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Man Mohan Sharma: A Dnyanayogi and Karmayogi, a Knowledge and Action

Seeker Par Excellence
Man Mohan Sharma is a legend in India. Considered as an Johns Hopkins University with H. E. Hoelscher. However, the
institution in himself, he has done yeomen services to the providence provided a different path for him. At this juncture,
chemical engineering profession, chemical industry, and govern- G. P. Kane appeared in his life serendipitously and was to play
ment on matters vital to the growth of science and technology a godfather’s role in his career thereafter. Kane was the first
and nation at large. Born on May 1, 1937 to parents of modest Professor of Chemical Engineering in the UDCT but had left
income in the state of Rajasthan, his life’s story is very in 1954 for a Central Government position. P. V. Danckwerts,
enthralling and mesmerizing. He created a place for Indian the Shell Professor of Chemical Engineering at Cambridge
chemical engineering on the global scene and sustained the (U.K.), had asked Kane to recommend a good candidate for
glamour of this marvelous profession in an impoverished the Ph.D. program. Having learned about the high credentials
country. Having been associated with him first as a student and of Sharma through G. M. Nabar, the Director of UDCT, Kane
then as a colleague for almost 37 years, I have witnessed his recommended Sharma very strongly to Danckwerts. Indeed,
rise to an iconic status. It is my immense pleasure and privilege Kane also extracted a promise from him that he would return
to write the preface for this special issue honoring him on the to the UDCT to serve on the faculty for at least five years. An
occasion of his 70th birthday. offer from Danckwerts in 1961 put Sharma in a bit of quandary,
After passing the Intermediate Science examination in 1954 because he had earlier accepted the scholarship from Johns
with distinction, Sharma joined Bombay University’s Depart- Hopkins. He secured permission and also blessings of Dean
ment of Chemical Technology, popularly called UDCT, to earn Hoelscher to join Cambridge. That was the turning point in his
the Bachelor of Chemical Engineering degree in 1958. (Note: life.
Bombay has since become Mumbai and the department has Sharma had the most memorable time at Cambridge. Being
become an institute. The UDCT is referred to as MUICT or a voracious reader of a variety of technical, nontechnical, and
simply UICT, which is an autonomous institute.) He pursued a commercial literature, he spent long hours, weekends, and his
research degree and, in 1960, earned a M.Sc.(Tech.) degree in spare time in the library. Going through Chemical Abstracts
Chemical Engineering under the advice of N. R. Kamath. He quite regularly became his habit and he has converted it into a
also served as a Lecturer from December 1959 to September life-long passion. He is endowed with a very powerful memory
1961. Meanwhile, in 1958, Kamath had left for the newly and came to be known as a walking encyclopedia on many
established Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay as the Head subjects. His project on gas absorption with chemical reaction
of Chemical Engineering and Deputy Director. They published was both academically and industrially fascinating; he spent
a couple of papers on reactions and pyrolysis of alcohol. Because almost three months planning in the library before commencing
no qualified adviser was available for the Ph.D. program, any experiments. In fact, in June 1962, he had done enough
Sharma started applying overseas and accepted an offer from research to submit his thesis; however, with the Cambridge rules
10.1021/ie078002g CCC: $37.00 © 2007 American Chemical Society
Published on Web 05/02/2007
2912 Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., Vol. 46, No. 10, 2007

being inflexible, it was impossible. A year later, he was ready 16, 1964. He was also the longest serving professor in India
with his dissertation. Still, he decided against submitting it and until he retired on April 30, 1997 at the age of 60.
continued to conduct a different kind of research. Meanwhile, On his return sojourn from the United Kingdom to India in
he wrote two research papers on gas absorption with chemical 1964, he had prepared a long list of problems of academic purity
reaction with Danckwerts [Trans. Faraday Soc. 1963, 59, 386- and industrial sanctity. With contagious enthusiasm and vision,
395 and Chem. Eng. Sci. 1963, 18, 729-735]. A paper on the he set goals and priorities before him. He had to build
absorption of COS in amines and alkalis appeared thereafter undergraduate laboratories, develop courses, manage the ad-
[Chem. Eng. Sci. 1964, 19, 991-992]. Danckwerts was a ministration, and do research, which was his first love. With
motivator and held an esteemed opinion of Sharma and allowed an annual budget of 17 000 rupees (approximately $4000 U.S.
him to pursue his own interests. Sharma wrote an independent then) for both the undergraduate and postgraduate courses in
paper on the kinetics of reaction of COS and CO2 with amines Chemical Engineering and Technology, he pursued vigorously
and catalysis by Brønsted bases in hydrolysis of COS [Trans. idea-oriented research, rather than equipment-oriented research.
Faraday Soc. 1965, 61, 681-688]. Near the end of his stay in Generating ideas was his fortitude, which he used cleverly
Cambridge, Sharma came out with an idea that he shared with throughout his life. As strange as it may sound, he had never
Danckwerts, who was so magnanimous that he asked Shell to applied to any funding agencies in his entire career but did help
patent the idea exclusively in Sharma’s name. He created a other colleagues to get support. He launched research in mass
history in Cambridge by becoming the first person to have transfer with chemical reaction, in gas-liquid and liquid-liquid
patented an idea and having sold it exclusively for 1000 pound systems, by using the so-called stirred cell, which is nothing
sterling to Shell. In the Cambridge tradition, writing scholarly but a beaker and a stirrer. The other “biggest” instrument was
papers was more valuable than acquiring intellectual property the soap-film meter, for measuring gas flow rates. Soap-film
rights (IPR), which is a recent phenomenon in academia. meters with diameters up to 10 cm were reliably employed by
Unfortunately, he never patented many of his ideas, which were his students in preference to the rotameter, which was an alien
worthy of IPR, during his later career in Mumbai, but, instead, and unavailable instrument. Most reactive and inert gases from
put many of them in the public domain. The desorption of partially empty cylinders borrowed from friends in industry had
hypochlorous acid gas from alkaline solutions during chlorine the pleasure of flowing in his laboratory. He did not have the
absorption was such a novel idea, both proved theoretically and funds to buy chemicals but his friends in industry were too
practically [Lahiri, Yadav, and Sharma, Chem. Eng. Sci. 1983, willing to gift them. He literally became the “zero-budget
38, 1119-1133], and it was further exploited by Dow Chemicals researcher from Bombay”. Two Ph.D. students, Ashok K. Nanda
and is cited in their patents. The university system in India did and Joseph B. Fernandes, had just registered with him. V. D.
not encourage patenting; that era lacked university support for Mehta, P. J. Kothari, R. K. Gupta, and A. D. Vidwans had joined
patent filing. Within a period of less than three years, he had to the institution to earn Master’s degrees under his guidance.
his credit four papers in esteemed journals and a patent. There was no moment for relaxation and allowance for things
to happen. He used to work with them for long hours in the
Meanwhile, he convinced Danckwerts, before leaving for India,
laboratory, even on weekends, dine with them occasionally, and
that they should write a monograph on the absorption of carbon
discuss and plan with them, lending them assurances that they
dioxide in amines and alkalis. This is a citation classic which
had nothing to fear. A team of young researchers was ready to
would set a new trend in chemical engineering, in regard to
take on the whole world! The first paper published in an
how to go from fundamentals to process design, and has been
international journal was on the effect of diffusivity on the gas-
quoted by both academicians and practitioners throughout the
side mass-transfer coefficient, based on V. D. Mehta’s Master’s
world [Chem. Eng. (London) 1966, (October), CE244-280].
thesis [Chem. Eng. Sci. 1966, 21, 361-365] and the second
Danckwerts was his true mentor. Sharma had a very enduring
was an outcome of the Master’s thesis of P. J. Kothari [Chem.
Guru-Shishya (teacher-disciple) relationship with Danckwerts Eng. Sci. 1966, 21, 391-396]. In 1967, his first Ph.D. student,
who described in his book, Insight into Chemical Engineering, Ashok Nanda, arrived and his graduation was on the horizon
that “Sharma was the most diligent student he ever supervised”. in less than three years. In fact, Nanda earned the first-ever Ph.D.
The Cambridge experience had lasting impressions on him, degree from the Chemical Engineering division in the history
where he had met and heard the world’s leading scientists, Nobel of the UDCT. Their paper published in Chemical Engineering
laureates, and practitioners from reputed industries. Several Science on effective interfacial area in liquid-liquid extraction
renowned academicians used to spend sabbaticals in Cambridge. [Chem. Eng. Sci. 1966, 21, 707-714] was quoted within two
Octave Levenspiel was impressed by Sharma and had offered months of its appearance in an editorial of Industrial Engineer-
him a faculty position in his institution and so did Don Scott of ing Chemistry in 1966. Nanda migrated to the United States as
Waterloo, Canada, and G. A. Ratcliff of McGill, Canada. He a post-doctoral fellow and is now the President of PMC
was also offered lucrative positions by Shell and ICI. However, Specialties, a fine chemicals company.
he had no interest in these offers. He was honor-bound to return A succession of Ph.D. holders then began to appear at a
to India to take a faculty position in the UDCT. Danckwerts sustainable rate, almost 3-4 per year until he retired, with a
was full of praise for young Sharma and wrote to G. P. Kane tally of 71 doctorates and 35 Master’s degrees. The first five
about his outstanding achievements. Just a fortnight before years of his career saw 14 doctorates: A. K. Nanda and J. B.
Sharma was to leave for Mumbai, Danckwerts advised him to Fernandes in 1967; A. S. Jhaveri and P. K. Sundaram in 1968;
apply for the post of Professor of Chemical Engineering at the R. A. Mashelkar, S. A. Puranik, J. K. Gehlawat, and R. C.
UDCT. He quite honestly expressed to Danckwerts his ap- Sharma in 1969; V. D. Mehta, M. E. Ladhabhoy, and K. C.
prehensions that he did not deserve more than a Reader’s Mehta in 1970; and P. A. Ramachandran, A. T. Kaji, and A.
(equivalent to an Associate Professor) position. The selection K. Shah in 1971. This group produced 42 international papers.
committee found him to be a highly knowledgeable, scholarly, Among his students, Mashelkar is the most celebrated, and he
enthusiastic, and potential star. Sharma thus became the retired very recently as the Director General of Council of
youngest professor in India at the tender age of 27 on September Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Secretary, Depart-
 Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., Vol. 46, No. 10, 2007 2913

ment of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Government of the year. Sharma was bestowed with the same honor again
of India. in 1977 for a paper that he co-authored with V. A. Juvekar.
He considers the first five years of his illustrious career to Another pioneering area of research Sharma initiated was the
have been the most challenging and rewarding. He had found now-ubiquitous phase-transfer catalysis (PTC), with chemical
the right formula and mantra to combine academic excellence engineering aspects of industrially relevant reactions. The
with professional activities and administrative duties. He went mechanism and kinetics of solid-liquid PTC was first reported
on with the business of teaching and research like a missionary, from his laboratory, and this research was also directly com-
never shirking from the call of duty and beyond. He indeed mercialized for benzyl ester manufacture in India. This author
practiced, literally and figuratively, the chemical industry’s pet had the honor of being the collaborator in this endeavor [Ind.
theme: “more from less”. Nanda, Jhaveri, and Mashelkarssome Eng. Chem. Process Des. DeV. 1981, 20, 385-390]. The so-
of his earlier studentsshad experienced these constraints of called gradientless contactor, for fluid-fluid reactions, was also
funds. It was to the credit of young Man Mohan Sharma to developed in his laboratory and two more groups also simul-
have retained good-quality students to pursue for Ph.D. degrees. taneously reported it. This novel stirred contactor with inde-
It was a herculean task. Besides, good students would opt for pendent control of the gas- and liquid-side mass-transfer
higher studies in the West. Against all these odds, Sharma tried coefficients was used in several fast and instantaneous reactions,
to develop a research culture in the UDCT, with practically no and, once again, I had the pleasure of working on it.
money in his kitty. Papers were getting published in succession The Sharma era had commenced in UDCT by the late 1960s
in top-notch international journals. Robert Southey’s quotation and influenced the destiny of countless students and faculty
applies to him very aptly: during next three decades or so. His theme of research was
centered in multiphase reactions, reactors, and separations, which
“The three indispensable qualities of genius are
understanding, feeling, and perseVerance. covered gas-liquid reactions, liquid-liquid reactions, gas-
The three things that enrich genius are liquid-solid (catalyst/reactant) reactions, solid-liquid reactions,
contentment of mind, the cherishing of four-/five-phase reaction, phase transfer catalysis, micellar
good thoughts, and exercising of the memory.” catalyis, microphase catalysis, ion-exchange resin catalysts, clays
as catalysts, novel separations through reactions, selectivity
Sharma realized, while at Cambridge, that the synergism of engineering, converting liabilities into assets, design of multi-
research of academic excitement and industrial value would be phase reactors, bubble columns, mechanically agitated contac-
the theme of his research career. Sharma’s now-acclaimed tors, packed columns, and slurry reactors. He has provided great
original contribution of microphase catalysis, or the role of insight to resolve many paradoxical practices in industry. He
particles smaller than the diffusion film thickness (the so-called developed original techniques to study the kinetics of extremely
“nanoparticles” in today’s context) on the liquid side in fast reactions supported through novel theory. He also pioneered
intensification of the reaction rates, has been a genesis of a new strategies to increase the rate of fast gas-liquid reactions
variety of papers. The theory was published in 1969 in Chemical and to propose novel aspects of enhancement of fast and slow
Engineering Science [Chem. Eng. Sci. 1969, 24, 1681-1686] liquid-liquid reactions. He demonstrated, in industry, novel
and was coauthored with P. A. Ramachadran, now a Professor ways to recover valuable chemicals from waste streams. Many
at Washington University in St. Louis. T. K. Sherwood, the of these ideas have led to substantial improvements in the
celebrity from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), existing plants of sodium bicarbonate, soda ash, phthalic
wrote in Chemical Engineering Education (fall 1974, pp 204- anhydride, and nitroaromatics. He remained active as a consult-
213) that when he was confronted with an industrial problem ant to some of the best Indian and overseas companies.
on gas absorption in a slurry reactant where he thought particle He has published over 250 research papers in a variety of
sizes smaller than the diffusion film could affect the rate of areas and journals of international repute, including the follow-
absorption, he discovered unexpectedly that such a theory had ing journals: Chemical Engineering Science; Industrial and
already been developed in 1969 by researchers from Bombay. Engineering Chemistry (which later became Industrial and
Sherwood’s eloquence is worth noting: Engineering Chemistry Research, which also published Shar-
ma’s work); Process Design and DeVelopment; ReactiVe and
“It might seem that some of the cases analyzed
Functional Polymers; Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineer-
will neVer find practical application, but one cannot
predict. When I recently had occasion to analyze the ing; Transactions of the Institution of Chemical Engineers, UK;
process of SO2 absorption by a suspension of Journal of Separation Processes Technology; Journal of Applied
Chemistry, UK; Journal of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnol-
limestone particles in a stack gas scrubber I was ogy; Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology; Bulletin
surprised and pleased to find this case analyzed of the Chemical Society of Japan; British Chemical Engineering;
in a published paper.”
SolVent Extraction and Ion Exchange; Chemical Engineering
An intuitive theory will find applications sooner than later, as Communications; Transactions of the Faraday Society; Separa-
the Bombay authors had predicted. This is considered to be one tions Technology; American Institute of Chemical Engineers
of the epoch-making contributions of Sharma. Ramachandran Journal; ACS Symposium Series; Synthesis; Journal of American
has reviewed the relevance of nanophases and microphases in Oil Chemists Society; Organic Processes Research and DeVel-
this issue, which, quite appropriately, originated from their work opment; Separation Science and Technology; Synthetic Com-
in 1969. In Ramachandran, he had the unique distinction of munications; Pure & Applied Chemistry; ReViews in Chemical
producing the first-ever theoretical doctorate in chemical Engineering; Chemical Engineering Education; Journal of
engineering of a full-time research student in 1971. For their Catalysis; Catalysis Letters; Separation and Purification Meth-
monograph on the simultaneous absorption of two gases [Trans. ods; and Journal of Physical Chemistry.
Inst. Chem. Eng. 1971, 49, 252-280], Ramachandran and A record number of 73 papers are in Chemical Engineering
Sharma were given the Moulton Medal of the Institution of Science. He also produced several monographs, two celebrated
Chemical Engineers, U.K., for the most outstanding contribution books, several chapters in books, and several authoritative
2914 Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., Vol. 46, No. 10, 2007

reviews. His two-volume book with L. K. Doraiswamy, most coveted honor is the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize in
Heterogeneous Reactions: Analysis, Examples and Reactor various science and engineering disciplines for persons younger
Design (Wiley-Interscience, New York, USA, 1984), is ac- than 45 years of age. For the Engineering Sciences, he became
claimed. A recent book, Fine Chemicals: Technology and the youngest ever to be awarded the prize, at the age of 36.
Engineering (Elsevier, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 2001) with Such is the quality of training and research that he inspired many
Delft co-authors A. Cybulusky, J. A. Moulijn, and R. A. Sheldon of his students to write independent papers in reputed interna-
is also highly rated. He was rated as one of the 23 top researchers tional journals, even though they were working under his
to influence chemical engineering through the co-word analysis guidance and the problems were suggested by him. His resume
technique reported by A. F. J. van Raan of the University of contains a long list of such papers (more than 40), published
Leiden in The Netherlands in 1989. independently by his students. This should be a very rare
He changed his research areas every six or seven years. He example of an academician who does not have a list of
believes that the students whom he initiated have taken that sponsored projects but of independent papers of his students.
area to greater heights. Whosoever came in contact with him He believes that the real worth of a student is known five years
while doing research has developed a passion for the library, after he has left him with a Ph.D. degree. If he is a creative
and many of his students have gone into academics and research, individual, an independent thinker, a self-motivated doer, and
including R. A. Mashelkar (Salford, U.K.; NCL, Pune, India), a motivator, the student is bound to flourish. He had never
P. A. Ramachandran (Washington University, St. Louis, MO), expected any rewards or honors and he never craved any award,
J. K. Gehlawat (IIT-Kanpur, India), V. G. Pangarkar (UICT, nor has he ever worked for an award. He has never talked to
India), V. A. Juvekar (IIT-Bombay, India), J. B. Joshi (UICT, anyone for any honor, whether in this country or abroad. He is
India), V. V. Mahajani (UICT, India), G. D. Yadav (UICT, such a modest man that he attributes many of his awards to
India), V. G. Gaikar (UICT, India), A. Mehra (IIT-Bombay, lady luck. Sharma is a phenomenon to come by, to discuss,
India), Anand V. Patwardhan (IIT-Kharagpur, India), Basab and to get inspired. He has made a tremendous impact on
Chaudhuri (Calcutta University, India), S. S. Bhagwat (UICT, chemical engineering as well as the chemical industry in India.
India), N. C. Pradhan (IIT-Kharagpur, India), Basu Saha A superb teacher, he is described by his students as the chief
(Loughborough, U.K.), and S. M. Mahajani (IIT-Bombay, motivating force, who generates ideas faster than their rate of
India). Other influenced students include S. A. Puranik (MSU, absorption. He takes great pride in their accomplishments. To
Baroda), M. C. Chhabria (LDCE, Ahmedabad), and Ms. Alpana cite an example, his fifth doctorate student, R. A. Mashelkar,
Mahapatra-Gaikar (DJSCE, Mumbai, India). A few students had who had an independent paper in his name, also was awarded
brief stints in academics but did not pursue active research, the Bhatnagar Prize in 1981; both were under the age of 45
including A. S. Jhaveri, J. B. Fernandes, K. C. Mehta, A. T. when they were awarded this prize. It is another first and a
Kaji, R. K. Tiwari, R. R. Bhave, K. A. Ramanarayanan (Ram record, because both were younger than 45 years old. The
Narayan), and Swades Choudhary. The Sharma research tree Bhatnagar Prize was also bestowed on his 29th doctorate, J. B.
has prospered enormously, in that every branch has borne Joshi, in 1991. Both Mashelkar and Joshi are highly ac-
spectacular flora, fauna, and fruits. These include highly complished individuals.
experimental to highly theoretical research, ranging from In 1972, Danckwerts asked Sharma to join him as the Editor
mathematical sciences to biological sciences, petroleum engi- of Chemical Engineering Science from India. This coveted
neering to advanced catalysis, fluid mechanics to sonochemistry, journal had independent editors from different parts of the world.
food engineering to polymer engineering, and silicon chips to He declined the editorship politely. Sharma thought he was not
solar energy, to name just a few areas. The total number of in the senior age group to cultivate enemies, because the Editor
first- and second-generation doctorates produced by his students invariably must perform the unpleasant job of rejecting more
and their students is more than 200 and the number of papers papers than he accepts. Danckwerts offered the editorship to
would be easily more than 1500, with a citation statistic of more him again in 1975, which he then accepted gladly. But after a
than 10 000. The most gratifying part of his academic career is dozen years, he left it for R. A. Mashelkar. He has also served
that three of his Chemical Engineering doctoratessJ. B. Joshi, on the editorial boards of Chemical Engineering Research and
R. A. Mashelkar, and G. D. Yadavshave been elected as Design, UK (1974-1986), Canadian Journal of Chemical
Fellows of the Indian National Science Academy (INSA), which Engineering (1989-1993), Separation and Purification Tech-
is a rare honor for scientists and more so for engineers in India. nology (1997-1999), and Green Chemistry (1999-2000). He
Mashelkar has achieved several distinctions like his mentor. currently serves on editorial boards of Clean Technologies and
Mashelkar’s election as Fellow of Royal Society London, EnVironmental Policy (2002 to present), and ReactiVe and
Foreign Associate of the National Academy of Engineering Functional Polymers (1995 to present).
(USA), Foreign Associate, Academy of Science (USA), and The list of honors and accolades is a mirror of the mission
International Fellow, The Royal Academy of Engineering (U.K.) of his life: FICCI Award in Science and Technology, Engineer-
are matters of great pride for Sharma. Many of the papers in ing and Technology (1981); Best Teacher Award, Government
this special issue are authored by several of his former of Maharashtra (1984); Om Prakash Bhasin Award, Engineering
collaborators. (1985); Danckwerts Memorial Lecture, Chemical Engineering
Over the years, Man Mohan Sharma became a force to be Science/Institute of Chemical Engineers, U.K. (1987); Prof. N.
reckoned with. With that came memberships of prestigious R. Dhar Memorial Lecture Award (1999); P.C. Ray Lecture
government bodies with this legend, whom I refer to as (1998); Shreve Distinguished Visiting Professor, Purdue Uni-
Dnyanayogi (or Jnanayogi), which means a perpetual knowledge- versity, West Lafayette, IN, USA (1989); Jawaharlal Nehru
seeking sage, and a Karmayogi, which means an action-seeking Lecture, (1989); Vishwakarma Medal (1985); Meghnad Saha
sage, according to Indian scriptures. Other honors were ac- Medal (1994); Sir J. C. Bose Memorial Lecture (1994) (all of
cidental in his path of knowledge (dnyana) and action (karma). INSA); P. C. Ray Memorial Award (1995); Platinum Jubilee
He happens to be not only one of the most decorated scientists Lecture, Chemistry (1995); Shatabdi Puraskar, Engineering and
and engineers in India, but also a humble human being. His Technology (1999); Millennium Award (2003); Indian Science
 Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., Vol. 46, No. 10, 2007 2915

Congress Association; H. K. Firodia Award for Excellence in his young colleagues in getting their first consultations. The
Science and Technology (1999); G. M. Modi Science Award, consultation income generated by the chemical engineering
Modi Foundation (1991); and Dhirubhai Ambani Oration, IIChE faculty in the UDCT is the highest in the country, and he and
(2004). some of his colleagues earned their own salaries. When he was
The most prestigious fellowship in Indiasthat of the Indian felicitated in February 1997, prior to his formal retirement,
National Science Academy (INSA)swas accorded to him in unbelievably generous funds were received from industry and
1976. He was elected to the Fellowship of Indian Academy of persons from all walks of life is a testimony of his popularity
Sciences in 1974 and National Academy of Sciences in 1988. and reverence in industry, academia, and elsewhere. It was a
He has received honorary fellowships from Indian Chemical unique event in India and particularly in the life of a teacher
Society in 1997, Indian Plastics Institute in 2003, Jawaharlal who has served his profession, alma mater, industry, society,
Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore in and the country of India at large. It was a very small team of
2004, and Indian Association for Cultivation of Sciences, five faculty when he started his career in 1964. The job of
Kolkatta in 2005. Several professional bodies, such as the Indian creating new positions at an orthodox and old University of
Speciality Chemicals Manufacturers Association (1994), the Bombay (now Mumbai) was very difficult. And he worked
Perfumery and Flavors Association of India (1995), and the against all odds. He created five more professor positions,
Indian Chemical Manufacturers Association (1997), accorded including one with an endowment, which, incidentally, this
him honorary memberships. author is occupying. From the original five, the faculty strength
Lifetime achievement awards were bestowed upon him by had grown to 20 when he retired. Financial stringency was a
four professional bodies: India National Academy of Engineer- part and parcel of his life; it continued all the way up to the
ing (2001); Dr. B. P. Godrej-IIChE (2002); Gold Medal, late 1970s. It was only from the early 1980s that the fund
Chemical Research Society of India (2003), Indian Chemical position improved. He made sure that none of his colleagues
Society (2004); and the newspaper Mid Day (2005). and successors went through the same ordeal as he did and saw
Sharma’s election to coveted academies started with INSA to it that they had much better equipment, apparatus, facilities,
in 1976. He is the first Chemical Engineer and only the second consumables, and money. Today, the Chemical Engineering
engineer in the history of the INSA to be its President (1989- Department is in an altogether different situation, in terms of
90). His election as a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1990 was facilities and contingency money, from what it was when he
a crowning glory. He created, once again, history by being the started his career. There are many academics from other
first engineer from India to be a Fellow of the Royal Society. institutions and persons in industry, holding high positions,
Quite fortuitously, in London, on June 10, 1990, I had the whom he has helped in giving their first breakthrough. He made
privilege of attending his oath ceremony and signing the official sure that the UDCT research had academic purity, academic
register, which was more than 300 years old and beared the utility, and academic rigor, to merit publication in peer journals,
signatures of giants in science and engineering, from Newton and yet it should have some industrial bias.
to Dalton to Faraday to Danckwerts. The bestowal of the The first real challenge that he faced was that, if one wanted
prestigious Leverhulme Medal by the Royal Society of London to do research, apart from the problems of funding, a daunting
upon him in 1996 is an eloquent testimony of his research task was how to find placement for Ph.D. chemical engineers
philosophy, moreso because this medal previously has been in industry during the 1960s. Getting a job in academic or
awarded to some Nobel Laureates. He was elected to the national research laboratories was relatively easy. The industry
fellowship of TWAS, the Academy of the Developing World was mostly multinational and Indian companies did not care
in 1990, and he also received the TWAS Medal Lecture in for the recruitment of Ph.D. engineers. He went from door to
Engineering Sciences and Technologies in 1997. Sharma’s door to captains of the industry, convincing them of the
election as an International Fellow, The Royal Academy of usefulness of a Ph.D. engineer on their payrolls. He created a
Engineering (in 2005), and Foreign Associate, U.S. National market for Ph.D. engineers, who are now respected as an integral
Academy of Engineering (in 2006) demonstrates his caliber and part of many industries in India. The UICT has a rich culture
scholarship. of research, but Ph.D. research in chemical engineering had not
He emphasized the value of Ph.D. students. He ensured taken root. Now, this department is considered to be number
that every young faculty member had Ph.D. students. He one in the country, according to the survey by Jude Sommerfeld
also ensured that they were attached to some industry as of Georgina Tech. This is the legacy Man Mohan Sharma has
consultants. He has cultivated friendship with scientists left behind.
and industrialists from all over the world and enriched his This culture of raising private money to support various
knowledge through discussions on a variety of topics. Any activities is a chapter by itself. The UICT is a unique
important person visiting the UDCT always ended up giving a organization in India to have created many endowments, in the
scholarly seminar for the benefit of the students and faculty. name of former professors, sometimes living, and he started it
Invariably, these visitors enjoyed the special cup of tea prepared all, including several endowments for the library, having no
by Sharma. He encouraged many female chemical engineering parallels for such a noteworthy provision for libraries in India.
students to pursue doctoral research; some of them have done He has been responsible for creating many traditions that are
exceptionally well professionally. In traditional Indian society, absolutely unique in the history of this country and, for that
female chemical engineers had been a rare site and, now, almost matter, of any educational institute. He was instrumental in the
20% of the students in chemical engineering classes are females, development of several activities in the UDCT, such as the
and most of them outperform their male counterparts. merit-cum-means scholarships, international travel, welfare of
Not only did he build a research culture, but also the chemical nonteaching staff and their children, medical assistance, and
engineering department. He realized early in his life that in order campus development. In order to invite accomplished persons
to retain talented teachers in the UDCT, the merit holders must from industry as visiting faculty, several endowments have been
have avenues for promotion and their income must be supple- instituted. His contributions as the Director of the UDCT from
mented by industrial consultancy. He has helped practically all 1989 to 1997 are too numerous to mention. He has advocated
2916 Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., Vol. 46, No. 10, 2007

that the UDCT must remain the center of excellence for teaching he is currently Kothari Research Professor, Jawaharlal Nehru
and research in chemical technology and engineering, and the Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore. He is also
industry must look to the UDCT for inventions and innovations. the Chairman of the Research Council of National Chemical
No wonder our current prime minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, Laboratory, Pune (1998 to present), a member of the Advisory
who was also the UGC Chairman before plunging into politics, Board at IIT, Bombay (2003-2009), and a member of the
had spotted him in apex UGC committees and was highly Council, I.I.Sc., Bangalore (2002-2008). He has continued his
appreciative of his role in promoting excellence in the university research activities as a Visiting Professor prior to, as well as
system in India. He has been a member of the Science Advisory after, retirement with T. Sridhar’s group at Monash University,
Council of the Prime Minister since 2005. The Ministry of Australia and has produced excellent papers on oxidation and
Human Resource and Development of GOI has made Man catalysis. He has remained a very active consultant.
Mohan Sharma the Chairman of the Committee to improve the By denying the pleasure of his life, he has worked hard and
infrastructure in the university system for S and T. His desire long hours to serve the University of Mumbai. His wife, Sudha,
to bring complete autonomy to the UDCT was fulfilled only in has been extremely understanding and the proverb ”Behind
2004 and the UDCT became UICT. Now, it is poised to be a every successful man there is a woman” proves that her support
separate university. has been very vital in all his professional activities. The other
Meanwhile he chaired many committees of the Central lady who influenced him was his mother. His daughter Prerna
Government on policy matters ranging from education to and son Vibhu are both well-settled professionals in the United
petroleum to chemicals to pharmaceuticals to fertilizers to States. He has a legendary memory, is a “walking encyclopedia”,
forensic sciences. The University Grants Commission (UGC), and a man of values and principles. A religious and regular
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Depart- visitor to Ramakrishna Mission, he fasts once a week, every
ment of Science and Technology, Government of India (DST), Tuesday. He is a lovable father and a considerate, devoted
Department of Biotechnology, India (DBT), Ministry of Natural husband. Light reading and listening to light and classical music
Gas and Petroleum, All India Council for Technical Education are his only relaxations. He can regale old Hindi songs and can
(AICTE), Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers (MoCF), give lecture on the movies of famous Indian actresses, whether
Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Indian she be Madhubala or Madhuri Dixit, with equal authority. He
Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and Department of has mesmerized one and all whosoever came into contact with
Atomic Energy (DAE) are but a few of these organizations, him, by his fantastic memory. But nobody knows that he is
and he has been associated with them since the mid-1960s. He equally forgetful. He forgets to whom he lent money or for
gave industrial consultations, many times free, and was never whom he went out of his way to do favors. He never publicizes
found wanting of knowledge of any subject, be it chemical what he does for somebody.
engineering and technology, chemical industry, or financing. These days, he has continued to serve the industry as a
He was the only serving faculty in the entire history of the consultant on a full-time basis. He continues to seek knowledge,
University of Mumbai to have bestowed upon him a civil come up with bright ideas, and remember minute details of
honor: “Padma Bhushan”, by the Government of India in 1987 characters and handwritings of his students. He still embarrasses
for the meritorious services to chemical engineering. Thereafter, quite a few researchers by asking them whether they have read
the President of India put him on a higher pedestal: he was a new reference or patent in their areas, which he has already
honored with “Padma Vibhushan” in 2001. The honorary read.
doctorates have been bestowed on him by premier universities Man Mohan Sharma has become an unbelievable phenom-
in the country, including IIT-Bombay, IIT-Delhi, IT-BHU, enon because, throughout his life, he has remembered his
University of Calcutta, University of Kanpur, University of mission, the value of time, the power of knowledge, the ecstasy
Bundelkhand, University of Lucknow, and University of of research, the obligation of commitment and duty, the success
Roorkee. The UDCT conferred upon him the Golden Jubilee of perseverance, the pleasure of working long hours, the dignity
Distinguished Fellow (1984), UDCT Alumni Association of simplicity, the worth of character, the power of kindness and
Distinguished Alumnus Award (1990), and UDCT Diamond charity, the influence of setting examples, the wisdom of
(1994). The University of Mumbai honored him with a LL.D. economy, the virtue of patience, the improvement of talent, and,
after his formal retirement in 1998 and also named the UICT above all, the joy of originating.
library after him. Notwithstanding this impressive list of honors, To end, I would like to quote a Vedic hymn; for the health
he must have shied away from many honors and accolades. and prosperity of this modem missionary, a symbiosis of
The unbelievable legacy of M.M. Sharma is reflected in a Dnyanyogi and Karmayogi. “Pashyet sharadah shatam, JiVet
Vedic philosophy, as quoted in Vivekchudamani: sharadah shatam, Buddhyet sharadah shatam, Rohet sharadah
shatam, Pooshet sharadah shatam, BhaVet sharadah shatam,
“Great teacher comes, and with him comes great power, Bhuyet sharadah shatam, Bhuyasee sharadah shatat”. (Transla-
a new influx of energy. In the wake of great teacher tion: May he see through a hundred autumns, May he live
come creatiVe indiViduals who ask deep questions, through a hundred autumns; May he know through a hundred
and striVe to discoVer the answer for themselVes. autumns; May he rise through a hundred autumns; May he
The teacher must be wonderful and the student remain established through a hundred autumns; May he grow
must be talented if their contact is to through a hundred autumns, Even more than a hundred
result in an illumination.” autumns!)
Ganapati D. Yadav
He has not formally been associated with any research activity
in his own alma mater after his retirement on April 30, 1997. Department of Chemical Engineering,
UICT, UniVersity of Mumbai, Mumbai, India
He was appointed as the Emeritus Professor of Eminence by
the University of Mumbai (2003), which is a unique honor, and IE078002G