“Although I’ve practically been visiting Pilani every year since 1990, this time I was there for a different reason,” says APM, as he is fondly referred to in BITS circles. “I’ve wanted to go back to BITS for a long time. I love the place,” he adds. “The BITS campus is, to me, the most beautiful campus I’ve seen anywhere.”

APM has strong educational ties to Pilani. In a seven-year stint from 1970 to 1977, he completed his bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees—all in Electrical Engineering! And not only that, he taught at BITS for 14 years, starting in 1972 and continuing till he eventually left in 1985. APM’s position at the helm of India’s first Computer Science department is just one of his many distinctions during the teaching tenure at BITS. With the help of some friends among the faculty, APM established the graduate and subsequently undergraduate CS programs at BITS.

“I wanted to make use of my sabbatical opportunity to also meet the hundreds of people I’ve come to know at BITS and in Pilani,” says APM. With his family staying back in the US, APM had the excellent VFAST guest house facility all to himself, enjoying overwhelming hospitality and courtesy from students and staff. 

“Everyone I’d met made me feel welcome and important throughout my stay at Pilani,” says APM. “The facilities that were provided—both academic and non-academic—were excellent.”   

I’m amazed at how some things in Pilani have withstood the test of time,” says APM. “The lovely Saraswati temple I visited twice each day during my student days at BITS; peacocks all over the campus; well dressed little children going to school early in the morning—what a wonderful sight; the tea and samosas in the cafeteria (IC); the sight of some classes overflowing and some remaining mostly empty—all due to the popularity or unpopularity of the respective professors; and the rickshaw-wallahs, the redi-wallas, the dhobis, and many other people who have managed to retain their simplicity and affection over the years.”

“I must admit a few things have changed,” he says.

According to APM, the positive changes include enhanced computing facilities; new buildings (e.g., the library, more hostels); good social atmosphere among the faculty and staff—most seemed upbeat about the progress BITS has made under the leadership of Dr. Venkateswaran, and about the future; salaries are at par with the IITs; the greenery on campus—“It’s like a flower garden; bougainvillea plants are all over the place and in full bloom! Lots of vegetable and fruits available for purchase, unlike in the 60's and 70's”—and the supermarket on campus for students, staff, and faculty.

A few negative aspects to the modern day Pilani campus also caught APM’s eye. “The campus is dirtier than it used to be in my days,” he says. “This is especially pronounced when you go towards Connaught. Vehicular traffic has increased on campus to the extent that I never felt comfortable taking my usual evening walks; too much noise pollution from religious organizations right outside the campus—the loudspeakers come on as early as 4am ; and the number of bicycles on campus has increased dramatically,” he adds. “Not that I’m against it but parking is most haphazard.”

APM did get a chance to make one trip to the US and back, in the middle of his sabbatical. The quick transitions caused him to mull over the stark differences in both environments. “During a brief stopover in Amsterdam, I noticed the huge number of neatly parked bicycles in many places around the city…all in a neat fashion. But not in Pilani! I tried my bit but did not succeed,” he admits, ruefully. “I asked myself, why can’t we be as clean and disciplined in Pilani and in India ?” But his heart is still with the small town in his native country.

BITS management went out of its way to ensure he had an incredible experience.  He had a light course load, teaching classes only on Tuesday and Wednesday.  BITS also provided him with financial support so that he could make the most of his time in India by touring the places he’d always wanted to visit. A car was at his disposal whenever he wanted to go to Delhi. “I traveled a lot in India” he says. “My colleagues in CS even offered to cover any classes I may miss during my travels.”  

APM taught one seminar for PhD students and one regular course during this time. He also initiated and organized a conference in Pilani for various companies and Indian universities to convene and share ideas. The Ranjit Singh Chauhan Award for Undergraduate Research, which APM instituted, will be given to one or two undergraduate students at BITS, whose research is judged as superlative by a committee of BITS faculty and chaired by the dean, R&C.  The award amount will vary depending on the interest earned from the endowment.