During this tenure at the ministry, Surya met Dr Vishvesvarayya who was an educationalist of international repute. He had brilliant ideas on how the education system in Indraprasta could be transformed. He had conceived an idea to set up a national university primarily focused on research in Science and Technology. It would have a number of affiliated colleges that would offer post graduation and doctoral programs. He was able to get the technical support from one of the reputed universities from US, the Stanford University. He was able to convince the government of the national importance of such a university to get all the clearances fast. This university was christened as the National University for Progressive Sciences (NUPS)
Surya Hari was result oriented. He knew that any idea was meaningful only if it was implemented properly. He put together crack team to manage the project of setting up NUPS. The senior members of the team were Rani, Somesh and Shravan.
Rani was in charge of Academic Affairs. She was a Ph D holder in Education from a top university in Indraprasta. She had about 15 years experience in the field of education. She had a charming demeanour and a heart of steel. She was also a very good administrator. With is single minded focus on her career, she did not marry for a long time. Subsequently, she was enamoured by Somjit who ran an NGO doing work among the tribal community. Soon she realised that she was not fit to be a family person and her marriage to Somjit ended up in a divorce. But she was only too happy to have the custody of her child and bring her up as a single mother.
Somesh was in charge of legal affairs. A highly qualified lawyer with an additional qualification in Corporate Secretarial functions Somesh took care of the corporate affairs and administration efficiently.
Shravan was a graduate in Engineering and a Post graduate in management. He hailed from lower middle class background. But he was brilliant student and managed to get admission to top engineering and subsequently to a top management school. After graduating he had joined the ministry of education and had the opportunity to work under Dr Vishvesvarayya. It was there that he was spotted for his brilliance and hard work. So he was picked up as a part of the start-up team for NUPS. He was responsible for the total infrastructure including information systems.
Within one year they had the university up and running against the apprehensions raised by many. These critics believed that a team with no prior experience in running any business venture before would not be nimble-footed enough to set up a university let alone run it. Surya Hari’s political connections helped him to get the licences fast. His crack team did a wonderful job of getting the project up and running in double quick time.
To begin with, they set up a college that offered Post Graduate and Ph D program in physics and chemistry. The labs were outstanding and the syllabus was of international standard. They were able to attract some very motivated and brilliant faculty members who took up variety of research projects. But the student enrolment was not as much as expected.
***
Dr Vishvesvarayya called for an internal brainstorming on how to increase the acceptance and popularity for the school among the public. Shravan was a person with a keen sense for business. So he was the first to volunteer his idea.
“Sir I believe we should have a strategy to build a brand name for NUPS and it should get associated to be a place that is most sought after” Shravan pointed out.
“Of Course that is why we are here” Rani quipped
“I think we should have a full-fledged advertising campaign about NUPS. We should also try to work with government to see if we can get our degree some premium compared to the regular universities.” Rani continued.
“May be we would approach the Ministry of Human Resources to declare that our Master’s program in Physics and Chemistry are equivalent to Master’s Program in Electronics and Chemical Engineering” Rani went onto elaborating her idea.
“Sir I have a different view” Shravan interjected. “We should offer some courses that have high demand in the market like Management. Though this is a little divergent from being focused on science and technology, this course will definitely complement the main programs.”
“I think it is complete dilution of our vision.” Rani almost burst out. She was miffed that this upstart Shravan with no experience in education sector should even open his mouth at a discussion like this. “And see what he comes up with. By suggesting this MBA he is diluting the spirit of NUPS. What does he think we are setting up?”
“Sir these two year program in management is a far cry from scientific institution we are setting up. The focus and attention will get completely diverted.” Rani was boiling.
“Sir Management is the art of making the science possible; possible to establish; possible to sustain and possible to survive. It will be a complement to the technical education. Many world renowned technical schools are introducing this in their offering. I believe that we should show leadership in this in our country. Once we get acceptance for this course and establish a name for ourselves naturally other courses will become attractive” Shravan was defending his idea.
“It is worth a try. Take it as a small project that Shravan can drive” Dr. Vishvesvarayya agreed.
Rani was boiling inside. “Dr Vishvesvarayya has a soft corner for this upstart. He let him try any of his nonsense ideas” She mused
She threw a sideways glance at Surya. He was quite. He sat there with a wooden face. It was difficult to fathom what he thought about.
“Shravan seem to be the pet of the Chairman and he seems to get any of his fancy ideas approved by him. I need to develop a powerful ally. The option for me is Surya.”
All of them got up to leave the room. Surya was in front and he walked along the long corridor towards the cafeteria instead of walking into his cabin which was next to the cabin of Dr Vishvesvarayya.
In his mind he was thinking hard about the idea Shravan suggested. He knew Shravan was a bright fellow his ideas often made sense. But he was not sure how it merged with the NUPS vision.
His brain was churning. This was a new development and he wanted to weigh the pros and cons of this and develop a strategy that suited his purpose.
As usual when he had some thoughts the bugged and he felt that he was not in full control of the situation he walked to the executive cafeteria, picked up a hot cappuccino and stood near the French window looking far out into the horizon drinking his coffee.
Rani walked up to him. She also picked up coffee and joined Surya.
“Can I join you for a coffee” She asked giving him a placating smile
“Of course you are welcome” He replied though he was not looking for company.
“What do you think about Shravan’s idea?” She asked
“Oh! Rani is not happy about Shravan getting an upper hand” he thought.
“Old man seems to be impressed by it” he replied non-commit tingly.
“But you were quiet and did not say anything” Rani replied. She wanted to judge Surya’s views.
“I heard this for the first time. I have not thought through the issues. May be it is a good idea and would work. May be it would fall flat” He replied, again not committing anything
Rani was feeling frustrated
“But Surya isn’t it against the vision of NUPS we all cherish? We are a scientific institution. Not a run-of-the mill college.” She said. The agitation in her mind was showing in her face and her gesticulations. Her sari slipped a bit from the shoulder. With the low cut blouse she was wearing the cleavage was visible. Surya could not help noticing it; especially since she was about four inches taller than him. It was a pleasant distraction. His eyes remained there for a few moments.
He moved his gaze away and their eyes met for a fleeting second. He realised that she saw his look and she knew that he knew.
“Oh let us see how it develops. If it succeeds it is good for us.” He replied
“If it fails, then what” She asked
“If it fails, then it would be a bad experiment” He replied.
Suddenly the position was clear in his mind.
“If it fails it is a bad expiring by Shravan supported by the Chairman. If it succeeds, he has to ensure that Shravan does not get too much of a mileage” He thought
“Rani is also not amused with Shravan. Let it continue like that. Some completion, rather insecurity, won’t do any bad. Though a brilliant professional she appears insecure too. She can be under my wings” His scheming mind was working fast
“Come on Rani. Don’t fret. You go ahead with what you are doing. I am sure that you would do great. I am there to give you all support” He told her.
“Smart cookie” She thought “Is he also extending a hand? May be he is the one to be developed as an ally at whatever cost”
“Let me go back to my room. I have some urgent papers to clear” Rani walked back along the corridor. She knew the view from her back was quite appealing. She gave it a more deliberate sway. She was aware of his gaze and she wasn’t at all perturbed.
***
To be continued
Very interesting Sir,
ReplyDeleteLooking forward would like to see how conflicts in ides converted into positive outcome.
Nice to read this part.
great venture. let me read it by
ReplyDeletechapter by chapter and come back.
best wishes.
govindan kutty
interesting
ReplyDelete