(In continuation with the last Post)
2.1.11 Incident B9 Creating Conflict of Mind: My marriage was finalised by December, 1975. However, I had to wait for sometime for the solemnisation of the marriage on account of financial constraints. In the first week of January, 1976, I came back from the college after taking my routine classes and to my pleasant surprise, I got a number of telegrams from Prof. Mallick Sir and some of my friends in IIT, Kharagpur. The message of the telegrams was the fact that my Ph.D. viva would be held after 4 days. As per the rules and regulations for Ph. D. programs, the viva is held only when all the three examiners of the thesis (one from outside India and two from India) recommends the award of the Ph.D. degree. Next day, I proceeded to Kharagpur to present myself in the viva-voce examination, as scheduled. On reaching the institute hostel, I went straight to meet Mallick Sir in his residence, since it was evening by then. Prof. Mallick Sir was very happy in view of the laudable recommendations particularly the one received by the institute from Prof. R. H. Wood (the external examiner of my thesisfrom London as stated earlier). He talked about that recommendation in details. Naturally I too felt proud of myself and politely expressed my gratitude to Mallick Sir by stating—Sir, all these have been achieved on account of your blessings.
As per the norms prevalent in those days for Ph.D. viva, the viva was made open to all faculty members and research scholars of the department. By the time the viva was scheduled, many in the department came to know about the laudable recommendations made on my thesis by the external examiner (Prof. Wood). Therefore, there was the presence of a good number of faculty members and research scholars in addition to Prof. Dayaratnam (a renowned Professor from Kanpur IIT, who was the appointed main-examiner for the viva), Professor J. V. Rao (Head of the Department of Civil Engineering, IIT, Kharagpur), Prof. Mallick Sir and other members of my Doctoral Committee. As usual, initially, I was asked by Prof. Rao (chairing the viva-session) to speak on the salient aspects of my research works. Accordingly, I did start to speak. An unprecedented situation was then created by a professor (marked as X) of our department. He started interrupting me during my speech with a series of questions. Normally, the candidate of the viva completes his speech and thereafter, the appointed examiner (Prof. Dayaratnam in this case) takes over and asks questions to the candidate. It is only after the appointed examiner completes his part of questioning, the floor is opened for questions to the other members present. In violation of this standard norm, Prof. X started raising questions to me during my speech—he raised one question to which I responded and resume my speech—after a few minutes, he came up with his next question to which also I responded. This process of interruption by Prof. X went on till the audience present started whispering on his questioning. On hearing the whispers, he left the hall and it was only then I did complete my speech on my research works. This situation of interruption occurred on account of his anger on me for my refusal to do my Ph.D. under him after I completed my M. Tech. project under his guidance in 1970. After I completed my part, there were only a few questions from Prof. Dayaratnam and to my utter surprise, nobody else raised a single question and my viva session came to a happy end with a brief concluding speech by Prof. Rao. This is how I eventually got my Ph.D. through a series of conflicts of mind, which have been included herein for the benefit of the younger generation of engineers desirous of pursuing research leading to a Ph.D. The happiest part of my research works done for a period of three years was the fact that it (the research work) produced eventually three important research papers of my life—–two being international 10 & 11 and one being national 12 (all these three papers were published after I got the degree).
Today, having been experienced in research work pursued for my Ph. D. in the way briefly dealt with through the above-noted incidents, I get upset on hearing about the time periods spent now-a-days by many of brilliant students to the extent of 7/8 years even in top-class institutes of the country for their Ph. D. degrees. As an example, I state below a specific case of one of my brilliant students, I taught during the two spans of my academic life.
Recently, I got a call from one of my brilliant ex-students. He joined a top-class institute of the country in 2017 for his Ph. D. immediately on completion of his post-graduate degree in structural engineering. He learnt the basic principles of structural engineering in his under-graduate courses under my teaching and guidance. On getting his call, I thought initially that I would get the good news of his Ph.D.—unfortunately it was not to be so. In fact, I was shocked to know from him that the thesis has not been submitted yet—though it is now going to be eight years in next August, since he joined the institute for his Ph.D. in 2017. This situation has been a straight reminder of my days of pursuing my Ph.D. (as briefly described above). Many questions started coming to my mind. I know many cases of brilliant engineering graduates growing in different industries to comfortable positions by the end of 10/12 years of experiences since their graduations. The student talked about herein is going to complete 11 years in next August since his graduation in engineering. I started breaking my head by thinking about the possible reasons thereof. However, a detailed discussion of different reasons leading to a situation of this type is obviously outside the scope of this article/book. But there is, indeed an absolute need for deeply looking into feasible measures necessary for avoiding this type of situations faced today by some research scholars, who are otherwise highly promising for the developmental activities of any country—may it be the sector of technical education or that of the construction industry.
2.1.12 Incident B10 Creating Conflict of Mind: After the attainment of the degree of Ph.D., life for me became normal in JEC. However, I started feeling the pinches of financial constraints in view of my ensuing marriage ceremony and other material needs of life. It was truly then I started seriously thinking of professions other than the one held then. In fact, I got at that stage, a post of Senior Design Engineer in a reputed Consultancy Company based in Delhi. During the summer vacation, with due permission from the then Principal of JEC (Prof. Devajit Chaliha – Image 2.6), I joined that post carrying a salary of more than three times the one drawn then by me in JEC. During my stay in Delhi, I had to fight with the conflict of my mind over the issue of continuing with the new job or to continue in JEC. I had to work continuously over 10 to 12 hours daily in Delhi. The primary consideration of leaving that post and continuing in JEC was that, at that stage, I saw a scope of more earnings with the effective working for 10/12 hours daily in Assam itself. Accordingly, I resumed my job in JEC, being sure of starting my own consultancy works sooner or later (in Assam . I had to wait for appropriate time for the change-over of the profession.
In the meantime, somehow (under financial hardship) my marriage was solemnised in September, 1976. In my life, my wife (a working lady—a subject teacher in English in a Govt. H. S. School of Assam) turned out to be a strong support in the days following thereafter in all respects. After a few months, I got promoted to the position of an Assistant Professor (now equivalent to an Associate Professor). Those days, only three posts of Assistant Professor were there in JEC. I got that post since the Lecturer immediately senior to me was then on study leave. As an Assistant Professor, I used to draw a monthly salary of around Rs. 900.00 per month. I new at that stage very well that an income of that extent would not be adequate to pull me up in respect of my necessities of life. I started looking for better opportunities.
After a few months, I got selected for the post of Assistant Professor (now equivalent to Associate Professor) as the first faculty in the newly established Regional Engineering College (now, NIT Silchar). In that selection board, I was the only candidate selected for the post because of my Ph. D. degree, though many senior persons including some of my teachers in JEC appeared in the interview. I decided to join that post and accordingly got myself released from JEC and proceeded to Silchar for joining. I reached Silchar by train by evening along with my two students of the final year of JEC. They (hailing from Silchar only) accompanied me for my help in Silchar, I stayed in the residence of one (named Baharuddin Laskar) of these two students. I am even today grateful to the family of Baharuddin for the kind of hospitability given to me. Next day morning, I went to the college for joining. The said two students accompanied me even to the college. While entering into the newly bult administrative building of the college, I saw a person waiting for me just at the main entrance and he welcomed me by saying–-Hello Dr. Barua—welcome to our college—I am waiting here to receive you. It was an utter surprise to me. My two students accompanying me were too surprised. I knew that person. I met him earlier once or twice when he was a lecturer in a polytechnic institute in Guwahati. I knew him as a person playing a lot of nasty politics with his associates. Being surprised on seeing him there, I smartly reacted to his welcoming words—hello, how come, you are here? He too smartly responded—Oh, I joined last week as the first Assistant Professor in Civil Engineering Department. Then and there, I changed my decision and stated to that Assistant Professor of REC, Silchar—-Very good, congratulations on your joining as the first faculty member. Now, please show me your institute. I have truly come today to see the institute and then to take a few days more to decide about my joining. At the moment, I am a bit concerned with my wife’s job. He immediately reacted—Do not worry for that, we will get her transferred to Silchar Govt. H. S. School. I did not react to that statement. After sometime, we left the institute. My students with me then were shocked on hearing the discussion held with that Assistant Professor. I had to briefly state to them the background leading to that type of discussion with him and the eventual decision of mine to the effect of not joining the institute in spite of the truth that I took release from JEC.
From the institute, I along with the two students went straight to the Silchar Post Office to talk over trunk-call to Prof. D. Chaliha Sir, who was then working as the Director of Technical Education, Assam. I explained to him the situation faced in the REC, Silchar and about my decision of not joining. He was surprised and asked me—Why have you gone for that decision? Has there been any threat from any quarter? I responded—nothing of that sort Sir. I have been truly upset on seeing that a man has joined the department through the back-door. I do not want to work with him, being junior to him. Prof. Chaliha Sir then told me that Late Hiteswar Saikia, who was then the Education Minister of Assam wanted me to join the new institute for a better future awaiting me there. Even then I stuck to my decision. On knowing about my firm stand, I was then advised by him (Chaliha Sir) to talk then and there to the then Principal of JEC for withdrawing my release papers. Accordingly, I did and the principal was pleased to cancel my release papers, since by then the same were not forwarded to the Government. That evening itself, I took my train journey back to Jorhat and next day I resumed my duties in the original position (as Assistant Professor). This is how, the chapter of the possibility of my new life in an infant institute at Silchar came to a dramatic end. However, I am still grateful to the two great personalities (appearing in Image 2.6) for their blessings for me.
When I retrospect this incident now, I get pleasure on the fact the person for whom I did not join the Regional Engineering College, Silchar was eventually terminated from the college service on the ground of his nasty politics, thereby proving me right in respect of my perception about his nature. I did not get disappointed even after all these happenings—obviously for my confidence in myself accountable to my hard-earned degrees from IIT, Kharagpur.
Life in JEC continued as usual thereafter under financial constraint felt off and on. In the meantime (December, 1977), I was blessed with my first baby—a son. But I did not have to wait longer for fighting the next Conflict of Mind during my professional life, as stated below.
2.1.13 Incident B 13 Creating Conflict of Mind: On a particular day of the month of April, 1978, I got a call from Prof. D. Chaliha (then Director of Technical Education, Assam) over the college phone, when he stated to me—-Hema, I am sorry for you. The lecturer senior to you has come back from study leave. You are going to be demoted to the position of a lecturer again. I tried for you. In fact, I gave a special proposal to the Government for the creation of a special post of Assistant Professor to accommodate you in view of the absolute necessity of a teacher of your standing—that too in the field of structural engineering. However, it has been turned down by the Government. I responded—-Sir, I will leave the college under this situation. He reacted then—I know, you would not accept the position of Lecturer again. So, you may try for some other post anywhere you can. I assure you, I will arrange for your lien, even if you go for a private organisation. Time is short, as the order to that effect may come any day.
By then, I decided that at a certain stage, I would take up the profession of consultancy, having seen my bleak future in the college, in view of a new norm coming into operation for the promotion to higher levels on the basis of seniority alone. I was then waiting for the appropriate time for the changeover. Therefore, I was not disappointed on hearing Chaliha Sir. I concluded then –the time for leaving the college had come. Even then, I was not fully prepared to start the consultancy services at that stage since, by then I did not have an exposure to the construction industry to the extent, as expected from a good consultant. So, immediately after hearing Chaliha Sir, I contacted one senior architect based at Jorhat and wanted to know from him if he could be of any help to me under that situation. It was that architect who gave me the information about some developmental activities going on at that stage in the Tocklai Experimental Station (TES) (later on renamed as Tocklai Tea Research Institute) managed by Tea Association of India (TRA). This institute was established in 1911 during the British Era and it is recognized as the world’s largest tea research centre. He (the architect) gave me the phone no. of the then Director of TES, who was Dr. N. K. Jain, an internationally acclaimed tea scientist during those days.
Next day morning, I contacted him (Dr. Jain) from JEC over phone and took his permission for meeting him in his office that day itself. He was so kind as to give me the time at 11 am of that day. Accordingly, I met him in his office chamber and introduced myself and explained in brief about the situation faced by me. He asked me about my qualifications and field of specialisation. On knowing everything, he immediately called his Administrative Officer, who was a retired Group Captain of Indian Air Force (I came to know about him at a later stage only). I had some discussion with both of them and immediately after the short discussion, Dr. Jain stated—-I am so pleased to know about you in details by now. I do not want to miss you. But I have a problem. My Station Engineer will retire after about 4 months. On his retirement, I will be glad to absorb you in his position. At the moment, there is no vacancy to take you in a position commensurate with your qualifications and experiences. I responded—Sir, I need to leave my college immediately for avoiding the situation of my demotion to the Lecture’s position. The Administrative Officer then came up with a suggestion to the Director—- Sir, can we keep him now temporarily till our Station Engineer retires for supervising our on-going construction works? Dr. Jain responded smartly and commented—-yes, that is possible.But, with what designation, we can temporarily absorb him for that purpose is the question. For a moment, there was silence and then Dr. Jain came up with some queries from me—-Dr. Barua, what is your present salary as an Assistant Professor in your college? I responded—I get Rs.962.00 per month. He replied— That is not a problem for us, we can pay you more than that even when you will be in a temporary position. He continued—We can keep you as a Clerk of Works for supervising the construction of the on-going projects in our campus during this temporary period with a consolidated salary of Rs. 1200.00 per month. Will you be happy with this arrangement? I responded—-Sir, I am happy with the arrangement except for my reservation about the designation of Clerk of Works. Will you please give me some other designation? Then, Dr. Jain had a discussion with his Administrative Officer and eventually, it was decided to offer me the designation of Research Fellow. It was further clarified to me that, even as a Research Fellow, my job would be to supervise the construction works. I readily accepted that offer and the very next day, I got the formal order to that effect.
On getting the offer letter from the Director of Tocklai Experimental Station, I submitted my application for lien from the Government of Assam, as suggested earlier by Chaliha Sir and got the release from JEC and joined TES in the month of April, 1978, thereby marking the beginning of Part C of my professional life (Figure 1.1 of Part I of this series). This is how, I got the scope of gathering my practical experiences in the construction industry, as I desired before starting the life as a consultant.
After a few months, as assured by the Director of TES, I got absorbed as a regular officer and took charge of the unit of maintenance and construction of TES. That position gave me a tremendous scope for gathering my experiences in the wide area of maintenance and construction of buildings and other infrastructure apart from giving me a huge lift in respect of my earnings through salary and the parks for the new position. I remember, the salary I used to draw then was about three times the one I used to draw in JEC as an Assistant Professor(Now the salaries of teachers have been enhanced—this statement does not hold good now). However, the saddest part of my life was the fact that I had to end my first span of teaching life in April, 1978—a life I truly enjoyed through teaching my students. When Prof. Mallick Sir (my Ph. D. Guide) came to know about my change of profession, he wrote me a letter in a post card and emphasized as—Hema Kanta, you must come back to teaching. I replied to him—–I will try Sir. I preserved that Post Card for a long time.
(The first article on Part C of Figure 1.1 will appear in the next Post of this blog)
10‘Behavior of one-story reinforced concrete frame infilled with brickwork under lateral loads’, by H. K. Barua and S. K. Mallick, Proc., Sixth World Conference on Earthquake Engineering, January 10-14, 1977
11. ‘Behavior of mortar infilled steel frames under lateral loads’, by H. K. Barua and S. K. Mallick, Building and Environment, Vol. 12, 1977, pp263—277, Great Britain.
12. ‘A review of the behavior of infilled frames under lateral loads’, by H. K. Barua and S. K. Mallick, The Indian Concrete Journal, Vol 51, July, 1977
13. https://aau.ac.in/about/Professor-Devajit-Chaliha/6
14.https://in.images.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search;_ylt=AwrKC_7eCixoDLMHEzbnHgx.;_ylu=Y29sbwMEcG9zAzEEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3Nj?p=Photo+of+Hiteswar+Saikia%2C+Ex-Chief+Minister+of+
15.https://in.images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=Awr1QQTKMzBoOgIAtIy7HAx.;_ylu=Y29sbwNzZzMEcG9zAzEEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3Nj?p=heritage+bungalows+of+tocklai+tea+research+i
