A tribute to Professor M.S.Valiathan
A tribute to Prof. M. S. Valiathan
My long association with Prof. M. S. Valiathan has compelled me to pen down a few lines on how he has impacted and moulded my life.
As I was wrapping up my research work at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre leading to my PhD in 1987, one senior scientist requested that I work as a research associate at Sree Chitra, Trivandrum, at least for a year. That was the first time I heard about this hospital. I gladly started working on the project, and after four months, I visited Sree Chitra with the results. My work involved the neuron activation analysis of biological samples.
When the project was over in June, 1990, I had three choices.
- To enter as a lecturer at St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, as I was an alumni of the college.
- To continue with sree chitra
- To associate with the Atomic Energy Regulatory Body (AERB). One senior scientist in BARC wanted me with AERB and discouraged me from shifting to sree chitra.
However, I decided to accept Sri Chitra’s offer for a scientific post and shifted to Trivandrum.
I worked with Professor Valiathan’s group until 2002.
After that, I shifted to Mumbai to continue as a scientist cum entrepreneur.
I was in touch with Professor Valiathan until a few months ago. After resigning from Sree Chitra, I published more than twenty scientific papers in peer reviewed journals. I used to share all publications, investigation reports, and my publications on spirituality and science with him for his comments and suggestions. In many papers related to health during COVID-19, I acknowledged him for introducing me to biomedical research.
Looking back, I feel I made a good decision to work with Prof. Valiathan, and the association with him made me a scientist cum entrepreneur. One good thing about scientist cum entrepreneur job is that there is no retirement in life and strict working hours. However, the life may not be very easy.
I mentioned his name eight years ago, as a person who had impacted my life during our reunion meeting. He saw the video and sent his comments.
Though he is gone from this world, his life will continue to impact many lives in the days to come.
I offer my pranam- to him.
https://youtu.be/KTArjpfcZ6w?si=YBGcJHRPgGUH040C (malayalam)