What an evening! I am still high on the national spirit that oozed from every corner of the Punya Dham Ashram in Kondhawa, Pune where the key architects responsible for the ICT revolution in India were honoured with Lifetime Achievement Awards and Education Awards from ETH, on its 10th anniversary celebrations.

Starting with Ganesh Vandana, to Guru Vandana, to adrenaline-rushing speeches from the high-energy, unmatchable Padmashri Dr. Bhatkar, Padma Bhushan Dr. R. A. Mashelkar, Padma Bhushan Mr. Sam Pitroda (over phone), Padma Bhushan Dr. F. C. Kohli, Padma Bhushan Shri K. P. P. Nambiar’s wife, Padma Bhushan Dr. N. Seshagiri, Shri P. P. Chhabria, Shri Vivek Sawant and Padma Vibhushan Dr. Mohan Dharia, the universe was reverberating to the tune of Vande Mataram and the supreme verve of high-tech India.

Some words I captured:

ETH has outgrown it’s fame and now it stands for education direct to mind – Dr. N. Seshagiri.

He (Dr. Bhatkar) is an institution builder – Dr. N. Seshagiri.

I have a very loving relationship with him (Shri C. Sivasankaran). I will receive the award on behalf of him. – Dr. Bhatkar, upon not finding a suitable proxy-recipient for Shri C. Sivasankaran who could not attend.

He is the great Bhishma Pitamaha of the IT industry in India – Dr. Bhaskar referring to Padma Bhushan Dr. F. C. Kohli.