A Lab work from home in 1984-85

A lab work carried at Home

It was a chance discussion with a colleague Dr. P Hanmanthu, from chemistry Department at Nizam College gave shape to this paper. He happened to be my BSc classfellow in 1969. He was curious that I study effect of a compound Benzamidazole on biological system. The compound happened to be synthesized by senior professor Dr. C A Vijayalakshmi, in 60s as a part of her doctoral work at Nizam College. With no specific lab facilities available in my department, thought why not follow it up at home. I had accessibility to Microscope and minimal glassware and chemicals, being in-charge of the department of Genetics. As the department was not congenial with rodents moving around and poor conditions shifted the venue to home and carried out the experiment, microscopic analysis and compilation of data. It was our good fortune to have good positive results.

Having got the idea and materials from Dr.P Hanmanthu, had him as a co-author and published the same in Current Science, prestigious peer reviewed journal from Indian Academic of Sciences. 

So taking it as a challenge I could work from home way back in 1984-85, proving my mentor's words if you can work place or circumamstaces cannot stop one.

Duly acknowledged the authorities and college.

 

Anna's health & operation - A domestic challenge

Anna suffered chronic stomach ache for over 2 decades and never had a second meal a day from 1960 to 1980, it was a normal practice for all six of us and amma to have our dinner without him. If at all any attempt was made he used to suffer, resulting in gastric problem followed by vomiting. This led to  irritation and violent nature some times. Neither he could stand his mother because of her attitude. All attempts of treatment were in vain and never wanted to get operated fearing the risk and family responsibility.

It was only after Sreemathi, Prasad and my marriage in 1979-80, we forced him to go in for treatment which he reluctantly agreed. I had taken him to Dr. Chitur Mohmmed Habibullah the top most gastroenterologist of 80 & 90s. He happened to be associated with our department and later stages on our board and was a research supervisor in Genetics. He was the only one and FIRST to use endoscope, available only at OGH. He had a project on gastroenterology funded by ICMR. Anna became a patient and one of the subject in the project in 1980. He had several rounds of examination causing a big discomfort during endoscopy. The treatments did not work out due to the chronic block in the intestine.

CMH gave it up and advised to go in for surgery for Anna by the head and chief surgeon Dr. AK Chary of OGH. Because of departmental (genetics) background things were little smooth. Got Anna admitted in the University ward at OGH, and was posted for operation on 3rd December 1980 (six months later to my marriage). As scheduled he was wheeled to the OT, me, Prasad were waiting for Anna to be wheeled back post operation.  As we were waiting we saw Anna in the front room of OT on the stretcher. On enquiry Anna said that he was not moved to OT at all. Then Dr. Chary came out of the OT with his team and apologised that he could not conduct due to non cooperation of Anaesthetist, as his time was up. Dr. Chary advised to get it done by the second in command Dr.  Waliuddin, I requested that only he should do it. He fixed up a date 15 days later but was deferred later.By this time Anna was getting so impatient that he wanted to be discharged instantly. I had a very tough time to follow up the formalities. The reason for anna's distributed condition was not postponement, but a fellow patient  in the ward, a technician from our Physics department had passed away the previous day.

Anna was successfully operated for  gastrojejunostomy on 30th of Dec, 1980, by Dr. Chary and shifted to ICU. It was the most tension filled moment for me till the next day as he was under sedation from the time he was wheeled out of the operation. I was to see him early morning, with highly charged atmosphere , reached the hospital at 6 am in the biting cold, wearing my marriage coat for the first time after the event. I was relieved from anxiety to find anna relaxed and convulsing. My fear besides myself was to answer my siblings.

He was operated upon for  gastrojejunostomy, a 10" piece of the intestine was removed. An 8" stitching scar was for ever on the abdomen. As per CMH sir's advice I got him shifted to general ward, as he stressed on the availability of 24 hr vigilance  unlike University ward. Got him discharged on the 7th day. Only after this point he used to be their at dinner table till his last day.

During the operation though he was on general anaesthesia he was aware of discussion amongst doctors mentioning that the patients son was a faculty in Genetics. Taking a lead was risky as consciously I was answerable to all at home.

Now came Padmini's role in nursing him extremely well for over one month, in spite of loose talks. She even was commented upon that Anna got all this problem after our marriage. Amma left to Bangalore on Sreematis call as Lekha was just few months old. The senior couple went on holiday. The kitchen management, cooking for 6 was Padmini. The amount patience and her tolerance was very high, the credit should go to her father for timely advices. No body can counter this document, all except amma and Sreemathi are not around.

The entire cost of the operation was Rs 40 towards that too the tip to ward boys. 

PS: I am grateful to both late Drs. Chary and Habeebullah and OGH.

Dr. Chary minted money with private practice and it's said he dumped money in tank bund when he was haunted. Dr. CMH turned out to be a top molecular biologist and has left behind scores his of  students. He served at Deccan Hospitals, established lab and is even responsible for sequencing the entire genome of a virus. Both have made their eternal journey.

Written on 15th June 2015

Feel Enlightened - Red Robin Tree

 

My Saga with Genetics Department

My Saga with Genetics Department 

Dwarkanath K Murthy

The department of genetics at Osmania University was founded in  1966 by Professor O S Reddi, evolving from a radiation biology unit of zoology department, with the recommendations by Homi J Bhabha and blessings of then chief minister Kasu Bhrahamand Reddy and lead by visionary Dr. D S Reddy the then Vice Chancellor of OU. Had the advice of Doyen Dr. M S  Swaminathan time to from time,  who visited the department couple of times. The department was the first of it's kind in any traditional University in the country to start a full fledged course offering MASTER OF SCIENCE degree in GENETICS.

Stimulus to join GENETICS

It gives me a great pleasure to celebrate my 50th year association with the University, having enrolled at Saifabad College in 1966 for BSc l,  and 47th in the department, enrolled in 1970 in the fourth batch MSc genetics course.

It was during my II BSc in 1968 - the Year HARI GOBINAD KHORANA was awarded the Nobel prize, I got in touch with GM Reddy who came to my residence to meet my father, he being a neighbouring plot owner. GM had just returned from 12th international congress at Genetics at Tokyo,  1968 - these were the stimuli to join the course. It is around at the same time the OU celebrated golden jubilee and the outstanding department was ours, with the most interactive and colourful practical display. I visited the same along with my father, we were exposed to the novel experiences. T Padma was the one explaining the blood grouping and testing for colour blindness, ironically both me and my dad were found to be colour blind, a rarity. The segregation patterns in maize cobs the most fascinating one  showing mathematical distribution, was explained by Dr. Bharathi, now in US, Padma & Bharthi were class fellow from first batch. The next fascinating thing was the use the tiny fly DROSOPHILA, which I had never noticed earlier, used as an important tool in Genetics was demonstrated by Ramachander &  Uma.  The best part of the department was the RADIATION LAB with upto date vinyl flooring, the  Geiger muller counter, robotic control for handling radioisotopes,  etc, way back in 1968 was much in advance to the day. Dr. Krishna now in US was the enthusiastic showman. Highlight was the Cobalt-60 source catering to South India for radiation experiments. Seeing all these under the dynamic leadership of OSReddi and ably supplemented by GMReddy and team of teachers including Polasa and others, I never felt like missing a chance. I was fortunate to make it in the first list. Rest is a history of my 47 years association with the department.  

The whole picture of my student days comes alive in front, the virtual images may be in black and white, with all my 10 teachers driving us to make us understand GENETICS. We were 11, a proud lot as the course was not offered anywhere in the country. The only other place in Hyderabad with some genetic work was a lab in the then RRL (IICT) now CCMB. Hope the present generation would look at the department in a historical perspective and appreciate the vision of Prof.OS Reddi and Prof.GM Reddy and six dedicated teachers drawn from various places, MSRao, Hanamanulu Polasa, SSubramanyam, JSMurthy, MCPadma & TPRedddy. M Krishna  and Ebenezer officiated as RPO & Animal curator respectively. By the time I enrolled as student we had KVaidyanath & TPadma the first batches serving as teachers.

THE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN THE SOURCE FOR CREATION OF DEPARTMENT OF MICROBIOLOGY, INSTITUTE OF GENETICS & HOSPITAL FOR GENETIC DISEASES, CENTRE FOR PLANT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, UNDER GRADUATE DEPARTMENTS AT NIZAM COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY COLLEGE FOR WOMEN and has several recognised centres for research, besides departments at affiliated colleges of OU

DEPARTMENT COMPLETES FIFITY YEARS

Today in it's "FIFTIETH YEAR" GENETICS DEPARTMENT is holding the uniqueness in research, publishing 50-60% of the papers of science faculty with 13 departments. The only crippling factor is the dearth of staff, which is a bear minimal at 8, this is of course a phenomenon with all departments of the University, mainly due to lack of recruitment over period of two decades. At one point of time the department could boast of 26 staff,  with 50% being professor. Positions left vacant were never filled up proportionately. The state and central (UGC-MHRD) government play this role. Hope this would improve.

The department has the best of the equipment worth crores with  up to date infrastructure. Projects worth a crore are operated in spite of dearth of senior faculty commensurately.

I Had the privilege of spending my first 11 years in the department and next 28 years at prestigious Nizam College and returning back into the parental fold to HEAD the department  (2008-2009) till superannuation. Had an  opportunity to be back with the Nizams for 4 more years at the behest of the VC to assist in operating a DBT project, besides heading three UG departments. I Continue to be associated with the department for  past seven years, post superannuation as a research supervisor. 

GOLDEN JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS & CONFERENCE 

On the 27 and 28th of February 2017 the department organised as a part of OU centenary, Golden Jubilee of Department a two day seminar on MOLECULAR INSIGHTS IN GENETICS & BIOTECHNOLOGY - EMERGING TRENDS AND FUTURE PROSPECTS 

AT THE OU FELICITATION FUNCTION FLANKED BY PROF.ROJA RANI, HOD GENETICS; PROF.T PARTHASARTHY , DEAN UGC AFFAIRS OU, PROF. S. JITHENDER KUMAR NAYAK, VICE PRINCIPAL, UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF SCIENCE OU. 28th FEBRUARY 2017. MEKASTER AUDITORIUM

A BRIEF REPORT OF THE FUNCTION

The highlight of the function was to felicitate the retired HEADs OF THE DEPARTMENT and professors associated from 1966 onwards. 

We were not lucky to have our founder revered OSReddi, due to his advancing age at 89. Rich tributes were paid to him with his profile and picture duly projected. He was quoted for his contributions by most of the speakers. 

This was followed by remembering those who have left us with presentation of their picture and profile. The foremost among them was late Professor Gujral Madhav Reddy (1933-2009) affectionately called GM, one could call him the COFOUNDER along with OS, also responsible for creation of an autonomous body CENTRE FOR PLANT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY - CPMB.

This was followed by tributes to late Professors M Sanjeev Rao, S Subramanyam, JS Murthy, K Vaidyanath and MC Padma (remembered by her student)

Following Former Prof. & Heads felicitated:

T Papi Reddy(78)

T Padma(70)

M Vishwanath Reddy(79)*

P Hanmanth Rao(72)

S Y Anwar(68)

P B Kavi Kishor(64)

K Prabhakar Rao(67)*

Dwarkanath K Murthy(67)

Mohd Ishaq(67)

S Prabhakar Rao(67)*

S Vishnupriya(64)*

Prathiba Nallari(60)

Professors (Retired) Fecilitated

P P Reddy (74)

Y R Ahuja (87) (continues as a  Research director at Vasavi Medical Centre)

D Manohar Rao (70)

A K Sarala(67)*

Padma Balaravi(64)*

M Sujatha (70)

L Anand Reddy(72)

S Rambhav (70)#

------------

*could not attend

#Prof of Biochemistry associated with department for decades

The chief guests during felicitation were Prof T Parthasarthy, the Dean UGC affairs, OU, Prof Jitendra Nayak, Vice Principal, University College of Science OU, ably convened by Prof Roja Rani incumbent HOD and organised by Dr. SOMESWAR Rao, dynamic Assistant Prof of Genetics, an alumni of IISc. 

The department has enrolment of over 100 doctoral students scattered across various institutes, besides research associates at various levels, post doctoral students numerous projects funded by state, central and foreign agencies and scores of Assistant Professors on Contract (not a healthy sign) assist the 8 permanent faculty.

All the colleges/institutes which are associated/affiliated were duly represented in large number. Quite a few senior professors hold emeritus status and many contribute honorarily 

The entire proceedings of felicitations and two day conference was anchored by dynamic Assistant Prof JYOTHI of University College for Women OU. Credit of the successful deliberations should also go to good anchoring. Specially she was able to add spicy adjectives to the 30 odd CVs which she was flooded with.

The above account is only the small fraction of felicitation of the two day affair. The ultimate function was felicitation of Prof Prathiba on her Demitting the office following her superannuation. Prof. Prathiba had a glorious career with 140 publications 22 PhDs and several awards. (Prof JS Murty her mentor may be showering the blessings from heaven)

Some more names we could recollect, associated between 1966 and early 70s

Dr. Mathews (Teacher associated during inception)

Dr.Hanumanlu Polasa (Founder of microbiology department & Registrar OU)

Dr.MC Padma (late) (Tribute paid by Ishaq, ex-HOD)

Dr.DN Ebnezer    Animal Curator

Dr.Maryala Krishna, ex-Radiation Protection Officer

Dr.S Niranjan Goud, ex-Radiation Protection Officer/Assistant Professor 

Dr.K Rama Subba Reddy, Chemistry Prof associated with Genetics 

Dr.C Subramanyam, Professor of Biochemistry originally with Genetics

Sent from my iPhone

Roller coaster relationship - G M REDDY

My roller coaster relationship with Prof G M Reddy

Prof GM at Genetics Symposium on 31st Jan 2009

Had privilege to honor my teacher in my capacity as HoD Department of Genetics 

This is purely my personal experience of 41 years with one of my teacher-cum colleague, lucky to share birth date 

My roller coaster relationship with

Professor Gurjal Madhava Reddy(GM)

(1968-2009)

By Dwarkanath K Murthy

1968

GM was second, to the founder of genetics department  Prof.OSReddi. (1966). My first interaction with GM was in 1968, when he came to meet My father, as a co plot owner besides. He enquired about my studies while I was into my II yr BSc., then advised to take genetics at PG said it has a good scope, he mentioned about his return from XII INTERNATIONAL GENETICS CONGRESS at Tokyo a month earlier. This was further stimulated Dr.Hargobind Khorana getting Nobel prize in the same year for synthesis of artificial gene. In addition to these, factors attracting towards Genetics, was attending golden jubilee celebrations of OU and visiting all the Science departmental exhibits. Ironically the Genetics department had the best display, followed by Physics. At that point of time, in today's language you can say cutting edge technology was adopted. I vividly remember the maize cobs colourful segregation patterns, detection of blood groups, use of tiny fruit flies, understanding colour blindness. Astonishingly both me and My dad  who accompanied me, were found to be colour blind. I have inherited from my mom. The best lab was the Radiation biology laboratory with  Geiger Muller counter, robotic control for radioisotope use, variety of equipments, vinyl flooring etc.

1970

I joined  my PG program in Genetics the first of its kind in the country offered only at Osmania University. By that time I had forgotten GM, and he happened to handle general genetics class with all his American module (he had spent over a decade in US, with a degree from Colorado). 

   Roots of animosity amongst us generated when I did not join his lab for my dissertation during II year, instead enrolled with Subramanyam SS. To my surprise GM had to be of help as an internal examiner, as SS left to UK, the other examiner was from IVRI, Izattnagar, Delhi. There was hidden role of GM in my getting a first division in MSc, during moderation of results I am told he was responsible for adding 5 marks by which I was falling short. Getting a I division in those day was very rare.

During dissertation  period it was almost a 365 day schedule, once on a Sunday in 1972 I went on Jawa to the Dept. GM, highly punctual used to be present seven days a week. It so happened he had not come by his own vehicle (normally he used to come by cycle on Sunday's, an American hangover). At 3 pm he sent me word to be dropped on my bike, but not to be my piggy backer, but of his student Sivaram Reddy (my class fellow who moved to US in 1973). This was against my will and his ego came his way to come with me. Finally he chose his way.

Subsequently I joined for doctoral program in 1972 with SS, again against GMs wishes. He was unceremoniously moved to botany department with baggage (lab) during Justice Jagan Mohan Reddy's vice chancellorship, following his deeds. Even the founder head was stripped off his headship and the reins were in the hands of VR Srinivasan, head chemistry, principal and Dean all in one. It was a blessing for me to get selected for the teaching post during this period, at a national level selection, with Justice JMR at the helm.

GMs entrusted me to compile data of the department for a profile in 1979. It was a challenge to extract information from fellow colleagues. My exclusive contribution to the booklet was a diagram of double helix photocopied from one of my molecular genetics book (a gift I got from Scientific American, NY). He  gratefully acknowledge my contribution in the compilation.

During my marriage GM was away at US, he reciprocated my invitation with a beautifully worded letter cum greeting, which is well preserved. But here I have a suspect, that, during his stay at NY he scuttled my post doctoral position at college of Physicians and Surgeons, School of Medical Genetics,  NY State Psychiatric  Institute.

 Not much of a day to day interaction prevailed till he took over headship. Once he took over the headship I became a pawn, he tactfully moved me to Nizam College saying he needed a good teacher with some experience instead of new recruits. After almost a decade I learnt that my junior Anwar was issued orders to join NC, the same was wrapped up from everyone. Even today the linkage between GM and Anwar is mysterious (assumably minority factor). The crux is that I was never officially transferred to NC (a constituent college) by Osmania University, but rose to the pinnacle of administration during 1993-96, administering 125 teachers, 195 non teaching staff an 3000 students.

During his headship another casualty was, not forwarding my application to overseas assignment at Hungary which was a sure shot, though  in 80s, 90s we were co attendees in several conferences at Toronto, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Calcutta, Mysore, Bangalore, Hissar etc.

In 1985 his positive role was, to rope me in as member of the organising committee for conduct of XV conference of Environmental Mutagen Society of India, but I was not an active participant due to reasons known to self.

 

It was in 1985 he played the dirtiest role ever, I was the sole candidate under the merit promotion scheme for promotion to Readership, and at any cost he wanted to stop it, be it even physically, as revealed by some senior colleagues. Though there was not a iota of technical hitch in promotion he was successful in halting my promotion. In fact the very next day after the interview, on my way from Taranaka to NC, I saw him walking down from his quarter towards department, my regards to my teacher came into fore, I picked him up on my bajaj 150 and dropped him at his lab. He called in showed his newly established Centre for Plant Molecular Biology and few doctoral thesis on his table (entire style was American) offered me a cup of tea. Nothing transpired of the previous days interview, but I had already known his actions. Questioning or challenging was not possible as interviews were never recorded then. Imagine my mentor was also on the board of selectors, as a mute spectator. 

During 80 to 93 I had very little interactions, except meeting him at departmental committee or BOS meetings, even there he could not touch my college affairs, our college being academically autonomous which he openly expressed it. (a displeasure) He retired in 1993.

The next interaction was in 2003 when incumbent director of CPMB, VD Reddy (my student) felicitated him on GMs 70th birthday at IICT auditorium. Putting his ego aside GM had to handover me a memento, courtesy VD Reddy, as I turned 54 on the same day. It was a surprise to know through VD Reddy that GM and me shared same birth date I.e. 16th November.

Finally assuming headship it was my opportunity to honour him. While felicitating SY Anwar in January 2009,  on his superannuation, we organised a three day symposia largely attended from dignitaries all over the country.The inaugural key note address was given by Padmashree EA Sidiqqui, first student of MS and the session chaired by PROFESSOR GURJAL MADHAVA REDDY. He was extremely happy to be associated and participated on all the three days. Several cameras flashed at various moments as he was senior most Geneticist.

He was a potential candidate for Vice Chancellorship, but could not it.

The climax of my association was bidding farewell to mortal remains by placing a wreath following his demise a few months later in 2009.  With a heavy heart I had to carry out this duty as HOD. This was followed by my address to the Faculty of Science, VC, Registrar and others, on GMs eternal departure. It took almost 50 minutes to briefly  summarise his achievements and pay tributes to the departed sole.

A WONDERFUL ROLLER COASTER JOURNEY WITH MY PEER TO REMEMBER

MY DEEPEST REGARDS TO GM FOR WHATEVER HE HAS BESTOWED UPON ME

31st December 2016 

(Prof GM received his MS & PhD from university of Colardo and Missouri, in 1956 and 1962,  respectively, a widely traveled GENETICIST OF REPUTE)

Madam Ramakumari - As I saw her

Madam Ramakumari, Physics Teacher  - As I saw her

by

Dr Dwarkanath K. Murthy

1966 Batch NHS

 

Whenever I handled the classes using the compound microscope, it was the basic principles of physics which came to the fore. Be it the use of the screw gauge, vernier callipers, mirrors of concave and plane type, or the iris diaphragm, most significant was the concept of par focal objectives, the use of oil immersion objective (using oil having the same refractive index as glass, for solving the problem of diffraction), wide or narrow field eye pieces and condenser lenses. It's unfortunate that all this had to be told before students use the microscope. Whether it was UG or PG class, the working knowledgeof the microscope was next to nil, even among the biology students, in-spite oftheir prior exposure to the instrument. Due credit/blame be given to the present intermediate education system. The practicals and grading are an eye wash in almost all the colleges but for those with CBSE background. 

 

We can proudly say we had much better labs way back in 1963.  I would give the full credit to our honourable Mrs. Ramakumari for whatever we have imbibed in the practicals. Mr. Sangam assisting Madam and helping us. I stillremember vaguely, the other experiments on magnetism, electricity, sound- resonance-tuning fork, inclined plane, law of parallelogram of forces etc. The exposure we got was much more one can imagine. Some of these were demonstrated by Mrs. Leelavathi Madam, at a relatively senior level, besides handling all the theory classes.

 

Having visited/ inspected several degree and PG colleges affiliated to Osmania University throughout the Telangana districts I have rarely found any lab comparable to the Physics/ Chemistry/ Biology lab of our own school of1960s. The credit goes to our science teachers with the driving force of Sri. Udapachar, who religiously implemented the multipurpose scheme. Most of our teachers were post graduates too.

 

I do not have any specific incidents to narrate Madam's personal side. It was in early 2000 Madam and myself were co-invitees at a wedding, she asked to drop her home on my vehicle. This was a challenge, as the vehicle was aSplendour (motor cycle) and given our contrasting personalities. Though a bit hesitant, I dropped her home safely, with two factors paramount in my mind i.e. having my teacher as a pillion rider and knowing my physical limitation, that too at 11:30 pm.

​

Our subsequent meeting was at the Chikkadapally Venkateshwara Temple, which my wife Padmini and I visited on 11 consecutive days in 2005. Madamwas also a regular visitor.  It was so kind of her on a specific day when Padmini was performing the 108 circumambulations, Madam was holding the prasadam, patiently waiting till Padmini completed her rounds.  That was the encouragement to her pupil. In fact Padmini, also an alumna, was dear to Madam. We happened to visit her house during this period, she was staying alone in a single room accommodation near the temple, visiting  her children frequently who were away (probably one in US and other at Bangalore). It was routine, those days, for her to scan  today's engagements column in DC and pick up the place to visit for the day and attend discourses.

 

Unfortunately our dream of having her visit our home could never materialise, as we lost touch in busy with our own mundane activities. A few years later,we came to know about her sad demise in a road accident. As the informationof her demise was several months old, we could only pray for the departed soul. Definitely Madam left an indelible impression on both of us.