Raghunath Mashelkar
I want to extend my heartiest congratulation to Shri Sharad Pawar on his birthday. I am sure the entire nation must be echoing the wish to Shri. Sharadji “Jivet sharadaha shatam" on this occasion.
I had always admired Shri. Pawar's dynamism, vision and leadership. I had watched from a distance his progressive thinking, his astute understanding of local, national and global issues and also his ability to think ahead of everyone else and spot opportunities that others could not even begin to conceive. In all these he stood out so magnificently.
However, my first close contact with him came, when
he graciously invited me to become the President of Jagatik Marathi
Parishad in 1998. I remember the meeting was fixed in the Parliament
House for 15 minutes but it went on for 90 minutes! That was the first
time I discovered the real man that he was -so kind, courteous, full
of passion and compassion. Both of us spoke about our childhood and
I really admired the way he found his way up through sheer grit and
determination. Over the past two years, we have interacted closely on
many occasions. What has impressed me most is his total trust in Science
and Technology as a tool. for social and economic development of India.
His faith in "Information Technology" (IT) as a shaper of "India's Tomorrow"
is reflected not merely in his speeches- but actions. I was fortunate
enough to visit Baramati, a land of happening, a land that he has transformed.
The IT school that he created there is absolutely world class. He has
demonstrated beyond doubt that if one believes in world class, one can
create world class! It is all a game of mind.
The faith that he has in biotechnology (BT), especially modern biotechnology in transforming our future including in agriculture, is something that I have not seen even among the scientists and technologists! I know this not only because of my participation in the BT workshops that he had organized, but also because of his tremendous commitment he has shown to setting up a world class school in biotechnology in Baramati. By the way, I have seen him explain the complex technology of BT cotton even better than many of us as scientists can do. His thinking, his speeches, his actions-everything reflects on his commitment to these emerging technologies of IT and BT. We as scientists truly feel inspired and encouraged by this.
I was a witness to two of his great attributes – love for and faith in S & T and his quick decision making ability when I met him to garner support for the Indian Science Congress 2000. I remember his blocking the dates in his calendar instantaneously and then not only promising full support but also acting immediately by calling up the Finance minister and Education minister of Maharashtra to pledge support for this cause. Many have vivid memories of those tremendous scenes during the Science Congress in Pune in Janualy 2000, when lakhs of children and people caused traffic jams, but few only will know the key role that Shri. Pawar had played from behind the scene.
In Shri. Pawar we have the 21st century leader with a unique mass contact and a huge mass appeal, a great champion of Indian Science and Technology, and above all an inspiring human being. On behalf of the entire scientific community I would like to wish him and Sou. Pratibhatai a very happy and healthy life and a glorious future.
The faith that he has in biotechnology (BT), especially modern biotechnology in transforming our future including in agriculture, is something that I have not seen even among the scientists and technologists! I know this not only because of my participation in the BT workshops that he had organized, but also because of his tremendous commitment he has shown to setting up a world class school in biotechnology in Baramati. By the way, I have seen him explain the complex technology of BT cotton even better than many of us as scientists can do. His thinking, his speeches, his actions-everything reflects on his commitment to these emerging technologies of IT and BT. We as scientists truly feel inspired and encouraged by this.
I was a witness to two of his great attributes – love for and faith in S & T and his quick decision making ability when I met him to garner support for the Indian Science Congress 2000. I remember his blocking the dates in his calendar instantaneously and then not only promising full support but also acting immediately by calling up the Finance minister and Education minister of Maharashtra to pledge support for this cause. Many have vivid memories of those tremendous scenes during the Science Congress in Pune in Janualy 2000, when lakhs of children and people caused traffic jams, but few only will know the key role that Shri. Pawar had played from behind the scene.
In Shri. Pawar we have the 21st century leader with a unique mass contact and a huge mass appeal, a great champion of Indian Science and Technology, and above all an inspiring human being. On behalf of the entire scientific community I would like to wish him and Sou. Pratibhatai a very happy and healthy life and a glorious future.
Raghunath Mashelkar