'Roots and Wings': Biography chronicles life of IIT Madras professor Ashok Jhunjhunwala

The life and career of Dr. Ashok Jhunjhunwala, a prominent figure in India's technology sector, are now chronicled in a new biography titled 'Roots and Wings - Building India's Dee Tech Ecosystem.' Dr. Jhunjhunwala, who chaired the ITEL foundation and spent over four decades as a professor at IIT Madras, has been a guiding force in the nation's technological advancement.

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When I see the work here, I see a hope for the future.

The book launch event in Delhi was attended by several dignitaries, including Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal. Goyal spoke about his personal reliance on Dr. Jhunjhunwala's guidance and support over the years. He emphasized how individuals like Dr. Jhunjhunwala contribute to India's evolution and its journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047.

Author Saloni Malhotra, founder of Desicrew Solutions, recalled her experiences with Dr. Jhunjhunwala. She shared a quote from poet Javed Akhtar, who visited the ITEL Foundation, a non-profit incubation and innovation center in Chennai. Akhtar reportedly said, "When I see the work here, I see a hope for the future."

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The way each one of you, in your chosen work, is contributing to India's evolution and in our journey towards Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Minister Goyal also reflected on Dr. Jhunjhunwala's origins in Kolkata, suggesting his path might have differed under different circumstances. He lamented the perceived decay of West Bengal over the past decades, which he believes forced many to seek opportunities elsewhere. "Kolkata's loss is India's gain," Goyal remarked, highlighting Dr. Jhunjhunwala's significant contributions to the country.

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Kolkata's loss is India's gain.

Dr. Jhunjhunwala himself spoke at the event about the relentless advancement of technology. He stressed the importance of empowering oneself and maintaining control over technological development to avoid being "pushed around," referencing recent global dynamics.

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New things come. Every decade, something new will come. Unless we empower ourselves and are in control over our technology, we will be pushed around the way we have been done by the United States over the last two years.