2

he initially took to private tuition. But by that time he came across two advertisements in the The

Illustrated Weekly of India, one of the British Institute of Technology for a diploma correspondence

course in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and the other of the Hollywood Radio and Television

Institute of Los Angeles, California for Radio and TV repairing. The British Institute diploma was

recognized by the British Government for all the countries under it. Pramod after deliberation of a few

weeks within himeslf decided to go for both which meant that he would have to forgo his tuition and

have no saving for his future study. Once he decided to take the courses, he plunged into them forget-

ting his loneliness at sleepy Raha with the relish of its exceptional bananas. He left Raha after three

years of stay there in 1942 with the two diplomas of the British and the American Institutes, not

knowing then what a treasure he had acquired with them for the remaining part of his student career.

He served in North Guwahati High School after that for another year and found that if he did not go

for M.Sc., his thirst for higher education would not be quenched even with those two diplomas. But

where is the money?His four years of schollmastering in two places did not bring him money enough

for a two year M.Sc.course for which he must go outside his province. But he would take the risk and

go out for higher studies, come what may.

Reckless of all the adversities ahead, he took the train in 1944 to Benares - to Benares Hindu

University where all the brilliant students and teachers of the country thronged in those days. With his

academic credentials so far, he could easily get a seat and he was admitted for his M.Sc. degree in

Physical Chemistry. With his first class Honours in Chemistry, it was not difficult for him to adapt

himself to the academic environment of the RH. U. But his British diploma course in Electrical and

Electronics Engineering was a real help to him now in his Physical Chemistry and he proved himself

to be one of the most advanced students in knowledge in the Department. The result - the Head of the

Chemistry Department, Dr.S.S.Joshi soon came forward to take special interest in him and he became

his most favourite student. AD. Sc. £Tom London and one of the most reputed scientists of the coun-

try, Dr.Joshi had yet time to take interest in Pramod's pecuniary problems. More than Pramod him-

self, he was worried that with none to suppoet him financially, he might have to leave his education

incomplete and go back home. It was, therefore, he who advised him to write to the Tata Foundation

in Mumbai for a scholarship which Pramod did. Benares Hindu University, being the dream institute

of our great nationalist leaders, the place was £Tequently visited by various Congress leaders of the

country. About the time, Gopinath Bardoloi also visited Benares. Dr.Joshi advised Pramod to call on

Gopinath Bardoloi saying that though he was ousted £Tom power at that time, he commanded such

love and respect throughout the country as a nationalist leader that he would be able to do something

for Pramod easily. Pramod accordingly met Bardoloi and spoke of his financial helplessness. After

hearing him, Bardoloi did not express any feeling but only thought for some time silently. Then he

wrote a letter, closed it and handed it over to him saying, "You go to Mr.Himmatsinka of Calcutta

with this letter and meet him personally." Pramod was living only £Tom hand to mouth; and now this

unforeseen expenditure of travel to and £Tom Kolkata! But Joshi encouraged him and gave him hope.

When Pramod was at the gate ofHimmatsinka, only then he could realize how rich an industrialist

and businessman this Mr.Himmatsinka was. But when Himmatsinka, just on reading Mr.Bardoloi's

letter showed keen interest in Pramod and assured to support him in his M. Sc. studies in Benares,

Pramod could also see how great he was as a man. Back in Benares, he had another pleasant surprise.

A registered letter came to him bearing the news that the benevolent Tata Foundation offered him a

scholarship of forty rupees a month. Pramod was very happy; but happier still was Joshi. Dr. Joshi

now advised him to absorb himself completely in his studies, shorn of all the anxieties. Pramod did,

and at the final examination he came out with a first class.!t was in 1946.

Joshi charted out a career for Pramod in the RH.U. and at once engaged him in research

under his guidance saying that his scholarships £Tom both the sources would be continuing for some-

time and he need not worry for his living. Pramod helped about this time in installing and running an

uptodate machine brought £Tom England with his knowledge of the Diploma courses where even his

professors were helpless. He thus earned the good opinions of the Uiversity authorities too. Joshi had