Reminiscences, Anecdotes, and Oral History: Fifty years of IIA

Prof. Rajesh K Kochhar

Date & Time: 07th October 2020 : 4PM

Title: Reminiscences, Anecdotes, and Oral History: Fifty years of Indian Institute of Astrophysics

Abstract: Fifty years is a short period in the history of an Institution. Still it is long enough to establish some traditions. Fifty years is a long time in an individual’s life. Given the relative youth of IIA, at this epoch there are persons who have been witness to its advent and early growth.

Oral history is an important part of an Institute’s history. Anyone who depended only on official reports would miss all drama, excitement, apprehension, insecurities, and tensions. IIA should officially take up recording of oral history by people associated with the Institute before and immediately after its formation.

I plan to narrate some personal reminiscences to establish my credentials. There are first-hand details I am aware of which I think should be put on record. I shall be depending entirely on memory. I hope if at any stage anyone wishes to write a detailed, authentic, connected and insightful history of early IIA, the talk would provide some leads to follow.