Prof CL Khetrapal as I knew him
The governor of a state is normally the chancellor of state universities. In 1997, as secretary to the governor, I felt that it was my sacred duty to ensure that good academicians become vice chancellors of universities. The vice chancellor of Allahabad University was going to complete his tenure shortly and, as a member of the search committee, I thought that we must get some good CVs. I requested a professor of IIT Delhi to suggest a few good names. He sent me the CV of Prof CL Khetrapal, who was director of the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Centre at Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore. We shortlisted the CVs of a few other eminent academicians.
The governor, the late Ramesh Bhandari, picked Prof Khetrapal. After joining Allahabad University, Prof Khetrapal came to Lucknow and we met for the first time. I realised that there was a sharp mind with a kind heart.
After a couple of months, he met me and handed his resignation letter. He wanted to continue his research without which he felt suffocated in the mundane world of administration. I assured him that he could continue his research and the resignation letter would be with me till the end of his tenure.
He was considered the father of nuclear magnetic resonance in India. It was because of his proposal that the Centre of BioMagnetic Research started.
By the time, he left Allahabad University in 2001, the academic calendar was regularised and there was a sense of purpose amongst the teachers. His untimely demise on the 21st has made the world of science poorer. As a true scientist, he had expressed his desire that after his death, his body be donated to KGMU which his family fulfilled. I have lost a mentor whose departure has left a void which would remain unfulfilled for the rest of my life.