Page 136 - CW E-Magazine (17-6-2025)

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BIOGRAPHY RELEASE
Mukesh Ambani announces Rs. 151-crore donation

to ICT, to recognise contributions of Prof. M. M. Sharma

Mukesh Ambani, Chairman and was the Chief Guest on the occasion,
Managing Director, Reliance Industries highlighted Prof. Sharma’s role as an
Ltd. (RIL), announced an unencum- institution and nation builder. “I believe
bered donation of Rs. 151-crore to his building knowledge and values, and
alma mater, Institute of Chemical delivering them for the benefi t of society,
Technology (ICT), in recognition of as well as nurturing human beings who
the immense contributions made by its carry those values to move society for-
former Director, Prof. M. M. Sharma. ward, is something we all need to learn
from Prof. Sharma’s life,” he observed.
Mr. Ambani made the announce-
ment during his address at a function Strategic vision for chemical industry
at ICT, Mumbai, to mark the release of Dr. R. A. Mashelkar, former Chan-
Prof. Sharma’s biography – The Divine cellor, ICT, and former Director Gene-
Scientist – published by Sundaram Publi- ral, Council of Scientifi c and Industrial
shers in Marathi and English. The book, Research (CSIR), highlighted Prof.
authored by Anita Patil, chronicles Prof. Sharma’s incredible ability to “focus
Sharma’s journey from Jodhpur, where closely on details and also see the big
he was born and did his early educa- alchemist, not of metals, but of minds,” picture.” “The long-term strategic
tion; to ICT (or University Department Mr. Ambani stressed Prof. Sharma’s role vision he provided drove the amazing
of Chemical Technology (UDCT), as in shaping “not only my understanding growth of Indian chemical industries
it was known then), for a Bachelor’s of chemical engineering, but also my through the 60s, 70s, 80s, and beyond.”
degree in Chemical Engineering; to understanding of leadership, responsi-
Cambridge (UK), where he obtained a Ph.D. bility and service to society.” “He taught “As a member of the Science Advi-
under the tutelage of Prof. P. V. Danck- us not only the magic of molecules, but sory Committee to the Prime Minister,
werts; his subsequent return to UDCT also how molecules make money and I’ve seen Prof. Sharma champion state
as full Professor soon after; and a career create immense societal value.” universities, and emphasise the impor-
spanning outstanding teaching, research tance of research fellowships.”
and consulting – all at ICT. Mr. Ambani observed that under
his guidance, RIL has achieved maxi- ‘Creating the right atmosphere’
The book also captures Prof. Sharma’s mum backward and forward inte- Prof. J. B. Joshi, Chancellor, ICT,
immense contributions in nurturing a gration. “Like my father, Dhirubhai described Prof. Sharma as Yug Purush –
culture of ideas-driven research – on Ambani, he had a burning desire to a great man of the era – in develop-
shoe-string budgets in the early days – change Indian industry from scarcity ment of chemical sciences, technology
and the creation of one of the fi nest to global leadership.” and industry. “Usually, we think that for
centres of Chemical Engineering good research and innovation, you need
education and research in the country. Describing Prof. Sharma as big libraries, high-speed internet ac-
It also captures his invaluable contri- “an infl uencer with a difference,” cess, lots of brilliant students, teachers,
butions in stewarding the development Mr. Ambani added that today India and sophisticated equipment. But none
of the Indian chemical and petrochemical needs tens of thousands of gurus like of these really work unless the right
industries – at the large corporations him “who can teach our youth to atmosphere is created, and that’s the
like RIL, to smaller companies, many of combine success with sanskar.” most important thing that Prof. Sharma
whom were set up by alumni from ICT. has done,” he noted.
Institution and a nation builder
An alchemist of minds Dr. Anil Kakodkar, former Chair- ‘Steadfast commitment to UDCT/ICT’
Describing Prof. Sharma as “an man, Atomic Energy Commission, who Prof. G. D. Yadav, former Vice Chan-

136 Chemical Weekly June 17, 2025

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