Author: Aneeta Patil | Publisher: Sundaram Digital Publication House | Pages: 406| Price: ₹995
Capturing the Life of a Scientific Luminary
Writing a biography is always a formidable challenge—especially when it involves chronicling the life of a towering figure whose contributions have left an indelible mark. A biography must traverse the subject’s journey from birth through education, professional accomplishments, and personal philosophies, all while capturing the essence of the individual in vivid detail. This task is doubly daunting in the case of Divine Scientist, which explores the extraordinary life of Professor Man Mohan Sharma—an iconic chemical engineer, scientist, educator, researcher, and industry consultant whose legacy resonates across India’s scientific and industrial landscape.
Aneeta Patil, already acclaimed for her biography of Dr. Anil Kakodkar, takes on this challenge with aplomb. Originally written in Marathi, the book has been translated into English by Soniya Khare. The idea of a biography n Prof. Sharma was mooted by Prof. A.B. Pandit, Vice-Chancellor of the Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), Mumbai, who felt Prof. Sharma’s unparalleled contributions deserved a wider audience.
Why “Divine Scientist”?
The title itself—Divine Scientist—provokes reflection. Throughout history, scientific breakthroughs have often been attributed to serendipity, sudden flashes of insight, or a deeper connection with a higher intelligence. Patil’s extensive interviews and close interactions with Prof. Sharma and his contemporaries reinforce the idea that his phenomenal achievements were driven by a profound sense of purpose, almost as if guided by a divine intent.
From Jodhpur to Global Eminence
Across 29 chapters, the biography traces Prof. Sharma’s journey from his birth in Jodhpur on June 4, 1937, through his formative years, schooling, and early academic brilliance. Even in his student days, his scholarly bent was evident, excelling in chemistry and mathematics. His ambition to pursue chemical engineering led to an unexpected admission at UDCT (now ICT), thanks to a fortuitous clerical forwarded from VJTI to UDCT.
The other chapters cover his personal side, his persona and his nature, his adherence to values, on his family, his wife and two children and the multitude of friendships he forges across academia and industry. His passion for teaching and his keenness to spread knowledge of chemistry and chemical engineering is well described. Even during his college days in Jodhpur he used to help his fellow students by teaching them.
UDCT proved to be the perfect launchpad, where mentors like Prof. B.D. Tilak, Dr. M.K.D. Sanghvi, and Prof. N.R. Kamath recognized his exceptional promise. Later, his doctoral work at Cambridge under Prof. Peter Danckwerts shaped his philosophy on the importance of industry-relevant research, integrity, and confidence in tackling challenges. Notably, his pioneering work on aminoalcohols earned Cambridge’s first chemical engineering patent, underscoring his belief that research must translate into practical industrial impact.
Teacher, Mentor, and Motivator
Returning to UDCT, Prof. Sharma became its youngest professor of chemical engineering in 1964 and quickly established himself as an inspirational teacher. He prioritized students above all else—nurturing their curiosity, supporting them through personal and financial challenges, and fostering a culture of intellectual rigor and ethical conduct. Passionate about women’s education, he actively encouraged female students to join chemical engineering programs.
He encouraged his students to write research papers and give due credit to their authorship. He believed that industry relevant research at UDCT and such higher engineering colleges would always be beneficial, due to its cost competitiveness for industry and to the professors and students for learning. His grasp of economics and on the market value of companies was also very in-depth. He always emphasised that all research should be frugal and the research outcome should be economically viable.
Over the decades, he mentored more than 1,300 Ph.D. scholars, many of whom—Dr. R.A. Mashelkar, Prof. J.B. Joshi, Prof. G.D. Yadav, Prof. Sunil Bhagwat, Prof. Vilas Gaikar, Dr. Bhavani Janakiram, and industrialist Mukesh Ambani—went on to achieve leadership in their respective fields.
Transforming UDCT into a Global Brand
Prof. Sharma’s tenure as Director of UDCT (1989 onward) marked a transformative era. Facing limited funding and inadequate laboratory infrastructure, he championed frugal yet impactful research that yielded economically viable processes for industry. His mantra—that curiosity, creativity, and courage mattered more than sophisticated equipment—resonated with generations of students and researchers.
Through relentless efforts, he strengthened academia-industry linkages, encouraged professors to undertake industrial consultancy, and boosted institutional revenues. Under his leadership, UDCT gained international acclaim, eventually becoming the fully autonomous ICT and later earning Institute of Eminence status. In this endeavour his own students, Prof. J B Joshi and Prof. G D Yadav who became Director and Vice Chancellor of the institute carried his legacy forward and now being taken forward by Prof. A B Pandit, the current Vice Chancellor.
In many ways, the biography also serves as the story of UDCT itself—from its origins in 1933 to its evolution into one of India’s most respected centers of chemical education and research.
Philosophy and Personal Ethos
Ambani heard as a student exploring various options, that made him join UDCT for his chemical engineering, instead of IIT. Prof. Sharma’s interest according to the book were not just confined to only serious topics, he is also known for his love for filmy and English songs. He also had a keen interest in economics as he felt this was very important in the growth of the chemical industry in India.
Despite his professional stature, he lived by the principle of “simple living and high thinking,” eschewing ostentation and upholding integrity, ethics, and spiritual values. His frugality and humility, traits ingrained since childhood, became hallmarks of his personality. A straight-talking man of convictions, he commanded respect in academia, industry, and policy circles.
Recognition, Policy Impact, and Enduring Legacy
Prof. Sharma’s contributions reshaped India’s scientific, industrial, and educational landscape. He served on the Scientific Advisory Committee to the Prime Minister, championed the creation of IITs and IISERs, and guided policy on industrial innovation and environmental sustainability.
At the age of 36, he was awarded the coveted Dr. Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar Prize; he was elected member of the Indian National Science Academy (INSA). Later he became the Vice President and then President of INSA. He was elected Fellow of the Royal Society, UK. He was honoured by the Government of India with Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan. He was on CSIR Committee and also member of AICTE. There are also several awards instituted in his name. He is on board of directors of many companies and Advisor Member Board of Directors of RBI. He declined many offers to be Secretary, DST, Government of India; the Director of CSIR, the Vice Chancellor of Mumbai University and Director of IIT-kanpur amongst others.
At the book’s launch, Mukesh Ambani described him as “more than a teacher—a guru, a Gyan Yogi, and Karma Yogi,” announcing a ₹151-crore donation to ICT in his mentor’s honor.
A Narrative Rich with Anecdotes
Patil’s admiration for her subject permeates the narrative. The biography is peppered with engaging anecdotes and personal stories that reveal Prof. Sharma’s far-reaching influence, prodigious memory, and deeply human qualities. His interests ranged from economics to cinema and music, reflecting a multifaceted personality whose curiosity knew no bounds.
Final Impressions
Divine Scientist offers not just a chronicle of an extraordinary life but also a compendium of values—humility, curiosity, integrity, and the pursuit of knowledge for societal good. It is a tribute to a man who dedicated himself wholly to science, education, and nation-building, unfettered by the pursuit of power or privilege. Through this engaging and meticulously researched biography, readers encounter Prof. M.M. Sharma—a scientist, mentor, and visionary whose legacy continues to inspire generations.
– Vinoo Mathews
