Hyderabad was settled 500 years ago amid the vast expanse of stones and dust, a plateau beneath a hot sky. A part of it now bursts with high-rise glass towers, where the sun is mirrored when rising and setting. This new part is called Cyberabad, as though Hyderabad—rooted in time immemorial, bazaars and minarets—has reincarnated without dying. The great corporations—Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and Facebook—have come here with their vast encampments: shining fortresses of light. All of this, spun like a web around the institute, IIIT Hyderabad, where a handful of visionaries once sowed the first seeds.

There, among them, is P. J. Narayanan—PJN, as both his friends and students call him. From the quiet town of Alwaye to Kharagpur’s corridors, to Maryland’s cool libraries, to the laboratories of Bengaluru, his path was drawn, like a thread stitched carefully through decades. At CAIR (Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics) in Bengaluru, he imagined pixels turning into moving scenes, reconstructed forms, and possible worlds inside a machine.

Among the pioneering faculty at the International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad (IIIT-H), PJN established the Centre for Visual Information Technology (CVIT). Patiently and steadily, he attracted brilliant students every year—the best among the brightest minds, restless with youth, hearts alight with questions—making it the largest of its kind in the country, breathing life into algorithms that see, imagine and remember. Thanks to him, if there is any other place in the world outside Silicon Valley in the US where AI technology truly comes to life, it is here.

In the realm of vision, machines learn to create depth from flat images—faces, streets and temples rising from two dimensions into three, as though a ghost of the real were summoned from the shadows. From the trembling of motion, structure emerges; from the flicker of pixels, entire worlds stand upright. In the realm of graphics, light lingers, refracts and bends its way across hidden surfaces; scenes ripple and shift like landscapes glimpsed in a dream.

Deep inside the humming chambers of the GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), armies of numbers surge and scatter—graphs shifting, strings unravelling and reweaving, patterns clustering like constellations and neural nets shimmering like webs spun overnight. What was once hidden now opens, clear and flowing, carrying the mark of PJN and his students.

When I learnt that he was stepping down from the directorship of the CVIT after completing two glorious terms, I found in him not even a shade of retirement, but the radiance of continuance. He spoke—gently, almost as though teaching a class again—of information technology as the arc of intelligence: how myth and metaphor evolved into mathematics; of Alan Turing’s sober challenge, the Dartmouth dream, and Deep Blue toppling Kasparov like a chess piece fallen in history’s great game.

And as PJN spoke, I witnessed his steady, unrelenting river of thought. From the all-knowing gods, demons and sages of old legends, through the rule-based logic, and now the neural networks that mimic the mind itself—what an incredible journey of intelligence! Now, it is in our pockets through smartphones, in the cars that drive us, and the Chatbots that answer whatever we ask. AI, PJN said, is not something at the door, knocking; it has slipped inside already, rearranged the furniture, set the clocks to its own time, and taken possession of the house.

“Should we be afraid?” I asked. For the air is thick with whispers—robots are replacing men, AI biases buried in data like stones that trip the unwary, inequalities sharpened, not softened, by automation’s hand. PJN chuckled—soft and unhurried, as though the worry were a child tugging at one’s sleeve. Fears, he said, cannot halt a sunrise. The birds who love the dark may complain, but the light comes—inevitable and indifferent. Our task is not to stop it—it cannot be stopped—but to shape it, so that it illuminates and does not blind.

It was here that our common roots in the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) surfaced. What about the great Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) that have, for decades, formed the backbone of India’s industrial sector? Steel, coal, oil, power, railways—these were once temples of progress, but today, they stand on the threshold of a new revolution. How should they face this dawn of Industry 4.0, where machines learn, sensors whisper, and algorithms anticipate?

PJN’s words felt like counsel: PSUs must not retreat into nostalgia or fear. They must embrace indigenous technologies—crafted for Indian conditions, by Indian hands—and reskill their vast workforces so that machinists and welders become supervisors of robots, interpreters of data and partners of algorithms. The choice is simple: ride the tide of AI and robotics, or be left in their gushing wake.

I thought then of a steel plant in Durgapur, where predictive algorithms could halve the energy used in furnaces, making them not only more cost-effective but also cleaner. Of ONGC deploying drones that sweep across pipelines, spotting hairline cracks before disaster strikes. Of the Indian Railways’ running locomotives, whose sensors continuously report to central dashboards, predicting failures days in advance. Of BEML, supplying earthmoving machines across the global South.

These are not fantasies; they are glimmers already present. What they need is scale, commitment, and above all, faith in India’s own ingenuity. In that moment, I felt that PJN’s voice—measured, prophetic—was speaking not only to me, but also to managers of PSUs, to policymakers, to unions and to young apprentices just joining the shop floor.

When at last I rose to go, I placed my hand in his, and it was as if I touched not merely a man, but the distilled patience of years—the engineer who took a leap in frontline robotics, who became a teacher, the teacher who became a guide, and the guide who remains a sage. No clamour for power, no scent of self—only the quiet, luminous wish: that humanity, with all its frailties, might walk alongside its machines; not behind them, not beneath them, but together, into a future still unmade. The future does not have a blueprint; it builds upon what has been done. It has to be formed every day of our lives, with our own hands, minds and mistakes.

The Industry 4.0 of India must not be a job taker but a job creator. Over the years, we have become addicted to cheap imports. “Why develop when it is available?” is a defeatist mindset. While private companies, driven by profits, may do whatever it takes to make them rich, PSUs must do what makes the country strong and generates employment. I imagine a second innings of PJN, decisively tackling PSUs and making way for change as effortlessly as Moses parted the Red Sea.

There are evenings when conversation lingers like the aftertaste of cardamom tea—subtle yet insistent. Last night was one of them. Eminent chemist and my long-standing friend, Dr. S. Chandrasekhar, hosted some of his dear scientist friends, and I had the honour of being one among them. The day was doubly special, it being his father-in-law’s 96^th birth anniversary and the release of a book written by his wife, Srivari Amresam Bharati.

At dinner, across the white cloth, an authentic Telugu thali, and the dim light of a Hyderabadi chandelier, I asked Professor Goverdhan Mehta, a world-renowned chemist and teacher of generations, what he would like to be remembered for.

Without hesitation, he replied, “For pioneering sustainable chemistry.”

The words hung in the air, not as self-praise, but as a declaration of what chemistry must become. For a moment, the room seemed to shrink, every voice folding into silence. Here was a man who had lived through the revolutions of twentieth-century science—who had mastered the elegance of organic synthesis, led institutions, and carried India’s scientific reputation abroad—yet, at the twilight of an extraordinary career, he placed his legacy, not in molecules crafted, but in a principle embodied—that chemistry, to endure, must be sustainable.

Born in Jodhpur in 1943 and raised in the dawn of independent India, Goverdhan Mehta was part of a generation that saw in science not merely discovery but emancipation. His journey carried him from Rajasthan to the University of Poona (now SPPU), and then to the United States, before returning home with a restless ambition: to put Indian chemistry on the world map.

And he did. His research in organic synthesis became legendary, particularly his mastery of natural product synthesis. He crafted elaborate molecular architectures that nature had perfected over millions of years—alkaloids, terpenoids and complex polycyclic structures.

One of his celebrated achievements was the synthesis of steroids and terpenoids with unusual ring systems. These were not just exercises in intellectual dexterity, but also blueprints for medicinal chemistry, offering scaffolds that could inspire the development of new drugs. His strategies in synthesising indole alkaloids—molecules that plants deploy for defence and humans now explore for therapy—set new benchmarks in creativity.

Yet what strikes one, meeting him now, is not the glitter of recognition but the steady flame of inquiry. His curiosity has not waned, only deepened, bending itself to a new question: What does it mean for chemistry to serve life, not just knowledge?

A chemist of the twentieth century, triumphant in technique, sought efficiency. Could reactions be faster, yields higher, and steps fewer? This was the grammar of progress, and Mehta mastered it as few did. However, the twenty-first century presents another grammar before us, one that asks not only how well but also at what cost. A reaction that is efficient yet toxic, a process that is streamlined yet wasteful, a molecule that is brilliant yet persistent in soil and sea—these are pyrrhic victories.

“A 21^st-century chemist,” Prof. Mehta said, “must not be satisfied only if a reaction is efficient; he or she must also examine: Is it ethical, renewable and regenerative?”

This Trinity is the soul of sustainable chemistry, and perhaps of Prof. Mehta’s own philosophy. In sustainable chemistry, the defining characteristic is the life-cycle gaze. It is no longer enough to measure atoms and bonds in a flask. One must follow them outward, into mines where raw materials are extracted, factories where energy is consumed, households where products are used and oceans into which residues drift.

Prof. Mehta, though celebrated for elegant syntheses, is among those who remind chemists that elegance in the flask must also translate into responsibility in the field. He supported ideas of atom economy—maximising how much of the raw material ends up in the final product—as a criterion of excellence. He spoke of green solvents, of avoiding heavy metals, and of catalytic processes that required less energy.

In his later lectures, Prof. Mehta often urged students to think beyond molecules, encouraging them to see chemistry as embedded in climate change, energy transitions, sustainable agriculture and circular economies. His own research group began exploring methodologies that reduced chemical waste, integrated renewable feedstocks and aligned synthesis with sustainability goals. Chemistry becomes a musical piece that has a beginning, a middle and an end. Sustainable chemistry requires that each chapter be written with foresight—that no toxic legacy be left for future generations.

There is something deeply Indian in this vision. Rta, the concept of cosmic order, requires balance: what is taken must be returned. In villages, waste turns into compost; in rituals, fire sends offerings back into the air. Perhaps it is no accident that an Indian chemist should insist on sustainability. For what India taught the world through philosophy, she must now demonstrate through science.

Prof. Mehta’s own career is a testament to this bridging. From the sandstone streets of Jodhpur to laboratories across continents, he has lived at the intersection of tradition and modernity. He carries, one feels, the humility of a teacher and the boldness of a pioneer—qualities required for India’s scientific renaissance.

Why should this matter now, when the world reels with more visible crises like pandemics, wars, and inequities? Because chemistry is everywhere, silently shaping the conditions of life. Plastic in oceans, pesticides in soils, pharmaceuticals in rivers—all are chemical legacies. To change chemistry is to change destiny.

The climate crisis, too, is, at its heart, a chemical crisis. Fossil carbon, buried for aeons, is now combusted into the sky. Sustainable chemistry seeks alternatives: solar-driven reactions, biodegradable polymers, and biocatalysts inspired by enzymes. It seeks not only to reduce harm but to reimagine abundance.

As I recall the dinner, I find myself drifting into the stream of thought that folds inwards and outwards: how strange that bonds invisible bind us to futures we will not see; how fragile the margins of discovery, where genius and responsibility must meet; how urgent the demand that science be not only clever but kind. I think of Prof. Mehta, his face charming and serene, his voice soft and calm, his words deliberate, and wonder if this is what legacy means—not monuments nor medals, but the transmission of a question that refuses to die: How shall we live well with the Earth?

To young researchers, his message is clear. Learn your reactions, perfect your yields, but never stop asking the deeper questions. The laboratory is not sealed off from the world; every flask is connected to forests, rivers and skies. When you choose a solvent, you also choose a future. The call is not to renounce chemistry but to deepen it—to infuse it with ethics, renewal and regeneration. In doing so, chemistry becomes not the destroyer of worlds but their healer.

And so, from a single dinner table, an evening conversation stretches outward. Prof. Goverdhan Mehta will be remembered as a master chemist, no doubt. His synthetic pathways will be cited in journals, and his students will recall his rigour. But if he has his wish, he will be remembered above all for pioneering sustainable chemistry—for insisting that the craft of molecules be the craft of care. To be remembered thus is to place one’s name not in stone but in soil, where it nourishes unseen roots. And perhaps that is the truest immortality a scientist can hope for.

I graduated in Mechanical Engineering from G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology (GBPUAT) in the 1970s. I stayed there for ten years, earning a master’s degree and working as a teaching associate, before joining DRDO in 1982. During this period, I developed a profound respect for agricultural science and formed many lasting friendships. Many alumni of Pantnagar have worked at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in Hyderabad, including Dr. S.P.S. Beniwal, Dr. S.N. Nigam, and Dr. K.B. Saxena, with whom we have remained connected.

 As time passed, I met many alumni from later years, includingMr. Vinod Gaur, who headed the National Seed Corporation (NSC), and Dr. Sanjay Kumar, who headed the CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT). I published two books with Dr. William Dar, then Director General of ICRISAT, who facilitated my visit to the IRRI (International Rice Research Institute) in the Philippines. Through my friend, Dr. Vilas Tonapi, erstwhile Director of ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research, I got the opportunity to meet the doyen of Indian agricultural science, Dr. M.S. Swaminathan,and receive his blessings. As if climbing a summit after an arduous hike, I ended up writing the biography of the legendary Dr. R.S. Paroda, co-authored with Dr. Sanjay Kumar, which will be published soon. Dr. Paroda created India’s National Gene Bank; worked for the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in the Caucasus and Central Asia (CCA) region, where he held an Ambassadorial Rank position; led the ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) from 1994-2000; and currentlyheads the Trust for Advancement in Agricultural Sciences (TAAS), New Delhi.

The giant agricultural research system of India is primarily represented by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). It operates a vast network of research institutes, experimental stations and universities across the country, focusing on improving agricultural productivity, sustainability and innovation. ICAR covers a wide range of areas, including crop research, animal husbandry, fisheries, agroforestry and biotechnology, making it a cornerstone of India’s agricultural development efforts. The National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (NAARM) in Hyderabad, the premier training institute of ICAR, invited me last month to address 108 PhDs newly recruited by the ICAR.  

I have never met such a talented group. These youngsters represent the finest talent in the country in agricultural sciences, having earned their place purely on merit. A third of them were women, reflecting a silent revolution that has been unfolding in India over the past several decades. Six of them were from Pantnagar – Dr. Sushmita Nautiyal (Veterinary Microbiology), Dr. Pooja Devi (Fruit Science), Dr. J. M. Samraj (Agricultural Entomology), Dr. Deep Chandra Suyal (Agricultural Microbiology), Dr. Mamta Bisht (Environmental Science) and Dr. T. Arvind (Plant Pathology). When they requested to take a picture with me in the lobby, I felt both elated and deeply moved. 

The NAARM is currently headed by Dr. Gopal Lal, a distinguished horticulturist. Born in 1967, he earned his PhD at the Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Udaipur, under Rajasthan Agricultural University (now SKRAU), Bikaner. He has served as Director of ICAR-National Research Centre on Seed Spices, Ajmer, and as Member (Agriculture) of theCauvery Water Management Authority in the Ministry of Jal Shakti. His career stands as a testimony to the expanding scope of agricultural science, extending beyond cropproduction to encompass broader socio-economic issues.

We developed a good rapport and discussed how agriculture is being transformed from mere crop–raising to an integrated food-environment-livelihood system. This is not a policy decision or a local phenomenon, but a global awareness that has emerged out of the triple challenges of environmental degradation, climate change and economic inequalities. Not only are the three phenomena interconnected, but together they also form a malevolent vicious cycle that humanity must break to ensure sufficient food for all. While enough food may be produced, it is often too expensive for consumers,leaving people nutritionally deficient, and some even hungry.

But how will this be achieved, and who will make it happen? India remains a poor investor in R&D, spending less than 1% of its GDP on science—including space and defence—while China invests about 3.5% of its much larger GDP. Though we have managed so far, how long can this continue? Interdisciplinary research is the way forward, and to enable this, our scientists must be free to cross organisational boundaries and have secure, well-paid careers. Both these areas face challenges that are largely matters of policy and administrative decision–making. It is not uncommon to see unhappy scientists stuck in uncomfortable and frustrating positions. As Dr. Kalam would ask when faced with such situations at the DRDO, “What alignment do you expect out of round pegs placed in square grooves?”  

 “What kind of skill set should a new agricultural leader have?” I asked Dr. Gopal Lal. 

Dr. GL, as he is fondly referred to by his colleagues, said, “For a leader driving a paradigm shift in agriculture,innovative thinking is essential to adopt and promote sustainable, eco-friendly and cutting-edge farming practices. They need a deep environmental awareness to understand ecological issues, climate change and resource conservation, ensuring their decisions support sustainability. Familiarity with modern technology, such as digital tools, precision agriculture and data-driven decision-making, is crucial for optimising productivity and resource use. An effective agricultural leader should also have inclusive leadership qualities, fostering collaboration and empowering marginalised communities to promote equitable resource distribution.”

“How do you differentiate such leaders?” I next asked Dr. GL.

 With his charming half-smile, he said, “Call them Green Leaders.”

Over the next several hours, we worked together to articulate the profile of a Green Leader. This form of leadership emphasises a holistic approach that balances economic, social and environmental considerations. Key characteristics of this new leadership include visionary and long-term thinking, a responsible attitude, a collaborative and inclusive spirit, a mindset of innovation and adaptability, an ethical and value-driven moral compass, conviction for taking a stand, and advocacy.

Green leaders are not myopic. They make decisions that benefit both present and future generations. They ensuretransparency and accountability in their actions, therebyfostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders—farmers, scientists, policymakers, communities, and companies—to develop sustainable solutions. They also possess an open mind for innovation and the courage to embrace new technologies.

But most importantly, Green Leadership is rooted in ethics, emphasising respect for nature, social justice and the well-being of all living beings. It is no wonder, then, that farmers and industry leaders alike are beginning to see themselves as stewards of the land, responsible for maintaining healthy ecosystems. This growing awareness is evolving intoecological consciousness and influencing decision-making processes.

One thing is certain: India, the most populous country in the world, is poised to address the problem of malnutrition through biofortification, using innovations that circumvent the contentious GM debate. The day is not far when potatoes will contain protein, rice will be enriched with iron, and wheat will provide zinc. Having already tackled the challenge of water stress, India is now moving towards a future where, within afew years, AI-enabled IoT devices will ensure that each plant gets precisely what it needs in terms of water and nutrients, directly from nature, in a timely and precise manner. Thanks to ICAR and its spirited scientists, who are grooming the new generation of Green Leaders, there are no red lights anymore on the highway of Indian agriculture—only green ones.

There is a vast amount of literature that attempts to address the problems of unhappiness, and every sect and cult promises solutions to its adherents. Sufferings, miseries and conflicts, however, refuse to go away. Ask anyone in a mall, park, or sitting in front of a television and you’re likely to meet someone in search of happiness. Even the richest, the best and the most accomplished people occupying positions of power and influence are unhappy; so what can one say of those who struggle just to make ends meet?

‘Khush Raho’, which translates to ‘be happy’, is a traditional benediction in North India, the region where I was born and raised. It is widely believed that joy and well–being are the most valuable aspects of life. Happiness has a profoundly positive impact on various aspects of life. Happy individuals tend to have stronger and more satisfying relationships, enjoy improved physical and mental health and lead fulfilling and enjoyable lives. 

The area of positive psychology has given rise to numerous divergent perspectives regarding what it means to be happy. We can’t seem to find happiness. No matter how hard we try, nothing—regardless of what happens—ever seems able to be able to make us truly happy. Doing what you enjoy, being surrounded by people you like and love, and not worrying about what lies ahead are often seen as the hallmarks of happiness. Yet, when I watch my grandson Agastya and other children completely immersed in computer games, it makesme wonder whether humanity has ever truly cracked the code to happiness.

We live in two worlds—the external world of our observations and experiences, and the internal world of our thoughts and feelings. Money, material possessions, status and acclaim are ‘extrinsic’ pleasures—those we seek when we look forfulfilment outside ourselves. Regrettably, the joy of newly discovered contentment does not last long. The more we try to‘find’ happiness, the more elusive it becomes. This phenomenon, which is a significant obstacle to experiencing lasting happiness, is referred to by psychologists as ‘hedonic adaptation’.

Conversely, when we strive to make ourselves happy, we direct our attention towards pursuits that generate pleasant emotions, nurture inner strengths, and foster social connections through our active engagement with the world. Neither acclaim nor financial reward is our goal. Simply enjoying ourselves while being completely absorbed in our work is enough. Regardless of our life circumstances, we can always find happiness by consistently engaging in self-rewarding, meaningful hard work.

It goes against the grain of what most of us have been led to believe—that our happiness is directly proportional to how easy life is and that we require life to be a specific way to be happy. The correlation between perseverance, intrinsic motivation, and long-term enjoyment, however, was foretold in the Shrimad Bhagawad Gita when Lord Shri Krishna declared, “आत्मनि एव आत्मना तुष्टः स्थितप्रज्ञः तदा उच्यते“, meaning that one whosemind finds contentment in the Self alone, is a man of steady wisdom (Shloka 2.55).

Know yourself as the sole provider of your happiness. ‘Behave’, an outstanding book written by Robert Sapolsky, a Russian-American professor of biology and neurology at Stanford University, establishes the fact that happiness is rooted in biology. In varying degrees and combinations, the neurochemicals and physiological sensations produced by our brains and bodies are what we perceive as pleasure, enjoyment, contentment, love, ecstasy, joy, delight, and every other form of happiness.

Does this imply that these feel-good chemicals and experiences can be accessed at will? Can we, through quantifiable autotelic actions, consciously trigger them ourselves? 

Reading Sapolsky’s book, I learnt that our bodies can generate an adrenaline boost when we challenge ourselves, such as doing a task in less time than usual. This excitatory hormone boosts our confidence, energy and motivation. When we undertake something very challenging, such as completing a physical exercise or solving a puzzle, our brains release a powerful combination of norepinephrine, epinephrine (also known as adrenaline) and dopamine. When we experience all three of these neurochemicals simultaneously, we feel elated, proud and content—happy on the inside.

Another insight the book offers is that our brains are filled with dopamine, a chemical linked to pleasure and reward, whenever we succeed in making someone laugh or smile. The effect is amplified when we ourselves share in the laughter or smiles. The hormone oxytocin is released into the bloodstream whenever our physical movements are synchronised with those of another person, for example, in a sporting event or a dance. We experience euphoria and joy because of this neurochemical. The vagus nerve, which causes us to feel emotionally ‘choked up’ in our chests and throats, and the pilomotor reflex, which gives us pleasant chills and goosebumps, are both stimulated when we seek out what we might call ‘powerful’ and ‘moving’ stories, media, or live performances.

Not many of us consciously seek to activate these systems, and what we do unconsciously is outright dangerous. Addictive medications and alcohol, tasty but harmful food, compulsive shopping, and countless other shortcut–happiness behaviours eventually lead to their diminished effectiveness, financial ruin, or even death. A culture of consumerism, based on the false promise of extrinsic rewards, is leading people onto a global hedonic treadmill—leaving them gasping and, in some cases, collapsing.

In her outstanding book, ‘Reality Is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World’, young computer-game designer Jane McGonigal (born 1977) claims that the solution to this futile struggle is at hand. There is an infinite supply of resources for creating happiness if we prioritise intrinsic rewards over external ones. According to her, people experience misery and suffering in their day-to-day lives because the four-dimensional intrinsic rewards provided by games are often unavailable in real life, particularly in places such as families, workplaces and public spaces. She identifies these four rewards in everyday activities, which include satisfying work, experiencing success, social connection and finding meaning. These four forms of intrinsic rewards are the bedrock of a perfect human experience. 

Computer games can be designed to offer these four intrinsic rewards. It is no wonder that the wisdom of human evolution is unfolding, and children are discovering it for themselves, even without being explicitly taught about it. Ultimately, playing games is a quintessential example of autotelic behaviour. Whenever we play, it is always out of pure enjoyment. Playing a game is the most valid form of ‘Nishkama Karma’, i.e., desireless action (provided it is not being played for money). Where else in life do you see the winner and loser shaking hands at the end of the game, relaxing together over a meal, leaving behind their victory and loss?

Games offer a structured way to activate the right regions of the brain. Good games reliably, affordably and safely provide us with the four things we desire most. Most importantly, they demonstrate that players aren’t trying to escape reality through gaming; instead, their real lives are becoming more fulfilling as a result of their efforts. Some people engage in gamblingby playing games designed for that purpose, but that is a total misuse of the modality.

 Don’t scold your children and grandchildren for playing computer games; rather, join them and pick a few to get rid of your boredom. This will reactivate the ageing mind and restore the decline and deficit in hormone and neurotransmitter production by the body. You can indeed create happiness for your consumption with the help of some excellent video games. Like everything else, moderation is the key here also. Too much of everything is always harmful, and games are no exception.

In recent years, Hyderabad, India, has indeed established itself as a burgeoning hub of innovation, particularly in the fields of technology, biotechnology, and entrepreneurship. I have been living here since 1982, when, barring defence laboratories in its southern outskirts and a few legacy institutions, it was a sleepy town, which people jokingly called a ‘glorified village’. First came the Pharmaceutical revolution in the 1980s, followed by the IT revolution in the 1990s. They both attracted investment and high-calibre people. And then, like magic, in the 2010s, an entirely new global standard, New City, sprang up in the western part of the city. I now live hereand can see the sun rising from behind the high-rise buildings dotting the entire horizon from my east-facing 14th-floor balcony.

Often referred to as ‘Cyberabad’, a poetic expression for new technology residing in a 500-year-old city, this area is a massive hub for IT and ITES (Information Technology Enabled Services), housing global tech giants such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and Facebook. There has been a surge in startups, supported by incubators, accelerators, and government initiatives like T-Hub, one of India’s largest startup incubators. Innovation in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and financial technology (fintech) has exploded in the city.

Genome Valley, a hub of biotech, pharmaceutical enterprises and research institutions in Hyderabad, is situated on the city’s northern side. All global corporations – Ferring Pharma, Chemo, DuPont, Ashland, United States Pharmacopoeia, Lonza, Sandoz, JAMP Pharma, etc., have significant operations here. The city played a crucial role in global vaccine production during the COVID-19 pandemic, with companies like Bharat Biotech (producer of Covaxin) and Biological E. Ltd leading the charge.

One of my blessings has been meeting with young people – very talented, fired up with ambition, and determined to succeed globally. Still believing in my faded aura, they come to share their dreams. I learn from these youngsters new ideas, and the wave of the future that is getting woven by the latest threads and patterns. One such bright star is Dr SudarshanReddy. Born in 1984, he is the Founder-CEO of OncosimisBiotech Private Limited.

Dr Sudarshan was born in the Kurnool district in a farmer’s family. His parents told him to study while they attended to the agriculture. This inspired him to aim for the best. Until 2017, he was a post-doctoral researcher at Harvard Medical School in the United States, where he worked on developing therapeutic solutions for severe neurological disorders and oncology. He obtained his PhD from Singapore in 2012. He returned and established Oncosimis. He fondly remembers his teachers at Harvard, Professors Fred Goldberg, Dan Finely, Gerald Greenhouse and Everett Anderson, who taught him the gross structure and function of the human body and allowed him to explore how things work inside. He also earned a certificate in healthcare innovation and commercialisation, first place at Harvard University’s Best Business Start-up Pitch competition, and a nomination for the AAAS/Science Program for Excellence in Science.

Dr Sudarshan radiates knowledge and entrepreneurial energy. Leading a talented team, he has created his own nest of innovation, and it’s no wonder Oncosimis Biotech has madesignificant progress. The company has received numerous accolades, including 30 patents, as well as grants and awards such as BIG, NBM, Bio-Asia Best Startup, X-PRIZE for COVID testing kit, Biocon Innovation Excellence (NBEC), Startup India Pharma Grand Challenge, and SyngeneEmerging Biopharma.

I learnt from Dr Sudarshan that a new age of systemic medicine has begun with the advent of RNA and peptide-based treatments, which represent a significant change in the medical field. It is redefining not only how we comprehend disease but also how we intervene to restore health. The RNA is a messenger molecule, and peptides are minimal proteins. The intersection of RNA and peptide science offers remarkable opportunities for precision medicine, unveiling novel avenues for the treatment and prevention of complex diseases that were once deemed untreatable.

Systemic medicine refers to an integrated approach to health and disease, recognising the body as a network of interconnected systems rather than isolated organs or pathways. Traditional medicine often targets specific symptoms or organs, but systemic medicine aims to address the underlying networks that sustain health or drive illness. At the heart of this paradigm shift are molecules such as RNA and peptides, which serve as informational and functional mediators within biological systems.

For outsiders like me, RNA, or ribonucleic acid, is anintermediary between DNA, our genetic blueprint, and proteins, the cell’s workhorses. However, its roles are far more diverse. Messenger RNA (mRNA) carries genetic instructions for protein synthesis, while non-coding RNAs orchestrate gene expression, regulate cellular stress responses, and even protect genomes from viral invasion. A prime example is the revolution in the worldwide reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic brought about by the creation of mRNA vaccines.

Yet, RNA’s therapeutic potential extends well beyond vaccines. Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) can silence disease-causing genes, offering hope for genetic disorders that have eluded traditional treatments. In addition, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) are being explored for their ability to fine-tune gene expression, providing opportunities for interventions in cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and beyond.

Essential biological messengers – peptides – function as hormones, neurotransmitters, and signalling molecules; they are composed of short chains of amino acids. To mirror the actions of natural regulators with fewer off-target effects, peptides can be designed with excellent specificity, unlike small-molecule medicines. Insulin, which has saved the lives of millions of people since its discovery a century ago, is the prototypical peptide medicine. Now, the area is growing, and researchers are creating hundreds of peptide medications to treat a wide variety of illnesses. 

Perhaps in my lifetime, it will be discovered how narrowing of the heart’s arteries can be avoided by calming down cellar inflammation that first appears on the skin, then in the bowel, then affects blood pressure, then sugar metabolism, and, if nothing is done to correct it, atherosclerotic clots start depositing on the inner surface cells of the coronary arteries that nourish the heart muscles to keep it beating.  

It looks fantastic, but what I now know is that the root cause of any disease – be it cancer, heart, brain stroke, kidney failure, or whatever – is cellular inflammation. Cellular inflammation acts as the ‘original sin’ or underlying fault that triggers various health issues such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and neurodegenerative conditions. Avoid it, and you have saved yourself from future disaster.

Know your thoughts as RNA, which can inflame your cells. Intrusive or harmful thoughts can activate emotional responses or stress, much like RNA can trigger immune reactions in cells. Addressing inflammation through lifestyle changes can be highly effective in reducing the risk of diseases. After all the running around, dance and drama, youshould not end up expending on your medical treatment and be confined at home in your old age rather than happily idling or travelling to good places.

The true Original Sin — the first and most damaging mistake — is allowing negative thoughts to take root. Why let them inflame your mind, cells and body, and multiply the damage? Mind your thoughts — negative thoughts are even more harmful than bad food. Feed your mind with hope and positivity, and your body will thank you with years of joyful living. Mind your thoughts; negative thoughts are even more harmful than bad food.

I graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering and pursued a master’s in design at GB Pant University. I then spent 15 years at DRDO working on missile hardware. Afterwards, I explored biomedical materials, with a focus on civilian spinoffs. Nearly half of my career has involved interdisciplinary work. I primarily worked with doctors and agricultural scientists, and attended conferences on environmental issues. What I realised is that anyone talking about change is truly an engineer.

Engineering is not just a discipline or profession but a blend of creativity and logic, serving as the fundamental force behind humanity’s relentless pursuit of progress. It involves transforming abstract dreams into tangible realities, bridging the gap between what is and what could be. At its core, engineering is the art of progress—a catalyst that propels civilisation forward, crafting the tools, systems, and structures upon which societies thrive.

Engineering is a mindset rooted in problem-solving and innovation. Engineers harness the laws of nature, transforming raw materials and scientific knowledge into practical solutions. This ability to conceive, design, and build is what sets engineering apart as the foundation of progress. Unlike pure science, which seeks to understand, engineering aims to create. It brings theory into practice, giving rise to inventions and infrastructures that redefine what humanity can achieve.

Throughout history, every leap of progress has been underpinned by feats of engineering. Giant Hindu temples, the Egyptian pyramids, the aqueducts of Rome, and the Great Wall of China not only reflect the ambitions of their civilisations but also showcase the ingenuity of the engineers who made them possible. The industrial revolution marked an era in which mechanical engineering transformed societies, introducing the steam engine, mechanized looms, and mass production techniques that fuelled unprecedented economic and social changes.

In the modern era, civil, electrical, chemical, and software engineers have been at the heart of urbanisation, electrification, transportation, and digital revolutions. Every invention, from electricity and the telephone to the microchip and the internet, bears the hallmark of engineering expertise. These advancements have not only increased productivity but also elevated the quality of life, extending life expectancy, reducing poverty, and connecting people across continents.

The role of engineering goes beyond physical creations; it shapes the very fabric of society. Infrastructure—roads, bridges, water supply systems, power grids, and telecommunications—depends on the meticulous work of engineers. These networks form the circulatory system of modern civilisation, enabling trade, communication, education, and healthcare. As I brought out in ‘Decoding the Pandemic’, my book with renowned biologist Prof. Seyed E. Hasnain, written in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the reliability and efficiency of these systems shape the resilience of communities in the face of adversity, such as natural disasters or pandemics.

Moreover, engineering fosters social equity and opportunity. By developing affordable housing, clean water technologies, and sustainable transportation, engineers address pressing societal challenges and work towards reducing disparities. The thoughtful application of engineering principles not only solves immediate problems but also lays the foundation for future generations to thrive. Many great designs are inspired by nature and biology. For example, computers have been revolutionized by the integration of neural networks.

While engineering is rooted in mathematics and science, it is also a profoundly creative pursuit. Like artists, engineers visualise possibilities unseen by others and devise elegant solutions to complex problems. The design of a soaring bridge, a sleek smartphone, or an efficient energy grid requires as much imagination as technical know-how.

This creativity is not limited to grand projects. Everyday items—medical devices, appliances, and vehicles—are products of iterative engineering, where function meets form in innovative ways. The iterative cycle of prototyping, testing, and refining embodies the creative spirit of engineering, where failure is merely a stepping stone to progress.

In the contemporary world, the stakes of engineering are higher than ever. Climate change, resource depletion, and population growth challenge engineers to innovate responsibly. The basic art of engineering now demands a holistic view—balancing technological advancement with environmental stewardship and ethical considerations.

Engineers are at the forefront of developing renewable energy solutions, green architecture, and circular economies. They design systems that conserve resources, reduce waste, and mitigate environmental impact. Sustainable engineering is not a separate discipline, but an evolution of the art itself, integrating progress with the planet’s well-being.

The digital age is perhaps the clearest testament to the role of engineering in progress. Computer engineering, software development, and information technology have revolutionised every aspect of life—from how we learn and collaborate with others, whether for work or fun, transactions or entertainment. The interconnectedness brought about by the Internet and mobile technology amplifies knowledge, democratises access, and accelerates innovation.

Artificial intelligence, robotics, and biotechnology are at the cutting edge of the next wave of progress. These fields, built upon foundational engineering concepts, promise to address challenges in healthcare, transportation, and energy with solutions once deemed science fiction. As boundaries between disciplines blur, the art of engineering is evolving, embracing complexity and interdisciplinarity.

To sustain progress, cultivating engineering talent is imperative. Engineering education not only imparts technical skills but also fosters a mindset of curiosity, resilience, and adaptability. Future engineers must be equipped to tackle problems that are increasingly global in scope and multifaceted in nature.

Engineering has never been an elite enterprise. People from diverse genders, cultures, and backgrounds have contributed, enriching the field with a range of varied perspectives. Progress has come more from the bottom up than from the top down. Inclusive engineering teams are better equipped to anticipate needs, mitigate bias, and deliver solutions that benefit broader communities. As the art of progress, engineering flourishes when it reflects the diversity and dynamism of humanity itself. Dr. Verghese Kurien, a mechanical engineer, revolutionised the dairy industry in India. Another mechanical engineer, Anil Kakodkar, excelled in the Nuclear Energy field. Great global corporations like IBM, Microsoft, and Google are headed and run by Indian engineers. Indian engineers have a strong presence at NASA, making significant contributions across various domains.

In every era and on every continent, engineering has been the driving force behind transformation. Its art lies not only in the mastery of materials and mathematics but also in its vision for a better tomorrow. Progress is not inevitable; it is engineered, shaped by those who dare to imagine and design a new reality. My friend Krishna Yedula , who works there as the Vice President and Pan-India Head–Facilities and Sustainability, clicked this picture in the lobby of the Virtusa Centre at Hyderabad.

As we confront the challenges and possibilities of the future, it is clear that the fundamental art of progress will remain rooted in engineering. It is through the ingenuity, creativity, and ethical resolve of engineers that humanity will continue to advance, building a world that is more resilient, equitable, and inspiring for generations to come. While it is true that progress has brought with it a bundle of problems, it is only through engineering that planet Earth can become more liveable.

In the 21^st century, engineering combines creativity, innovation, and technical skills to develop new solutions, enhance existing technologies, and drive societal progress. Engineering isn’t just a technical discipline—it’s also a form of art, requiring imagination and ingenuity to solve complex problems and drive progress. Here’s to the engineers—artists of progress, who turn ‘impossible’ into ‘I’m possible’, one blueprint at a time.