Subramanyan Chandrasekhar - an Astrophysicist Par Excellence

Re: # 3
BJKUMAR: You want to be what,``... Therefore, in my next life, I wish to be born a South Indian ..``

You can never be one even in your next ten rebirths man unless you know how to chew Pan, develop a potbelly and able to spit red saliva for atleat 5 feet.

Kamath

Mohammad: You say, ``...During all their discussions, while Chandrasekhar had been spewing out his figures, Eddington had never mentioned any work of his own in this area. It seemed an incredible breach of faith, yet Eddington offered no apology or explanation when the two men saw each other in the dining hall Thursday evening……. ``

I am glad you did not miss this observation! In another biographical book, The author was direct and pointed. He said that Eddington even though brilliant was not above stealing Chandrashekhar`s ideas to some extent and incorporating in his own paper. No credit was given to Chandrashekhar at all! Many European scientists, in those days did indeed displayed good deal of sense of superiority above non-Europeans. Eddington was bossy and a snob .

I hope all these subtle `racist` ideas must have disappeared when you ewere there!

I have come across another example where famous scientist Heisenberg behaved similarly to non-European people and Asian history.

Excellent article. Everyone with aptitude in Physics must read it. It is a lot of good information in a nutshell. I had read about Chandra but not in such a good detail before, along with other great scientists from India like M.N. Saha, Homi Bhabha, C.V. Raman, Abus Salam just to mention a few. Dr. Saha, in his book ‘Treatise on Heat’ mentions Chandra several times. Thanks Akram (Gill) for writing this article

Srinivasa Ramanujan, Sir CV Raman, Subramanian Chandrashekhar, Homi Bhabha, Vikram Sarabhai and APJ Abdul Kalam are the shining examples of folks who rose above tremendous odds to make a mark for themselves and their motherland. Thanks Gill Sahib for bringing to us this story.

Ref bjkumar #3

[The South Indians grow up to be smart scholars – the North Indians grow up to be Prime Ministers – i.e., good for nothing politicians!]

The best Prime Minister India had was P V Narasimha Rao, a Southie, who managed to last a full term despite his minority status in Parliament. And pushed through vast amount of economic reforms.

I do agree North Indians are good for nothing!

[And I am not even going to mention South Indian dames!]

You guys were drooling over Vyjayanthimala, Padmini, Rekha and Hema Malini, to mention just a few.

The South Indians grow up to be smart scholars – the North Indians grow up to be Prime Ministers – i.e., good for nothing politicians! (But at least they are not lawyers, thank God!)

I think I missed out big time!

I wish I were born a South Indian – then I could leap over tall mountains, perhaps, like Hanumana – or at least I could solve complicated partial differential equations as a pastime between those bucketfuls of coffee (tea having become passé), I could kick Schodinger’s equations in the chin, hit Planck’s constant on a constant basis, and pull all kinds of other peculiarly South Indian tricks – perhaps driving the Gill up the hill! I could impress the world with my very distinct style of conversation, perhaps – making the Laloo eat his heart out! I think the Nobel committee could be so impressed with my accent that they would fork over that Nobel prize in no time – just to ensure I don’t start talking again!

Therefore, in my next life, I wish to be born a South Indian – except of the Harry Moe kind, of course! And save me O Lord from that sambar and rasam, not to mention that yogurt which quenches all morning fires!

(And I am not even going to mention South Indian dames! That may be considered disrespectful on this board – not to mention the fact that it would make the vast majorities of chowkies VERY nostalgic!)

Anyway, tomorrow morning in good old Chandra`s memory, I shall make coffee, not tea. And if I can find him, perhaps I will go beat up on that Eddington guy! If I can not, perhaps I will have to settle for Yasser or some other chowk donkey – unless Dr. Gill volunteers to fill in (good man!)

People who admire Chandra get goose-pimples to read an article like this. I am one of such admirers of Chandra.

Well written Dr. Gill! Thank you.

Chandra X-ray telescope (named after Chandrasekhar)