The Quarterly BITSians: Dr. SP Kothari, Professor at MIT Sloan & Prithviraj Chavan, Minister of State The BITSAA Edition Sandpaper [2.0] Fall 2004 Issue II Birla Institute of Technology & Science Alumni Magazine Mahatma Gandhi, the missing Nobel Laureate Rebel with a cause: Tosh Sheshabalaya The Rule of Three by Prof. Rajendra Sisodia IT in China: How BITS Pilani you can benefit Admissions A conversation History, debates and a solution with Dr. Meera Bannerji Bridle IT, BITS Pilani’s first incubated How they did it: company Rajesh Hukku & the i-flex Story _____________________________________________________________________________________________ FALL 2004 SANDPAPER 0 Ads by BITSian ventures Wissen is seeking outstanding BITSians to join their team Buy the world’s best cricketing gear or play fantasy cricket online _____________________________________________________________________________________________ FALL 2004 SANDPAPER 1 Sandpaper [2.0] Fall 2004 Issue CONTENTS 3 EDITORIAL RESEARCH & INNOVATION 53 The Rule of Three: Dr. Raj Sisodia (’74) FEATURES 4 Chitti aye hai – Letters & Opinions GENERAL INTEREST 6 Sandpaper Online 58 Mahatma Gandhi – the missing laureate 7 News 61 IT in China: From the Land of the Dragon 11 Masala & Spice 65 From Dilip’s Corner: Srinagar & Adoption 67 Making a difference COVER STORY 12 History of BITS Admissions EDUCATION & ACADEMICS 15 Admissions – Issues and Admissions 70 When Academicians become Entrepreneurs: Prof. Vijay Jog (’69) NOSTALGIC NOTES 72 Rebel with a cause: Tosh Sheshabalaya (‘76) 21 Reminiscences by Dr. Meera Bannerji 73 Excerpts from “The Rising Elephant” 24 The 74-79 Silver Jubilee 74 AP Mathur’s (’70) Sabbatical in the Sands NOTES FROM PILANI THE QUARTERLY BITSIAN 32 Bridle IT: Made in Pilani Labs ! 76 Prof. SP Kothari (’74), MIT Sloan Professor 34 Dr. Meera Bannerji: A Woman of Substance 80 Prithviraj Chavan (’63), Minister of State & 36 SPICMACAY: The BITS Chapter Rajya Sabha Member, Government of India 38 BITS Pilani @ Goa opens for business MERA BHARAT MAHAAN CREATIVE & HUMOR 81 Coupling microindustry with rural schools 40 Cartoons 84 Dr. AKS Gopalan (’62): Director ISRO & SAC 42 Poetry 44 The battle of Bunker Hill ALUMNI CORNER & BITSAA Initiatives 46 The CGPA strategy 87 Partyin’ around the world 92 BITSian 2 BITSian – a more powerful idea LEADERS & ENTREPRENEURS 92 Getting into the world’s top MBA Schools 48 Rajesh Hukku (’74) & i-flex story 94 OLAB - Of Sand, Silicon and Oysters 96 SELECTED CLASSNOTES _____________________________________________________________________________________________ FALL 2004 SANDPAPER 2 Editorial Birla Institute of Technology & Science Alumni Magazinee If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there… distance, hear sounds through the fog, and are It’s a statement I think about often. In my thrilled by the images of these destinations near life, I can count five times that I have been sure of and far. I want to spend time figuring out how I what I wanted to do, and took the roads to those can clear a path to these new possibilities. And destinations. In between, it has been largely a when my son leaves to follow his own path, just process of discovery. like I did at 17 years of age, I want to bid him farewell with the confidence that he will be safe; Five academic degrees, four companies, three but satisfied that I would have taught him well for continents, and one startup later, I find myself at the journey that lies before him. the crossroads again. I’ve learnt a few things to date. That most roads don’t lead anywhere, and This magazine was a journey of personal most of the time, we don’t think about where we discovery. It reminded me how much I enjoy to are going. Life is a series of journeys to different write, to work with like-minded BITSians. In past destinations, with different passengers and editions I spoke of the vast greatness, of purpose changing scenery. I know where I want to get to, or even a path paved with gold. I must admit that but I wonder how to begin the next one. for Sandpaper, some of these thoughts may never have crossed my mind. Yet it is an exciting time. I’m 35, and I’ve made a list of possible destinations, each with a different When we first started Sandpaper, there were a theme. Purpose, Entrepreneurship. Leadership. few stragglers. I look back and see so many Achievement, Mission. These thoughts swirl around following, stronger and fitter than I am. I have in my mind like snowflakes in Central Park in decided to hand over the wheel, to become a January. And somewhere in the snowdrift, hides a passenger. But I let others pass with mixed path that could show the way. feelings. I am saddened because I will miss our creative process that has made these two years For most of us, our journey did truly begin at Pilani. so much fun. BITS gave us the engine to power this trip. We bid our goodbyes in Vidya Vihar and went about our But I am also enthused, imagining the mornings I ways. Only recently we’ve chanced upon this global will wake up, check my email and find a new, BITS community. We’ve realized that this unread edition. When I pick up my coffee and community can give us with extra fuel and a new settle back with the smell of print still fresh from set of tires for our individual trips. Maybe even a my ageing HP printer, I will turn the pages and tune-up or new directions. remember the days that all this began. BITSAA’s mission is to inspire us to continue up the I am entrusting Sandp in very good hands. path. A number of initiatives shall help in the quest. Sandeep has the drive, the vision, the abilities The alumni directory (which is finally underway) will and the support of a very energetic and talented connect us to others in ways we did not even team to continue our mission. imagine. The bits2bschool initiative will ensure that I am off on my journey. But before I go, I’d like you raise the bar on your MBA dream. We want to thank my team for all their hard work, thank you to think of Harvard, INSEAD, IIM-Ahmedabad, those who emailed or called with words of of the world’s greatest schools. In research, dream encouragement, and thank especially all of you of the Nobel, the Fields Medal, of the Lemelson-MIT for reading what we Prize. In business, achieve the heights of Vivek, had to say. Rajesh and Mukesh. Desire no less than Padma Shri’s and Knighthoods for your work. Choose your Chalta hoon. I’ll be roads carefully. seeing you around. As we speed along the highways of life, or navigate Anupendra Sharma the treacherous turns, we may find other BITSians. (’87 Eco Instru) Walking; stuck; lacchaing; waiting. Stop and talk Chief Editor to them. Help them. Give them a ride. Your paths may cross again. Nov 26, 2004 In my personal journey through life, I am accompanied by my wife and son. Together as a Pic: With Rohan in Ithaca family we see the tops of gleaming minarets in the _____________________________________________________________________________________________ FALL 2004 SANDPAPER 3 Letters & Opinions Birla Institute of Technology & Science Alumni Magazine Chitthi Aye Hai ON THE SPRING 2004 EDITION OF WHAT’S DELHI COMING TO ? - A SANDPAPER 2.0 HANDICAPPED PERSON INCIDENT It was good to learn about the activities of fellow BITSians I would like to share one incident which has become very through Sandpaper. We are having a reunion of our 69 common for handicaps in Delhi. Even employees of batch in Washington from Aug 27 - 29. The effort is being reputed companies like LG India behave improperly. I was led by a great BITSian by the name of Jasbir Saini. Please accompanying my brother, who cannot walk properly, for contact him at [email protected]. It may be too late to the office bus at District Center in West Delhi and crossed announce that in the Sandpaper but in the future he can a crowd of few people standing on the footpath and waiting keep you informed about our batch's upcoming activities. for bus. They insulted my brother for his disability. He Thanks for doing a great job, as a BITSian you have cried and could not say anything. It gave me shock that acquired the rights to visit us in Houston and even get a highly educated, well mannered guys, people from elite meal or too that includes a sweet dish also. group also behave in such a bad manner that it hurts very much to handicaps. I also could not say anything. Radhe Shyam Sharma, BITS ‘69 (Electrical) [email protected] Vikas Sarin I very much appreciate your efforts in bringing our Sandpaper in an excellent way. My interview has been ART BY BITSIANS reproduced quite correctly. Thanks for the reporting and I am happy that it has been received well. With best wishes I came across the bitsaa.org website, I am a BITSian (1994 to you and all others who have made this paper quite C5), thought I should share some of the stuff I do. I am an attractive, artist and I do paintings, sketches and also these days’ Dr. L.K. Maheshwari, Director – BITS Pilani electronic sketches (MS Paint). I am sending you a sketch to share with BITSians – an electronic sketch (MS Paint) of [email protected] Ganesha with geometric figures for Ganesh Chaturthi. (see Amazing write-up,....I am zapped with the dept.....you most below or go to “Art by BITSians” in Photo Galleries on the positively were high when you wrote it weren't you BITSAA Sandpaper website) ?...Exactly my thoughts about looking back at 50-60 and being able to say that life was fulfilling and I've had a good Praveen Rachakulla [email protected] run....Keep up the good work.