AR
Scientist and Engineer

Arcot Ramachandran

Born 16 November 1923 · Tamil Nadu — Died 17 May 2018

Led the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements as under-secretary general promoting sustainable urban development.

Arcot Ramachandran (1923-2018) was an Indian scientist, anthropologist, author and a former under-secretary general of United Nations Centre for Human Settlements, known for his scholarship on the subjects of heat and mass transfer and environment and his social commitment to the cause of sustainable development. The Government of India honoured him in 2003, with the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award, for his services to the fields of science and engineering.

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A detail that
surprised us

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Arcot Ramachandran led the preparatory committee for the 1977 United Nations Conference on Science and Technology for Development, influencing global science policy dialogues.

The Story

1
In 1950, Arcot Ramachandran joined the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, as a faculty member in the Department of Power Engineering, marking the start of his academic influence in India’s post-independence scientific community.
2
🌍 In 1954, he took a detour from academia to work at Babcock & Wilcox Research and Development Centre in Renfrew, Scotland, immersing himself in practical engineering challenges beyond Indian borders.
3By 1967, Ramachandran had ascended to become the director of IIT Madras, a pivotal institution in India’s technical education landscape, steering its growth during a formative period.
4🚀 In 1973, he was appointed government secretary of the newly established Department of Science and Technology and director-general of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, launching initiatives like the National Information System for Science and Technology (NISSAT).

🏅 Awards & Honours

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Padma Bhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

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In 1955, Ramachandran returned to the US for post-doctoral research not only at Purdue University but later at Columbia University, a rare academic path for Indian scientists in that era.

📸 Through the Years

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🗓️ A Life in Moments

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Birth
Born in Tamil-speaking Arcot Mudaliar family
Arcot Ramachandran was born in Tamil Nadu, India, into an Arcot Mudaliar family, setting roots in a culturally rich region.
1923
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Career
Joined IISc Bangalore faculty
Started as faculty in the Department of Power Engineering at Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.
1950
⚡
Career
Research Engineer in Scotland
Worked at Babcock & Wilcox Research and Development Centre in Renfrew, Scotland for one year.
1954
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Career
Director of IIT Madras
Appointed director of IIT Madras, overseeing institution’s expansion and academic programs.
1967
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Career
Secretary of Department of Science and Technology
Became government secretary and director-general of CSIR, leading new science technology initiatives.
1973
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Career
UN ESCAP Technology Centre established
The UN ESCAP Regional Centre for Transfer of Technology in Bangalore was inaugurated on his recommendation.
1977
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Career
UN Under Secretary-General appointment
Appointed Under Secretary-General and Executive Director of the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements in Nairobi.
1978
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Award
Awarded Padma Bhushan
Received the Padma Bhushan from the Government of India for contributions to science and engineering.
2003
🕊️
Death
Passed away
Arcot Ramachandran died, concluding a prolific career spanning academia, government, and the UN.
2018
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🗝️Discoveries

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01 / 04
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

The UN ESCAP Regional Centre for Transfer of Technology in Bangalore, inaugurated in 1977, was a direct outcome of Ramachandran’s chairmanship of the UNESCO Expert Group Meeting on Engineering Education.

02 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

Ramachandran was instrumental in starting the Science and Engineering Research Council under the Department of Science and Technology in India, facilitating interdisciplinary research programs.

03 / 04
👤PERSONAL

Despite retiring from formal positions, Ramachandran continued contributing as an Emeritus Scientist under UGC, engaging in international programs like the Indo-French Mathematics Programme via satellite links.

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🌱 What changed because of them

Ramachandran’s leadership in establishing the Department of Science and Technology and CSIR’s research councils laid the foundation for India’s modern scientific infrastructure and technology policy. His role at the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements helped integrate sustainable urban development into international agendas. His initiatives like NISSAT continue to influence science information networks in India.

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