Sparks from Memory

Beginnings of the war: I was travelling from Delhi to Jodhpur by Jodhpur mail on the night of December 3, 1971. Suddenly all lights went off and the train continued its run in utter darkness. Sometime later, we were told that the war between India and Pakistan has broken out. Next day, the morning newpapers … Read more

Fellowship: It was sometimes in the month of May 1971, that, I was offered a fellowship for a study visit to USA. The fellowship was sponsored by National Science Foundation of USA and US Agency for International Development. The fellowship was absolutely open ended. The duration of the trip was three months and we were  … Read more

Computer Programming: Computers and computer programming had started making some ripples in 1968. It was the time of main frame computers and the access to computers was not available to the common man. However, the stories about, what computer is and what computer does and what computers can do, were taking rounds and everybody was … Read more

Water Resources Development Training Centre at Roorkee: Water resources development training centre was established as one of the departments of the University of Roorkee in the year 1955 for running field oriented  training programmes, related to planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance of water resources and hydro-power projects for sponsored service personnel of Afro Asian … Read more

Association of Engineers: Jodhpur Railway was a well administered and well developed metre gauge railway of erstwhile Jodhpur State. It had an identity of its own at Jodhpur with its imposing office buildings, workshops, officers  bungalows and staff quarters scattered on both sides of the railway line. After independence and the merger of Jodhpur State … Read more

Background: Since the times of moghul emperor Akbar, the hill areas covered by Jammu and Kashmir were under the control of a number of small princely states. Most of these rulers were hindus, whereas, some of them were muslims. During the decline of the moghul empire and the rise of Sikhs, these states were gradually … Read more

Short term overseer course: With the integration of the princely states and the formation of Rajasthan,  there was a flurry of development activities, leading to sudden spurt in the demand for trained manpower in all sectors and at all levels. MBM Engineering College was established in 1951 and was running  a degree course in civil … Read more

Practicals: Practical in laboratories,   on  the shop floor or  in the field   are essential components of the learning  process, in all professional institutions. Laboratory experiments, workshop jobs and field work  are intended to make the students familiar with the basics of  different processes and operations. They encourage the students to see and to do or … Read more

Physical facilities: The main building of the polytechnic, which accommodated  classrooms, drawing halls, civil engineering and electrical engineering laboratories, library, staff rooms   and other associated facilities  had been completed and was in use. A separate block of mechanical engineering workshops and mechanical engineering laboratories had also been completed and was in use. Two hostels with … Read more

Grounds: About eighty  acres of land was available in the southern part of the campus for development as playgrounds for games and sports. The process of development was gradual, with physical inputs by the staff and students on almost daily basis. Initially, the land was cleared, fields were marked and the students started playing. Subsequently, … Read more