IIT Delhi director R Shevgaonkar breaks silence on sudden resignation

IIT Director R Shevgaonkar, whose resignation last week had triggered a controversy, on Wednesday attributed his decision to quit to some "unforeseen situations".

"Towards the end of the year, however, some unforeseen situations developed and I had to decide to step down from my position. Nevertheless, this is a small transient in the long illustrious history of IIT Delhi. "IIT Delhi is on constant rising path and I am sure the New Year will bring many unprecedented achievements to the institute," Shevgaonkar said in his farewell mail sent to the faculty, staff and students.

The Director, however, did not elaborate on the unforeseen events that had led him to resign from his post on Friday last, two years before his terms ends. The resignation has not been accepted till now. A statement issued by IIT-D on Monday cited "personal reasons" for the resignation.

In his mail, Shevgaonkar went on to say that there is also a need to create a positive image about the internal functioning of the institute to the outside world. "Disagreement is an essential part of a healthy academic environment. However, a care needs to be taken that the internal differences are not exploited by the outsiders to affect our functioning. Let us work to make IITD a model institute for transparency, trust, accountability and academic and research excellence," he said.

Shevgaonkar noted this was his last new year message as the Director of IIT Delhi as he had "formally resigned" and was awaiting his relieving orders.