Disciplinarian to the core

THE TRIBUNE
October 2, 2004

Disciplinarian to the core
by K.S. Parthasarathy


We joined the Atomic Energy Training School, Trombay on August 14, 1964.We would like to forget the first few days in Bandra where our hostel was located. BEST workers went on strike. We had to walk from Bandra railway station to Band Stand. I wore ill-fitting rubber shoes, which tore away a few inches of my skin. I felt miserable. The muddy, salty, puddle irritated my inflamed skin; the wind from the beach bearing the smell of decaying fish blew right across my face. I was homesick. Others had the same plight.

During the first week, we had one of the most memorable and comforting experiences. Dr Raja Ramanna visited us. He always wore his hallmark khaki pant and white shirt. He was a very simple person. We could approach him any time. Very often, he came to the hostel. As the then Director, Physics Group, the training school was his turf; he always defended its cause.

At the informal meetings he listened to us carefully and spoke quietly. He spiced his talk with funny anecdotes. When he spoke, each one of us felt that he was talking to us individually. His reassuring demeanour gave us confidence.

An unforgettable incident revealed an altogether different facet of his character. The smiling teacher transformed into a steely, taciturn and stubborn disciplinarian.
Two trainees from our batch had a fight. One of them was weak but intemperate; the other one was strong, arrogant and short-tempered! They fought on some trivial issue. The weak fellow was playing table tennis when the strong man entered the sports-room. After waiting for some time, he requested him to give him a chance. “You don’t have to play any games, you are already strong”, the weak fellow told him. Needless teasing developed into fisticuffs.

The weak man got seriously hurt. Friends intervened. Both the victor and the vanquished exchanged apologies. We thought that they settled the issue. We realised that it has become too serious as the victim needed urgent medical help. He went to the dispensary. Our doctor promptly and dutifully reported the matter to Dr Ramanna.
We expected that there will be some sort of inquiry. Dr Ramanna thought differently. He could not tolerate indiscipline. He did not want to apportion the blame.

“Irresponsible”, “They are going to be gazetted officers in a few months”… “Dismiss them both”... He thundered. The victim could not go to his home town during the vacation. He lived on liquid diet. Dr Ramanna changed his stand only after several trainees appealed for mercy. In the end, Dr Ramanna, the disciplinarian showed some compassion and saved the careers of a scientist and an engineer.

— Dr K.S. Parthasarathy is DAE/BRNS Senior Scientist and formerly Secretary, Atomic