Chronicle is privileged to have a discussion with one of our senior-most alumni, Dr. Parmeshwari Dayal. While still working in the engineering consulting field at the age of 92 years, he is perhaps the only senior alumni active at such age.
Yogesh Upadhyaya (Chemical 1977) talks with Dayal Sir and his son Ram Chandra (Met. 1979) to find out more…..
 | Q-1: Welcome Sir, It is nice to know that you are one of the oldest alumni of our college. Please let us know about your study at IT-BHU.
I was born in 1914 in an Aggarwal family in a small village – Fazalgarh, near Modinagar in Western UP. I walked daily 4-5 miles to the primary school. After matriculation from Dev Nagri High School in Meerut in 1933 I went to BHU, Varanasi. I passed my Inter Sc. in 1935, standing second in the University. I was admitted to the then Dept. of Mining & Metallurgy on the basis of merit. I took Metallurgy (on my own decision) & completed the course in 1939 standing first class first. There was no ragging at that time. Class size was small with about 8-10 students. Prof. NP Gandhi & Dr. Daya Swarup have been a great guiding force in shaping my career. |
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I went to USA in 1946 on a Govt. of India scholarship and did my Masters in Met Engg. from the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn. I completed my PhD in 1956 from BHU while teaching in the Dept. of Met. Q-2: It is amazing to see you remaining active in engineering related work. What motivates you to work at this age? During 1966-73 I was the Chairman of the Delhi chapter of the Indian Institute of Metals & Organized several international seminars and conferences. I have been a member of selection boards / committees of the UPSC, several universities, IIT Delhi and the Education ministry for foreign scholarships. After retirement from the Govt. in 1973 as Senior Industrial Advisor (Metals), I established a consultancy firm for Metallurgical Industries. These activities generated the interest for keeping in touch with the technological developments and have kept me busy after retirement. Q-3: You have very impressive bio-data. It seems you joined IIT Kharagpur as a professor, when it was established. How was the campus atmosphere at that time? I was at IIT Kharagpur as Asstt. Professor during 1956-57. With Govt. support it had a big campus well equipped labs, high caliber faculty including one German & one Russian professor. Students were disciplined and well behaved. There was lot of freedom in selecting the syllabus & the process of examinations. The IITs had a good reputation in India and abroad. Q-4: You have undertaken many international work assignments, including those from United Nations. Which assignment do you think was your favorite? Out of my several international assignments the following 2 have been the most challenging:
Q-5: In what way do you think the education today has changed from your days? There have been a lot of technological advances in the field of Metallurgy with the application of X-Rays, Electron Microscopes, computers etc. The techniques and tools of education have much advanced as compared to the earlier days. Q-6: You have also found your consulting company. Please tell us more about it. My consultancy unit “Dayal Industrial Consultants” has been a very small unit mostly with personalized services. The work consisted of preparation of feasibility reports for new projects, demand surveys & advice on process technologies. My son, Ram Chandra has been associated with me after doing his B. Tech in 1979 also in Met Eng. from IT-BHU. I used to take assistance from other consultants on contract basis as and when required, as each project has its own specialty. Q-7: Lastly, please tell us about your family, your health, etc. I am the youngest of the four brothers & 3 sisters. My late three elder brothers were engaged in agriculture & business. There was no school in the village. My father established a lower primary school for me and other children. He also assisted in building a temple where I was induced to worshipping in the childhood itself. My father desired that I should study well & achieve a high official position. The guidance came from teacher’s, senior students & well wishers during my education and employment. I have kept reasonable good health. I have been very conscious of my diet and exercise. I was married in 1941. My wife has been a great help in my success, education of children and family well being. We had 4 daughters and one son. She was from a zamindar family and with a very broad and progressive outlook. She was instrumental in seeing that all the children studied well. My eldest daughter is MA, 2nd, 3rd and 4th are all doctors and reputed in their own fields. My son Ram Chandra (youngest) is B. Tech in Met Eng. from BHU – IT – 1979 batch. All our grand children from the daughters’ are doctors and the children of Ram Chandra are studying - Elder Son at IIT-Madras, Daughter in Jewelry Design at NIFT Ghandhinagar, and youngest son at DPS RK Puram New Delhi Above all it has been the WILL of GOD that has taken me upon the path of growth and a long joyful working life. Q-8: Thank you, Sir. It was nice to talk to you. Thanks for the interest shown in me. For bio-data of Dr. P. Dayal, please click here. | |