 He has been working in
the field of Optics ever since he took his Doctorate degree from I.I.T, Delhi, in 1970.
But, he started his research in this particular field of ‘Measurement for
Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)’ in 1987. This research has earned him the prestigious
‘Einstein Silver Medal’ given by UNESCO. He is, Prof. Dr. Rajpal S. Sirohi,
Professor of Physics, from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras. Dr. Sirohi received
this prestigious International Award on February 6th, at the 13th Kwarizmi, a big National
event, held by the Iranian Research Organisation for Science & Technology in Tehran.
He has received besides the Silver Medal, a Certificate, a Plaque and a cash award.
Scientists from 42 countries participated in this event, in which 10 International Awards
and 33 National Awards were distributed by the President of Iran.
"I have been working in Optics since
1970 in which I create new ideas. We do research for using light for measurement by
developing different techniques. I concentrate on deformation measurement or Non-
Destructive Testing (NDT) by optical means," says Prof.Sirohi. Using this technique,
we can detect the faults in pressure vessels, and in hone-comb structures like aircraft
wings and so on, he adds. Optics finds its major application in Defence, Space,
Bio-Medical Sciences and Medicine. Explaining about its role Dr.Sirohi says, " It
plays a vital role in our life. It is something like heart in a body. We use tiny optical
parts in VCPs and VCDs. Ultimately, my aim is to make use of light and make people aware
of its potential. It is a technology which will make other technologies work".
 Dr.Sirohi has so far authored, co-authored and edited 13 books, and
has published 270 papers, which is no mean achievement. Under his guidance 21 students
have obtained their Ph.D. degrees so far. " Most of the research has been created by
sponsored research programmes and the funds are adequate for the kind of work we do,"
says the Professor when asked about the facilities available in our country for this kind
of research. But he also opines, " If the Industry is also involved in producing and
developing new optical instruments, we have to equip ourselves a little more. There is
only one industry of reasonable size, in Podicherry."
Awards and recognition may be a part of
life for a scientist. But, they make the Nation proud. Last year, at the 18th Congress of
International Commission of Optics, Dr.Sirohi received the ‘ Galileo Galilee’
Silver Medal for his Research in Optics at a conference held in San Francisco. He is the
first Scientist to receive the Einstein Silver Medal from I.I.T, Madras and the 6th from
India. Prof.Sirohi’s wife Dr. Vijayalakshmi did her research in Mathematics from the
South Gujrat University. She is now into Software development. His son Jayanth, a product
of I.I.T, after his M.S is a researcher in Maryland University in U.S. An inspiring family
indeed!
Dr.Sirohi’s E-Mail: sirohirs@acer.iitm.ernet.in
R. Bharathi
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