Ashwani Thakur, perhaps the only Himachali faculty in IIT Kanpur spoke to himachalwire.in about the era of churning victory by the government schools in his times and how IITs mark a class difference in education in present times with the similar belief.
”I studied in a government school, so did my siblings and friends. We have doctors, professors, scientists and administrators coming from the base formed at Domehar middle school and Bharari government senior secondary government school in Himachal Pradesh.
It was not about language for us, it was about our interest in academics and so was the case with others”, shares Professor Thakur.
He hails from village Lohat, PO Lehri Sarail in Ghumarwin tehsil of district Bilaspur in Himachal Pradesh.
Thakur is a renowned scientist who had worked with professor Ronald Wetzel and also has the honour of receiving the prestigious fellowship ”Humboldt research fellowship” with Dr Tad Holak in the lab of Nobel prize recipient Robert Huber.
He spoke about his passion to study. It was and still remains above any language barrier.
After contributing to the leading international researches in the field of proteins he chose to return Swadesh.
”I love my country and my hometown. This is a common thread which ties our family. After contributing actively in the field of science in America the citizenship was waiting but I and my wife were clear that home is where the the heart is,’ said Prof Thakur.
Thakur has learnt and performed around the world. He houses a rare combination of industry and lab excellence in the field of biotechnology.
himachalwire.in got a chance to catch up with him on his journey from his village Lohat – America – Germany -America and back to India.
”I am the youngest of four children. For me, my eldest brother is the most intelligent among us all. It was him and the environment given by my parents at home which always kept me motivated and interested in studies. Language of education never made to the discussion hours in our times.
I remember part of things were even taught in our local dialect. I am mentioning it only today, it still does not make any difference to me. For us, the only important thing was to understand the subject. The language was not important.
I remember our teacher (Ram Krishan Ji) took us for a simple experiment. It always remains fresh in the book of my childhood memories. He took us to a local spring(Baudi) and explained with the help of a simple pipe that how can we lift water with it. Well! it can be thought as the most simple thing ever explained but it gave me high in life.
I had entered the phase of hows and whys with it. This laid the base of my future. I started experimenting with things. When we read about the fossils. I remember burying an animal skeleton which I found in the fields in the soil thinking that it might turn into a fossil someday.
The theory and practical remained clear in my head though knowing that it will take millions of years. Similarly, the old radio set which became the mode to bear my mechanical skills has also contributed to whatever I am today. At times I think if I would have excused the radio and would have not challenged the working of its every part. I could have boasted of having a classic antique today”, smiled Thakur. ”Making dams with mud in monsoon season was fun experiments I enjoyed with friends in the village.
”India has some of the world’s best academic structures.Biotechnology had entered the India market in the 1990s. I chose to appear for the entrance of Biotech at Panjab University. The course had 10 seats and I got one. During the course, we got a chance to use the premises of ’Institute of Microbial Technology(CSIR) in sector 39 of Chandigarh. Till date, I have not seen a better and advanced facility around the world.
Later I did my PhD in Molecular Biophysics from IMTech with Dr Raghuvansh Kishore
I believe that science can not be learnt sitting at one place. Therefore, after completing the PhD, I travelled and worked in a few of the best labs in my field with the finest scientist around the world.
Science is not only about chemicals and reactions. It also has an application part of it, which is practiced by industry, in my area Biotechnology industry such as making protein based drugs. After I came to India. I took to the learning of the business part for two years in Dr Reddy’s laboratory Hyderabad. I love academics. Therefore, the culture of the lab cannot remain away from me for a long time. Hence, I wanted to join an academic institution but the need was bigger. It was to be able to share the experience of my working years and help bridge the gap between the labs and industry in the field of Biotechnology.
I assume that my calling was strong. Hence, it took me to IIT Kanpur. Here while going through rounds of interviews ,me and the institute both were convinced that we can contribute to the growth and satisfaction of each other. It is an honour to work with such a premier institute of our country. The culture and devotion of teachers and the students both speak volumes of the reputation that it carries.
We all love to contribute towards the field of studies this makes IIT Kanpur a place to be. It is a passion for both the teacher and the student, hence, we are never low on energy”. Professor Thakur has used his knowledge and has introduced a course called Biopharmaceutical in IIT Kanpur. This is running for more than five years now and has immensely helped in bridging the gap between the labs and the industry.
Relating to his childhood belief that education should be understood and not translated. Thakur shared, ” We understand that it is a competitive world and English can make it easier. But I also believe that English can never become a roadblock. IIT Kanpur is a campus full of people who love to teach. IIT Kanpur offers English Proficiency program to bridge the gap. Therefore, I would again like to stress embellishing can be done later but first reach your goal, ”stressed Prof Thakur shunning the belief that nothing can be achieved without starting with English.
If students wish to contact Prof Thakur for research or academic guidance he can be reached by email akthakur@iitk.ac.in
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