INSPIRATION: Outstanding scientist, major role in setting up nuclear plants, silently served nation

Shams Ur Rehman Alavi
NewsBits.in
As the country is heading forward and making strides in the field of science and technology, we must also focus on the role of the scientists and technocrats who dedicated themselves to the service of the nation--taking forward the country in key sectors and playing a lead role in technological advancement, progress in fields ranging from space technology to nuclear power.
AM Desnavi, who was officially given the rank of 'outstanding scientist' by Government of India, due to his remarkable contribution in nuclear power sector, is among the leading such personalities.He was executive director of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India, and was commissioning chief in six nuclear plants apart from his several other plants too.
Desnavi, who was heading the projects and involed in each and every aspect of the building of these plants--from design to testing, has made an immense contribution but has completely avoided media attention and stays away from limelight. In fact, a man whose contribution was regarded by none other than late Raja Ramanna, lives a quiet life, and avoids talking about his life and achievements.
It is known that when one of the plants that was built with Canadian cooperation and had developed a fault in the 1970s, Desnavi had taken the task upon himself, despite his being a young scientist in that era, and succeeded in fixing the fault. All these years, he was instrumental in his role, either when the Tarapur plant was built or the others in different states.
The members of scientific community express their views about his personality and that how he was completely focused and avoided any interaction & resisted outside interventions when a issue regarding land or infrastructure cropped him. "His father AQ Desnavi was a well-known litterateur in Bhopal and valued discipline in life.
His illustrious son, AM Desnavi has inherited this commitment, sense of duty and the absolute devotion towards work, without any interest in outside world. He doesn't talk about his work at all", says an internationally acclaimed scientist posted in Mumbai's elite institution.
In fact, such is the prestige that a foreign country had recently insisted that he was sent to oversee the setting up of nuclear plant in their territory and wished to have Desnavi's assistance in the project. He visited too and returned after a stint. After retirement, he is now busy in imparting education to the children belonging to poor sections of the society.
On the occasion of Republic Day, we chose to write about a scientist who played a major role in nation building. Due to the sensitive nature of scientists and technocrats in key sectors and strategic installations, we have published a short profile of the scientist, on the basis of available information, interaction with certain important personalities.
The aim behind the article is that role of our scientists who are silently working in making India a super power, should be acknowledged. Media has been focusing a lot on entertainment and celebrities in movies and other aspects, but the new generation must be made aware about scientific achievements and they should know about the immense work that is being done behind closed doors, and that they should feel motivated to follow the footsteps of the legends.
There are people in scientific fraternity who selflessly work and their role, work must be appreciated. This is also needed as the era of social media has brought too much distractions and the youth need to learn that dedication and devotion apart from high focus and the will to serve motherland, are needed. We must realise the contribution of the unsung heroes in Indian scientific fraternity and a slight focus on science, would hopefully give a positive direction to the next generation.