrived!’ he screamed in dressed up, went to the dining
overcharge him. ‘Are you going a sarcastic manner. hall to have a bite; but he was
to take admission in REC?, reluctant to have it, due to the
enquired the auto driver once again, inquisi vely, fully premoni on of the impending dangers he pre-conceived
aware that Bonda Munda was the next junc on from in his mind.
Rourkela. ‘No, No I have almost finished my studies’, said
Nisith defensively. The Driver dropped him at Hostel no Once out of the Hostel 1 premises, he saw a few guys
2 and went away! on their bicycle shou ng, ‘Hey guys raise your hands up,
turn one hundred and eighty degrees’ and run, run fast’,
Nisith walked with unbalanced and unsure steps for Nisith got u erly confused and for a moment he forgot
not having had a wholesome sleep overnight and not what this degree was all about. ‘I have come here to get
knowing what to do next. Dressed with a funky T-shirt an Engineering degree I suppose, but look at the guys,
& Hara Jeans, he was quickly spo ed by a final year they are asking me to turn 180 degrees’. Before he could
student, who had just woken up with a tooth brush in comprehend the ‘degree ma er’, he saw his friends
his hand. ‘Ha Ha, Guinea Pig has arrived!’ he screamed already running backwards, with books in one hand &
in a sarcas c manner. ‘Hey, who are you? What you an umbrella in the other!
149
Nisith a ended the classes; the notable class of the day

was Engineering Mechanics. He returned a er having
finished all classes. On return Nisith saw the hostel
warden roving around; that made him feel a bit relaxed
and secure. He met a few batch mates and finished his
dinner. Hostel warden locked the front grill at around 10
PM and went away, to make Nisith & co all safe as no one
could then enter the hostel. This was the firm convic on
of the Warden as well the teachers, but that was not to
be; there were more intelligent guys to find a solu on
to the issue.
At about 2 AM in the dead of the night, when Nisith M. Visvesaraya Hall (old hostel - 2)
was fast asleep, he got awakened by a big banging
sound in his door. As his friend Balaram opened the request came from all. Nisith sang ’Welcome to the
door, suddenly a few guys appeared. ‘Dude, Guess I am Hotel California’; and then ‘once more, once more’
from which state?’ Nisith, not yet completely out of his roar was heard by the sleeping occupants of the hostel
sleep, said, ‘Bonda Munda’ in a hurried fashion. He was and the gathering was treated to a vibrant piece of
ordered to come out of the room, and then he was asked entertainment. Nisith was given a hotel like retreat duly
to sit on the edge wall of the corridor. ‘Look at this pipe, welcoming him with a hot tea in a stainless steel glass
hold on to it and slide down’ ordered the senior. Nisith (meant for drinking water!), boiled eggs and a pastry.
looked down and started to feel a pain in the chest as That of course did not come free, but as a reward for the
well as a feeling of giddiness. He was silent and stood wholesome entertainment provided by Nisith.
s ll. Observing Nisith’s hesita on the guy said, ‘Dude,
don’t worry, you will not die, take a look, there are host Nisith thus survived with fanfair instead of nightmare
of guys ready to catch you down unlike his classmates; but one
below’. Nisith took a glance at Observing Nisith’s hesitation the guy fine morning his friend Rajat,
the ground and saw some guys who had joined in the same
wai ng there with safety net in
said, ‘Dude, don’t worry, you will not class as that of Nisith, but
case of an accidental fall. Nisith die, take a look, there are host of guys could not survive the ordeal
however, had never seen rain ready to catch you down below’. Nisith of the ini al crunches of the
water pipes in his life, although took a glance at the ground and saw hostel life, packed his bag and
it rains hell of a lot in Shillong; some guys waiting there with safety disappeared. Nisith said to
but spun cast iron water pipes himself, ‘Oh I lost a good friend
are used no where. Nisith saw
net in case of an accidental fall. to whom I could open a bit of
a bulge on the rain water pipe my mind. He was the lone guy
about two meters down. The guy on the other end from my state.’ He reluctantly stayed on because of the
frowned and ordered Nisith to slide without having to be compulsion of being the only son of his parents; but
reminded any more. Submi ng his welfare in the hands soon enough, on the contrary, Nisith started to enjoy the
of Almighty he started to slide from 4th Floor. With hostel life in an en rely new environment.
closed eyes, he allowed himself to go down and then
suddenly he got stuck. ‘This is the last day of my life’, he More than several months passed by, Nisith at mes felt
imagined and murmured to himself. ‘Oh! God, why did I lonely, longing for his own society and the food. And then
come here for the degree?’ Nisith realised that he was in a respite came in the form of a dinner invita on from
heavy perspira on and slid yet again and came back to one of the inhabitants of Rourkela. Dressed up tastefully,
life to realise his foot was ge ng stuck against the spun Nisith reached the place and to his pleasant surprise he
spigot, this me around le feet instead of right. The found that his classmate, Ankita, also from Shillong, a
guys down below now started shou ng in higher decibel young lady with a charming personality, had joined in.
asking him to come down fast. Nisith closed his eyes ‘Hello, Nisith & Ankita, how do you do?’ welcomed the
again and a er several bursts of sliding down he could hostess. ‘You know we are living in Rourkela for the last
hit ground and was embraced by his senior friends, who seventeen years and hardly have we come across people
said, ‘Welcome to REC Rourkela!’. from our state. Recently Sarat told me that two of the
new students have come from Shillong to study here.’
Nisith, shell shocked, was taken away to the other hostel What a pleasant surprise!
blind folded. On arrival there the guys asked him, ‘Hey,
what’s your name?’ ‘Nisith, sir’ was the reply. ‘Do you Manisha the hostess set the ball rolling and all of them
know how to sing? ‘No Sir, but I can try’. ‘Sing anything got involved in intense conversa on. One topic flew past
from Country to Rock to Pop whatever that suits you’, another and there was an inevitable break as Manisha
150
had to make all the arrangements for dinner, complete Ankita’s hair and the sweet perfume she wore. Ankita’s
in all respects. neck, however, was empty and it aroused in Nisith an
extreme desire to fill it up with some great ornament
Nisith & Ankita felt awkward to start with having been one day!
le behind by themselves in the living room. ‘Where
do you stay in Shillong?’ Ankita broke the ice and Nisith’s eyes met Ankita’s for a moment; there was a
Nisith replied ‘Laitumukhrah’ with his face lighted up in silent turbulence in their eager eyes.
an cipa on. Nisith got up from the couch and went out ... ... ... ... ...
to the balcony and to his pleasant surprise Ankita also
followed with grace and with so er steps. ‘How do you All that was two and half decades back….reminisced
feel here, do you like the place?’ ques oned Ankita. ‘I Nisith, lost in the past. He was oblivious to the fact that
feel awesome and a lot lonely here; I miss my mom, miss the train was slowing down and Ankita was finishing her
everybody for that ma er. I feel u erly homesick and conversa on on the mobile with their daughter, who
fervently long for the dishes that mom prepares! To be was pursuing her FRCS in UK. He came out of his reverie
honest with you!’ replied Nisith. ‘Yeah, the same for me into the present with a jolt as the train pulled to a halt
as well, excuse me’ said Ankita and headed towards the at Rourkela Sta on and Ankita was asking him to call for
living room again but hovered around to find the toilet. a porter. They were coming to their Alma mater a er
Ankita started to occupy the mind of Nisith and he said all these years for a ending the Golden Jubilee Home
to himself, ‘Oh God, give me some moonlight at least on Coming Celebra on.
this breathtaking evening; let someone light up my life!’
Ankita returned back and found Nisith deeply engrossed Ankita looked at Nisith and said, ’I know what you are
in thought and a trifle unmindful. thinking. Aren’t you remembering how we met here for
the first me, some twenty five years back?’
‘Hey guys, we are just wai ng a bit for Rahul to come
back from the plant, hope not he is coming back only Nisith smiled with a nod and extending his hand towards
a er finishing all the rolling in the Cold Rolling Mill’, the her he said, “Let’s go”.
hostess u ered in mock frustra on. Incidentally, they
learned that Rahul also hails from Shillong but fi een
years senior to both the new entrants and a NITR Alumni
too, working at the Steel Mill. ‘No issue, let him take his
Shantanu Chakravarty, a Metallurgical Engineering gradu-
me’ roared Nisith & Ankita together. Ankita added, ‘I
ate of 1985, has worked in senior management posi ons
like the homely environment here and feel more than in various Na onal & Transna onal organisa ons in India
lucky for being invited; let us enjoy our brand of food for including L&T, Skanska and has represented his organisa-
today; right, Nisith? ons in various na onal & Interna onal forums. He now
works as Dy General Manager ( Business Development)
This me Ankita sat right next to Nisith and this made at ITD Cementa on India Limited. Born & brought up at
him feel uncomfortable externally but very reassuring Shillong, he now lives in Kolkata.
internally as Nisith started to get the fragrance of E-mail: shantanuc1985@gmail.com, cell: 0-94330 38448
M S Swaminathan Hall (old hostel - 5)
151
SEARCH FOR HAPPINESS

KUMAR BEHERA 1984
Quest for happiness in life is a journey that is unique to each individual. In this honest and candid nar-
ration the author concludes that happiness, after all, does not depend upon external embellishments; it has
much to do with introspection and cultivating values like positive thinking, simplicity, unselfishness and
developing an unshakable self-confidence.
M y parents had worked hard for every penny they had she did not know whether to laugh or say, thank you. It
earned. I was taught at an early age that money cannot was at mes like these, when other kids laughed at me
buy happiness. My parents tried to teach me these and talked behind my back, that I was convinced that
values. I had to learn through my own experiences that only if I had the new clothes, a nice house and other
happiness comes from within and cannot be measured such material possessions, then may be I would have a
by material possessions. chance to fit into this affluent society. Then I would be
happy.
As a child my a en on was o en diverted by the sparkle
of the gold and diamonds worn by people around me. When I got my first job, I could afford these “things” that
As my eyes began to wander, I no ced men dressed were going to make me happy. Soon I was working at
immaculately, accompanied by women in their designer two jobs in order to fulfill my needs. I began to purchase
garments with matching handbags and shoes. latest clothes, the jewellery and the perfume. Each
purchase was a song of hope. Every me I thought that
My family, on the other hand, was at the opposite end of this is it, this is really going to make me happy. I looked
glamour. Our hand-me-down for happiness in those newly
clothes had been washed so ...but I was surprised that the feeling acquired ‘possessions’; but I was
many mes that their colour did not last long and I gradually found surprised that the feeling did not
had become dull and lifeless ‘happiness’ to be quite elusive. Within last long and I gradually found
and the material frayed around a few days of acquiring a new posses- ‘happiness’ to be quite elusive.
the seams. Although our Within a few days of acquiring a
sion, some times as little as a few hours, new possession, some mes as
clothes revealed the financial
struggles of our large family, a feeling of emptiness would come over li le as a few hours, a feeling of
our faces were always washed me again. emp ness would come over me
and our hair neatly combed. I again. I would dream of bigger
o en fantasised about the glamorous life led by those assets and set my goals higher to purchase something
driving their brand new cars, wishing I were more like even be er, even more expensive.
them.
Unfortunately, it took me a while and many disappoin ng
I con nued nurturing these fantasies right through my and painful experiences, not to men on the amount of
adolescence. Since mine was a private school, most of money spent, to realise that what I admired in other
the children came from wealthy families. As a result, people was not about their clothes, their hairstyles or
I constantly felt inferior to the rest of my classmates. the car they drove. It was their air of self-confidence. I
Although I could hide my lack of wealth at school by admired the way they carried themselves, their ability to
wearing our mandated school uniforms, my poverty was take on new challenges and the way they looked people
embarrassingly apparent outside the school when my in the eyes during conversa on instead of staring down
classmates wore designer jeans, and I had no choice but at their toes as I o en found me doing. I began to no ce
to wear my sister’s outgrown jeans. On one occasion, that it was the quali es that they possessed that I was
since I could not afford a birthday gi , I gave one of my lacking. I knew then that I would never be a complete
own used CDs to a friend in school. When she opened person un l I started to do some work on the inside of
the gi , her face twisted into a strange expression as if my persona.
152
enhance virtues like posi ve thinking, simplicity and

selflessness.
I have summarized my feelings in this li le poem:
SMILE
A smile costs nothing, but it creates so much!

It enriches those who receive it
Without impoverishing those who give it.
It happens in a flash
But its memory may last forever.
There was no lightning bolt or voice form God that
None are so rich that they can get along without it,
brought me to this point of realiza on; I had to go all
And none so poor that they cannot bestow it on others.
the way down the wrong road in life before I could
realise my mistake. The realiza on made me look at
It creates happiness at home,
the desired inner quali es in a happy individual and I
fosters good will in profession,
have been trying to inculcate those quali es that I had
And is the countersignature of friendship.
always admired in other people. Gone are the days of
remedying my inner turmoil with new clothes and make
It is rest to the weary,
up. I do enjoy the shopping sprees & dresses but there
daylight to the discouraged,
is a marked difference today. I have realised that each
Sunshine to the sad,
me I put on a new ou it and look in the mirror; the
and nature’s best an dote for trouble.
same person looks back at me from underneath. I now
carry myself with a greater freedom and confidence and
Yet it cannot be begged, bought, borrowed or stolen;
I am able to look people in the eyes, for I have no reason
For it is something that is worth nothing to anyone
to look down.
Un l it is given away.
The lessons of life I got are:
• Happiness comes from within.

• I must finish each day and be done with it. I have
done what I could; some blunders, absurdi es and
doubts do creep in; but I must forget them as soon
Kumar Behera belongs to the 1984 batch of Mechanical
as I can. Tomorrow is a new day; I must begin it well Engineering. He works in SAIL, RSP as AGM, ERW Pipe
with sincerity and confidence, in which I can sink my Plant (Mechanical). He is the General Secretary, NITRAA &
frustra ons and unnecessary clu ers of life. Joint Organising Secretary, GJCH. He lives in Rourkela.
• I have to focus on fulfilling the true needs and get rid E-mail: kumarbehera2010@gmail.com,
of the superficial ones. cell: 0-9437246100
• The essen al need for one’s internal happiness is to
Alma mater by night
153
6
TECHNICAL
EXPLORATION, CONCERN AND SUGGESTIONS

ON SOME OF THE MODERN ASPECTS OF TECHNOLOGY
154
THE CONUNDRUM : INTERNET,

THE UBIQUITOUS WORLD WIDE WEB
AND THE NEW FRONTIER
SUDHANSU ȍSAMȎ M. MOHANTY 1965
This article endeavors to enumerate the progressive reach of technology that is so pervasive that it now en-
compasses our lives in so many ways creating a schism of a two tier society of geeks and tech illiterates. It
is the aim of this article to discuss how network technology is evolving to invade our individual space and
security, at the same time throwing a challenge to keep learning or perish.
INTRODUCTION
As a late convert to computa onal field star ng from bits What I am trying to endeavor in this ar cle is to
and bytes almost two decades ago and then progressing enumerate the progressive reach of technology that is so
to a degree in Computer Science, I am mo vated by pervasive that it now encompasses our lives in so many
the confluence of computers, communica ons and ways crea ng a schism of a two er society of geeks
entertainment in our daily lives. Be it Xbox, iPOD, iPHONE, and tech illiterates. It is my aim to discuss how network
iPAD, mobile compu ng devices including cell phones, technology is evolving to invade our individual space
point-of-sales electronic scanners and the like, we are and security, at the same me throwing a challenge
being inundated by prolifera ng digital technology to keep learning or perish. What is happening at the
forcing us subconsciously to cope with an array of new current juncture in American depressive job market is
technologies constantly. In many cases internet is a disappearance of millions of regular jobs replaced by new
common denominator. technology jobs with millions
This was a front page story in New York of vacancies unfillable without
The current leading edge relearning new technologies
Times about Bush’s unfamiliarity with a at all age groups. Not only in
commercially is held by IPTV
(Internet Protocol TV), where TV common technology that highlights the America but all over the world
services are delivered through extreme ignorance-end of the digital di- this phenomenon poses serious
internet protocol suite from vide. At the other end of the spectrum challenges for the socie es and
head end to consumer’s Total are the geeks doing wondrous multi- Governments to debate upon
Home DVR or standard set- and formulate approaches to
tasking with computers and internet. manage the problem. This in
top box. Voice over IP provides
telephony via the internet. essence is the conundrum with
High quality delivery is achieved through fibre op cs its far-reaching implica ons, which I want to enumerate.
technology, either ‘fibre to the node’ or ‘fibre to the Miriam Webster dic onary defines conundrum as a
premises’. ques on or problem having only a conjectural answer,
an intricate and difficult problem. The ar cle may be a
This has generated a digital divide, i.e. those who are li le obscure at places or even appear to be lacking in
computer proficient and those who are not. As an connec vity due to chaos in the current evolu on of
example an interes ng anecdote concerns President technology covering uncharted territory. The audiences
George H.W. Bush, the forty first President of the United for this ar cle, however, are NITRAAns, engineers,
States at a Na onal Grocers Associa on Conven on in lawyers, human factors specialists, ethicists and
Orlando in 1992, while marveling at the NCR Scanning logicians to try understanding the scope of the challenge
technology electronic scanner to register and ring the and those interested in economics policy analysis and
price of the purchase as point of sale. This was a front research. NITR as well as the fellow NITRAAns, in fact, can
page story in New York Times about Bush’s unfamiliarity cons tute a forum and launch a debate in this respect.
with a common technology that highlights the extreme
ignorance-end of the digital divide. At the other end In much of the new development the internet and the
of the spectrum are the geeks doing wondrous mul - World Wide Web are a common denominator. The
tasking with computers and internet. universal connec vity of internet and World Wide
155
Web is crea ng issues regarding intellectual property instantaneous and simultaneous: Everyone gets the
that in turn is crea ng economic, cultural, social divide message at the same me and, at the same me as
that the Organisa on for Economic Co-opera on that event is happening. There is no lag me between
and Development (OECD) countries are hard pressed a reporter witnessing an event and repor ng it, and no
to address. In my view NITRAANs as part of India’s me for reflec on and analysis.
intellectual community and NITR as a premier ins tute
of engineering educa on should have a stake in these Computer in contrast is a programmable machine that
issues. Therefore it would be my effort to point out the receives inputs, stores and manipulates data/informa on
link of internet and World Wide and provides output in a
Web in our lives. And of it would be my effort to point out the useful format. In the 1970s,
course there is a new fron er link of internet and World Wide Web in computer engineers at research
of evolving technology that our lives. And of course there is a new ins tu ons throughout the
may, willy-nilly, steer our lives United States began to link
in a new direc on in not too
frontier of evolving technology that their computers together
distant a future. In any such may, willy-nilly, steer our lives in a new using telecommunica ons
discussion an overview of the direction in not too distant a future technology. This effort was
basics of technology is called funded by Defense Advanced
for, although, this author shall keep in mind our readers Research Projects Agency (DARPA), and the computer
from non-computa onal background too. The Internet network that it produced was called the ARPANET,
and the World Wide Web have established their grip on world’s first packet switching network. The concept of
all of us and have social and economic consequences far global network was ar culated by J.C.R Licklider in
beyond their technological confines. his 1960 paper tled “Man Computer Symbiosis.” The
ideas contained in this paper formed the basis of today’s
HISTORY internet.
Therefore a rudimentary overview of underlying
evolu on of technology and mass communica ons is This spread of internet-working began to form into the
called for. Looking back as an example the advent of TV idea of a global network using TCP/ IP that would be
revolu onized mass communica on radically over print called the Internet, based on standardized protocols
media, books, magazines and even radio termed as mass officially implemented in 1982. The World Wide Web,
media. Television invaded as a medium that could reach abbreviated as WWW is a system of interlinked hypertext
everybody and reach them with images of behavior documents accessed via the internet. English engineer
without the ra onaliza on of words. The audience and computer scien st Sir Tim Berners-Lee, now the
for its programs was drawn from every social class Director of the World Wide Web Consor um, wrote
and every social element. By the mere act of watching a proposal in March 1989 for what would eventually
television, a heterogeneous society could engage in a become the World Wide Web. In 1990 with Robert
purely homogeneous ac vity. They make no demand Calliau Sir Berners-Lee implemented the first successful
on us to remember or reflect on them. Television is communica on between HTTP client and server via
156
no fica on, enforcement, or payment nego a on? We

expect the answer to these ques ons does not lie solely
in technology nor policy, but the ra onal combina on
of both.
From the standpoint of World Wide Web we can raise

the issue of Global Informa on Infrastructure (GII)
which will have an enormous impact on economies
and socie es of the world. Governments will need to
introduce regulatory reforms in ma ers over a spectrum
of policy areas comprising of telecommunica on and
service markets in the short run. Over the longer run
regulatory reforms will be necessary in a wider spectrum
of policy areas in order to s mulate the development of
cheaper and new mass-market service applica ons such
as for on-line health care, educa on, entertainment and
professional business services. Tradi onal regula ons in
these areas may be outmoded or obsolescent.
The Organiza on for Economic Co-opera on and

Development (OECD) countries have been grappling
for a number of years with such important issues
as development of informa on technologies and
mul media applica ons and services; their impact on
tradi onal market structures, par cularly in rela on to
economic growth, produc vity and job crea on, and the
internet. World Wide Web per se is not Internet. Rather implica ons for policy and regulatory reform of the wider
the Web is an applica on built on top of the Internet. impact of the GII and the new services and applica ons
which can be carried over it. However, they are not
Later commercializa on overtook pure research with the meant to be defini ve statements on the issues raised,
introduc on of privately owned ISPs and during 1990s rather being designed to spark controversy, promote
the internet proliferated to culture and commerce. discussion and clarify the lines of debate including the
This comprised of instant communica on by e-mail, extent to which market structures might create barriers
textual discussion forums, and the World Wide Web. to the diffusion of new technologies. A number of
World Wide Web is essen ally studies have shown how the
a system of interwoven From the standpoint of World Wide key to increases in micro- and
hypertext documents accessed Web we can raise the issue of Global macroeconomic performance
via internet. Text, images and Information Infrastructure (GII) which o en lies not in the adop on
video and other mul media
web pages can be viewed by a
will have an enormous impact on econ- of compu ng equipment by
individual companies, but
web browser and can navigate omies and societies of the world. in their mass adop on and
between them through linking into informa on and
hyperlinks. It is not the inten on to delve more in-depth communica ons technology (ICT) networks. While it
into the technology but to evaluate the impact of World is s ll too early to accurately measure the growth and
Wide Web on mankind. diffusion of new services in the same way as equipment,
the growth of the Internet with its ease of access to
THE IMPACT informa on produced anywhere in the world does
The foremost thrust of W3C is Intellectual Property suggest that service development riding on the back of
Rights, which is an extremely complex trea se replete ICT penetra on can be a rapid phenomenon.
with legalese. The most Common types of intellectual
property include copyrights, trademarks, patents, THE EMERGING FRONTIER
industrial design rights and trade secrets in some Pervasive compu ng, o en synonymously called
jurisdic ons. In this context ques ons can be raised ubiquitous compu ng, is an emerging field of research
as to if the nature of the technology requires us to that brings in revolu onary paradigms for compu ng
change the legal understanding or status of copyright models in the 21st century. Tremendous developments
as it stands now? What rights should be associated in such technologies as wireless communica ons and
with Web content? How should the rights be expressed, networking, mobile compu ng and handheld devices,
and should the expression of the rights be used for embedded systems, wearable computers, sensors, RFID
157
tags, smart spaces, middleware, so ware agents, and a dis nct economic advantage over those who do not
the like have led to the evolu on of pervasive compu ng have. This is an example of the two- er society the new
pla orms as natural successor of mobile compu ng informa on order is helping create. It is important that
systems. The goal of pervasive compu ng is to create universal service objec ves be determined and achieved
ambient intelligence where network devices embedded without distor ons to compe ve neutrality, not only
in the environment provide unobtrusive connec vity among telecommunica on operators but between
and services all the me, thus improving human telecommunica on and other communica on suppliers.
experience and quality of life without explicit awareness We need not to impose unreasonable costs on other
of the underlying communica ons and compu ng telecommunica on subscribers and create damaging
technologies. In this environment, the world around us uncertainty for operators and investors about the future
(e.g., key chains, coffee mugs, computers, appliances, scope of universal service. As the GII grows in commercial
cars, homes, offices, ci es, and the human body) is and social influence, and a Global Informa on Society
interconnected as pervasive network of intelligent develops, the need for further and more far-reaching
devices that coopera vely and autonomously collect, policy reforms will emerge. It is le to NITR and NITRAA
process and transport informa on, in order to adapt to audience to research and to ini ate avenues to address
the associated context and ac vity. the monumental conundrum with regard to the rapidly
escala ng IT revolu on impac ng all strata in the global
THE CONUNDRUM village.
The convergence of technologically dynamic,
economically compe ve advanced internet and web
technologies and the advancing pervasive and ubiquitous
technologies do pose a conundrum of technological,
ethical, moral, legal and public policy issues to meld and
harmonize. Another, related, concern is the degree to
which the development of new services will create new
inequali es in society between informa on “haves”
and “have-nots”. The power of informa on is so great
that those who have access to informa on power have
Sudhansu M. Mohanty, a Mechanical Engg. graduate of
1965, started his career in the steel industry, which he
gave up and le for USA to pursue mul disciplinary edu-
ca on in I.E.,MBA and C.Sc at Ph.D. level. He worked in
NMDC, Boeing, Oracle, DynCorp and DOD (USA); he also
worked as Asst. Prof. in Engg. Tech. at Souther U., Ba-
ton Rough and lately as Associate Professor of Business
(Systems) at ICFAI, Bhubaneswar. Widely travelled but as
a die-hard Indophile, he maintains sporadic base in India
and is interested in permanent rese lement.
Email: sam2mohanty@yahoo.com,
Contact: (248)726-0207, (519)254-8223
158
DIGITAL CONVERGENCE
– OUR FUTURE
PURNACHANDRA SAHU 1965
We have arrived at a new era that can be termed as the era of information. Aided by the ever-expanding
research in technology the world is now riding on a faster, better and closer mode of sending, receiving and
collating information that has immense utility for multiple aspects in life. The author brings out the vari-
ous dimensions of digital technology in this thought provoking article.
W e are right in the informa on age. The driving force simply a collec on of 1s and 0s. Through the magic
of informa on age is digital technology. The different of sampling (the process of choosing discrete parts to
forms of informa on are text, graphics, image, audio, represent a con nuous whole) almost anything - text,
video, and voice etc. All forms of informa on have been sound, speech, film, graphics, anima ons, music can be
digi zed now. This digi za on has opened up a new digi zed, and whatever can be digi zed can be presented
prospect of coming together and transforming into a on a computer and transmi ed over a network. Therein
new form (of digital 1s and 0s the ‘bits’). This new trend lies the future.
is called digital convergence.
Digital Convergence is the union of audio, video &
How is the journey towards convergence? data communica ons into a single source, received on
1. Broadcast : a single device, and delivered by a single connec on.
Radio, B/W TV, Color TV, Digital TV ... . Mul media Digital Convergence means Convergence of Informa on
2. Telecom : industries.
Telegraph, Telephone, Data ... ...Mul media 1. Text - Content crea on, collec on & dissemina on
3. Computer : ... Prin ng Press
Calcula ons, Compu ng, Data ... ...Mul media 2. Images - Capture, storage & prin ng ... Photography
4. Cable TV : 3. Voice - Voice distribu on ... Telephony
TV, Digital Radio, Digital TV ... ...Mul media 4. Audio/ Video - Content crea on , storage & distribu on
5. Wireless : ... TV & Radio.
2-way Radio, Pagers ,Cellular, Data ,TV ... Mul media 5. Data - Storage & processing ... Computer.
What are the differences among the following? Imagine a place without books, photographs, movies,
• A CD televisions, stereo systems, le ers, post cards, billboards,
• The complete works of William Shakespeare telephones, and fax machines. That place is not Europe
• A tax return in the Dark Ages but the world
• The Mona Lisa Almost anything - text, sound, speech, that most people in the twenty-
• An electric bill film, graphics, animations, music can first century will inhabit. In lieu
• Your baby pictures be digitized, and whatever can be digi- of the media that we now take
• A call to your mother for granted there will be the
• A laundry list
tized can be presented on a computer one great digital medium that
•A staff mee ng in the and transmitted over a network. There- replaces the current internet.
Marke ng Department in lies the future. The process by which all these
• Slides of the family trip to separate media become digital
the Grand Canyon and come to be delivered via the global network is
• A program in C++ termed as digital convergence.
• The first Mickey Mouse cartoon
• Sheet music for Schubert’s Ave Maria Why is digital convergence such a certainty? There are
To a computer, the differences are not much. Properly three major reasons. Firstly, bits—the 1s and 0s that
transformed, each of these items to a computer is computers understand—are incredibly cheap. Think of
159
the staggering cost of cu ng down trees, turning them

into paper, wri ng words down on this paper, flying the
paper via airplane across the country, sor ng the paper
from among thousands of other pieces of paper, loading
the paper onto trucks, and paying someone to carry the
paper to someone’s doorstep. Think also of the me that
such a process would take. A le er sent from Boston to
Los Angeles may well take seven to ten days to arrive.
Now think of sending an e-mail. Type the mail into your
computer, click on a bu on, and the bits move almost
instantaneously and at a cost so low as to be almost
nonexistent, to any place on the globe. The United States
has an incredibly efficient, cost-effec ve mail system,
but tradi onal mail, some mes referred to as snail mail,
can’t begin to compete with the cost of e-mail. What is
true of mail is even more true of such tangible products
as books, music CDs, and video-casse es.
The second major reason why digital convergence is not

simply a possibility for the future but a certainty is the
quality of digital materials. Think of the difference in
sound quality between an old LP recording and a music stage where high-bandwidth transmission of digital
CD. The difference is that the former is an analog medium, informa on between any two places is possible.
whereas the la er is digital, and digital materials can be Telephone companies are replacing old copper twisted-
reproduced at any resolu on, assuming that one has the pair cables with new fiber-op c lines that transmit billions
storage space and the bandwidth (bandwidth is simply of bits per second at the speed of light. Two companies—
the number of bits per second Teledesic and Motorola—are
that can be sent through a given Imagine a place without books, pho- planning, for the first decade
medium, such as fiber op c of the twenty-first century, a
tographs, movies, televisions, stereo system of low-orbit satellites
cable or the air). At some point,
the level of resolu on achieved systems, letters, post cards, billboards, that will make wireless global
by digi zing a signal, such telephones, and fax machines. That networking available to the
as a music track or a graphic place is not Europe in the Dark Ages en re globe. So far they have
image, becomes so good that but the world that most people in the not succeeded but they have
it is indis nguishable, given the not lost their hope. New
twenty-first century will inhabit. partnership venture is on and
limita ons of our senses, from
the original thing. Television in future they may succeed. The
signals today are grainy and poorly resolved compared idea is brilliant to build the broad band Internet in the
to the digital signals that we shall receive in the future. sky. And, of course, governments around the globe are
Watching a television program in the year 2040 is likely hard at work upda ng their informa on infrastructures,
to be similar to peering through a window. including cables, routers, and switching devices, to make
high-bandwidth networking, on which economies of the
The third major reason why digital convergence will future will depend, widely available.
happen is that technology is rapidly approaching the
Convergence Bill & Policy in India
Three na onal policies that have been passed are:
• Na onal telecom policy*
• Na onal informa cs policy*
• Na onal broadcas ng policy ––Prasar Bhar ....
Convergence among these 3 sectors is the na onal

convergence policy. Convergence bill--will be passed in
the parliament; it has obtained the cabinet’s approval.
In the future, almost every device will be a network
device. Some of these devices will be large and immobile,
like movie or television screens. Others will be small and
portable, like wallets, watches, or cellular phones. All will
be hooked up to the global network. It is o en objected
160
themselves for the digital future. They know that in that

future they will be general media companies opera ng
over the global network. There will be companies that
provide and maintain the hardware and so ware for
the global network, and there will be content providers,
but the old dis nc ons among the cable company, the
telephone company, the television network, the news
wire service, and so on, will become part of technological
and cultural history.
The coming digital age holds much promise. It will extend

human abili es and shrink space. It will make available
to ordinary people, worldwide, resources. The real
that most people do not want to read a book online, and possibility exists for a renaissance of human poten al,
that is indeed true given today’s display technologies. not just in so-called “developed countries” like the
But here, again, the mes are changing. Researchers at United States, Germany, and Japan, but over the en re
MIT have invented a kind of ink that turns a sheet the globe. Certainly, tradi onal socie es will encounter
thickness of a piece of paper into a black-and-white threats from the global network to their modes and
monitor, and they are working on a color version. Within ways of life, but the global network also promises to
a few years, breakthroughs in display technology will give those modes and ways of life a wider audience. The
make extremely high-resolu on monitors commonplace. astonishing variety of the present-day internet is but a
People will be able to carry their small taste of what is to come.
computers or even to wear
In the future, almost every device will • Convergence has given rise to a
them as clothing and will be able
to use these computers, in any be a network device. Some of these new world vision of Informa on
place and at any me, to send devices will be large and immobile, & knowledge.
telephone, mail, video, or fax like movie or television screens. Others •Mere abundance of
messages; to do their shopping Informa on is not going to
will be small and portable, like wallets,
or banking; or to receive news build an edifice of prosperity
watches, or cellular phones. All will be and strong founda on for our
and entertainment. At home,
the telephone, the personal hooked up to the global network. country. It is the abundance of
computer, the mail box, wisdom that is required.
newspapers, newsle ers, magazines, the tape deck, the • There is a lot of difference between knowledge and
VCR, and the CD player will be replaced by one or more wisdom. It is the way we use our knowledge that
all-purpose devices, and one will be able to interact with cons tutes wisdom.
these devices using ordinary speech commands. • We are in the middle of a race between human skills
as the means, and the human folly as the end.
Most commentaries on the coming digital convergence • Unless man increases his wisdom as much as much as
concentrate on high-profile, jazzy applica ons like online his knowledge, the increase in knowledge will be the
movies, but the emergence of the global network and of increase in his sorrow.
wireless connec ons will also have profound effects on
the everyday devices that we use. Consider, for example,
the automobile. Via wireless connec ons, automobiles
will be able to access GPS data to pinpoint a person’s
loca on or to provide street-by-street maps (of the
kind that can already be found online). Hopefully other
consumer products and appliances might soon be hooked
to the global network as well. A home hea ng system,
for example, might communicate with the local power
plant or with a na onal power grid and adjust itself to Purna Chandra Sahu belongs to the pioneer batch, 1965,
achieve energy efficiency and low cost. Ranges, stoves, of Electrical Engineering. He started as a lecturer in REC,
microwaves, and refrigerators might communicate with Rourkela and then led a successful career in Indian Tele-
communica ons Service with specialisa on in Computer
food products manufacturers, cookbook publishers,
Networking (Internet), Mobile Communica ons, Broad
and food delivery services. The possibili es for such
band services and Op cal fiber cable. A er his re rement
networked appliances are enormous. in 2004 he worked as a visi ng professor to a number of
ins tu ons. He lives in Cu ack..
A lot remains to be worked out. Cable, telephone, and E-mail: pcsahu42@gmail.com , cell: 0-9437576400
entertainment companies are busily trying to posi on
161
EDUCATION & RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES

IN NANOSCIENCE & NANOTECHNOLOGY IN INDIA
SUBHRANSHU SEKHAR SAMAL 2006
The emerging field of nanoscience and nanotechnology are becoming popular now-a-days. In this paper,
the current status of the progress and developments in nanotechnology and nanoeducation is briefly re-
viewed, from the perspective of its applications. Strategies for teaching nanotechnology are also presented
with a few basic samples. This paper also represents brief introduction on nanotechnology and introduces a
general framework for the current trends and efforts.
I NTRODUCTION
Nanoscience and Nanotechnology are leading a Recent advances and envisioned developments in
technological revolu on in the new millennium. enabling nanotechnology provide challenges to academia
The applica on of nanotechnology has enormous in educa ng and training a new genera on of skilled
poten al to greatly influence the world in which we engineers and competent scien sts. These engineers
live. From consumer goods, electronics, computers, and scien sts should possess the ability to apply
informa on and biotechnology, to aerospace defense, knowledge of mathema cs, science, and engineering
energy, environment, finance and medicine, all sectors in order to design, analyze and fabricate nanodevices
of the economy are to be profoundly impacted by and nanosystems, which are radically different when
nanotechnology. In India several research ini a ves have compared with microdevices and microsystems.
been undertaken both by government and members of the Atomic and molecular comprise nanodevices and
private sector to intensify the research and development nanosystems, exhibit dis nc ve quantum phenomena
in nanotechnology. [1] Crores of and unique capabili es that
money has been commi ed. The nanotechnology-centered research must be u lized. Therefore,
Research and development
and education initiatives require close advanced theories, methods,
in nanotechnology is likely tools and technologies should
to change the tradi onal collaboration between departments be comprehensively covered
prac ces of design, analysis, and colleges in order to provide viable and effec vely delivered. The
and manufacturing for a wide educational and training opportunities. academic community is reac ng
range of engineering products. The unified studies of engineering and slowly to prepare the workforce
This impact creates a challenge
science potentially can be advanced for emerging opportuni es
for the academic community to in nanotechnology. Currently,
educate science & engineering and enhanced through nanotechnol- a significant number of
students with the necessary ogy curricula. universi es in India offer
knowledge, understanding and selec ve post graduate
skill to interact and provide leadership in the emerging programs & doctoral programs in nanoscience and
world of nanotechnology. [2] nanotechnology in collabora on with research centers.
The primary mission of these centers is to conduct
NANOTECHNOLOGY IN EDUCATION research and development in the area of nanoscience
Many a empts have been made to develop and nanotechnology. Some research centers also support
interdisciplinary engineering and science curricula that an associated graduate program with universi es.
will allow undergraduate and graduate students to In addi on, faculty members in various ins tu ons
successfully enter and master the fields of engineering conduct and manage research programs in the areas of
and science [3, 4]. To meet academic and industrial nanotechnology and nanoscience supported by funding
challenges, different curricula, programs, execu ve organiza ons such as the DST (SERC/ Nanomiossion),
courses and short term modules have been introduced. DAE, CSIR, DRDO, DBT, UGC, NRB, IBSA Nano (India,-Brazil-
It becomes increasingly difficult to achieve educa onal South Africa Trilateral Ini a ve on Nanotechnology) &
objec ves and goals without a coherent unified theme. Various bilateral Schemes.
162
NANOSCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY CURRICULUM poten ally can be advanced and enhanced through
The focus on microscopic considera on and nanotechnology curricula. In order to prepare students
nanotechnology reflects curriculum changes in response to solve nanotechnology challenges, the nanotechnology
to the engineering enterprise and entrea es of educa on should be coherently incorporated into the
evolu onary industrial demands. Nanotechnology has mainstream undergraduate engineering and science
been introduced to a ack, integrate and coherently solve curriculum by:
a great variety of emerging problems in engineering,
science and technology. A diverse educa on community • Integra ng nanotechnology within tradi onal and
has apparently different visions for what to target, modern science and engineering courses;
emphasize, cover and deliver in nanotechnology • Developing new mul disciplinary courses
courses. Different approaches have been pursued by complemen ng the exis ng courses;
various engineering, liberal art, science, technology • Procuring adequate infrastructure and advanced
and other departments [3, 5]. The topics and material facili es to comprehensibly support learning and
covered in the undergraduate and graduate courses are scholarship;
quite diverse. Some nanotechnology-named courses • Developing an interdisciplinary research
embed and cover tradi onal quantum physics, organic opportuni es and educa onal collabora ons at
chemistry, microscopy, metrology, electronics and other na onal & interna onal level;
conven onal science and engineering topics using nano • Developing the student and faculty exchange
as a magnifica on prefix. programs [5, 7].
• Organizing popular lecture series, short term
A consensus has yet to be reached within the research courses and workshops to a ract the young minds
and educa on communi es for a defini on of in High Priority areas of nanotechnology. [DST, GOI
nanotechnology. Engineering and science curricula is funding the same ac vi es under Intensifica on
integrate general educa on, science, engineering and of Research in High Priority Areas (IRPHA) scheme]
technology courses. Students typically have some
deficiencies in various aspects of quantum physics, NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH
engineering mathema cs, chemistry and biology. INITIATIVES IN INDIA
Mul disciplinary courses and curricula represent a Department of Science & Technology (DST), Govt. of
major departure from the conven onal curricula. The India has funded more than 15 universi es to start
a empt to subs tute basic courses can create significant Masters’ degree programmes (M.Sc/M.Tech) in the areas
challenges. An interdisciplinary educa on encompasses of Nanoscience, Nanotechnology and Nanobiomedical
and requires a broader coverage of cornerstone science technology under Nanoscience & Technology Ini a ve
in addi on to the specialized in-depth topics, engineering (NSTI-Nanomission). Apart from that Department of
design and fabrica on. It is Biotechnology and DST have
difficult, but not impossible, Nanotechnology is truly inter-disciplin- funded many organiza ons for
to subs tute the cornerstone ary. An interdisciplinary curriculum establishing specialized centers
basic science and engineering that encompasses a broad understand- (Central characteriza on
courses by mul disciplinary Facili es) for Nanotechnology
courses which do not duplicate
ing of basic sciences intertwined with research in advanced areas
the basic courses. The need engineering sciences and information like Nanosensors, Nanodevices
for tradi onal courses, such as sciences pertinent to nanotechnology & Drug delivery. DST has
Biology, Calculus, Chemistry is essential. established 11 Units of
and Quantum Physics is not Nanoscience, 7 Centre for
eased, but is rather strengthened [5, 4 & 6]. This factor Nanotechnology, 1 unit on Centre for Computa onal
should be counted in the nanotechnology curriculum Materials Science & 7 Public Private Partnerships (Joint
developments. Introductory nanotechnology topics can Ins tu on -Industry linked Projects in thrust areas)
be introduced and emphasized through the required in India to upli the nanoscience and technology
chemistry, biology, physics and freshman engineering innova ons in India . Apart from that DST has supported
courses. This provides a meaningful star ng point for Technology Transfer and Marke ng divisions in
students. organiza on like ARCI for marke ng of Nanoproducts
and new technologies. ARCI Hyderabad also established
An interdisciplinary curriculum encompasses a broad a Centre for Knowledge Management of Nanoscience
understanding of basic and engineering sciences & Technology (CKMNT) with the financial support from
per nent to nanotechnology. The nanotechnology- Nanomission (DST) which aims to offer comprehensive
centered research and educa on ini a ves require close one step nanoscience and technology informa on
collabora on between departments and colleges in order services to the researchers, industries, policy makers and
to provide viable educa onal and training opportuni es. venture capitalist & funding agencies to fulfill the goal
The unified studies of engineering and science of Nanomission. Directorate of Extramural Research &
163
Intellectual Property Rights (ER&IPR) of Defence Research programmes with specializa on in Nanotechnology
& Development Organisa on (DRDO) also suppor ng business opportuni es in the tradi onal courses for
the Nanotechnology research ac vi es under Coherent a rac ng the new talents towards the big future of
Directed Research Scheme to universi es in India. small thing (Nano).
TEACHING STRATEGIES CONCLUSIONS

Nanotechnology should be taught by crea ng Basic science innova ons, engineering developments
both knowledge-centered and learning-centered and envisioned nanotechnology advances have
environments [8] inside and outside the classroom. brought new challenges to academia. As a result,
Because the technology is advancing so fast, ac vi es many organiza ons have revised their curricula to offer
that encourage crea ve thinking, cri cal thinking relevant courses on Nanotechnology and advanced
and life-long learning should be given the highest material science. However, these a empts have been
priority. Nanotechnology is truly interdisciplinary. only par ally successful due to the absence of coherent
An interdisciplinary curriculum that encompasses a strategy and diverse views of what nanotechnology
broad understanding of basic sciences intertwined means. Coordinated efforts should be sought to educate
with engineering sciences and informa on sciences engineering and science facul es and students with an
per nent to nanotechnology is essen al. Introductory ability to synthesize, analyze & design nanodevices. It
nanotechnology courses should be taught more from should be integrated into mainstream undergraduate
the perspec ves of concept development and qualita ve engineering curricula to ignite the young minds for a
analysis rather than mathema cal deriva ons. Every further research in the exci ng area of nanoscience &
effort should be made to convey the big picture and technology. Government, industries and universi es
how different learning exercises fit together to achieve should foster collabora on among themselves in order
course objec ves. Each course should be taught at to educate students in nanotechnology.
the appropriate level with required pre requisites.
The teaching program should integrate modeling, REFERENCES
[1] Na onal Nanotechnology Ins tute, (h p://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/
simula on, control and op miza on of nanodevices and nano/), May 2008
nanosystems into the course objec ves. [2] Uddin, M., Chowdhury A. R., “Integra on of Nanotechnology Into
The Undergraduate Engineering Curriculum”, Interna onal Conference
In reality, nanotechnology is a branch of engineering on Engineering Educa on, August 6 – 10, 2001 Oslo, Norway
[3] D. L. Evans, S. M. Goodnick and R. J. Roedel, “ECE curriculum in 2013
and because design is the essence of engineering, every and beyond: vision for a metropolitan public research university,” IEEE
effort should be made to integrate concepts related Transac ons on Educa on, vol. 46, issue 4, pp. 420-428, 2003
to nanotechnology into all design courses. Interac ve [4] S. A. Jackson, “Changes and challenges in engineering educa on”,
learning should be the hallmark of nanotechnology Proc. Conf. American Society for Engineering Educa on, Nashville, TN,
2003.
educa on. Students can par cipate in nanotechnology [5] S. E. Lyshevski, et all, “New Nano-Science, Engineering and Technology
research development projects and laboratory course at the RIT,” Proc. ASEE Conf. Engineering on the Edge: Engineering
experiments all over the world via the Internet. Students in the New Century, Binghamton, NY, pp. E.5.1- E.5.6, 2005
should be given opportuni es to work directly with [6] Aboubekeur Hamdi-Cheri, Machine learning – Learning Agents
and UML for Elearning Se ngs, Interna onal Journal of Educa on &
established nanotechnology research centers (local, Informa on Technologies, Issue 1, Volume 2, 2008
regional, na onal & interna onal) to gain hands-on [7] R. E. Smalley, “Of chemistry, love and nanobots - How soon will we
experience. University faculty members must collaborate see the nanometer-scale robots envisaged by K. Eric Drexler and other
with industry in order to educate and train students in molecular nanotechologists? The simple answer is never”, Scien fic
American, vol. 285, pp. 76-77, 2001.
the field of nanotechnology through short term summer [8] Hossein Zainally poor, Administra on of Facul es by Informa on and
and winter internships. Communica on Technology and Its Obstacles, Interna onal Journal of
Educa on & Informa on Technologies Issue 1, Volume 2, 2008
U lizing a team of faculty members specializing in [9] Bransford, J., D., Brown, A.,L., and Cocking, R., R., “How People Learn”,
Na onal Academy Press, Washington, D.C. 1999.
appropriate disciplines to teach nanotechnology [10] Maozhen Li, Marios Hadjinicolaou, Curriculum development on
courses is highly desirable. The inclusion of guest grid compu ng, Interna onal Journal of Educa on & Informa on
speakers periodically from industry and research centers Technologies Issue 1, Volume 2, 2008.
enhances the quality of exis ng Science/Engineering/
Technology/courses. It is important to educate
science/engineering facul es rooted in the tradi onal
disciplines regarding the advances in nanotechnology Subhranshu Sekhar Samal did his Master’s in Physics from
through faculty exchange programs and visi ng scien st NITR in the year 2006. He is working as a Scien st-C in Cen-
tre for Nanoscience & Nanotechnology (a joint ini a ve
schemes to the interna onal research organiza ons.
of IGCAR, Kalpakkam & Sathyabama University), Chennai
Government bodies, industry and universi es must take
since September 2007 & is con nuing his doctoral work in
the ini a ve to allocate addi onal funds toward faculty the field of Nanotechnology. He lives in Chennai-600 119,
development in the areas of nanotechnology [2, 9 & 10]. Email: ssubhransu@gmail.com, Cell: +91-9962369727
Few organiza ons in India have started management
164
SOIL POLLUTION DUE TO MAN-MADE ACTIVITIES

- ITS CAUSES, IMPACT AND REMEDIAL MEASURES
HRUSHIKESH NAIK 1984
In the process of development activities the various natural resources are getting destroyed; soil condition be-
ing one of the prime casualties. The author cautions that the effects of pollution on soil are quite alarming
and unless serious and urgent steps are taken to prevent it, it can cause huge disturbances in the ecological
balance and health of all the living creatures on earth.
I NTRODUCTION
Soil pollu on comprises the pollu on of soils with to be a produc on site either is turned into farmland or
materials, mostly chemicals that are out of place or real estate. Few understand that this land has become
are present at concentra ons higher than normal, sick due to soil pollu on.
which may have adverse effects on humans or other
organisms. It is difficult to define soil pollu on exactly CAUSES OF SOIL POLLUTION
because different opinions exist on how to characterize Following World War-II and Vietnam, scien sts discovered
a pollutant; while some consider the use of pes cides high incidences of muta on, miscarriage, mental defects,
acceptable if their effect does not exceed the intended cancer and sickness in areas where nuclear warheads
result, others do not consider any use of pes cides had been dropped. Food shortages also alerted officials
or even chemical fer lizers acceptable. However, that something was seriously wrong with the local soil.
soil pollu on is also caused by means other than the DDT and Dioxin were two of the worst pollutants from
direct addi on of xenobio c (man-made) chemicals war a ermath. In some cases, agricultural processes
such as agricultural runoff waters, industrial waste cause soil pollu on. High levels of radionuclides like
materials, acidic precipitates, and radioac ve fallout. nitrogen and phosphorus can be found surrounding
Both organic (those that contain carbon) and inorganic farm centers containing high popula on densi es of
(those that don’t) contaminants are important in the livestock. Pes cides applied to plants can also seep into
soil. The most prominent chemical groups of organic the ground, leaving las ng effects. Heavy metals can
contaminants are fuel hydrocarbons, polynuclear arrive in the soil by using polluted water to wet crops
aroma c hydrocarbons (PAHs), and by using mineral fer lizers.
polychlorinated biphenyls Pesticides applied to plants can also Industry is to blame for some
(PCBs), chlorinated aroma c seep into the ground, leaving lasting ef- of the biggest soil-pollu on
compounds, detergents, and fects. Heavy metals can arrive in the soil disasters. Heavy metals come
pes cides. Inorganic species by using polluted water to wet crops from iron, steel, power and
include nitrates, phosphates, chemical manufacturing
and heavy metals such as and by using mineral fertilizers. Indus- plants that recklessly use the
cadmium, chromium and try is to blame for some of the biggest Earth as a dumping ground
lead; inorganic acids; and soil-pollution disasters. for their refuse. Plants that
radionuclides (radioac ve burn their waste on-site are
substances). Among the sources of these contaminants guilty of releasing heavy metals into the atmosphere,
are agricultural runoffs, acidic precipitates, industrial which come to se le in the soil, thus leaving behind
waste materials, and radioac ve fallout. Soil pollu on las ng effects for years to come. Even companies that
also results from the buildup of contaminants, toxic try to dispose of their waste properly contribute to the
compounds, radioac ve materials, salts, chemicals and problem when faulty landfills and burs ng underground
cancer-causing agents. The most common soil pollutants bins leach undesirable toxins into the soil. Mining leaves
are heavy metals (i.e. cadmium, lead, chromium, copper, a tremendous impact on the surrounding communi es.
zinc, mercury, and arsenic), herbicides, pes cides, oils, It is found that people living near mines have a 70
tars, and dioxins. When old factories are relocated, they percent higher risk of kidney disease, 64 percent higher
just dismantle the houses, carry away the machines and risk for chronic obstruc ve pulmonary disease and a 30
nothing else is le to be done. The land that was used percent higher risk of high blood pressure. People in
165
coal-mining communi es need be er access to health effect of soil pollu on.

care, cleaner air, cleaner water, and stricter enforcement • Foul smell due to industrial chemicals and gases
of environmental standards. Soil pollu on is a result of might result in headaches, fa gue, nausea, etc. in
many ac vi es and experiments done by mankind and many people.
some of the leading causes of soil pollu on are listed • Soil pollutants would bring in altera on in the
below. soil structure, which would lead to death of many
• Industrial wastes, such as harmful gases and essen al organisms in it. This would also affect the
chemicals, agricultural pes cides, fer lizers and larger predators and compel them to move to other
insec cides are the most important causes of soil places, once they lose their food supply.
pollu on. • People living near polluted land have higher
• Ignorance towards soil management and related incidences of migraines, nausea, fa gue, and
systems. miscarriage and skin disorders.
• Unfavorable and harmful Soil pollution is a result of many activi- • Long-term effects of soil
irriga on prac ces. ties and experiments done by mankind pollu on include cancer,
• Improper sep c system and some of the leading causes of soil leukemia, reproduc ve
and management and disorders, kidney and liver
pollution include industrial wastes,
maintenance of the same. damage, as well as central
• Leakages from sanitary such as harmful gases and chemicals, nervous system failure.
sewage. agricultural pesticides, fertilizers and • Children o en suffer from
• Acid rains, when fumes insecticides. developmental problems and
released from industries weakened immune systems.
get mixed with rains.
• Fuel leakages from automobiles, those get washed In addi on to direct effects on health, soil pollu on
away due to rain and seep into the nearby soil. also harms plants. Chemicals can some mes absorb
• Unhealthy waste management techniques, which into food like le uce and be ingested. Other mes, the
are characterized by release of sewage into the large pollutants simply kill the plants, which have created
dumping grounds and nearby streams or rivers. widespread crop destruc on and famine in other parts
The intensity of all these causes on a local or regional of the world. The en re ecosystem changes when new
level might appear very small and one may argue materials are added to the soil, as microorganisms die
that soil is not harmed by above ac vi es if done off or move away from contaminants. Predators who
on a small scale. However, thinking globally, it is not feed off the microorganisms and worms in the polluted
a par cular region or a place that will be the only soil will also be affected. Researchers found that some
sufferer of soil pollu on. In fact, it is the en re planet species of birds - like the Peregrine Falcon, the Brown
and mankind that will encounter serious problems, Pelican and the Bald Eagle - fell prey to DDT poisoning,
as these prac ces are evident almost everywhere in which caused egg shells of future genera ons to be thin.
the world. Mother birds would arrive home to omelets in their
nests, as the thin shells could not support the weight
IMPACT OF SOIL POLLUTION of the incuba ng offspring. Mortality rates increased,
The effects of pollu on on soil are quite alarming and nearly sending the birds to ex nc on. If nothing is done
can cause huge disturbances in the ecological balance to clean up soil pollu on, water supplies could become
and health of living creatures on earth. Some of the contaminated, threatening the human species. Sudden
most serious soil pollu on effects are men oned below. fires or explosions will occur from underground landfill
• Decrease in soil fer lity and therefore decrease gases, pipelines and building structures may corrode
in the soil yield. Definitely, how can one expect a
contaminated soil to produce healthy crops?
• Loss of soil and natural nutrients present in it. Plants
also would not thrive in such a soil, which would
further result in soil erosion.
• Disturbance in the balance of flora and fauna residing
in the soil.
• Increase in salinity of the soil, which therefore makes
it unfit for vegeta on, thus making it useless and
barren.
• Generally crops cannot grow and flourish in a polluted
soil. Yet if some crops manage to grow, then those
would be poisonous enough to cause serious health
problems in people consuming them.
• Crea on of toxic dust leading to another poten al
166
and once beau ful regions will turn into cesspools. and fate of soil chemicals. There are several principal
strategies for remedia on:
TREATMENT OF SOIL POLLU TION • Excavate soil and take it to a disposal site away from
The conven onal methods of treatment of soil pollu on ready pathways for human or sensi ve ecosystem
are very me-consuming and very costly. One can contact. This technique also applies to dredging of
excavate the soil to dispose of it elsewhere -- a band- bay mud containing toxins.
aid for the problem, no doubt, but essen al for toxic • Aera on of soils at the contaminated site (with
disasters in highly populated a endant risk of crea ng air
places. Soils can be aerated, If nothing is done to clean up soil pol- pollu on)
heated up in a process lution, water supplies could become • Thermal remedia on by
called thermal remedia on, contaminated, threatening the human introduc on of heat to raise
contained with pavement or species. Sudden fires or explosions will subsurface temperatures
caps, extracted with an ac ve sufficiently high to vola ze
occur from underground landfill gases,
electromechanical system chemical contaminants out of
or propaga ng the soil with pipelines and building structures may the soil for vapor extrac on.
microbes that will digest organic corrode and once beautiful regions will • Bioremedia on, involving
pollutants. New processes are turn into cesspools. microbial diges on of certain
being developed to combat the organic chemicals. Techniques
problem in a natural, less laborious way. By studying used in bioremedia on include land farming,
plants that grew naturally in toxic mines, scien st Chen bios mula on and bioaugmenta ng soil biota with
Tongbin discovered that certain plants loved to eat commercially available microflora.
heavy metals like arsenic, bronze, lead, zinc, cobalt and • Extrac on of groundwater or soil vapor with an
cadmium. The contaminants can then be retrieved from ac ve electromechanical system, with subsequent
the plant’s leaves and used in industrial materials. This stripping of the contaminants from the extract.
safe and effec ve method is not perfect, but it is a start. • Containment of the soil contaminants (such as by
capping or paving over in place).
PREVENTION OF SOIL POLLUTION • Phytoremedia on, or using plants (such as willow) to
Naturally, preven on is the best cure for soil pollu on. extract heavy metals
Most states have enacted tougher legisla on to stop
illegal dumping. Educa ng consumers about the dangers REFERENCES
of li ering, while encouraging recycling programs, is a 1. Adriano, D.C.; Bollag, J.M.; Frankenberger, W.T.; and Sims,
good way to ensure everyone does their part to keep R.C., eds. (1999). Bioremedia on of Contaminated Soils.
Agronomy monograph 37. American Society of Agronomy.
debris where it belongs. Consumers can also make a
2. Miller, R.W., and Gardiner, D.T. (1998). Soils in Our
concerted effort to buy organic foods to demand that Environment, 8th edi on. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pren ce
chemical pes cides are not used on their foods. People Hall.
who grow their own food can keep excess nitrogen and 3. Pierzynski, G.M.; Sims, J.T.; and Vance, G.F. (2000). Soils
phosphorus out of the soil by choosing crops that do and Environmental Quality, 2nd edi on. Boca Raton, FL:
not need as many nutrients from the soil, by applying CRC Press.
fer lizer during the growing season to replenish the 4. Risk Assessment Guidance for Superfund, Human Health
soil, by shortening the grazing season / ca le density, by Evalua on Manual, Office of Emergency and Remedial
using organic compost, by keeping the surface moist and Response, U.S. Environmental Protec on Agency,
Washington D.C. 20450
mulched, and by choosing frui ng crops like tomatoes,
5. Michael H., Leda P., Gary L., and Harry S. (1973). Computer
squash, peas and corn. Gardens should be situated away modeling of pes cide transport in soil for five instrumented
from old painted buildings and roadways. Outer leaves watersheds, prepared for the U.S. Environmental Protec on
of le uce should be discarded and all vegetables should Agency Southeast Water laboratory, Athens, Ga. by ESL
be washed before ea ng. Over the years, stronger and Inc., Sunnyvale, California
more indestruc ble bins were created to store hazardous
materials. Researchers will con nue to look for ways to
improve manufacturing and agricultural processes to Hrushikesh Nayak, a Mining Engg. graduate of 1984, ob-
avoid the need for toxic byproducts. Business leaders, tained his M. Tech. from ISM, Dhanbad in Open Cast Min-
miners and community officials will work together to ing. A er a short s nt at Coal India Ltd, he joined the Min-
reduce wastefulness and contaminants to keep the ing Engg. Dep . at NITR in 1985. Currently an Associate
world a clean place for future genera ons. Professor, he was Head of the Department for three years
and he was also Project Officer and Head of the Nodal
Centre for Orissa (NTMIS). He has authored more than 25
CONCLUDING REMARKS & REMEDIATION MEASURES
research ar cles, published in Na onal and Interna onal
Cleanup or remedia on is analyzed by environmental Journals. He lives in the campus at Rourkela.
scien sts who u lize field measurement of soil chemicals E-mail: hknaik@nitrkl.ac.in, Cell: 0-9937115419
and also apply computer models for analyzing transport
167
7
COLLECTIONS
A BOUQUET OF SHORT, SWEET AND SOUL-NURTURING NOTES

COLLECTED FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES
168
TO EVERY INDIAN
TheisFormer
Why President
the media here soofnegative?
India Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalaam’s speech in Hyderabad.
Why are we in India so embarrassed to recognize Got 10 minutes for your country? If yes, then read;
our own strengths, our achievements? We are such otherwise, choice is yours.
a great nation. We have so many amazing success
stories but we refuse to acknowledge them. Why? YOU say that our government is inefficient.
We are the first in milk production. YOU say that our laws are too old.
We are number one in Remote sensing satellites. YOU say that the municipality does not pick up the
garbage.
We are the second largest producer of wheat.
YOU say that the phones don’t work; the railways
We are the second largest producer of rice. are a joke,
Look at Dr. Sudarshan, he has transferred a tribal The airline is the worst in the world, mails never
village into a self-sustaining, self-driving unit. There reach their destination.
are millions of such achievements but our media is
only obsessed with the bad news and failures and YOU say that our country has been fed to the dogs
disasters. and is the absolute pits.
I was in Tel Aviv once and I was reading the Israeli YOU say, say and say. What do YOU do about it?
newspaper. It was the day after a lot of attacks
and bombardments and deaths had taken place. Take a person on his way to Singapore Give him
The Hamas had struck. But the front page of the a name - YOURS. Give him a face - YOURS.
newspaper had the picture of a Jewish gentleman YOU walk out of the airport and you are at your
who in five years had transformed his desert into International best.
an orchid and a granary. It was this inspiring picture
that everyone woke up to. The gory details of In Singapore you don’t throw cigarette butts on the
killings, bombardments, deaths, were inside in the roads or eat in the stores.
newspaper, buried among other news.
YOU are as proud of their Underground links as they
In India we only read about death, sickness, are. You pay $5 (approx. Rs. 60) to drive through
terrorism, crime. Why are we so NEGATIVE? Orchard Road (equivalent of Mahim Causeway or
Pedder Road) between 5 PM and 8 PM.
Another question: Why are we, as a nation so
obsessed with foreign things? We want foreign TVs, YOU come back to the parking lot to punch your
we want foreign shirts. We want foreign technology. parking ticket if you have over stayed in a restaurant
Why this obsession with everything imported. Do or a shopping mall irrespective of your status
we not realize that self-respect comes with self- identity...
reliance?
In Singapore you don’t say anything, DO YOU?
I was in Hyderabad giving this lecture, when a 14
year old girl asked me for my autograph. I asked her YOU wouldn’t dare to eat in public during Ramadan,
what her goal in life is. She replied: I want to live in a in Dubai.
developed India. For her, you and I will have to build
this developed India. You must proclaim. India is not YOU would no dare to go out without your head
an under-developed nation; it is a highly developed covered in Jeddah.
nation. Do you have 10 minutes? Allow me to come
back with a vengeance. YOU would not dare to buy an employee of the
telephone exchange in London at 10 pounds
169
(Rs.650) a month to, ‘see to it that my STD and ISD even to the staff who is know not to pass on the
calls are billed to someone else. service to the public.
YOU would not dare to speed beyond 55 mph (88 When it comes to burning social issues like those
km/h) in Washington and then tell the traffic cop, related to women, dowry, girl child and others, we
‘Jaanta hai main kaun hoon (Do you know who I make loud drawing room protestations and continue
am?). I am so-and-so’s son. Take your two bucks to do the reverse at home.
and get lost.’
And what is our excuse?
YOU wouldn’t chuck an empty coconut shell
anywhere other than the garbage pail on the ‘It’s the whole system which has to change, how
beaches in Australia and New Zealand. will it matter if I alone forego my sons’ rights to a
dowry.’ So who’s going to change the system? What
Why don’t YOU spit Paan on the streets of Tokyo ? does a system consist of? Very conveniently for us
it consists of our neighbors, other households, other
Why don’t YOU use examination jockeys or buy cities, other communities and the government; but
fake certificates in Boston?? definitely not me and YOU.
We are still talking of the same YOU. When it comes to us actually making a positive
contribution to the system we lock ourselves along
YOU, who can respect and conform to a foreign with our families into a safe cocoon and look into
system in other countries but cannot in your own. the distance at countries far away and wait for a
You, who will throw papers and cigarettes on the Mr.Clean to come along & work miracles for us
road the moment you touch Indian ground. If you with a majestic sweep of his hand or we leave the
can be an involved and appreciative citizen in an country and run away….like lazy cowards hounded
alien country, why cannot you be the same here in by our fears we run to America to bask in their glory
India ? and praise their system.
Once in an interview, the famous Ex-municipal When New York becomes insecure we run to England
commissioner of Bombay, Mr. Tinaikar , had a point to When England experiences unemployment, we
make. ‘Rich people’s dogs are walked on the streets take the next flight out to the Gulf. When the Gulf is
to leave their affluent droppings all over the place,’ war struck, we demand to be rescued and brought
he said. ‘And then the same people turn around to home by the Indian government. Everybody is out
criticize and blame the authorities for inefficiency to abuse and rape the country. Nobody thinks of
and dirty pavements. What do they expect the feeding the system. Our conscience is mortgaged
officers to do? Go down with a broom every time to money.
their dog feels the pressure in his bowels?
Dear Indians, The article is highly thought inductive,
In America every dog owner has to clean up after calls for a great deal of introspection and pricks
his pet has done the job. one’s conscience too.... I am echoing J. F. Kennedy
‘s words to his fellow Americans to relate to
Same in Japan Will the Indian citizen do that here?’ Indians.....
He’s right. We go to the polls to choose a government
and after that forfeit all responsibility. ‘ASK WHAT WE CAN DO FOR INDIA AND DO
WHAT HAS TO BE DONE TO MAKE INDIA WHAT
We sit back wanting to be pampered and expect AMERICA AND OTHER WESTERN COUNTRIES
the government to do everything for us whilst our ARE TODAY
contribution is totally negative. We expect the
government to clean up but we are not going to Lets do what India needs from us.
stop chucking garbage all over the place nor are we
going to stop to pick up a stray piece of paper and Thank you,
throw it in the bin. We expect the railways to provide Dr. Abdul Kalaam
clean bathrooms but we are not going to learn the
proper use of bathrooms.
We want Indian Airlines and Air India to provide the

best of food and toiletries but we are not going to
stop pilfering at the least opportunity. This applies (Contributed by Kamalakanta Mohanty, 1972, El.)
170
15 LAWS OF LIFE
- SWAMI VIVEKANANDA
It is hoped that the reader will spare some time to ponder over these words of wisdom. The purpose of such
an exercise is to internalize the wisdom and to get inspired to put at least something into action.
Love is the Law of Life to live up to his own highest idea,

All love is expansion, all selfishness is contraction. and strive at the same time to make the ideal
Love is therefore the only law of life. as near as possible to the Truth.
He who loves lives, he who is selfish is dying.
Therefore, love for love’s sake, Listen to Your Soul
because it is the law of life, You have to grow from the inside out.
just as you breathe to live. None can teach you,
none can make you spiritual.
It is Your Outlook That Matters There is no other teacher
It is our own mental attitude, but your own soul.
which makes the world what it is for us.
Our thoughts make things beautiful, Be Yourself
our thoughts make things ugly. The greatest religion is
The whole world is in our own minds. to be true to your own nature.
Learn to see things in the proper light. Have faith in yourselves!
Life is Beautiful Nothing Is Impossible

First, believe in this world – Never think there is anything impossible
that there is meaning behind everything. for the soul.
Everything in the world is good, It is the greatest heresy to think so.
holy and beautiful. If there is sin,
If you see something evil, this is the only sin – to say that you are weak,
think that you do not understand it in the right light. or others are weak.
Throw the burden on yourselves!
You Have The Power
It is The Way You Feel All the powers in the universe
Feel like Christ and you will be a Christ; are already ours.
feel like Buddha and you will be a Buddha. It is we who have put our hands before our eyes
It is feeling that is the life, and cry that it is dark.
the strength, the vitality, without which
no amount of intellectual activity can reach God. Learn Everyday
The goal of mankind is knowledge...
Set Yourself Free now this knowledge is inherent in man.
The moment I have realized No knowledge comes from outside; it is all inside.
God sitting in the temple of every human body, What we say a man ‘knows’, should,
the moment I stand in reverence in strict psychological language,
before every human being and see God in him – be what he ‘discovers’ or ‘unveils’;
that moment I am free from bondage, what man ‘learns’ is really what he discovers
everything that binds vanishes, and I am free. by taking the cover off his own soul,
which is a mine of infinite knowledge.
Don’t Play the Blame Game
Condemn none; Be Truthful
if you can stretch out a helping hand, do so. Everything can be sacrificed for truth,
If you cannot, fold your hands, but truth cannot be sacrificed for anything.
bless your brothers, and let them go their own way.
Think Differently
Help Others All differences in this world
If money helps a man are of degree,
to do good to others, then it is of some value; and not of kind,
but if not, it is simply a mass of evil, because oneness
and the sooner it is got rid of, the better. is the secret of everything.
Uphold Your Ideals

Our duty is to encourage every one in his struggle (Contributed by Dr. Ajodhya Nath Dash, 1980, Mech.)
171
SPIRITUAL ANALYSIS OF “NAMASKAR”
The article brings out the proper method of doing a ‘Namaskar’ and describes its benefits in detail.
ORIGIN AND MEANING OF ‘NAMASKAR’ the thumbs on the Anahat chakra (at the centre of
The word ‘Namaskar’is derived from the root ‘namaha’, the chest). This type of Namaskar increases the
which means paying obeisance (Namaskar) or spiritual emotion of humility in the embodied soul.
salutation. From Science of Justice - ‘Namaha’ is a Sattva frequencies from the universe are attracted
physical action expressing that ‘you are superior to by the fingers (which act as an antenna) and are
me in all qualities and in every way’.. then transmitted to the entire body through the
thumbs which have awakened the Anahat chakra.
Worldly benefits This activates the soul energy of the embodied
By doing Namaskar to a deity or a Saint, unknowingly soul. In addition, by doing Namaskar in this manner
their virtues and capabilities are impressed upon our to each other, frequencies of blessings are also
minds. Consequently we start emulating them, thus transmitted.
changing ourselves for the better.
What is the correct method & science of doing
Spiritual benefits Namaskar to God?
Increase in humility and reduction of ego / A. ‘While paying obeisance to God, bring the palms
Enhancement in the spiritual emotion of surrender together.
and gratitude / Gaining the Sattva component and 1. The fingers should be held loose (not straight
faster spiritual progress. and rigid) while joining the hands or palms.
We receive the highest amount of Sattva component 2. The fingers should be kept close to each other
from the posture (mudra) of Namaskar. By doing without leaving any space between them.
Namaskar to Deities or Saints we receive subtle 3. The fingers should be kept away from the
frequencies emitted by them, e.g. frequencies of thumbs.
Sattva or Bliss. 4. The inner portion of the palms should not touch
each other and there should be some space
Why is it not appropriate to shake hands? between them.
Avoid a Hand Shake: it tranfers undesirable raja-tama B. After joining the hands one should bow and bring
components! In short, in a handshake, the raja-tama the head forward..
components in one person will get transferred to the C. While tilting the headforward, one should place
other person, thereby lowering his sattvikta (Purity the thumbs at the mid-brow region, i.e. at the point
levels). While practicing spirituality, our objective is between the eyebrows and try to concentrate on the
to perform acts which increase our sattvikta. feet of the Deity.
D. After that, instead of bringing the folded hands
If at all they do Namaskar by joining their palms, it is down immediately, they should be placed on the
done just as a formality. As the act is not based on mid-chest region for a minute in such way that the
faith, the benefit derived from it is minimal. Along with wrists touch the chest; then only should the hands
faith it is essential that every religious act be correctly be brought down.
performed according to the Science of Spirituality,
so that it gives complete benefit. In this series, as
with the others, along with information on various
methods of doing Namaskar, the Science in them
is also explained. Understanding the Science will
help in strengthening faith in the act. Such an act
correctly performed with faith, will yield corresponding
benefits.
How does one do Namaskar to an individual of

the same age group?
When meeting someone of the same age-groupdo
Namaskar by joining the fingers and placing tips of
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In this space the openings to all the three channels

converge; namely, the Moon, the Central and the
Sun channels. Due to the movement of these subtler
frequencies in this space, the Central Channel is
activated. Consequently it facilitates the speedy
transmission of these frequencies throughout the
body, leading to purification of both the gross and
subtle bodies at the same time.
F. After doing Namaskar, to completely imbibe the
Chaitanya of the Deity (that has entered the hands
by now), instead of bringing the folded hands down
immediately, place them on the mid-chest region in
such a way that the wrists touch the chest.
The ‘Anahat chakra’ is located at the centre of

the chest. Akin to the Adnya chakra, the activity
of the Anahat chakra is also to absorb the Sattva
frequencies. By touching the wrists to the chest, the
UNDERLYING SCIENCE IN THIS ACTION Anahat chakra is activated and it helps in absorbing
A. The fingers should not be stiff while bringing the more of the Sattva component.
palms together because this will lead to a decrease in
Sattva component from the vital and mental sheaths EFFECT OF THIS POSTURE
and thus increase the raja component in them. By By doing Namaskar in this manner, the Deity’s
keeping the fingers relaxed, the subtlest Sattva Chaitanya is absorbed to a greater extent by the body,
component will get activated. With the strength of as compared to other methods of doing Namaskar.
this energy, embodied souls are able to fight powerful This gives maximum distress to negative energies.
distressing energies. The negative energies that have manifested in a
B. In the Namaskar posture, the joined fingers act person are unable to touch their thumbs at the mid-
as an antenna to assimilate the Chaitanya (Divine brow region in Namaskar. (The negative energies are
consciousness) or the Energy transmitted by a Deity. subtle. But at times they enter an individual’s body
While joining the palms, the fingers must touch each and manifest it.)
other because leaving space between the fingers will
result in accumulation of energy in that space. This Q. What is the reason for not wrapping a cloth
energy will be immediately transmitted in various around the neck while performing circumambulation,
directions; therefore the seeker’s body will lose the doing Namaskar, ritualistic worship, sacrificial fires,
benefit of this potent energy. chanting and while visiting Guru and deities?
C. About the space to be maintained between the A. When a cloth is wrapped around the neck, it does
palms: For a seeker at the primary level, it is advisable not activate the Vishuddha chakra (in the throat
to leave space between the palms; it is not necessary
for a seeker at an advanced level to leave space
between the palms.
D. After joining the palms, bow a little. This posture
puts pressure on the navel and activates the five
vital energies situated there. Activation of these vital
energies in the body makes it sensitive to accepting
sattvik frequencies. This later awakens the ‘Atma
shakti’ (i.e. soul energy of an embodied soul). And
later, Bhav is awakened. This enables the body to
accept in large measures the Chaitanya emitted by
the Deity.
E. Touch the thumbs to the mid-brow region. (Please
see images above..) This posture awakens the
Bhav of surrender in an embodied soul, and in
turn activates the appropriate subtle frequencies
of Deities from the Universe. They enter through
the ’Adnya chakra’ (Sixth of the 7 chakras in the
Kundalini) of the embodied soul and settle in the
space parallel to it at the back interior of the head.
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region) and hence an individual gets less benefit of Q. Why is it not advisable to hold any object while
the Sattva component. doing Namaskar?
1. While doing Namaskar if an object is held in
WHY SHOULD ONE ALWAYS DO NAMASKAR TO the hands, usually the fingers and their tips are
ELDERS? in a curled position and not straight. As a result,
Meaning: When an elderly person arrives, the vital the sattva component received is unable to enter
energy of the young person starts rising and when the tips of the fingers.
he gets up and does Namaskar, it returns to normal. 2.. The sattva component emitted towards the
- Manusmruti 2.120; Mahabharat, Udhyog, Chapter seeker, strikes the object held and bounces back.
(Section) 38.1, Sr. no. 104, 64-65 Also, at times, instead of the person absorbing the
sattva component, the object may absorb it.
Explanation: ‘As the sojourn of the elderly person 3. If the object in the hand is raja or tama
is gradually towards the southern direction, that is, predominant, and if it is touched to the forehead or
towards the region of Lord Yama (towards death), chest while doing Namaskar, then the raja-tama
his body starts emitting raja and tama frequencies components from it mayenter the body of the one
on a high scale. When such an elderly person who is doing Namaskar.
comes in the vicinity of any younger individual, these
frequencies start affecting the younger person. A Q. While doing Namaskar, why are men not supposed
subtle magnetic field is created between the two. to cover their head, whereas women are advised to
Consequently, the vital energy of the younger person cover their head?
is pulled upward. This way the younger person can One should not do Namaskar with footwear on,
suffer due to sudden momentum to his vital energy. covering the head or holding any objects. (But women
When this younger person does Namaskar to the should cover their head with their saris and only then
elderly person, some amount of the Central channel do Namaskar) - Apastamb Dharmasutra 1.4.14.19
of his Kundalini system is activated and the Sattva
component in it starts increasing. Consequently the While doing Namaskar the Kundalini gets activated at
Raja and Tama components in him are influenced by the chakra which is touched by the folded hands. This
the Sattva component and the vital energy comes leads to the absorption of the Sattva component in
back to normal state. Hence on arrival of an elderly greater proportion in the body. Sometimes due to the
person, it is customary for the younger individuals to activation of the Kundalini, Sattva component starts
do Namaskar to them.’ entering the body through the head. But at times
the distressing energies try to take advantage of this
DO’s AND DON’Ts WHILE DOING NAMASKAR and mix black energy with the Sattva component.
Q. Why should the eyes be closed while doing The potential to activate the Kundalini is higher in
Namaskar? men as compared to women. Hence they are hardly
‘Joining hands while bowing the head amounts to affected by this negative energy. Contrary to this,
saluting God or the divinity in the person in front. as women are more vulnerable, they get affected
The eyes are closed while doing Namaskar to God by distressing energies to a greater extent and thus
or any respected person, to enable one to have the they can experience distress. That is why, when
vision of God within us.’ doing Namaskar, women are advised to cover their
head with the ends of their sari. This creates a barrier
Q. Why should the footwear be taken off while doing between the head and the distressing energies and
Namaskar? prevents them from penetrating the body of the
While sitting, partaking meals, sleeping, wishing and woman. However, to some extent this also blocks
doing Namaskar to Gurus and other elderly people, benevolent frequencies from entering the women.
footwear should not be worn. - Gautamsmruti 9. (Benevolent frequencies are subtler than negative
1. Footwear increases the raja-tama components frequencies; hence they enter a woman to some extent
in a person. even though the sari covers her head) However, the
2. Paying obeisance (Namaskar) with high raja- proper posture of Namaskar gives maximum Sattva
tama components will not help in activating component to an individual and hence women too get
the Kundalini (centre in the spiritual energy required benefits. This shows how God takes care
system). of every devotee. Doing Namaskar without these
3. The ability to absorb the sattva component restrictions is equally effective if the devotee does it
too is reduced, due to an increase in the raja- with spiritual emotion.
tama components, leading to little benefit from
a Namaskar.
4. Doing Namaskar to a Deity, with footwear on,
may also invite the wrath of the Deity.’ Contributed by F.C. Mohanty (1971, Chemical)
174
FUN OF GETTING OLD
It gives a great feeling to think, ‘Growing old has set me free and I like the person I have become’.
I would never trade my amazing friends, my can your heart not break when you lose a loved one,
wonderful life and my loving family for less gray hair or when a child suffers, or even when somebody’s
or a flatter belly. As I’ve aged, I’ve become kinder to beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts
myself, and less critical of myself. I’ve become my are what give us strength and understanding and
own friend. I don’t chide myself for eating that extra compassion. An unbroken heart is pristine and sterile
cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that and will never know the joy of being imperfect.
silly cement gecko that I didn’t need, but looks so
avant-garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have
be messy, to be extravagant. my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs
forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So
I have seen too many dear friends leave this world many have never laughed, and so many have died
too soon; before they understood the great freedom before their hair could turn silver.
that comes with aging.
As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care
Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on less about what other people think. I don’t question
the computer until 4 AM and sleep until noon? I will myself anymore. I’ve even earned the right to be
dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the wrong.
60 &70’s, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep
over a lost love..... I will. So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has
set me free. I like the person I have become.
I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched I am not going to live forever, but while I am still
over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with here, I will not waste time lamenting what could
abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances have been, or worrying about what will be.. And I
from the jet set. They, too, will get old. shall eat dessert every single day (if I feel like it).
I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, May our friendship never come apart especially
some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventually when it’s straight from the heart!
remember the important things.
Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How (Contributed by Rajkishor Pati, 1973, Mech.)
175
TO ALL RETIRED FRIENDS !
Enjoy life while still there is time. Look after yourself well, fulfill that desire you have been nurturing always! A few
very practical and creful tips placed in this brief article will certainly make sense to many of us beyond 60.
Secret of life in six words : Let the doctors handle your body,
Before middle age ... do not fear! Let god and nature handle your life,
After middle age ... do not regret! But be in charge of your own moods!
Enjoy your life while you can. If worries can cure your sickness,
Do not wait till you cannot even walk, then go ahead and worry!
just to be sorry and to regret! If worries can prolong your life,
As long as it is physically possible, visit then go ahead and worry!
place you wish to visit. Of worries can exchange for happiness,
then go ahead and worry!
When there is an opportunity, get together
with old classmates, old colleagues & old Our kids will make their own fortune; It’s not
friends; very wise to save for their future.
The gathering is not just about eating, it’s
just that there is not much time left! Look after four old treasures :
1.Your old body – pay attention to health.
Money kept in the banks may not really be You can only rely on yourself in this.
yours. When it is time to spend, just spend; 2.Retirement funds – money that you have
treat yourself well as you’re getting old! earned. It is best to keep them yourself.
3.Your old companion – treasure every
Whatever you feel like eating, just eat! moment with your other half, one of you
It is most important to be happy. will leave first!
4.Your old friends – seize every
1.Food which are good for health eat often opportunities to meet up with your
and more - that is not everything. friends; such opportunities will become
2.Things which are not good for health rarer as time goes by.
– eat less of them, once a while, but do
not abstain from them totally. Things you must do everyday :
Smile and laugh !!
Treat sickness with optimism.
Whether you are poor or rich; everyone has Running water does not flow back.
to go through the birth, aging, sickness and So is life...make it happy !
death; there is no exception, that’s life! Do
not be afraid or worried when you are sick.
Settle all the outstanding issues before

hand and you will be able to leave without
regret! Contributed by : Nadia Ch. Champati (1970-Met)
176
HOW TO AVOID STRESS
Everybody knows stress spills havoc in our life and makes us miserable physically & mentally, especially so
in the modern day world, where we have to deal with a multiplicity of issues every day. Let us look at the fol-
lowing helpful points and pick up what suits our life-style. They are not in any particular order. Re-read them
often and keep them handy. Many will be quite possible to adopt. Some may be difficult. But all are good.
01. Get up 15 minutes earlier to the usual 31. Take a relaxing bath
time 32. Be aware of the implication of decisions
02. Prepare for the morning the night before you take
03. Avoid tight fitting clothes 33. Believe in yourself
04. Set appointments ahead 34. Stop saying negative things to yourself
05. Don’t rely on memory ... write things down 35. Visualize yourself winning
06. Practice preventive maintenance 36. Develop and use a sense of humor
07. Make duplicate keys 37. Have goals for yourself
08. Say “no” more often 38. Say “hello” to a stranger
09. Set priorities in life 39. Ask a friend for a hug
10. Avoid negative people 40. Look up at the stars
11. Use time wisely 41. Practice slow and deep breathing
12. Attend to all paper work in time 42. Learn to whistle a tune
13. Always make copies of important papers 43. Read a poem
14. Anticipate your needs 44. Listen to a symphony
15. Repair what is needed as early as 45. Watch a play
possible 46. Go to an art exhibition
16. Ask for help with the jobs you find difficult 47. Read a story curled up in bed
17. Break large tasks into smaller components 48.Try your hand at something new,
18. Look at problems as challenges something different
19. Look at challenges as opportunities 49. Get rid of a bad habit
20. Keep life uncluttered 50. Take time to enjoy flowers
21. Keep smiling especially when you walk 51. Find support from others
22. Be prepared for rainy days 52. Ask someone to be your “vent-partner”
23. Tickle a baby 53. Do it today
24. Pet a friendly dog/cat 54. Work at being cheerful and optimistic
25. Don’t feel ashamed, if you don’t know all 55. Put safety first
the answers 56. Do everything in moderation
26. Look for a silver lining 57. Be kind to yourself; pay attention to
27. Say something nice to someone your appearance
28. Teach a kid to do something like, say, 58. Strive for excellence, not perfection
flying a kite 59. Stretch your limits a little each day
29. Take a walk in the rain 60. Hum a jingle
30. Schedule some recreation into every day 61. Eat right and maintain your weight
177
62. Remember that when diet is wrong, While the above points are great for reducing
medicine is of no use and when diet is stress and balancing one’s life, our great Rishis
right, medicine is of no need. have prescribed to focus on the following:
63. Plant a tree
64. Feed the birds The Upanishads (Scriptures) prescribe certain
65. Practice grace under pressure Sadhana (spiritual exercises) to achieve
66. Stand up and stretch inner peace. One of that is engaging in Seva
67. Always have a plan “B” or beneficial activity to the society without
68. Don’t be afraid to doodle expecting any return - that is to say, service to
69. Memorize a joke people, which will help diminish our sense of
70. Be responsible for your feelings ego; this refers to acts that are good and godly.
71. Learn to meet your own needs When one’s thoughts are engaged in such
72. Practice talking less and listening more activities, the mind turns away from the talk it
73. Know your limitations and let others know indulges in, thereby inviting stress.
them too
74. Thank some one sincerely Listening to spiritual advice, reflecting on
75. Throw a paper airplane spiritual directions, and discovering ways and
76. Exercise every day means of confirming faith in the Lord who is
77. Learn the words to a new song essentially form-less and conglomerates of all
78. Enjoy someone else’s happiness virtues, recital of the most powerful mantra and
79. Get to work early withdrawing the mind from sensual pursuits
80. Clean out one closet have been prescribed by the scriptures for
81. Play with a toddler silencing the mental chatter.
82. Go on a picnic
83. Take a different route to work This inner silence is foremost, as a preparation
84. Leave work early once in a while for attaining communion with the Supreme
(with permission) Lord. After this super connection or Yoga
85. Put air freshener in your car nothing is left to attain in this life. We are no
86. Watch a movie and eat popcorn longer weak, poor souls but like electric devices
87. Write a note to a far away friend connected to a stable non ending source of
88. Go to a ball game and scream supply (power house). All our needs are met
89. Cook a meal and eat it by candlelight & through us many more people are served. It
90. Recognize the importance of unconditional is only when the mind is cleansed and clarified
love that it can achieve such a profound task. Only
91. Remember that stress is an attitude then the lessons received and the experiences
92. Subscribe to a magazine undergone can be pure and unsullied.
93. Practice a monster smile
94. Remember you always have options
95. Have a support network of people, places
and things
96. Quit trying to fix other people
97. Get enough sleep
98. Make a donation for a social cause
99. Be liberal in praising other people Contributed by Sanjay Ku. Mohanty (1980- El)
178
READ THIS ONCE A WEEK

AND LIVE HAPPILY
A man of 90 shares with us 45 lessons life has taught him; they are full of wisdom and worth emulating.
01.Life isn’t fair, but still it’s good. 24.The most important sex organ is the brain.
02.When in doubt, just take the next small step. 25.No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
03.Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. 26.Frame every so-called disaster with these words
04.Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. ‘In five years, will this matter?’
Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch. 27.Always choose life.
05.Pay off your credit cards every month. 28.Forgive everyone everything.
06.You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to 29.What other people think of you is none of your
disagree. business.
07.Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying 30.Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
alone. 31.However good or bad a situation is, it will
08.It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it. change.
09.Save for retirement starting with your first pay- 32.Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else
check. does.
10.When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile. 33.Believe in miracles.
11. Make peace with your past, so it won’t screw up 34.God loves you because of who He is, not be-
the present. cause of anything you did or didn’t do.
12.It’s OK to let your children see you cry. 35.Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of
13.Don’t compare your life to others. You have no it now.
idea what their journey is all about. 36.Growing old beats the alternative -- dying
14.If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t young.
be in it. 37.Your children get only one childhood.
15.Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But 38.All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
don’t worry; God never blinks. 39.Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting ev-
16.Take a deep breath. It calms the mind. erywhere.
17.Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or 40.If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw
joyful. everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.
18.Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you 41.Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you
stronger. need.
19.It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But 42. The best is yet to come...
the second one is up to you and no one else 43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and
20.When it comes to going after what you love in show up.
life, don’t take no for an answer. 44. Yield.
21.Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the 45. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.”
fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occa-
sion. Today is special.
22.Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23.Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear
purple. Contributed by Ashok Wadhwa, (1970-Mech)
179
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, NIT ROURKELA

INCUMBENCY CHART OF MAJOR OFFICE BEARERS
OLD BOY’S ASSOCIATION
From To President General Secretary Course Batch Branch
1965 1966 Prof. B. Behera – Principal Sri Banamali Sarangi B.E 1965 CE
1966 1967 Prof. B. Behera – do- Mr. Sudhir Kumar Samarendra Narayan B.E 1965 ME
1967 1969 Prof. B. Behera – do- Mr. Niranjan. Mishra B.E 1965 CE
1969 1970 Prof. B. Behera – do- Mr. Subhash Chandra Mishra B.E 1967 CE
1970 1971 Prof. B. Behera – do- Mr. Jay Prakash Chanda B.E 1969 CE
1970 1971 Prof. B. Behera – do- Dr. Subhash Chandra Mishra B.E 1967 CE
1971 1972 Prof. B. Behera – do- Mr. Bharat Chandra Nayak B.E 1965 CE
1972 1973 Prof. R. Mishra -– do- Dr. Deba Kanta Tripathy B.E 1968 ME
1973 1974 Prof. H. S. Nagabhusanaiah Actg. Principal Dr. Ramesh Chandra Behera B.E 1969 MM
1974 1975 Prof. Somanath Misra - Principal Mr. Satya Prakash Patnaik B.E 1972 ME
1975 1976 Prof. Somanath Misra – do- Dr. Bimbadhar Satapathy B.E 1965 CE
1976 1977 Prof. Somanath Misra – do- Dr. Kamal Kanta Mishra B.E 1967 CE
1977 1978 Prof. Somanath Misra – do- Dr. Laxmi Narayan Bhuyan B.E 1972 EE
1978 1979 Prof. Somanath Misra – do- Mr. Ranjit Panigrahi B.E 1977 MM
1979 1980 Prof. Somanath Misra – do- Dr. Ashok Kumar Pa joshi B.E 1969 MM
1980 1981 Prof. Somanath Misra – do- Mr. Manas Ranjan Sarangi B.E 1979 EE
1981 1982 Prof. Somanath Misra – do- Dr. Pradip Rath B.E 1973 CH
1982 1983 Prof. Somanath Misra – do- Dr. Ramesh Chandra Behera B.E 1969 MM
1983 1984 Prof. Somanath Misra – do- Dr. Kar k Chandra Biswal B.E 1976 CH
1984 1985 Prof. Somanath Misra – do- Dr. Josyula Suryanarayana Murthy B.E 1971 CH
1985 1987 Prof. Somanath Misra – do- Prof. Bharat Chandra Nayak B.E 1965 CE
1987 1989 Prof. Somanath Misra – do- Prof. Jugal Kishore Pradhan B.E 1966 ME
1989 1990 Prof. Somanath Misra – do- Dr. Kar k Chandra Biswal B.E 1976 CH
1990 1994 Prof. Somanath Misra – do- Dr. Samir Kumar Acharya B.E 1983 ME
1994 1995 Prof. Somanath Misra – do- Dr. Saroj Kumar Patel B.E 1985 ME
1995 1997 Prof. Somanath Misra – do- Dr Upendra Chandra Patnaik B.E 1972 EE
AFTER 1997
Years President Vice President General Secretary
1997-1999 Prof Ashok Kumar Mohanty , Principal Prof. Bhagaban Jena (1965 Civil) Hrushikesh Naik (1984 Mining)
1999-2000 Prof Ashok Kumar Mohanty , Principal Bharat Bhusan Mohanty (1969 Elec) Hrushikesh Naik (1984 Mining)
2000-2001 Prof Gopendra Kishore Roy, Ac ng Principal Bharat Bhusan Mohanty (1969 Elec) Dr. Saroj Kumar Patel (1985 Mech)
2001-2002 Prof Gopendra Kishore Roy, Actg. Principal Bharat Bhusan Mohanty (1969 Elec) Dr. Saroj Kumar Patel (1985 Mech)
RECRAA / NITRAA
Years President Execu ve President General Secretary
2002-2003 Prof G K Roy, Ac ng Director Bharat Bhusan Mohanty Dr. Saroj Kumar Patel (1985,Mechanical)
2003-2004 Prof Sunil Sarangi, Director -do- -do-
2004-2006 Prof Sunil Sarangi, Director Subhadra Kar (1968, Metallurgy) Himansu Bhusan Sahu (1995 Mining)
2006-2008 Prof Sunil Sarangi, Director Fakir Charan Mohanty (1971, Chemical ) Dr. Saroj Kumar Patel (1985,Mechanical)
2008-2009 Prof Sunil Sarangi, Director Fakir Charan Mohanty (1971, Chemical) Dr. Saroj Kumar Patel (1985,Mechanical)
AFTER 2009
Years President General Secretary
2009 -2010 Fakir Charan Mohanty (1971 Chem) Dr. Saroj Kumar Patel (1985,Mechanical)
2010 - 2012 S K S Narayan (1965 Mech) Kumar Behera (1985 Mech)
180
NIT ROURKELA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION (NITRAA)

GOLDEN JUBILEE GLOBAL HOME COMING GJHC 2010 ,25TH & 26TH DEC 2010
ORGANISING COMMITTEE
LIST OF VOLUNTEERS/MEMBERS OF DIFFERENT COMMITTEES
Name Batch Mobile Designa on Email
1 S K S Narayan 1965 9861080322 President sksnarayan@hotmail.com
2 Bharat Bhusan Mohanty 1969 9437176633 Organising Secretary bbm_2000@rediffmail.com
3 Fakir Charan Mohanty 1971 9437046277 Chief Co-ordinator & Jt. O/S fcmohanty@gmail.com
4 Kumar Behera 1984 9437246100 Jt. Org. Secy kumarbehera2010@gmail.com
5 Manoj Kumar Mishra 1985 9437408039 Treasurer mkmishra@nitrkl.ac.in
A PROGRAMME & CULTURAL COMMITTEE
1 Prof K C Patra 1981 9437220994 Chairman, Programme dean_alumni@nitrkl.ac.in
2 Ajodhya Nath Dash 1980 8895501191 Co-Chairman, Programme ajodhyanath_das@rediffmail.com
3 Prof. Hrushikesh Nayak 1984 9937115419 Convenor, Programme hknaik@nitrkl.ac.in
4 Sudhansu Sekhar Pradhan 1980 8895500995 Chairman, Cultural ss.pradhan@sailrsp.co.in
5 Dr. Himansu Bhusan Sahu 1995 9437245625 Co-Chairman, Cultural hbsahu@nitrkl.ac.in/
6 Sagar Mohanty 1983 8895500277 Convenor, Cultural mohantys100@yahoo.com
7 Kamala Kanta Mohanty 1972 9439195613
8 Prof Samir Kumar Acharya 1983 9437248460
9 Prabodh Ranjan Padhee 1980 8895501941
10 Ashok Biswal 1980 8895500449
11 Prasant Kumar Nayak 1981 8895500643
12 Ajay Kumar Goswami 1985 8895500559
13 Alok Kumar Behera 1991 8895500150
14 Biswajit Mishra 1997 8895500300
15 Banamali Pradhan 1997 8895501996
B REGISTRATION COMMITTEE
1 Sarat Chandra Padhee 1975 8895500114 Chairman saratcpadhi@gmail.com
2 Haris Chandra Bhumij 1978 8895500110 Co-Chairman harish.bhumij@sailrsp.co.in
3 Sukumar Samal 1982 8895500024 Convenor sukumar@backpost.com
4 Durga Prasad Mahapatra 1976 8895501557
5 Prasant Kumar Nayak 1981 8895500643
6 Dr Manoj Kumar Mishra 1985 9437408039
7 Dilip Kumar Panda 1988 8895501064
8 Bibhudu a Sahu M Tech, 1999 9937324437
9 Pankaj Kumar Sa M Tech 2006 9437110444
C PUBLIC RELATIONS & RECEPTION COMMITTEE
1 Nadiya Chandra Champa 1970 9238317666 Chairman n.c.champa @ gmail.com
2 Ajit Mohan Pujari 1979 8895500623 Co-Chairman am.pujari@sailrsp.co.in
3 Dillip Mangaraj 1983 8895501470 Convenor dillip.mangaraj@sailrsp.co.in
4 Rabi Prasad Panda 1979 8895501980
5 Prasan Kumar Senapa 1969 9437042960
6 Bharatendu Deo 1985 +974-55835285
7 Prafulla Kumar Swain 1977 8895500209
8 Sudip Basak (M Tech) 8895500923
9 Bhagaban Sahoo 1978 8895502195
10 Dipankar Chowdhury 1979,M Sc 8895500578
11 Anup Lath 1980 9437046124
12 Bhimsen Pradhan 1980 8895501908
181
13 Bansidhar Sahoo 1982 8895500364

14 Sukumar Samal 1982 8895500024
15 Dhirendra Kumar Mohapatra 1982 8895500023
16 Bimalendu Sadual 1982 8895500147
17 Narayan Chandra Jena 1982 8895501849
18 Binod Bihari Karchoudhury 1983 8895501430
19 Sidhartha Pa naik 1983 8895000080
20 Prasanta Das 1983 8895000293
21 Trailokya Nath Swain 1984 9238003809
22 Arun Kumar Pradhan 1984 8895500406
23 Himanshu Das 1984 8895500930
24 Pradipta Kumar Bishoi 1984 8895501764
25 Bimal Kumar Bisi 1985 8895501052
26 Bijay Keshari Bhanja 1985 8895500107
27 Ajay Kumar Goswami 1985 8895500559
28 Malay Kumar Mohanty 1986 8895500895
29 Subash Chandra Mohanty 1987 8895501765
30 Dr Jnana Ranjan Satpathy 1987 9437579091
31 Chi a Ranjan Mohapatra 1988 8895502077
32 Dillip Kumar Panda 1988 8895501064
33 Subasis Pa anaik 1988 9437109794
34 Tularam Behera 1989 8895500326
35 Dr Diptee Sahu 1989 9437390400
36 Sanat Sahoo 1992 8895500902
37 Ms Sunita Singh 1992 8895501683
38 Dr Susmita Mishra 1992 9438246601
39 Satyabrata Mishra 1993 9937296880
40 Agas Pradhan 1994 8895501280
41 Biswaranjan Mishra 1994 9178462852
42 Baidya Nath Singh 1999 9439058835
D HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE
1 Sanjoy Mohanty 1983 9437047915 Chairman sanjoy.mohanty@sailrsp.co.in
2 Nihar Ranjan Dwibedy 1982 8895500793 Co-Chairman nr.dwibedy@sailrsp.co.in
3 Bhabani Sankar Padhy 1997 8895500519 Convenor bs.padhy@sailrsp.co.in
4 Bijay Kumar Khun a 1983 8895501562
5 Arabinda Mishra 1983 8895501283
6 Saroj Kumar Pa naik 1983 9437110005
7 Sisir Kumar Behera 1983 8895501024
8 Prasanta Kumar Dash 1983 8895500293
9 Dr Swa Mohanty 1983 9437253298
10 Surendra Nath Xess 1985 8895500625
11 Dr Aban Sahu 1989 9437039991
12 M P Rajarao 1991 8895501827
13 Sanyasi Charan Sahoo 1997 8895500831
14 Binay Prabha Kerke a 8895500813
E SOUVENIR & PUBLICATION COMMITTEE
1 Lalatendu Rath 1970 9437272755 Chairman lalatendu@sify.com
2 Ashok Kumar Biswal 1980 8895500449 Co-Chairman ak.biswal@sailrsp.co.in
3 Subrat Behera 1996 9437178216 Convenor subrat@newditech.com
4 Sanjaya Kumar Mohanty 1980 9437094731
182
F DATA BASE & COMMUNICATION COMMITTEE

1 Dr Saroj Kumar Patel 1985 9437484951 Chairman skpatel85@gmail.com
2 Sanath Sahu 1992 8895500902 Co-Chairman sanatsahu@gmail.com
3 Siman ni Behera 1996 9437152677 Convenor siman ni_behera@yahoo.co.in
4 Bibhuda a Sahoo ‘99, M Tech 9937324437
5 Pankaj Kumar Sa ‘06, M Tech 9437110444
G FINANCE COMMITTEE SPONSORSHIP & ADVERTISEMENT, ALUMNI & OTHER CONTRIBUTIONS
1 Sanjaya Kumar Mohanty 1980 9437094731 Chairman sanjaya58@gmail.com
2 Ravindra Pal Singh 1972 9971806056 Co-Chairman rpsingh.9@gmail.com
3 Fakir Charan Mohanty 1971 9437046277 Convenor fcm3@rediffmail.com
H ROURKELA CHAPTER
1 Sirish Chandra Patnaik 1972 9778581949 Chairman sirish1949@gmail.com
2 Ajay Kumar Goswami 1985 8895500559 Secretary technomed_akg@yahoo.co.in
MILLENNIUM HOME COMING

16th APRIL 2000
183
NITRAA EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR 2010-12

( As approved in AGM of NITRAA held on 4th April, 2010)
Post Name, Designation / Address Phone/ E-Mail & skype id
Organisation
Branch & Year Mobile
Patron Ex-officio Director, NIT Rourkela NIT, Rourkela-769008 91-661-2472050(O) director@nitrkl.ac.in
91-661- 2472081(R)
President Sudhir Kumar Samarendra Director (Retd.) N2/ 77-IRC Village 91-674-2556088(o) sksnarayan@hotmail.com
Narayan RINL, Visakhapatnam Bhubaneswar-751015 91-674-2556088®
B.Sc. Engg. Mech, 1965 91-9861080322
Vice Presi- Ravindra Pal Singh Chief Metallurgist 906-912, 9th Floor, 91-11-25226264(O) rpsingh.9@gmail.com,
dent B.Sc. Engg. Met, 1972 Korus Engg Solutions Pvt., C-9, Pearls Best Heights-II, 91-9971806056 admin1@korus.in
New Delhi Netaji Subhash Place
Delhi - 110034
Zonal VP Vikas Chand Gupta M.D. C-197, Anand Vihar 91-9313376389(O) vikasengineers_delhi@yahoo.com
(North) B.Sc. Engg, Civil, 1988 Vikas Engineers, Delhi Delhi - 110092 91-11-22162369®
91-9312843230
Zonal VP Nitu Nivedita Member- IT Flat 503, Bhanu Deluxe 91-9392304801 nitu.nivedita@gmail.com
(South) B. Tech., Comp.,2005 D.E Shaw India Software, Towers, Ameerpet, Hyder-
Hyderabad abad, AP
Zonal VP Chittaranjan Mohanty Consultant, HIG-70, Sailashree Vihar, 91-674-2744433(R) mohantycr@hotmail.com,
(East) B.Sc. Engg. Mech, 1965 SAIL, RSP, Rourkela Ph-VII , BBSR- 751021 91-9437404093(M) mohanticr@rediffmail.com
Zonal VP Suresh Venkat Raman Partner B 132 Paris Nagar Society, 91-265-2343977(O) vallabhaind@yahoo.com
(West) B.Sc. Engg., Chem, 1988 Vallabha Chemical, Race Course road, 91-265-2310365®
Vadodara Vadodara, 390007, Gujarat 91-9825041907
Zonal VP Tapan Jyoti Sinha VP, (SALES) 17315 BONNARD CIR 281-820-5332(O) tj@americanblock.com
(Overseas B.Sc. Engg. Mech, 1972 American block mfg, USA Spring 77379, TX, USA 281-655-8255® 713-628-1610
General Kumar Behera AGM, ERW Pipe Plant Qr. No. A-23, Sector-5 91-8895501390(O) kumar.behera@sailrsp.co.in
Secy. B.Sc. Engg. Mech, 1984 SAIL, RSP, Rourkela Rourkela-769002 91-661-2641244® kumarbehera2010@gmail.com
91-9437246100
Secretary Raj Kishore Sasmal Dir., Sasmals Physics, Plot No - A /8, Sahid Nagar 91-674-2545554(O) sasmalphysics@rediffmail.com
(Est.) B.Sc. Engg. Mech, 1989 Bhubaneswar Bhubaneswar-751007 91-9438588888
Secretary Ranjan Dash CTO 560 American Ave, Apt 2032096688(O) ranjankumardash@gmail.com
(Planning B.E.,Ceramic 1998 Y-Carbon, USA A307 (610) 878-6226®
& Prog. Pennsylvenia, 19406
Imple.) PA, USA
Secretary Ravindra Prakash Tripathi Manager Logistics, 402/17-A,MADHAVI, 91-22-25585718(R) r_p_trip@yahoo.co.in
(Liason & B.Sc. Engg., Met, 1973 Mumbai Prem Jyot Hsg Complex, 91-22-25564001(O)
Dev.) CMLR, Mumabi- 400043 91-9892500618(M)
Treasurer Manoj Kumar Mishra Asst. Prof. C -11, NIT Campus, 91-661-2462602(O) mkmishra@nitrkl.ac.in
B.Sc. Engg., Mining 1985 NIT, Rourkela Rourkela-769008 91-661-2463602® 91-9437408039
Co-Trea- Sanjoy Mohanty AGM, Comp IT, C-13, Sector – 9, 91-8895500458 sanjoy.mohanty@sailrsp.co.in
surer B.Sc. Engg. Mech, 1983 SAIL, RSP, Rourkela Rourkela- 769009 (O) 91-9437047915
91-661-2647915®
Member Sandip Kumar Dasverma Senior Engineer 2500 G. W. Way, 1-509-371-1286® sandip.kumar.dasverma@ gmail.
(U.G.) B.Sc. Engg. Mech, 1965 Richland- 99354, WA, USA com
Engg. 650-255-6147
Member Sanjay Kumar Mohanty MD, Deepsun Group, flat no:606,Sri Sudarsan 91-6742546505(O) sanjaya58@gmail.com, san-
(U.G.) B.Sc. Engg.,El., 1980 Bhubaneswar Tower, Plot No:-07, 91-6742546890® jaya58@rediffmail.com,
Engg. Sahid Nagar 91-9437094731 sanjaya58@sify.com
Bhubaneswar - 751007
Member Deepa Kapil Mahajan Dir., Tetra Information 252H, Kailash Plaza, 91-11-46516936(O) deepa@tetrain.com
(U.G.) B.Sc. Engg.El, 1990 Services Pvt. Ltd Sant Nagar, 91-9810527506®
Engg. East of Kailash, Delhi- 91-9810527506
110065
Member Srinivasa Rao Kottakota Senior Manager, Flat # B2-101, Aditya 91-40-44020581(O) sriniraok@gmail.com, srini@
(U.G.) B.E., Civil 1994 Accenture, Hyderabad Hridayam, 91-9949622230® sompeta.com
Engg. 55E Express Highway, 91-9949622230
Kondapur, Hyderabad
Andhra Pradesh
Member Piyush Swain Relationship Manager 1071 Southern Artery, +1-781-356-3137(O) piyushswain@yahoo.com, piyush.
(U.G.) B.E.Mining, 1999 Infosys, USA Apt# 602 +1-781-353-6336® swain@gmail.com
Engg. Boston-02169 -5053
MA, USA
Member Rohit Maheshwari, Asst Mgr, T/08,PPL Township 91-9861255760 rohit_nitr2001@rediffmail.com

(U.G.) B. Tech.,Chem., 2005 PPL, Paradip Paradip – 7541
Engg.
184
Member Harikishan Reddy Ellamla IIT , Hyderabad 91-9912398434® hariehkr@gmail.com

(P.G.) M.. Tech., Chem., 2008 Hyderabad – 502205, AP 91-9573120400
Engg
Member Dillip kumar Bisoyi Associate Prof., Physics, Qr.No:D/45, NIT Campus, 91-661-2462722(O) dkbisoyi@nitrkl.ac.in
(P.G.) M.Sc. ,Physics, 1984 NIT, Rkl Rourkela- 769008 91-661-2463722®
Science
Member, Chitta Ranjan Pradhan Retd. CMD I/C NALCO Bhavan, P/1, 91-674-2556533® crpradhan@nalcoindia.co.in
Bhu- B.Sc. Engg., El., 1970 NALCO, Bhubaneswar Nayapalli, 91-9437024515
baneswar Bhubaneswar-751013
Member, Subrat Kumar Behera MD, Newditech, C-32(HIG), Housing Board 91-674-2553068(O) subrat@newditech.com, sub-
Bhu- B.E., Mech., 1996 Bhubaneswar Colony, 91-9437178216 rat_bbsr@yahoo.com
baneswar Bhubaneswar-751003
Member, Suresh Jeevraj Mehta Dir. Bohra Kitchens, Sivasailam street, 91- 44-28351460(O) sureshshalika@gmail.com
Chennai B.Sc. Engg., Civil 1973 Chennai Chennai - 600 017, 91-44-28344234®
Tamil Nadu 91-9840325131
Member, T.N. Vaidyanathan DGM, BHEL, B-21, 2nd Av., 91-44-28158803(O) ravi_tnv@yahoo.com
Chennai B.Sc. Engg., El., 1978 Chennai Anna Nagar East 91-44-26201190®
Chennai – 600102, 91-9444930525
Tamil Nadu
Member, Dilip Kumar Kar A-707, MOD Apartment, 91-11-42595268(O) dk.purakayastha@lurgi.com
Delhi Purkayastha Vasundhara Enclave, 91-11-22619087®
B.Sc. Engg., Mech, 1970 Delhi - 110096 91-9971222677
Member, Brahm Saluja SAP Practice 443,Kohat Enclave, 91-120-4047813(O) brahm_saluja@yahoo.co.in,
Delhi B.Sc.Engg., Mech., 1987 HCL, Delhi Pitampura 91-11-27353339® BrahmS@hcl-axon.com,
Delhi - 110034 91-9810171764
Member, Bharat Bhusan Mohanty Adviser, McNally Bharat, McNally Bharat Engg Co. 91-9883012549(O) bbm_2000@rediffmail.com
Kolkata B.Sc. Engg., El., 1969 Kolkata Ltd, 91-674-2591811®
4, Mango Lane, 5th Floor 91-9437176633
Kolkata- 7000001, WB
Member, Pradipta Chatterjee Partner, Icon Consultancy Swarna Villa, 11, P. N. Mid- 2544-4015 / 4071(O) chatterjee.pradipta@gmail.com
Kolkata B.Sc. Engg., Mech, 1990 Services, Kolkata dya Rd, Belghoria, 91-33-25649087®
Kolkata – 700056, 91-33-25444015
Member, Sukhendu Bikas Misra MD, Minex Met, Mumbai RAJGURU Apartment, III Flr 91-22-28358500(O) sbmisra@minexindia.com
Mumbai B.Sc. Engg., Met, 1969 NEW Nagardas Road, 91-22-26343082®
Andheri East, 91-9820211891
Mumbai - 400069
Member, Samir Kumar Sengupta Sr. VP (Projects), 1403, Blooming Heights, 91-22 – 44781712(O) S_K_Sengupta@ril.com
Mumbai B.Sc. Engg., Mech, 1976 RIL, Mumbai Pacific Enclave, GL Com- 91-22 – 25774918®
pound, Powai, 91-9867693460
Mumbai - 400 076
Member, Sirish Chandra Patnaik AGM(Foundry), Qr No-B/37, Sector-5 91-661-2642704® sirish1949@gmail.com
Rourkela B.Sc. Engg., Met., 1972 SAIL, RSP, Rourkela Rourkela - 769002 91-9778581949
Member, Ajay Kumar Goswami AGM(Design(Civil)), DM-26, Basanti Nagar 91-8895500559(O) technomed_akg@yahoo.co.in
Rourkela B.Sc. Engg., Civil, 1985 SAIL, RSP, Rourkela Rourkela - 769012 91-661-2421809®
91-9437942999
Member, Simon Kuroor Poulose ED (Projects) Ukkunagaram, 91-891-2519265(O) poulosesk@vizagsteel.com
Visakha- B.Sc. Engg., Mech, 1972 RINL, Visakhapatnam Visakhapatnam – 530031, 91-891-2886224®
patnam Andhra Pradesh 91-9866237485
Member, Upendra Nath Behera AGM, (QA&TD) -418/C,Sector-XI, 91-891-2518734(O) unbehera_66@rediffmail.com
Visakha- B.Sc. Engg., Met., 1988 RINL, Visakhapatnam Ukkunagaram, 91-891-2510525®
patnam Visakhapatnam 530032, 91-9949414226
Andra Pradesh
Member, Bharatendu Pratap Deo El Engr - Lead QGII Onshore Project, 974-4724627(O) bdeo@qatargas.com.qa
Qatar B.Sc. Engg., El., 1985 Qatar Liquefied Gas Co. B-37 Al Khor Community, 974-4741665® 974-5835285
Qatar Al Khor, Qatar
Member, Rajendra Bhayyaji C Ring Road, New Salata 00974-4223359(O) panchbhairb@yahoo.co.in
Qatar Panchbhai Doha - 50077 00974-5403563
B.Sc. Engg., Mech, 1988 NA, Qatar
Member, Fakir Charan Mohanty MD, Poly Refractories, TT-7, Civil Township 91-661-2665277(O) fcmohanty@gmail.com
Past B.Sc. Engg., Chem, 1971 Rourkela Rourkela - 769004 91-661-2664722®
President 91-9437046277
Member, Saroj Kumar Patel Associate Prof (Mech. D/4, NIT Campus 91-661-2462516(O) skpatel@nitrkl.ac.in
Past Gen. B.Sc. Engg., Mech, 1985 Engg.),NIT, Rourkela Rourkela - 769008 91-661-2463516®
Secy. 91-9437484951
185

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Monument installed on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of NITR

NITRAA GOLDEN JUBILEE HOME COMING 2010

THIS SOUVENIR IS PUBLISHED

Lalatendu Rath (1970, Mech)..Chairman

Design & Layout

I am glad to know that National Institute of Technology, Rourkela Alumni

I wish the endeavour all success.

National Institute of Technology, Rourkela (NITR), today is amongst the top

I am glad to know that the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Rourkela is

In the engineering field of Orissa, NIT, Rourkela stands apart in providing

On my return to Rourkela on 22 October 2010, from a four-month visit to USA,

Nepal presented a dance item of their country. In addi on to a souvenir published

inaugurated by Hon’ble B N Pande, Governor on 29 October 1986, and the founda on

Prof (Dr.) Ashok Kumar Mohanty

Ashok Kumar Mohanty

Prof. (Dr.) D. V. Raman Rao

My best wishes to all the par cipants of the func on.

Prof. (Dr.) D. V. Raman Rao

STEEL AUTHORITY OF INDIA LIMITED

I wish the Golden Jubilee celebra on of NIT, Rourkela a grand success.

Prof. Dr. Sunil Ku. Sarangi

With best wishes,

Sunil Kumar Sarangi

Prof. Prafulla Chandra Panda

It is my pride, pleasure and privilege to address all my faculty colleagues, students,

rof Prafulla Chandra

N - 2/77, IRC Village, Bhubaneswar - 751015 November 22, 2010

I wish the Golden Jubilee Home Coming a historic success.

EDITORIAL Lalatendu Rath xvi

Golden Days! Dipankar Bose 120

Let us spare a moment of silence in their honour!

GRATITUDE EXPRESSED IN HONOUR OF OUR RESPECTED

TO SIR WITH LOVE

At the Millennium Home Coming in April 2000

A er the func on, like children we surrounded him, a

During early eigh es (almost 20 years a er our college

appointment. This irritated us, as we couldn’t dream of

We had a classmate K.B. Singh, a real hot blooded Rajput

On one such fateful day in 1966-67, we were playing

I was the captain of the College Tennis Club. When he

He always led us by example. He encouraged us a great

On the eve of our final year examina on, each of the

fountainhead much a er the man is dead and gone, was

Prof Behera was Sir Visweswaraya of the twen eth

While serving as Vice Chancellor of Sambalpur University,

On recommenda on from Rourkela Chapter of Ins tu on

preceding day, a bust of Prof who, only with pure love,

A view of the Alma Mater

patchy darkness, I saw a vibrant young man of around 20

On my natural enquiry I was pleasantly surprised to find

Sir, I look at you and your achievements with unfathomable

Leaving behind the opulence of a govt. job, you came nights.

• Had you focused on your wri ng at that age you could

Sir, please allow me to stop here, as the percep ons and

Prashant Routray, an Alumnus of 1970, Electrical Engg.,

engineer?“ When he looked at my face and saw tears in

TESTIMONY OF HIS LOVE & TRUST

1965 was my Final year in the college. In April that year,

Sir, really how fortunate I have been to have had a

Nalini Ranjan Mohanty, an alumnus of the pioneer batch

The bust of Prof. Behera installed at the entrance

A view of the Alma Mater

PROF DR. SOMNATH MISRA,