Interview with Mr.RAKESH KUMAR

                                               INTRODUCTION

Mr. Rakesh Kumar is a seasoned Technocrat, Consultant & Strategy manager, a Teacher and  Quality expert. As a technology he has 37 years of distinguished service with the Govt. of India. He significantly contributed in the field of Telecom Development, Management and Network Planning, Adoption of Emerging Technologies and Manpower development. He also served two of Telocom Public Sector Enterprises, namely MTNL and TCIL during their initial period of incorporation. He established labs and prepared course-ware for Advance Level Telecom Training Canter, Ghaziabad, a UNDP Project.

Mr. Rakesh Kumar is on the Board of Quality Circle Forum of India as well as on the Board of Quality Council of India.  

                                                            THE INTERVIEW

Q. While you were addressing the audience in the morning, you had mentioned an incidence in which you snatched a balloon from an English boy when you were just 6 months old, somewhat right after Indian independence. How do you feel when you cherish those memories?

Ans. For me that incident reflects transformation of our nation from colonial mindset to independent where any unconditioned mind is fearless and our young students stands equal opportunities if not better in this Global market place.  Like this incident, everything in life should teach you something. Observe every minute thing and be a keen learner. Big researches begin from small thoughts and observations. Always be prepared to learn from everyone no matter what his status is. Learn from their body language, character etc.

Q.    What do you feel about today’s educational facilities?

Ans. First of all, today’s students are really fortunate to have all these facilities and environment that we did not have in our time. I have been in the best of institutes of those times. At Muir Allahabad where I did B.Sc. and at IIT BHU, where I did B.Sc.(Engg) Honors Mechanical, hostel room one had to pay extra Rs. 5/- to have fan. Toilets were far away and common bath room were in lobby, without Geyser. We had to spent lot of time in library for our project works. Today you have Google one touch and all information is available at finger tip. The mode of education and pedagogy has changed so also the set of skills required. There are more opportunities waiting to be grabbed. You have to decide what type of job you need on long term basis. Money is important. The opportunity to learn, career graph and work culture are as important.

Q.    So do you think that being devoid of facilities made you work more to achieve your goals?

Ans. I had never seen better facilities, so I was satisfied that was available. At Tata Steels, there was lot of practical learning; In Telecom Department again it was emerging technologies, their adoption, operations, and management of the equipment, the work force and the customers that kept us on our toes. Customer expectations were always more demanding. Being a Mechanical Engineer and MBA by qualification, I had inclination towards the installation, testing & commissioning and customer related issues. Technology per-se was of little interest. Every time I sought for change the ways things are being done or challenged the specifications itself, there would be resistance. However my seniors would simply advise me that ‘Rakesh, you are right, but…’. So eventually, I had to work differently, always keeping in mind how to mitigate the customer problem without compromising with large number of out dated rules and keeping bosses in good humour.  

Q.    You have proven yourself in different fields of work and have been in different designations. Has this all happened because of your hard work?

Ans. Basically, I do not believe in sitting long hours in office unless it is absolutely necessary. I believe in training my juniors, winning their trust, available for suggestions and team working and delegation of power after being satisfied of the person. However I am little intolerant for indiscipline and excuses. This message gets conveyed within 3 to 4 days of my taking over the new charge.

Being a technocrat, consultant and strategic manager, a teacher and a quality expert are not different, these fields are integral and quality is required in every field. No one can teach these things, one has to learn through observations and experimentation. At new assignments, I would learn from my staff for as much time as needed, without feeling ashamed. Then strategise how to improve upon and take risk, the typical PDCA cycle. Even while sharing Rabbit and Tortoise story with my grandson, where the moral of story is slow and study wins the race, you have to keep on modifying it to make it interesting and give new meaning. We together have already worked 8 different stories each giving different message developed by employing different strategies. New strategies and messages are being worked out.

Q. Do you feel that the greenery of ABV-IIITM is in any way a support to the quality council, that you have been a part of?

Ans. Of course, balancing between technology and natural ecology is an important aspect of every institution and this institute is exemplary in the task. I must congratulate every member of this institute and specially Prof. Deshmukh; Director through whose untiring efforts this wonderful eco-system has been developed.

Q.    MTNL had a large number of users but its usage had drastically dropped in the recent years. What do you think has caused this?

Ans. Unlike other services, Telecom and Aviation are the two services which can be profitable when they have no geographical barrier. MTNL land-line is limited to two metros namely Delhi and Mumbai. However its Mobile service covers entire NCR region in Delhi and only Mumbai Metropolitan area. It has no growth potential but has to compete with Private Service providers that have not only national but also International connectivity. Any turnaround is possible with merger with National player.

Q.    So why not merge MTNL and BSNL?

Ans. Policy decision is needed. There are stake holders; some of them have different views or vested interests. Policy announcement followed by committing resources and clear direction for adhering to timeline is equally important. We can’t have the luxury to wait and allow these institutes to be a burden.

Q.    What kind of message do you want to pass on to the future generations?

Ans. Be a solution provider and not a product delivers.  Never doubt ‘can it be done?’, instead do it and show. Try to come up with cost efficient and practical technology. Show empathy to those who are less fortunate and help them. Develop a few leaders and not the mere workers.

Team of This Interview

Reporter

• Raktim Patar
• Sakshi chahal 

Photographers

• Barre Rishvanth
• Mathangi Akash Kumar

Editor 

• Haritha S
• Soumya Veldandi

THE INDIAN INDEPENDENCE: A FUTURISTIC PERSPECTIVE

As near as eight decades ago, we were slaves under the British. Our people had to suffer innumerable atrocities. Blood was shed, lives were laid down- our freedom did not come easily. It was a struggle of 200 long years, generations involved, millions of fighters martyred. Lead with the ideas of truth and non-violence, it was one of the most influential revolutions in the history of mankind. Our freedom movement was a renaissance in its own right. It boosted the confidence of people across continents to fight for their rights, encouraged them to take control of their lives. Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela got inspiration from the Gandhian philosophy and created buzz across the world for fundamental human rights. A global peace-keeping force in the form of UNO came into existence in 1945 and India was among its founding members. The freedom struggle built the foundation of a united India, which till date cherishes its unity in diversity.

15^th of August, 1947 marked the end of British rule in India. The British departed from India but left behind an ailing nation. An unstable young nation, widespread poverty, exploited resources were everywhere in sight. A war was yet to be fought. This time with deficiency. We stood united and fought again, this time with greater strength. Sixty eight years have passed away and the struggle continues till date. Meanwhile, we have taken huge strides. We have become a global power, we share the ranks among the fastest developing nations. We are a hub of excellence in software and IT industry, our space technology has gathered international acclaim, we have a large pool of scientists, doctors and engineers. We are a young nation with huge possibilities of growth lying ahead of us.

Today we live in a globalized world. The meaning of independence has reached beyond rule and rulers. It now incorporates a vast multitude of ideas. Now we think of independence more as a fundamental human right rather than associating it with a community or a nation. We now need an independent world rather than independent nations. We seek independence in living, in work and other day to day activities. We need independent societies- free from poverty, unemployment, corruption and those which are technologically advanced. We need freedom from fear, terrorism and violence. We must ensure that the fundamental rights of all the individuals are maintained and the world remains a peaceful place to live in.

In his Independence Day speech from the ramparts of the red fort, the prime minister of the nation roared, “Start-up India, stand up India”. This quote outlines the importance of the IT industry in the growth of India as a nation. Information Technology is leading the world of science as well as business. It has reached the remote corners of the world. IT will be very influential in making a more independent world. The focused approach of IT on empowering the individuals is a great instrument towards accomplishing the goal. A few decades from now we will enter the age of Internet of Things and quantum computing. The Internet of things will reinforce the notion of independence in the world. It will take independence to individual levels. It will foster a world where every individual has full control of his life.  India has already proved its excellence in the global IT industry. IT industry is on boom and will keep so in the near future. What IT holds for India is its independence. It will make India self-sufficient in technology and capital. It will generate employment, alleviate poverty and create huge capital inflows. What else is required to keep independent?

Independence in its root sense signifies self-sufficiency. Are we self-sufficient? When we depend on France, Russia and Israel for all our artillery, we are the highest debt takers from the world-bank, the poverty in our nation is worse than that in the sub-saharan nations, how could we think of us an independent nation? Independence is not a discrete entity which can be attained in a single go, rather it is a continuum which is to be sought after incessantly. We are independent, but to what extent? India is a democratic sovereign republic but not an independent nation in true sense. The future of India will build on technology but will it be indigenous and independent, remains a quest!

Author - Sanket Rai

(IPG-2015)

Interview with Prof. S.C Dutta Roy

INTRODUCTION

Prof  Dutta Roy is well known for his immense contribution to Teaching ,research and Extension.He is distinguished INSA scientist and researcher. His lecture on NPTEL and other open media are very popular.

Prof Dutta Roy is a Fellow of IEEE, Indian Academy of sciences, Bangalore,Indian National Academy of Engineering,National Academy of Sciences(India),Allahabad.He is a Distinguished Fellow of the IETE. His other honours and awards include the SS Bhatnagar Award ,Vikram Sarabhai Award,OP Bhasin Foundation Award, Distinguished Alumnus Award of the Institute of Radio Physics and Electronics, Calcutta University, and the UGC National Lectureship.

He has been mentor to generation of teachers and researchers  

                                                            THE INTERVIEW

Q. Sir, How did you feel today at the independence day celebrations in our institute today?

Ans. I felt very elated.I really liked the way you celebrated it because it is different from the way that other institutions celebrate it. Over here the whole faculty was present and many other programs like blood donation camp and many performances by the students were held. Moreover, I really loved the campus.

Q. How does the environment differ in IITs and IIITs?

Ans. Before coming here, I have seen the degrees of the faculties here and they are all very highly qualified with Ph.Ds. The faculty is very knowledgeable and good. However, I do not understand why the environment of IITs cannot be produced in the IIITs. But two things were distinctively clear: In the IITs any professor could be contacted at any time, even at two in the morning. And you can approach anyone with doubts. The professors in IIT don't say anything about another faculty even though there is good competition between them.

Q. It is known that JEE is the hardest engineering entrance exam in the world, but it is also heard that the students who graduate from universities like Stanford, Harvard and MIT are much more advanced than those who graduate from IITs. What is your opinion about this statement? Do you agree with it?

Ans.  I do not agree with this statement. It is true that they publish many research papers and other books but to publish something, there need not be any definite 

Matter in it. Anything could get published. The thing that matters is the hard work that students put into their study and the facilities that the institute has to offer like infrastructure and professors.

Q. How should the teacher student relation be during a class? 

Ans. A type of love and affection should be given to students by teacher for their success however nothing shall be expected back from them. Also open discussions should be held in class as we learn much from the frank opinions of others.

Q. How should students of the present day be?

Ans. The students shall be well away from corruption, as it is one of the major problems that India is facing today. Students should also be exposed to all types of things in the society and understand how it is and how to develop in such a fast growing and advancing society.

Team of This Interview 
Reporter

• Ayush Sidana
• Shubham Maurya 

Photographer

• Saloni
• Priya Yadav

Editor

• Kalakonda Shivakruthi