Reporter’s Diary: ‘Top scientist, humble human’

July 05, 2017 10:17 pm | Updated 10:17 pm IST

Despite not being on the dais, the admiration for Bharat Ratna C.N.R. Rao was palpable during the convocation ceremony of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc.) on Wednesday. Governor Vajubhai RudabhaiVala and President Pranab Mukherjee referred to the noted scientist in their speeches, to much applause from graduates and faculty of the premier science institution.

The Governor commented that despite being a great scientist, Mr. Rao sat in the audience like a ‘common man’ with no airs. The President was far more effusive. Before he left the hall, Mr. Mukherjee went up the Bharat Ratna and greeted him before engaging in a brief conversation about J.C. Ghosh, former director of IISc. who was Mr. Rao’s teacher. Mr. Mukherjee had, in his speech, said that when he joined teaching, Mr. Ghosh was an inspiration.

Stats Express

A minister reeling off statistics is every journalist’s nightmare. It’s even worse when this happens at a public event. While voice-recorder apps are easily available, finding a suitable location to get quality recording is a challenge. Thankfully, the Press Information Bureau has repeatedly come to the rescue of journalists in recent times. The PIB maintains a WhatsApp group that is updated with copies and even audio recordings of speeches.

At a recent event, Union Minister for Railways Suresh Prabhu was reading out statistics at ‘express’ speed leaving several journalists fumbling with their pens and pads. Thankfully, the PIB came to the rescue again by sharing a recording of the speech.

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