Manas Bihari Verma

Manas Bihari Verma
Verma in 2018
Born(1943-07-29)29 July 1943
Darbhanga, British India
Died4 May 2021(2021-05-04) (aged 77)
Darbhanga, India
Resting placeDarbhanga, India
AwardsPadma Shri

Manas Bihari Verma (29 July 1943 – 4 May 2021) was an Indian aeronautical scientist instrumental in the development of the light combat aircraft, Tejas. In 2018, he was conferred the Padma Sri civilian honour by the President of India. After his retirement he launched Mobile Science Lab aimed at promoting science education in Bihar.

Early life

Verma was born to Yashoda Devi and Anand Kishore Lal Das on 29 July 1943 in the Bour village of Ghanshyampur block, situated in Darbhanga district, Bihar. He had three brothers and four sisters. He was related to Braj Kishore Verma Manipadam, a celebrated Maithili literary writer.[1][2] He completed his schooling from Jawahar High School in Madhepur. Later, he studied in National Institute of Technology, Patna, and Calcutta University.[2][3]

Career

Verma worked as a scientist at the Defence Research Development Organization (DRDO) in the aeronautical stream for 35 years. He worked in various aeronautical departments established in Bangalore, New Delhi, and Koraput. Later, he was made responsible for the design of the Tejas aircraft mechanical system. He was part of the design team of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) in the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA). He led the team responsible for the full-scale engineering development of the Tejas aircraft.[4] He was given the 'Scientist of the Year' award by former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and 'Technology Leadership Award' by former PM Manmohan Singh respectively.[2] He retired from the ADA in 2005 as the Director of the Aeronautical Development Agency.[5]

In 2018, the Government of India conferred the Padma Sri award to him for his exemplary contributions in the field of aeronautical engineering.[6][7]

Dr. Manas receiving Padma Shri award from President Ramnath Kovind
Dr. Manas receiving Padma Shri award from President Ramnath Kovind

After retirement, he returned to his native village of Bour and was involved in imparting science and computer knowledge to Dalit children in the areas of Supaul, Madhubani, and Darbhanga, through the Viksit Bharat Foundation started by Verma.[8][9] Through his Mobile Science Lab project, launched in 2010, a team of science and computer instructors would visit schools to demonstrate scientific experiments and impart computer learning.[10] The teaching was done through the 'Lab in Box' (LIB) programme supported by IBM.[1][4]

Death

Verma died from a heart attack at 11:45 pm on 4 May 2021, at his home in the K M Tank locality of Laheriasarai, Darbhanga in Bihar, aged 77 years.[11][5]

References

  1. ^ a b बिहार: 'तेजस' विमान की नींव रखने वाले दरभंगा के डॉ मानस बिहारी वर्मा को मिला पद्म श्री. Hindustan Dainik (in Hindi). Retrieved 17 November 2018.
  2. ^ a b c रिटायरमेंट के बाद समाजसेवा में व्यस्त हैं 'तेजस' बनाने वाले डॉ वर्मा, मिलेगा पद्मश्री सम्मान– News18 हिंदी. News18 India (in Hindi). 26 January 2018. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
  3. ^ "Mentored by Kalam, This Unsung Scientist's Brilliant Ideas Brought Science to Rural Bihar!". The Better India. 9 November 2018. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
  4. ^ a b "Former aide of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam imparts science education to Dalit children in Bihar". India Today. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
  5. ^ a b "Former President Kalam's close associate scientist Manas Verma dies". The Hindu. PTI. 4 May 2021. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  6. ^ ANI (27 January 2018). "Manas Bihari Varma expresses gratitude for Padma Shri". Business Standard India. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
  7. ^ ANI (27 January 2018). "Manas Bihari Varma expresses gratitude for Padma Shri". Business Standard India. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
  8. ^ Rohit Kumar Singh (20 September 2013). "Former aide of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam imparts science education to Dalit children in Bihar". India Today. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  9. ^ "Mentored by Kalam, This Unsung Scientist's Brilliant Ideas Brought Science to Rural Bihar!". The Better India. 9 November 2018. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  10. ^ Rumi, Faryal (9 November 2018). "Bihar govt to honour scientist Manas Bihari on November 11". The Times of India. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  11. ^ "Scientist Manas Bihari Verma, key man behind Tejas, dead". Hindustan Times. 4 May 2021. Retrieved 5 May 2021.