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| Dr.V.Adi Moorthy, Associate Director, VSSC, Thumba, Thiruvananthapuram |
It is said that in order to study certain cosmic radiations, one has to set up the experiment deep beneath the earth. Perhaps in a similar juxtaposed fashion, Dr.V.Adi Moorthy, Associate Director of VSSC, thinks it fit to commute to office on his bicycle and do the intellectual work relating to journeys in outer space.
The Joint Director of VSSC does not lack office vehicles. And there are staff buses plying with police escort even on hartal days. But Dr.Moorthy is not ready to forgo his constant traveling companion of 18 years.
One way distance from his home at Kumarapuram, Thiruvananthapuram to the office is 8 km. And on many days, he has to either go for darshan at Padmanabha Swami temple or go through the city to pay his bills. But invariably, for all such journeys, he uses his bicycle. In his words, he has already covered thrice the circumference of the earth in his two-wheeler. And he hopes to complete the distance from earth to moon one day.
An alumnus of IIT, Kanpur, Dr.Moorthy joined VSSC in 1973. A visiting professor at many noted universities, he was selected as a Fellow of the Shock Wave Research Society last year.
Staff at VSSC remember that earlier there were 4 persons in the 7000-strong organization who used to come to office on their bicycles. Slowly others dropped out, leaving Dr.Moorthy to keep company with the Hercules Champion bicycle.
At a recent lecture which he delivered at VSSC, he was introduced as someone who takes good care of his health. There was an understanding laughter from the audience. But Dr.Moorthy is quick to point out that the primary reason for his 35-40 minute pedaling exercise is to ensure flexibility at work. Health is a spin-off from the venture.
And so, even as his mind occupies with hare-like speed and related matters, his body takes the tortoise-like incremental path.
Courtesy:
Jayan Menon, Sree, Malayala Manorama, June 25, 2006
Contributed by: Administrator
