Nara's Biography

Primary Schooling

Schooling

IIT - Chennai 1972 -77

• Got admission to IIT Mechanical branch, fairly a good rank of 108. First time traveled alone from Trichy to Chennai, and attended interview and other formalities. For joining also, went alone with friends.
• Initial IIT life was not smooth, getting 69% in first year. With 38 kg mass, not used to physical activities, Workshop and NCC was challenging. Have to understand realities of IIT life.
• Second year, was better moved from old group to new group and hostel. Motivation from NCC trainer, that I have good stamina and I got “B” certificate in NCC.
• Third year, motivated by a studious fellow, to get overall distinction with low starting grades in first 2 years. Managed overall distinction, with 87%, in final year. Got invitation from IIT to do direct Ph.D and recognition. Got dozen job offers and have to join job just 2 days after final year project viva. Final year, learnt swimming very well.

Working at Bangalore

• Completed viva on May 28th and left for Bangalore to join Larsen and Toubro on 30th. June 1st, joined Bangalore works, factory. Working life was not bad. Learnt a lot from practical experts, like a technician who can talk with engines and workmen who can assemble machines with ease.
• Worked at Larsen and Toubro in various capacities. Friends at Larsen and Toubro were there to help in all times of need

Venture Outside India Program

• Venture Outside India Program planned. Applied for US masters in March. Obtained Passport with help of elderly well wisher, in July 84. Student visa refused for good in August. Did not follow up with J1 visa processing which started in Sep.
• June 84, got involved in “Self Help - Right to livelihood” project led by retired official from Asian Development bank. Nice to work with 3 men and a woman team for 3 to 4 months to help deserving under class (especially destitutes). The project was a success, but abandoned because many volunteers left.
• July 84, at IITM, got a message from ex teacher that my ex Prof. at National University of Singapore was looking for researcher. Details were mailed to him
• Aug 84, applied for Masters at Asian Institute of Management and attended interview with IIM for fellow/PhD. Did not proceed with the process after some time, because of research job offer from Singapore University in Sep 84.
• 15 Aug 84, surprise birthday party from young well wisher and friend with a movie, special lunch and all for wrong date of birth.
• Sep 84, 2 day motorbike travel from Bina (near Bhopal) to Delhi, en route seeing places like Gwalior, Agra and Madhura.
• June – Oct 84, lot of local travels visiting many holy places for 60 days.
• Left India for Singapore on Nov 9th 1984.

National University of Singapore

• Entered computer centre, with near zero knowledge. Got a crash course on using computer systems/programming, from fellow researcher, who learnt strength of materials and stress analysis from me.
• Published good number of research papers in journals and conferences and started giving course on engineering computing
• Projects went very well, but recession started, problem in getting work visa and so on. Funding for new proposals rejected.
• Gave some Tamil tuition to survive recession. Three months break in India and waste of efforts to find new avenues. Got offers from Indian start ups, may be would have become billionaire, if taken those offers.

International Refugee

• Quit National University of Singapore for next refugee status – started in April 1987.
• Trip to Australia New Zealand for 3 months, survive with initial 1000$ and a return ticket. Tried few types of assignments and finally decided to become software developer. Worked for a short while with 3 days off per week. Helped a smart person in programming apple for accounting purposes. Got paid double the amount with complements, “What would have taken weeks by me, was done in hours by you”.
• Got a good Australian job, but have to get PR, which will take time. Got Australian PR at last in 1989, when we do not want it
• After submitting Masters thesis in July/August 1987, trip to Thailand-China for job and misc work for a month.
• Lot of travel cum work for 4 months. Lot of places seen and experience gained. Met a variety of people.
• Got permanent position in National Computer Board in September 1987, just next building to National University of Singapore, after traveling thousands of km and continents.

Public Service in Singapore

Homefront

Service with NGO

Open Source program bridging Digital Divide

More to come