Dr. T. Ramachandra Rao (1907–1984)
A memoir of my grandfather, written by his younger brother, T. Seshagiri Rao ("Checha"), in Bangalore on 17 September 1990.
Editor's note: The text below is reproduced from the original family manuscript with only minor corrections for formatting and spelling. Photographs and annotations have been added where relevant to provide historical context.
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Editor's note: R. Thammaji Rao (1882–1968), Dr. Ramachandra Rao's father, was a senior administrator in the Mysore State who served under Sir M. Visvesvaraya before holding a series of district administrative and police appointments. After retiring from government service, he helped organise Bangalore's early public transport system and remained active in civic and community life.
Dr. T. Ramachandra Rao, Circa 1935-39
Thammaji was being posted to other talukas also. In order that Thape could get a good education at one place, he was then left under the care of his uncle Sri. L.R. Subba Rao (his paternal uncle) in Mysore where he stayed for some years. He completed his Matriculation (S.S.L.C. of the present day) and also Entrance Examination (P.U.C. as it is now called). He studied in the Maharaja’s High School which had acquired a great reputation as a School for Excellence and had successive head masters of learning and wisdom, including Sri. R.V. Krishna Swamy Iyer (father of the well known Novelist Sri. R.K. Narayan, later one of India's best-known English-language novelists, who was incidentally a class fellow of Thape). At that time Thape also had the company of Dr. B.S. Bhimachar (Bhima) his cousin, with whom he continued to have lasting and intimate friendship.
Thape then joined the Central College, Bangalore for his B.Sc. with Zoology as Major and Botany as subsidiary subjects. At that time the college had on its faculty, men of eminence – Prof. C.R. Narayana Rao in Zoology, Dr. M.A. Sampatkumaran in Botany and Dr. E.P. Metcalfe in Physics who was also a distinguished principal of the college. Thape was one of the brilliant students in the class and stood first in B.Sc. Examination. Although he did not actively participate in any sports and games, he was a prominent member of the University Rovers Group and earlier in the high school he was a distinguished Boy Scout, winning many awards.
In 1928, just after his graduation, Thape was married to Tunga Bai (renamed after marriage as Rama Bai by Kamalakka, his mother) daughter of Penukonda Narasinga Rao, pleader in Bellary. Narasinga Rao belonged to an old and respected family and his father Penukonda Rama Rao was a famous Public Prosecutor in his days and a highly respected personality in Bellary.
Dr. T. Ramachandra Rao with his wife Rama Bai and their young daughter, circa late 1930s – 1940s
While Studying for his M.Sc., Thape appeared for competitive examination for ICS (Indian Civil Service) at New Delhi in 1929 and 1930. The older generation may recall with what awe and respect the officers of the ICS cadre were looked upon by others, since it represented the steel frame of British bureaucracy. They virtually ruled India, representing the pick of Indian intelligentsia and were known for their outstanding merit in Public Administration. Thape did so well in both the years that he secured 8th rank in the first year and 12th in the second year. In the viva voce test both the years he scored 200 out of 200 marks!
But Fate had willed otherwise. 5 candidates were selected first year and 8 in the succeeding year. If he had been selected he would have held the top positions in the Centre and States, and probably he could have been the Governor of some State. Thammaji was advised by his friends to send Thape to London to sit for the examination next year. But he could not muster the necessary funds for the trip. Looking back over the years, one need not regret Thape not having joined the I.C.S. If he had taken up this service, India could not have had a scientist of his eminence.
After returning from Calcutta, full of honours Thape visualised a satisfying and lucrative career for himself, but it was not to be. Much as he tried he could not get even a demonstrator’s job in a College. The Mysore Civil Service examination for selection to Assistant Commissioners’ cadre in the State had been temporarily suspended and all efforts of Thammaji to secure for Thape a probationer’s position in Revenue or Police Department proved futile. The non-brahmin movement had taken firm root in the State and it was practically impossible for brahmins to get into a good job in the Government. Thammaji felt thoroughly disconcerted – but not Thape. He utilised all his time on research work which he was allowed to do in Central College and Agricultural Department. His work related to Entomology – on mosquitoes and grasshoppers and he published 2 – 3 scientific papers during the period. His first job was to teach Biology for Pre-medical Students in Mysore Medical College for six months in a year at a salary of Rs. 75 per month.
At last the time arrived. Thape’s research work had been received well amongst those engaged in similar work and as a result Dr. Paul F Russell – a world known authority in Malaria Control Work, picked him up as his Assistant for the work in which Rockefeller Foundation USA was then engaged in Malaria Investigations at Pattukkottai in Tanjore District at Rs. 150/- per month. It was here that Thape excelled himself in his scientific and field work. He found his assignment most satisfying.
Dr. T. Ramachandra Rao during field work in forest terrain, likely related to malaria, 1940-50s
Just as his work at Pattukottai was nearing its end in 1942, Thape secured a gazetted post of Entomologist in the Malaria Organisation of Government of Bombay at Sirsi (North Kanara District). This gave him a matchless opportunity to engage himself in a work in which he had specialised. He was transferred to Dharwar and later to Poona and promoted.
He then rose to be Deputy Director of Public Health (Malaria). At that time, another position presented itself and that was the Directorship of Virus Research Centre, Poona (now the ICMR–National Institute of Virology, Pune), a joint venture of Maharashtra Government and Rockefeller Foundation.
Thape who was selected for this post, could enlarge his sphere of activity from the field of Malaria to include all vector borne diseases. One such study which he had to handle was the Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) in Sorab Taluk of Shimoga District where monkeys died in large numbers and the virus proved fatal to many human beings. His work in this institution enabled him to come into contact with several specialists of international fame and he could do good work.
He then rose to be Deputy Director of Public Health (Malaria). At that time, another position presented itself and that was the Directorship of Virus Research Centre, Poona (now the ICMR–National Institute of Virology, Pune), a joint venture of Maharashtra Government and Rockefeller Foundation.
Dr. T. Ramachandra Rao with colleagues, 1970s
Thape who was selected for this post, could enlarge his sphere of activity from the field of Malaria to include all vector borne diseases. One such study which he had to handle was the Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) in Sorab Taluk of Shimoga District where monkeys died in large numbers and the virus proved fatal to many human beings. His work in this institution enabled him to come into contact with several specialists of international fame and he could do good work.
Dr. T. Ramachandra Rao on a field trip with colleagues, Virus Research Centre, Poona
The years Thape stayed in Poona were probably his happiest days, with his professional work most satisfying, with his children growing up well and with the company of several friends he made. He commanded lot of respect in social circles and was the President of New Club of Poona for some years and he was also actively associated with the Karnataka Sangha, which fostered friendly and cordial ties between Kannadigas and Maharashtrians.
Dr. T. Ramachandra Rao with colleagues during a laboratory or institutional visit
After his tenure with Virus Research Centre in Poona was over, Thape was offered a responsible position as Officer, special duty in the Indian Council of Medical Research Headquarters in New Delhi. In this assignment he had to co-ordinate and monitor the work of several projects initiated by the ICMR all over the country.
Dr. T. Ramachandra Rao at work in his office
Thape’s activities were not confined to India alone. He traveled far and wide on various assignments. He spent nearly 18 months in Afghanistan on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) to advise that Government on Malaria Eradication programme – Worked in Tanzania for nearly a year on a similar mission – visited USA and UK several times, South America, USSR, other European countries and Far East to name a few; for study tour and conferences. Wherever he went, he left a deep impression of his professional competence and scholarship.
Dr. T. Ramachandra Rao with local colleagues and international researchers during field work
Among the numerous scientific papers he published during his active life, many were of outstanding value and several of them are in the National and foreign libraries including the National Institute of Health, Washington DC, USA. He was elected to several Scientific and Research Bodies and societies, too numerous to mention here individually. But a reference has to be made to his being elected as Fellow of National Academy of Sciences, Delhi – the most prestigious Body in Scientific and Medical Research. He was also elected on Honorary Fellow of the Society of Tropical Health and Medicine, UK.
Dr. T. Ramachandra Rao at a WHO Scientific Group meeting on Insecticide Resistance in Vector Control, Geneva, 30 June 1964
However his crowning glory was the monumental book he wrote and published for ICMR running to nearly 600 pages titled "The Anophelines of India" and it was a work which brought him encomiums of professional bodies from all over the globe.
The Anophelines of India by T. Ramachandra Rao (Malaria Research Centre, ICMR)
Let us mention here that Thape’s professional career was no bed of roses. While he progressed in his official positions and grew in stature by hard work, intellect and diligent application, there were some individuals and agencies who tried vainly to pull him down, belittle his work and indulge in pettifogging. These however did not deter him in anyway in his single minded pursuit of excellence in his chosen discipline. Professional jealousy, and bureaucratic bickerings did hamper him at certain times and he overcame these hurdles by his sincerity of purpose. But they did leave him greatly saddened.
Dr. T. Ramachandra Rao in discussion with colleagues
We may recall just one case in this connection. With the concurrence of the Government of India he was given an assignment by a U.S. Government Agency to study the migration of mosquitoes and related disease bearing vectors. We cannot at this time recall the exact nature of the study. After a while, several questions were asked in the Parliament about the implications of this work and an open allegation was made that Thape was engaged in some work connected with the potentialities of germ warfare, sponsored by U S Government.
These allegations were obviously inspired by some groups inimical to Thape’s progressing in his field and lot of publicity was given in the press and other media. The Public Accounts Committee of the Parliament was asked to conduct an enquiry in this matter. The Chairman of the PAC – a front ranking Communist MP – obviously well briefed by vested interests – grilled Thape in several sittings on the nature of his work, the high emoluments and perks he was getting and his background. But Thape was not made of clay to buckle down. He stood up to the closest scrutiny, answered all questions convincingly in a professional manner and conducted himself with a bearing which deeply impressed the Chairman and convinced him that there was no truth in the allegations. It must be said to the credit of the Chairman that he made a report absolving Thape of all the charges and commending him on his exemplary and praiseworthy display of professional honesty and integrity.
As a recognition of Thapes’ outstanding work in the field of Virus Research and his stature in scientific circles, the Government authorities had recommended the award of "Padma Shri" to him. But at the last moment, some powerful interests scuttled it for reasons which were obvious. Though this episode made him bitter, the esteem Thape commanded amongst the scientific community was more than any awards that the Government could bestow.
Dr. T. Ramachandra Rao with staff and colleagues
Finally after being away from his hometown for nearly 37 years, Thape returned to Bangalore in 1974 – to the old home of Thammaji. But he never retired in its literal sense. He served on numerous committees, he traveled all over India and he was called upon to tender his advice on many matters to evaluate several projects and programmes. He kept himself busy till the end.
A dutiful son, a devout husband, a loving father and a warm friend, Thape represented the best one could wish for, nurturing the old time-tested values of closely knit family milieu, marked by mutual love and respect to one another. But he had an under-current of feeling that he had not done enough for his family. Oftentimes he would confide with me (although I was nine years younger to him) about his problems with a tinge of sadness and frustration. The biggest single contributory factor which bogged him down in the twilight years of his life was his acute visual impairment and to mitigate which he tried his utmost. But, on account of his diabetic condition, nothing could be done and he had to reconcile himself with this disability. This was too much to bear for a person like Thape who had met several challenges and who had savored the best that Life could offer him in his family and profession. Probably this was the one which hastened his end, since his general health condition was fairly satisfactory. He breathed his last on 8th November 1984 after a brief illness.
Those of us who were close to him cannot probably comprehend fully, how eminent he was in his professional life. This is no doubt understandable. But the long obituary references on his demise, in the leading national newspapers, in Indian and foreign scientific journals and the scores of letters received from his associates in India and abroad, bore eloquent testimony to the monumental work he did in his field and the deep affection and respect with which he was held by one and all. Thape’s life was a saga of an unswerving struggle to fulfill all the aspirations and ideals which were close to his heart.
A dutiful son, a devout husband, a loving father and a warm friend, Thape represented the best one could wish for, nurturing the old time-tested values of closely knit family milieu, marked by mutual love and respect to one another. But he had an under-current of feeling that he had not done enough for his family. Oftentimes he would confide with me (although I was nine years younger to him) about his problems with a tinge of sadness and frustration. The biggest single contributory factor which bogged him down in the twilight years of his life was his acute visual impairment and to mitigate which he tried his utmost. But, on account of his diabetic condition, nothing could be done and he had to reconcile himself with this disability. This was too much to bear for a person like Thape who had met several challenges and who had savored the best that Life could offer him in his family and profession. Probably this was the one which hastened his end, since his general health condition was fairly satisfactory. He breathed his last on 8th November 1984 after a brief illness.
Left to right: T. Ananthaswamy Rao, Dr. T. Ramachandra Rao, and T. Seshagiri Rao (author of the memoir)
Former Directors of ICMR, National Institute of Virology here
On all counts, Ramachandra was truly an illustrious son of a worthy father and he invested Thammaji’s concept of gracious living with a special meaning and content and for which all of us should feel justly proud.
Dr. T. Ramachandra Rao at his desk