Prof. S. Ramamrutham is a renowned figure of more than a dozen books in various subjects of Civil Engineering which is followed by thousands of students and practising engineers all over the country. He obtained his Bachelor’s degree from University of Mysore in 1955 and worked as a renowned lecturer in National Institute of Engineering, Mysore. He published many technical papers and has done original work in the analysis of structures.
This Interview appeared in the 2nd edition of our departmental magazine SHRiSHTEE 2010. It was taken by Harish Borah and Manabendra Saharia (CE Class of 2011).
CES: Sir, Your journey as a Student, Engineer and Educator…
Prof. S.Ramamrutham: More than half a century ago after passing my B.E. (Civil) examination from the University of Mysore (Karnataka), I started my journey in the profession as a young Lecturer in the National Institute of Engineering, Mysore. It was a very encouraging experience in the class room. That was the time when some senior professors had either resigned or had retired from service. I taught various subjects like Engineering Mechanics, Strength of Materials, Theory of Structures, Reinforced Concrete, Steel structures, Fluid Mechanics and Higher Surveying. I had the opportunity to setup the Hydraulics Laboratory of the college in a new complex. Those were the days when students depended entirely on their lecturers and Professors. I took a lot of interest and collected exhaustive information from various sources and offered them. Those five years I taught at the National Institute of Engineering were a great phase of my life which paved way to success in the teaching Profession. I wrote my first two books- Design of steel structures and Astronomy for Engineers while at NIE Mysore. I have happily and successfully taught for 55years with the confidence I gained during those first five years. It was in 1960, I moved to Delhi and started a new chapter. I felt that in addition, to be an Academician, I should work in the practical field too. Very soon I established myself as a consulting Engineer. I made exhaustive studies of various types of structures. I took part in discussions and seminars of various organizations. In the year 1966, I wrote the book Design of Reinforced Concrete Structures. Thanks to the suggestions I received from Professors from various colleges of India the book grew to many new editions. The seventeenth Edition of this book has just been released. The response I got from Professors and students prompted me to write more books. I wrote the books- Strength of Materials, Theory of structures, Fluid Mechanics, Steel structures, Prestressed concrete, Engineering Mechanics , Building construction, Construction Materials, Civil Engineering Hand Book ( released by the President Of India-Sri R Venkataraman) etc. I wrote 15 books covering many fields to the needs of Syllabi of various Universities. I have good interaction with engineering students all over the country. Many of the comments, explanations and special notes you find in my books are just the answers to the questions my dear students had asked at various stages. I set up an institution in the Capital to give training to young Engineers in CPWD, CWPC, Delhi Municipal Corporation, Delhi development Authority etc not only in the practical Profession but also in the Academic field. I give my “Lecture Series” for young Engineers to prepare them for the IES Examinations. My old students became Professors at IIT Kanpur and many Engineering Colleges Many of my students have become chief Engineers and Directors. One of my students has recently retired as Director of IIT Chennai.
CES: What difference do you see between college days of your time and today?
Prof. S. Ramamrutham: In the college days of my time we as young students were entirely dependent on the lectures in the classrooms. Books on the subjects were inadequate. Laboratory facilities were not as good as they are in the present days. Besides these, subjects on R.C.C., P.C.C., Theory of structures, Soil Mechanics were not dealt with to the extent they are covered in the present days. These days all these subjects are being taught at a highly advanced level. Today we teach a lot about multistoried structures, Earth wake Resistant Structures, Prestressed Concrete structures, Advanced Fluid Mechanics etc. A large number of books by eminent scholars are available and students refer to them besides learning in the class room. The students these days are very intelligent and industrious. The present day teacher has to be well equipped with all details and information so as to convince and answer any question an intelligent student is likely to ask in the class room. Today a student makes reference to many books and needs to be convinced with satisfactory explanations.
I have gained a lot from my students. My students made me work hard and learn more in various subjects. Finding answers to their questions and clearing their doubts at various stages have enriched my ability as a successful teacher.
CES: What encouraged you to start writing books in the first place?
Prof. S.Ramamrutham: About half a century ago as mentioned earlier we had very few books to refer and students depended entirely on the classroom teaching. As a young student I felt the need for good Reference books and learn the subject in greater detail. Knowledge acquired was just limited to what was done in the classroom in the limited time allotted in the curriculum. This prompted me to start writing books. My first books Design of Steel structures and Astronomy for Engineers were published to provide good and additional information with a large number of numerical examples. These books were well received and this prompted me to write all the other books at a later period.
CES: Your books have a large following among engineering student’s fraternity. Any words for them?
Prof. S.Ramamrutham: I am happy that the students like my books. I wrote the books bearing in mind their need. The innumerable solved examples clarify all doubts related to a variety of situations. Because of my books a large number of students of Engineering all over the country have good interaction with me. They send their questions, ask me to clarify doubts and I respond to them happily. I feel I am living with my books as well as with these loving students. In fact a lot of improvements made in the new Editions of my books are due to the opinions and suggestions I have received from them. I have been a grandpa to all my Engineering students who feel no hesitation to write to me/email me or talk to me on phone. These students in the length and breadth of the country are as precious to me as my books. I offer my blessings to them for a great and brilliant future.
CES: Civil Engineering is at the border of Science and Engineering and offers unparalleled scope for Research. Any words of encouragement for students wishing to take research as a career?
Prof. S.Ramamrutham: Engineering Profession at the site and Engineering Research are two great inter related fields. Studies, tests and experiments are made in the research field to develop economical, safer, environment friendly and purposeful Designs. A lot of development has taken place in the analysis of multistoried structures. Earthquake Resistant structures etc. A good amount of research, useful tests and experiments have been made in Hydraulic Research stations. Young Engineers can join the research line and can make their contributions in various fields of Research.
CES: What do you enjoy most? Teaching students in class or writing books for them.
Prof. S.Ramamrutham:I have enjoyed my life as a teacher. The class room is the environment that pleases me. My best times have always been in the classrooms. Spending time with students makes me feel young (I am only 78 years young). Though it is a long time since I dispensed with the courtesy of the comb industry, I feel young due to my proximity with the students. In 1955 when I was in the classroom as a Lecturer I was in the company of youngsters and even today in 2010 when I am in the classroom I am again in the company of youngsters and so feel young.
I write books for the students. It is a service I love to offer. I make them happy through my books. My books have gone to many places I have not gone, but have brought many thousands of students close to me. To tell you the truth my books constitute the link between me and the Engineering students in the country. I enjoy writing books as much as I enjoy teaching in the classroom. My prayer to God is “My Lord, Let me again be born as a Teacher to engineering Students and an Author of books for them”.
CES: Any interesting life incident that you would like to share?
Prof. S.Ramamrutham: In the Mahabharata we have heard of Ekalavya who learnt from Dronacharya. Similarly I would like to say I learnt from the great Professor S B Junnarkar. Prof. Junnarkar created History by writing the two volumes of Mechanics of Structures. When I was a student of IIIrd year B.E. and when we were desperately feeling the need for good books Prof Junnarkar’s books appeared as a powerful streak of light in a dark sky. He really created history with his books. I learnt everything on the subject from his books. Once I wrote to him a letter requesting him to solve a certain problem. Promptly he wrote to me giving the solution to the problem. Everything I know and everything I have written in my books on Strength of Materials and Theory of Structures is out of what I learnt from the books of this Guru. This great teacher though physically far away made a great impact on my life as a teacher and I have a feeling that I am walking just on his footprints. I know the mentor has blessed me.
CES: With your tremendous teaching experience what are the qualities you think makes a student successful?
Prof. S.Ramamrutham: A student has to be thorough with the basics or fundamentals. Knowing a formula is not enough and one should know its limitations and applicability. He should have good patience in repeatedly going through a topic which may appear difficult to grasp. He should have good interaction with his competing classmates. He must take advantage of the teachers to enhance his knowledge. Other activities should not come in the way of studies. A student should not take a course forcefully under peer pressure but should choose a course in which he has interest and confidence. Good attention in the classroom, ambition to learn more, good interaction with teachers and application of knowledge contribute to make a student successful in his studies.
CES: What is your view on the present state of Engineering Education I India especially on the obsolete course work in many Universities?
Prof. S.Ramamrutham: Personally I would not like to comment on this. Good and committed Engineering professors should formulate and prepare a purposeful course work. In some cases unrelated subjects or topics are forced in the course work. With the extent of specialization and advancement going on in various subjects, Course work must be carefully planned to be really purposeful.
CES: Do you think the knowledge delivery system in Indian Universities is yet to make a transition from being teaching-based to learning-based?
Prof. S.Ramamrutham: No doubt in the preliminary stage of studying teaching the topics in the classroom is essential. As studies progress students must be trained and encouraged to seek information by wide ranging resources like reference books, internet, Engineering Journals and project works.
I am happy CES of NIT Silchar has contacted me. I offer my best wishes to SRiSHTEE and through it I offer my best wishes and blessings to the students of the National Institute of Technology Silchar.
Civil Engg Society, NIT Silchar 