Srinagar: The National Institute of Technology Srinagar on Monday paid rich tributes to a distinguished physicist and administrator, Padma Shri Prof. Kasturi Lal Chopra, who died while battling Covid19 on 19th May.
The condolence meeting was organized by Dr. M A Shah and his students, Department of Physics, NIT Srinagar to pay the tributes to the legend Prof. KL Chopra and other academicians across the country who lost their battle against Covid19 pandemic.
Special mention was made of AMU, DU, JMI and University of Kashmir, who lost Prof G M Bhat and Prof Fazili.
Director NIT Srinagar, Dr. Prof. Rakesh Sehgal said they lost a great person in the field of Physics and will be always remembered for his noted work.
“It is very sad and emotional to learn everyday about the deaths of academicians and our colleagues. They are national and international assets and indeed it is a great loss,” he said.
Dr. Sehgal said it is collective responsibility to extend our support to administration during this time in whatever way it is possible. We are technical people and we can help the administration in many ways in tackling the crisis, he said.
Director NIT Srinagar prayed for peace for all those departed souls including academicians and outstanding scientists like Prof. Chopra who lost their lives during Covid19.
Registrar NIT Srinagar, Prof. SK Bukhari in his condolence message prayed for the departed soul and stated that Prof. Chopra was a great asset of the country and termed his departure a big loss.
“This is a shock we were not prepared for, but we shall certainly cherish the memories of our association with such a fine soul – ever-smiling, polite and suave,” Prof. Bukhari said.
Prof. MA Shah from the PG Department of Physics said it is an obligation on all of us to remember our great teachers who lost their battles against the pandemic during this second wave.
While paying rich tributes to Prof. KL Chopra, he said his contribution in science and technology will always be remembered. He has nourished thousands of students across the country and particularly in the valley.
“Professor Chopra also distinguished himself as a rare scientist who had expertise in his field, not only as a renowned teacher, but also as a much-respected scientist,” he said.
“NIT Srinagar shall remember his contribution for extending support to organize INSPIRE and International Conferences. NIT Srinagar shall stand by his family by all means” Prof. Shah said.
Prof Shah’s interactions and relations with Prof Chopra were very deep and memorable. While paying tributes in emotions, said, Oh God open the doors of heaven for his soul and have mercy upon him.
It is the right time that Teacher’s societies/ Organizations and alumni should help administration to expand Medical Infrastructure within premises of universities and institutions to set up small oxygen plants and oxygen supported beds.
On the occasion, Former Chairperson NIT Srinagar, Prof. M J Zarabi said his association with Prof. Chopra is from 1971 when he was a research student in Bangalore.
“We worked together on several projects as fellows and it is a big jolt to all of us. There is no parallel to his intellectual honesty and he will be remembered for his great work ,” Prof. Zarabi said.
Paying rich tributes to Chopra, Director NIT Mizoram, Prof Rajat Gupta said Prof. Chopra was not only an exemplary academician but a great mentor and friend to me.
“He was very passionate about imparting education to others and was excited about his students. He was a great human being and I will pray for his departed soul,” Prof. Gupta said.
On the occasion, Prof. M K Paswan said Prof. Chopra was a friend of friend and would always help his students. His departure is a great loss to the engineering fraternity and it is a terrible loss and our thoughts are with his family through this difficult time.
While, Professor, M S R Rao in his condolence message said it is very sad news indeed – came to know of it a few days back. I have known him from IIT days (he became the Director one year before I graduated).
Prof. Chopra has inspired many generations of scientists, his invaluable contribution in nurturing Indian science at all levels and prayed for his soul. “We keep meeting in the bi-annual thin film conferences (last one was at IISc). He never missed this event all these years and was always energetic. May his soul rest in peace, he said.
Prof. G A Harmain from Mechanical Engineering Department, termed Prof. Chopra’ death as colossal loss to academia and such individual are universities in themselves.
“Such soldiers march without star or angel as their guide and conquer those territories where ordinary souls fear to tread. The shine of this star shall keep on glowing and will be a marker in vast sky of ignorance,” he said.
Prof N A Sheikh, HOD Mechanical has sent his condolence message for Prof Chopra and said he had been fortunate enough to meet him during INSPIRE Programmes.
Many students from NIT Srinagar and other institutions sent condolence messages for the departed soul and paid tributes to the legend. Lastly on the advice of Prof Rajat Gupta, a standing ovation in silence was made for the departed souls across the globe.
