Unique Function in 2013

It was a formal meeting in the seminar hall of the School of Chemical Sciences on January 26 this year. It’s one of the rarest functions in the Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam.

Yes, it was to felicitate the 25^th anniversary of Prof. Sabu Thomas as a successful researcher, organized by his Alumni. He has guided 62 Ph.D. students till date. In addition to all the laurels, this year he received the MRSI (Material Research Society of India) medal and CRSI (Chemical Research Society of India) bronze medal. The honourable Vice chancellor, Prof A. V. George, honoured Sabu sir with a Ponnaada and memento to celebrate the occasion.

Behind every successful man...

Starting from CUSAT...

Sabu sir started talking about his B.Tech. life in the Cochin University. He said he still refers to the lecture notes dictated by George sir and Rany teacher. He talked about his first job in a company and recollected his life in the IIT, Kharagpur while doing Ph.D. with Prof. S. K. De. He described how he started his teaching life in the M. G. University. And he talked about his career experience and enlightened us the need for hard work and dedication to be a successful scientist.

Prof. Kuruvilla welcomed the gathering. Prof. M. Padmanabhan, former director of SCS, delivered the presidential address. He said that Prof. Thomas was one of the very active teachers in the department. Prof K. E. George, Mr. M. R. Unni, Registrar of M. G. University, Dr. Nandakumar Kalarikkal and Dr. Siby Varghese, felicitated Sabu sir. At the end of the formal meeting, Prof. Unnikrishnan G. extended gratitude to everyone. Dr. Beena Mathew and Dr. Mahesh were also present in the function. The inaugural function was followed by a talk on polymer nanocomposites by Prof. Rany Joseph. All the support was rendered by the current researchers Hanna Maria, Deepa Lakshmi, Anu Treesa, Lakshmi Priya, Cinthil, Sharika, Jiji, Anju Augustine, Jithin, Shainu, Runcy, Martin, Stanly and others.

I’m sorry that I can’t give you an exact replica of what people said during the speeches and discussion. A word-to-word reporting will be boring and in fact it is not the intention of this write-up. Anyway, it was all about Sabu sir; his sincerity, research interest, hard work, positive attitude, and so on. All the speeches, starting from welcome to the vote of thanks were actually the recollection of their memories associated with Sabu sir. Do you really want to know what is happening during the alumni meet? Then attend the next meet.

They make me sign and then stamp it themselves..

The Registrar was so jovial throughout his speech. He said..…If I reject a request, and if anyone dares to approach me further on that file, naturally he’ll be furious and will argue with me. Normally I’ll not change the opinion that I’ve already made. But if it’s Sabu sir’s file, he’ll be there in my office with his popular smile. He’ll talk to me, and finally I’ll write “yes” on his file. Nowadays Dr. Nandakumar also accompanies him; another smiling face. They’ll talk to me and will melt my anger. I’ll sign the paper; they’ll stamp it themselves and will leave the office. So now when I see them at my office, I sign their paper immediately, because I know, anyway finally I’m going to sign their paper. Then why should I waste time?….

Sharing memories

We gathered again after the lunch for an informal meeting. Everyone shared their experiences during the research and discussed how the research life influenced their later life; both academic and personal. Of course, every memory was linked to Sabu sir in one way or the other. Dr. Anne talked at the end. Christy was a silent spectator throughout the entire event. Hope next time, Christy and Martin will tell us their opinion about a workaholic father. And I remember no one invited Sabu sir to make his remarks. Don’t know why…

With his popular smile...

Sweet memories...

No food, what to do?

See, how pretty she was...