My Studies and life in IIT, Bombay
I joined IIT, Bombay for doing PhD by Oct 1974 under the QIP Scheme of the Government of India on deputation from TKM College of Engineering, Quilon. I selected Dr. Achutan as my Guide and selected a topic on Combustion Characteristics of Cyclone Furnace. This created a problem as my M.Tech was on Turbo Machines from IIT, Madras and the present topic is on heat transfer and combustion. So I had to study thoroughly heat transfer, chemical kinetics and Computer programming. Also since the work on this topic is mainly done in Russia, I had to study Russian language to translate some of the Russian papers into English. So it was a herculean task.
Luckily for me there was Mr. U.N.Gaitonde who was an expert and sincere person doing his PhD and willing to help all. With his smiling features and hardworking and helping nature he has impressed me. Normally person doing PhD will be engrossed in his work and will not get anytime to help others. Gaitonde has really surprised me by his good will. Gaitonde has also helped me in making a mathematical model of my work.
All India Kutchi Memon Federation has released All India Kutchi Memon Directory and I attended representing Quilon in the Jamat Khana in 1975 where President Kabli released the Directory. It was a big function
By march 1975 I went and brought my wife and children, admitted children in the Central School in the Campus. Subsequently I was allotted QIP furnished quarter. The life then has become pleasant with good climate, good food. My wife took the complete responsibility of house and children and I was completely in my studies. I took up a course on Heat Transfer by Dr. Sukatme who was also HOD. His sincerity in teaching and dedication is a model thing for all teachers. He was available for help in the evenings. Gaitonde has become our family friend and spent few sunday with us. So I never felt any difficulty in studies.
We also had relatives in Masjid Bunder and Gauregaum. we visit them and they also visit us. We did not even go for my younger brothers marriage in Cochin as it will distract the study. I had to go to Tata Institute of Fundamental Research for my Computer work frequently as IIT computer was not sufficient for my work. All expenses were met by IIT.
I was trying all methods to solve my problem but I could not get any solid result even after 2 years. I then became panic as I am having only 3 year leave to complete my work . One day I met HOD Dr. Sukatme in the evening and explained my problem. He assured me that if I can prove that the problem can not be solved by any existing method that itself is sufficient for PhD. This gave me courage, I put more effort and by God's grace I could start getting results in another 6 months. By April 1977 I took back my family to Quilon and returned to IIT. Then I stayed in Hostel and completed my work and got the thesis typed out. I wanted only 2 months extension for submission of my thesis.
Me along with some other students visited poor houses outside the campus and helped them to get some earnings and also assisted their children in studies. I am very pleased to know that that work still continues there in a larger scale. May Allah accept that deed Aameen
I am thankful to my guide and greatly indebted to Gaitonde and Dr. Sukatme for all the support given. I could also associate with some of my friends for doing social work by helping poor people outside the campus. I left IIT, Bombay by Jan 1978 fully contended. I am still having contact with Dr. Gaitonde and he has also visited us in Quilon and Cochin.
2 years back I went with my son to Trissur to see my guide Dr. Achutan. He was very happy to see me. He is staying with his sister as his wife passed away and only son in America.
I am thankful to God for enabling me to take PhD though I was an average person. I thank my wife and children who helped and supported me in my stay in Bombay
Dr.Mohamed ali essa
Dr.Mohamed ali essa
