Passing on the legacy of excellence

The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) is an institution that needs no introduction. It stands as a revered temple of knowledge, a beacon of excellence in the scientific community. Yet, my granddaughter Sharada, an undergraduate student at UCLA, was eager to learn more about it. During her visit to Bengaluru last year, she spent a day exploring the campus on Open Day, February 24.

As she walked through the various departments, she was impressed by the pioneering work being done in science. Her experience was so profound that she decided to pursue her post-graduation at IISc, turning down offers from esteemed institutions like Stanford, Princeton, and Cambridge, which were also closer to her home in the United States.

I was surprised and asked her why she chose IISc. She replied, “It’s as good as those institutions, plus I can be close to you and Granny.” And then she asked, “And you tell me thatha, why did you choose IISc?”

Holding back my tears, I reminisced about joining IISc more than half a century ago, not because I had a clear idea of what it would offer, but because it provided a stipend of Rs 250 per month. I set off to the ‘temple of knowledge’ on my old Jawa motorcycle—after my mother had performed a puja. On the way, it broke down on the then-desolate Nandidurg Road, and I repaired it myself, greasing and tearing my pants. Torn jeans may be a fashion these days, but were frowned upon back then.  The journey was not without its challenges, but the experience was transformative.

On my first day at IISc, a lecturer dropped a piece of chalk and asked us what had happened. Our unanimous response was, “You dropped it, sir.” He corrected us, saying, “I simply opened my fingers, and it was attracted to the ground by gravity.” This simple yet profound lesson taught me that higher education is not just about memorising formulae or quoting literature, but about cultivating a passion for learning and exploring the depths of a subject.

As I reflected on my time at IISc, I realised that the institution had taught me valuable lessons about the importance of critical thinking, rigorous observation, and intellectual honesty: Never make a qualitative statement without proper reference; don’t ‘reverse plagiarise’ by passing off your ideas as those of somebody well known; and millions of consistent observations are not good enough to make generalities—3.4 in a million can go beyond expectations in all observations. But gravitation never fails, and hence it is called a law. 

The experience had a profound impact on my life, shaping me into the person I am today. 

I asked my granddaughter, “What more do you want, Sharada, in an institute inspired by Swami Vivekananda and founded by Tata Jamshedji?” IISc continues to be a beacon of excellence in the scientific community. March 3 marks the birth anniversary of Jamshedji Tata, the founder of IISc. 

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are the author's own. They do not necessarily reflect the views of DH.