“Kosambi biography, excellent gift on genius’ 119th birth anniversary’” opine scholars

Goa Khabar:  The scholars who discussed the book, “DD Kosambi- one life, many worlds” a biography of the Goan and Indian genius, the Late Damodar Dharmananda Kosambi at the International Centre Goa (ICG) on Friday, July 31 were unanimous in their opinion that it was an apt gift on the genuis’ 119^th birth anniversary.

The book authored by the Delhi based, scientist and author Ram Ramaswamy was launched at a function jointly organised by the Goa University and the ICG on Friday.

The scholar panel, which comprised the Mumbai based scientist and trade unionist, Vivek Monteiro, professor Paresh Parobo of the Goa University and Kaustubh Naik, doctoral candidate at the University of Pennsylvania lauded the efforts of the author and commended him for his meticulous research.

Addressing the audience Ramaswamy said, “It was challenging to research Kosambi, as very little documentation is available in India. It was sheer good fortune that Kosambi did his schooling in the USA and hence many records were well documented.”  

Monteiro, was of the opinion that the book was like a double biography, as it told the story of not just Damodar Kosambi, the scientist and polymath, but also threw light into the life of Dharmananda Kosambi, father of the scientist and himself a renowned scholar.

According to Monteiro, Damodar Kosambi stood out for his forthright views. “Even as a mathematician working at the Tata Institute of fundamental research (TIFR), Kosambi had the guts to oppose atomic energy and recommend solar energy in its place. He had even suggested how solar energy could be distributed across the villages of India.”  

Young scholar Kaustubh Naik pointed out how Kosambi’s entire collection of books went into the making of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) library. “As a former JNU student, I consider myself privileged to have had access to such a wide range of books. I get goosebumps, to even think that I may unknowingly have read so many of Kosambi’s own collection.”  

Paresh Parobo said that the book was like a breath of fresh air. “Kosambi was a very private person and tragically all his personal diaries were destroyed. This book bridges that gap,” he said.