Hyderabad, April 7 -- It was sometime in 1978, I had joined Nizam College to pursue my B. Sc in ( Math, Physics & Chemistry). The initial ragging and welcome to the classes was completed. One day, I was talking to a group of seniors, when the Principal of the College, Prof M M Taqui Khan was passing by. There was sudden silence, everybody stood up in respect.

His reputation as a teacher and scientist with outstanding work in Chemistry, especially inorganic preceded him. He commanded respect unlike many who demanded by their actions. The tall, stockily built, Prof Khan wore dark glasses and was known to be a very refined personality.

That impression of Prof Taqui Khan remained etched in my memory. Within a few months, in 1979 he moved on...