Dr Sajad Hussain Deen

  The culminating year of my PhD journey was 2016. After visiting IIT Madras and the National Aerospace Laboratory (NAL), we went to IIT Kanpur to give the finalize our research work at the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. I was accompanied by my colleague, Kaleem Ahmad. Our journey from Srinagar to Kanpur was by train, and upon arrival, we settled into the institute's guest house. The following day, we had an appointment with Prof. Kamal K. Kar. Prof. Kar was a strict and disciplined academic. Inspite of his busy schedule, he did give us time—discussed the academic plan with us. He gave firm directions to his academic team to accommodate us and support our work, using very direct language. Therefore under such well defined atmosphere, our work moved quickly and smoothly. At IIT Kanpur, we pushed ourselves further. We conducted advanced tests and added new chapters to our thesis, aiming to raise the standard and depth of our research. We stayed for three more m...

  Thinking about my present role often brings to my mind scenes from the Netflix series Mirzapur. One instance that resonates with me is when the Superintendent of Police gives his subordinate a clear directive—granting him a free hand to rid Mirzapur of the notorious mafia don, Kaleen Bhaiya. What resonated was a moment of trust to delegate someone with such autonomy to complete a task. I recall echoing this tone while leading my own team. I would often direct one of my trusted colleagues, empowering him with authority. The question that comes to my mind often is how to outlive yourself. Everything we do in this world has an expiry date. But what makes us immortal is the way we do things. Probably kindness, manners and behaviour are some of the attributes which make us unforgettable to people. Even though we leave the places and people we lived once with but due to these qualities people always remember us.  Recently I was invited to a wedding ceremony. I attended it with my ...

Iqbal was a great philosopher, poet, and visionary whose thoughts were far ahead of his time. His poem “Sāre Jahān se Achchā, Hindustān Hamārā” continues to be sung with fervour and love across India. Muhammad Iqbal was born on 9 November 1877 in Sialkot, then part of undivided India (now in Punjab, Pakistan), into a Kashmiri family. He proudly acknowledged his Kashmiri heritage in his writings. Historical accounts state that Iqbal’s grandfather was Kanhaya Lal, and his father, Rattan Lal, converted to Islam, adopting the name Nur Muhammad. Nur Muhammad married Imam Bibi, who passed away in 1914 in Sialkot. At the age of four, Iqbal was admitted to a mosque to learn the Qur’an. He studied Arabic under Syed Mir Hassan. In 1893, he completed his matriculation from Scotch Mission College, Sialkot. Four years later, in 1897, he graduated with a B.A. in Philosophy, English Literature, and Arabic from Government College University, Lahore. He earned his M.A. in 1899 from the same institut...

Injustice is corrosive. It doesn’t just deny opportunity; it eats away at the very soul of a society. I learned this not from theory, but from bitter, repeated experiences. Fresh out of my M.Tech, I walked into an interview room with four strangers on the panel. They asked for a lecture, fired a few questions, and ended with the customary, “We’ll let you know.” A month later, the results were out. My name wasn’t there. Disappointed but determined, I moved on—until, during my higher studies, I met some of the same panel members again. One of them, admitted the truth: the list had been finalised before interviews even began. Gifts—shawls, among other “tokens”—had secured seats for the chosen. Merit was never in the equation. Years later, armed with higher qualifications, I applied for an assistant professor post at a reputed university. But the same script played out. The chairman—well-known for his religious devotion—selected candidates not on merit, but on piety. His close neighbour...

The journey of a PhD is both about discovery as well as perseverance. For me it was a journey across India—through the green expanse of IIT Madras to the focused corridors of IIT Kanpur—each shaping my research and my understanding of what academia should be like. IT Madras was my first stop where I went along with my colleague Kaleem Ahmad. The journey began on a train winding through the vibrant landscapes of South India—a moving prelude to the intellectual adventure ahead. We arrived at Chennai Central Railway Station. A ₹450 prepaid taxi took us to the sprawling IIT campus. Interestingly, people were puzzled when we asked for the “Indian Institute of Technology.” However, only the abbreviation “IIT” brought instant recognition—a charming little reminder that context matters, even in directions. Entering the IIT gates was like entering a new world. A place where old trees and wildlife existed freely. Ut encompasses rigorous scientific enquiry. Our hosts, Prof. M. S. R. Rao and Pro...

For effective learning to take place, the educator must deliver a well-structured and informative discourse, while the student must actively engage, absorb, and retain the material. The true challenge for a teacher lies in motivating students—stimulating their curiosity and inspiring them to learn. To achieve this, an instructor must possess deep and thought-provoking knowledge of the subject and cultivate a classroom environment that is both enjoyable and intellectually enriching. Maximizing student potential demands that learning be made engaging and inspirational. Teachers must be receptive to student interests and nurture their passion for knowledge. Globally, the educational paradigm is shifting toward student-centered strategies that emphasize responsibility and collaborative learning—epitomized by the “Think, Pair, Share” approach introduced by Frank Lyman at the University of Maryland in 1981. This model encourages greater student involvement, promoting accountability and col...

If the global community is earnest about eradicating poverty, the fulcrum of that mission must be India. Hosting nearly one-fourth of the world’s impoverished population, India constitutes the single largest concentration of poverty on the planet. Any meaningful attempt to dismantle global poverty architecture, therefore, hinges disproportionately on India’s capacity to devise and implement a durable, multi-dimensional anti-poverty framework. A fundamental enabler of this transformation is the expansion and consolidation of a resilient middle class. The socioeconomic ascent of individuals from subsistence-level existence into stable, consumer-driven strata is both a metric and a mechanism of poverty reduction. India has, over the last few decades, registered impressive macroeconomic gains—bolstered by sustained GDP growth and structural reforms—which have collectively catalyzed an emerging aspirational class. Yet, the battle is far from won. A significant proportion of India’s lower-...

In recent years, common people have become increasingly aware of the role economics plays in everyday life. From property markets to the management of household budgets, economics influences almost every aspect of our existence. Understanding these connections is not only fascinating but also essential. For those seeking careers in banking, government, NGOs, or business, a solid grasp of economic principles and the diverse ways in which people interpret economic phenomena fosters more adaptive and innovative thinking. Development economics, in particular, offers valuable insights into the pressing challenges of the 21st century—poverty, inequality, unemployment, and globalization. Cultivating international networks can help reveal global economic trends, while in-depth knowledge of specific countries, institutions, and political economies—grounded in factual analysis—can sharpen policy-making. Economics provides the tools to combat poverty by informing effective policies. Policymake...

  As rightly said by Vikram Sarabhai, “We must be second to none in the applications of advanced technologies to the real problems of man and society.” Physics is an immensely vast discipline, encompassing fundamental areas such as optics, atomic and molecular physics, experimental solid-state physics, non-linear dynamics, and theoretical as well as computational physics—ranging from condensed matter to string theory. It is the science of motion, energy, and force—one of the oldest and most profound human pursuits—opening doors to diverse career opportunities. Physicists can find roles in astronomy, academia, research, engineering physics, and healthcare. Yet, making India a global name in science remains a challenge. By increasing the percentage of GDP allocated to research and development, many of the shortcomings in science and technology can be overcome. India has produced eminent physicists such as C. V. Raman, Homi Bhabha, Vikram Sarabhai, and Satyendra Nath Bose. In 1945, ...

  India has shaped the very perception of global education since ancient times. Institutions like Takshashila University, established in 800 B.C. in the Rawalpindi district of undivided India, are recognized as the world’s first global universities. In 1580, India contributed nearly 30% of the global GDP, demonstrating the nation’s intellectual and economic prowess. Today, with a population of 1.3 billion, India has the potential to significantly contribute to the global education system by establishing institutions of internationally acceptable standards. A realistic yet ambitious goal would be to have at least 25% of our institutions ranked among the top 100 in the world. A key step toward achieving this is strengthening our research ecosystem—our current global research output stands at only 3.5%. Platforms such as SWAYAM (Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds) can empower both faculty and students. Collaboration between all stakeholders—innovators, entreprene...

  In my teenage years, the Dal Lake Boulevard was my escape. Evenings meant a ride with friends, ending with sizzling tujj, fluffy chatnis, or a fragrant plate of biryani. Food was joy, and I never questioned what was on my plate. That changed one morning when I couldn’t get out of bed. My joints burned, and after three days of rest, the pain only worsened. A uric acid test—done at home for a staggering Rs. 1,200—confirmed dangerously high levels. The medicine I took brought no relief. I remembered buying the same drug outside Kashmir once—it had worked in days. This time, nothing changed. When I mentioned it to the pharmacist, he blamed the weather. But the thought gnawed at me: was the medicine counterfeit? Perhaps one day we will know the truth about Srinagar’s pharmacies too. Eventually, after a long struggle, medication put me back on my feet. But months later, another barbeque night sent me crashing down again. I gave up meat altogether. My health rebounded, my blood pres...

  We were literally a dirty dozen. In a college buzzing with bigger batches and celebrated courses, the twelve of us were tucked away in a corner. We were mechanical engineering students, half-forgotten by the larger campus, yet fully present in each other’s lives.  We weren’t famous, but there was something solid about our group that clicked like a well-oiled machine. Each of us brought something different to the table. Asif Ali, for instance, had a mind like a laser, cutting through problems with precision.  There was one Mounis Mallik, chased by merit. It was like marks followed him out of respect. Then there was Akhtar Rasool. That boy didn’t study, he wrestled with books. Mechanics of Solids in one hand, Engineering Drawing in the other, his eyes refused to blink until the diagrams made sense. Sameer Kaul matched him in energy, as if they were cast from the same mould. Their hunger to understand things pushed the rest of us to raise our game. That’s how it worked: we...

  Dal Lake Dal Lake is the most attractive tourist destination in Srinagar and a symbol of Kashmir’s beauty. Surrounded by tall mountains, the lake offers enchanting views throughout the year. It is famous for its floating market, shikaras, and houseboats. Dal Lake is the second-largest lake in Jammu and Kashmir, attracting the highest flow of tourists. During winters, it freezes completely, creating a magical and unique sight that draws visitors from across the world. Hari Parbat Fort (Koh-i-Maran Fort) Situated atop a hill in the Zabarwan Range, Hari Parbat Fort offers a panoramic view of the entire Srinagar city. Built during the Durrani Empire, this historical fort is a major attraction where lakhs of tourists come to witness its grandeur and breathtaking views. Nishat Garden Located on the eastern side of Dal Lake, Nishat Garden is the second-largest Mughal garden in Kashmir. Designed by Asif Khan, the brother of Noor Jahan, this beautiful garden features a canal lined w...

The last time I read a book was during my bachelor’s degree. Once I started my first job, reading took a back seat because of the hectic work schedule. My trainers often reminded me never to stop reading journals, especially in a world where technology changes so rapidly. I realized how true this was when I appeared for my first interview—only to be told by the technical panel that most of what I had studied in college was already obsolete. Like everyone else, I was deeply attached to my first job, even though it didn’t give me everything I had expected. In fact, the first job of one’s career does not usually provide the financial stability one hopes for. My first professional journey began with Maruti. What stood out most about that workplace was the team—and especially the general manager, who carried himself like an army colonel. He was a strict disciplinarian who never broke the rules himself and expected the same from his staff. He was kind and supportive toward newcomers and fema...

  Traffic management in urban areas like Srinagar poses a formidable challenge. While the authorities do not possess a magic wand to resolve these complications overnight, there is always room for improvement. With strategic planning and efficient utilization of the existing infrastructure, the mobility of traffic can be significantly enhanced. Every morning, on my way to the office, I witness a troubling sight—patients and attendants, often with small children, darting across the Bypass near the Children’s Hospital and JVC Bemina, navigating a stream of fast-moving traffic. The absence of a zebra crossing or pedestrian signal here turns every crossing into a dangerous gamble. While the government’s relocation of hospitals from crowded city areas to the outskirts is commendable, the supporting infrastructure has not kept pace. Traffic bottlenecks, unsafe pedestrian access, and the absence of basic road safety measures undermine the very benefits this relocation was meant to brin...

Riyaz was a close friend I met during my school days. He wasn’t just a companion but also a constant help at home. Around that time, we decided to buy a car But it remained mostly parked in the garage. One day, when I was in 9th standard, Riyaz and I decided—rather impulsively—to try driving the car, despite having no prior experience. Surprisingly, I felt quite confident as I started the engine and drove it smoothly around. Riyaz accompanied me, encouraging and guiding me all along. We made it back home safely, but the real challenge came when I had to park the car inside the garage after crossing the main gate. I struggled to align it properly. Seeing my difficulty, Riyaz who knew I was driving for the first time —suggested something wild: "Let’s lift the front of the vehicle and align it ourselves." We tried it multiple times, and though it didn’t work practically, his constant encouragement stayed with me. That day marked the beginning of my passion to truly learn driving...

My experience at IIT Jammu When I walked into IIT Jammu for a Faculty Development Program recently, I expected to see a promising institution. What I found instead was a thriving ecosystem—an IIT that has grown with speed, focus, and dignity. And it forced me to confront an uncomfortable truth: Kashmir could have had this, but we didn’t let it happen. My earlier impression of the Jagti campus was faint. A year ago, I had passed its main gate on a winter drive from Srinagar to Jammu and dismissed it as a small branch. From the highway, it looked modest, almost forgettable. But stepping inside this time, I realised appearances can deceive. From the airport, I took my usual prepaid taxi. At the campus gate, an unexpected welcome awaited—a baggi, battery-powered yet styled in the fashion of heritage carriages.   State-of-the-art labs, professional faculty, a serene setting perfect for research—it has all the markers of an institution that has been allowed to grow without political...