Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SB)

Udupi, Jun 12: Dr P G Krishnamurthy (75), retired assistant professor in chemical engineering department of Manipal Institute of Technology, popularly known as P G K has died at his residence, recently.

P G K's body was found in the open well of his house at Sasihitlu, Sanekallu in Bommarabettu village of Hiriadka. Kukkudoor Surendra Nayak, who had been to his plantation on Friday June 10 evening found his body in the well. He served as the assistant professor as well as in-charge head of the department of chemical engineering in MIT before he retired in 1994. A bachelor, he was cordial with everyone and mostly had a reputation of being a loner. He enjoyed god rapport with his students and colleagues.

P G K, who hailed from Pervaje in Karkala tauk was born and brought up in Tamil Nadu. He secured his bachelor of engineering degree from a college in Chennai with a second rank and also went on to do hid doctorate from Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.

He was a philatelist and had a huge stamp collection worth lakhs. It is suspected that he died at least a week ago. Hiriadka police have registered a case of unnatural death.

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WM Chong, Malaysia
Wed, Feb 27 2019
I was privileged to have been part of his regular contact sessions in MIT. His lectures on Nash equilibrium, Fast Fourier Transformation Equation, Cell Membrane Dynamics were the most exciting part of my training in the integrations
Chemical Engineering, Molecular Biology ( Research training. ) . He introduced me to the Khorana Schoars and. I learned. how to design and analyze flow processes in his contact sessions. I was fortuitous that he. Introduced me to the Human Genome project. The early. Projects on vascular hydraulics and the pressure suits became my model for the EECP / ECP ( Enhanced Counterpounsationn Device )
Dr WM Chong DM ( Imperial College London ) , MACP

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WM Chong, Malaysia
Wed, Feb 27 2019
I was privileged to have been part of his regular contact sessions in MIT. His lectures on Nash equilibrium, Fast Fourier Transformation Equation, Cell Membrane Dynamics were the most exciting part of my training in the integrations
Chemical Engineering, Molecular Biology ( Research training. ) . He introduced me to the Khorana Schoars and. I learned. how to design and analyze flow processes in his contact sessions. I was fortuitous that he. Introduced me to the Human Genome project. The early. Projects on vascular hydraulics and the pressure suits became my model for the EECP / ECP ( Enhanced Counterpounsationn Device )
Dr WM Chong DM ( Imperial College London ) , MACP

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HARISH, Honavar
Sun, Jan 03 2016
May his soul rest in peace!!

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Sanjay Jha, Mumbai
Sat, Dec 17 2011
Came to know about his sad demise on 18.11.11 when I visited MIT to see my son ( 2nd yr Mech ). I am sure our Chemical batch of 1988 will always remember him. I got the opportunity to meet him last on 27.02.2011 at his residence. Great person & I personnaly learned a lot about Chemical Engineering. Sanjay Jha, working with Essar, Mumbai

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Utpal Vachhrajani....batch of 1983, Rajkot
Mon, Mar 02 2020
A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination, and instill a love of learning. That's what exactly DR PKG was ...An asset of Chem Engg Dept of MIT ...and a thorough gentlemen...

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Unnikrishnan, Trivandrum / Bangalore
Fri, Jul 29 2011
Initially I noticed something peculiar in him that made him special. The articles & questions he displayed showed the signature of a genius. His deep love for cats showed where he is searching for love. Like Russel, I thought he too believes that the present day love in the human race is just superficial. His mastery over science has generated great admiration to this man. Its nice to know that he has inspired so many of his students, to research aggressively and perform at your best. Present day students hardly get a chance to learn under someone like PGK.

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Achar, Mumbai
Sun, Jul 03 2011
Thank you for all the kind words. He was my uncle.

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Aravind, Hyderabad
Tue, Jun 28 2011
A rare combination of a person with infinite knowledge and humility.

Maybe we are privileged to have chosen the field of Chemical Engineering because of which we came in contact with him.

A very very sad end to such a distinguished life.

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Rajendra, Hyderabad
Sat, Jun 25 2011
Its really sad news :-( . He was the best and sharpest person I had eve met. We lost a good soul.
Rajendra

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MP Rajesh, Chennai/Chennai
Wed, Jun 15 2011
A pity that Dr. PGK had to go away this way! I was privileged to be his student in his "contact" classes and in the MIT Chemical Eng. Dept. from 1988-92. His approach to teaching was unconventional. He knew what was wrong with the Indian education system and tried to do this bit. He inspired a whole generation of students to "think-out-of-the-box". He leaves behind a big legacy - his students spread all over the globe. His students in turn, like me are proud of their "academic pedigree" and will continue to spread the legacy further.

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Sudhir Gupta, Mumbai
Wed, Jun 15 2011
Sad to hear that man who always stood for his logical thinking & ideology is no more.Really a sad day for all students of chemical engineering MIT,manipal.(1990)

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Dr.B.N.Reddy, VIJAYAWADA
Wed, Jun 15 2011
I feel very sad to note that DrPGK is no more. I respect him as an elder, great teacher and really a different person who created awareness among students to think differently.Even though we differ on principles, he used to address us as "my dear friend". He lived his life as he liked without compromosing for his set standards. He expected everyone idealistic. I enjoyed his company as senior colleague in the department of Chemical Engineering at MIT Manipal. I pray god almighty to bestow peace for his soul.

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Raghavendra Pai, Bangalore
Wed, Jun 15 2011
I agree with Uttam. He inculcated the urge to think. I vividly recall the sessions in his cabin where he used to talk about setting high standards. He was different. I also remember his contact classes where we had the opportunity to learn so many things from things around us. He has left a lasting imprint in our lives. We miss you sir (MIT 1990)

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Rajat Mathur, Jaipur
Mon, Jun 13 2011
It is truly sad to hear this news. Dr. P.G.K was a towering figure in our Department of Chemical Engineering .His most often repeated lines " People with Blinkers On will always blink"... taught us to think out of the box.. May his soul rest in peace.. Rajat Mathur (1993 Chemical )

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Amitabh Kharbanda, NOIDA
Mon, Jun 13 2011
Truly a sad ending.
Thanks PGK for all the MT & CRE classes the MO lab
I know u hated my guts, but that just inspired me to do better in your subjects
The future generation at MIT will miss your unorthodox approach
may you rest in peace

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Avinash Patil, Pune
Mon, Jun 13 2011
I agree with Deepak Kini, Class of 86 was privileged to have him for ICT/MT-I/II and labs.He was the best teacher I met so far.I went on to love mass transfer so much that I post graduated and now operate in the area of Transfer Operations. Mainly MT. I owe my entire carrier to the passion he stirred during his classrom. His ability to explain concepts was exceptional. I could never find defn of diffusivity AB: (Ability of A to move thrgh A B) the way he taught.
We were all lucky to have him as a prof.
May his soul rest in peace

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Uttam Shanbhag, USA
Mon, Jun 13 2011
His refrain, "change my friend, change for the better", forces me to evaluate all that I do daily even today. He forced us to set our standards high and not settle for 2nd best.
..Uttam (MIT1990)

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Uttam Shanbhag, USA
Mon, Jun 13 2011
His refrain, "change my friend, change for the better", forces me to evaluate all that I do daily even today. He forced us to set our standards high and not settle for 2nd best.
..Uttam (MIT1990)

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Shakeel Shetty, Brahmavara / Mumbai
Mon, Jun 13 2011
Dr. PGK, as he was popularly known was a towering figure. His structure is still etched in my mind. He inspired us to love Chemical Engg. He was instrumental in shaping so many bright minds and was always helpful. Though eccentric but possesed a golden heart. I still remember that he used add 5 marks (average) if you attended all 3 sessionals. Thus he ensured 100% attendance. He did help many with their projects. Students from other depts would also rave about him and would attend his contact classes. He groomed us to be the best and always inculcated a never die attitude in us. Will surely miss him. And one more thing, he used to speak to me in Kannada (though I didnt understand the first 2 years - I didnt tell him that). I picked the language in the final year. I , on the behalf of class of '90, pray for the great soul. R.I.P.... We all will miss Sir... :-(

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DS Oberoi, Jammu, India
Mon, Jun 13 2011
A great loss. A sad day for me. I learnt a lot from him. I was from E&C and yet he helped me. I attended his contact sessions along with other after college hours and it was an experiences. for all of us. He told us, to do things with passion. He was a keen observer and he once wrote to BBC about the timing beeps (there was one less beep in news announcement).
Surrounded with cats and cigarettes, he enjoyed his life as a loner. A vivid stamp collector and good person. He used to say he has experience of everything except of producing and killing someone.

May his soul rest in peace.

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Ajay J. Soni, Mumbai
Mon, Jun 13 2011
Very sad to hear the tragic news. Dr. PGK (as popularly known) was the best professor we had & I guess we all the 1985 batch of Chem. Eng. remember him most. While many of us met last Dec'10 at our Silver Union, we all remembered him largely at heart. I pray may his soul rest in peace.

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AVR, Chennai
Mon, Jun 13 2011
PGK was a central character in my MIT life. An extra ordinary thinker, he lived life by his own rules. I am sure he will do the same in the hereafter.

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Lakshman Rammohan, Chennai
Sun, Jun 12 2011
A very tragic end to such a gifted and helpful person. may his soul rest in peace. I would request my fellow college-mates from MIT, who are located in South Kanara, to arrange for a day or condolence meeting & a day of mourning at Manipal

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Shailesh Bhalgat,
Sun, Jun 12 2011
Rahul and Donald, Absolutely right. Tough but fair guy who was very much respected despite his eccentric attitude. Sad to hear his end come this way.

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Deepak Kini, USA
Sun, Jun 12 2011
We, class of 1986, will always remember him. We all are successful in our own way and thanks to the great lessons and discipline taught to us by Sir PGK. His "B" in class was A and he always pushed us to do the best and excel.May his soul rest in peace

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RAHUL GOKHALE,
Sun, Jun 12 2011
Yes, Donald.Truly a great person.I have felt how deeply he influenced me in my professional life.He taught us how to have passion in any work that you do.

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RAHUL GOKHALE,
Sun, Jun 12 2011
Yes, Donald.Truly a great person.I have felt how deeply he influenced me in my professional life.He taught us how to have passion in any work that you do.

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Dony lewis, Katapady/Dubai
Sun, Jun 12 2011
Sorry to hear the sad death of PGK.He did not deserve such a bad end!I always admired him.He was the most intelligent teacher I have come across.He was so strict that no one dares to break the rules. Highly knowledgable in chemical Engg.A great professsor. We were lucky to have him. We will miss him for sure.
May his soul rest in peace.
Donald Lewis 1986 MIT

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Franco, Mangalore
Sun, Jun 12 2011
PGK was an eccentric professor, but made us think. Mass Transfer is what he taught us. I last met him in Nov. 2009. Had to write a post card in advance to meet him. Never kept a mobile phone with him, though I offered him a set with chip. May his soul rest in peace

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Ronald Sabi, Udupi
Sun, Jun 12 2011
Looks like it was a sad end for such a brainy person. May be because he was a loner. He is my best professor in Chemical Engineering. He induced reasoning and thinking habbits among students on all the subjects. He used to teach 50 mins and remaining 10 mins for Q&A on any science topic. I still remember he would hide behind the door and soon after the siron he will barge into the class room and doors closed! No entry into the class room even if one min late.
May his soul rest in peace.

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WM Chong, Malaysia

WM Chong, Malaysia

HARISH, Honavar

Sanjay Jha, Mumbai

Utpal Vachhrajani....batch of 1983, Rajkot

Unnikrishnan, Trivandrum / Bangalore

Achar, Mumbai

Aravind, Hyderabad

Rajendra, Hyderabad

MP Rajesh, Chennai/Chennai

Sudhir Gupta, Mumbai

Dr.B.N.Reddy, VIJAYAWADA

Raghavendra Pai, Bangalore

Rajat Mathur, Jaipur

Amitabh Kharbanda, NOIDA

Avinash Patil, Pune

Uttam Shanbhag, USA

Uttam Shanbhag, USA

Shakeel Shetty, Brahmavara / Mumbai

DS Oberoi, Jammu, India

Ajay J. Soni, Mumbai

AVR, Chennai

Lakshman Rammohan, Chennai

Shailesh Bhalgat,

Deepak Kini, USA

RAHUL GOKHALE,

RAHUL GOKHALE,

Dony lewis, Katapady/Dubai

Franco, Mangalore

Ronald Sabi, Udupi

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Title: Udupi: Retired Asst Professor of MIT, P G K (75) No More

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