Refutes media reports that the Congress stalwart and Rajya Sabha member would join institute
As a director of Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Prof S Parasuraman is extremely busy supervising four campuses at Mumbai, Hyderabad, Tuljapur and Guwahati, which together have thousands of students. But this Thursday was extraordinary. His phones didn't stop ringing even for a minute.
From media to political parties, and from alumni to TISS's faculty and students, everyone sought his version over a tabloid report which said senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh, 60, would be joining the institute as director next year.
"I am puzzled how such unsubstantiated reports come in media. There is no truth to it. I am still the director of TISS and Jairam Ramesh has not applied for any post at the institute," he asserted.
"He has not even applied for the guest faculty's post. The institute does invite several eminent scholars to deliver lectures on certain topics but he was not invited for that either."
However, there's no smoke without fire. When asked about the reasons behind the "secret visit" of such a high-profile leader, Prof Parasuraman claimed it was a cordial meeting between them and people shouldn't see much into it. "Anybody can come and meet me. That doesn't mean s/he is seeking the director's post. Ramesh came here as we wish to get him on board in the TISS environment council."
Prof Parasuraman has been at the helm of affairs since 2004 and has completed two full terms. His current tenure will end sometime next year. TISS is in the process of selecting a new director.
A faculty member said, "Both the facts coupled with Ramesh's secret visit probably led to the speculations."
When asked about the hiring process and Ramesh's credentials for the top job, Prof Parasuraman said, "I would not like to comment on his eligibility for the post. One must meet the criteria laid down by the UGC. Selection process has just begun. We are yet to advertise the post."
Ramesh could not be contacted. One of the most popular ministers in the UPA, Ramesh holds a BTech degree from IIT-B. He studied public management at Carnegie Mellon University in 1975-77, says his profile at press information bureau. He also holds a postgraduate degree in interdisciplinary course from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
He has authored a number of key government reports and has been a founding member of the Indian School of Business in Hyderabad. He is also the author of 'Making Sense of Chindia', a book that describes the forces of globalisation and liberalisation.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}