Issues with Bhabha led to ECG Sudarshan leaving Tata Institute

KOTTAYAM: Renowned scientist E.C. George  Sudarshan, 86, who passed away in  Texas on Monday, was hopeful of getting Nobel Prize in physics even before he left for the USA to do  research in 1955. Mr Thomas Alexander,  younger brother of  Sudarahan, told DC,  “he was hopeful that  he may get the Nobel  when he was about to go to the USA as there existed many research possibilities in that country.”

Mr Thomas, who retired as  a deputy secretary from the Intelligence Bureau,  said that Sudarshan  left  his PhD studies in theoretical physics at  the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIRF), Mumbai,  after he had some differences of opinion with his guide, and  joined  the Rochester University in the USA in 1955 for continuing his research.   He had received  a special scholarship and  the journey was in a ship. "He had complained that the atmosphere at TIFR was  not conducive for  research. He also had some issues with Prof Homi J. Bhabha  under whom he was carrying out the research,"     Mr Thomas said.

After completing his PhD in the US,  he joined the University of Texas as  professor of theoretical physics. His association with the university continued till 2016. He married Bhamathy  of Chennai, who was also working in the same department at the university.  Pradeep Alexander and Ashok Sudarshan are their two sons. Another son passed away earlier.  Sudarshan was born to E.I. Chandy and Achamma in Kottay-am on September 16, 1931.

He  completed his schooling at St. Thomas School, Chingavanam,  passed intermediate from CMS College and took  BSc honours in physics from the Madras Christian College. He shared a close bond with the CMS College where he studied for intermediate during 1946 - 48. He gifted two computers for the College in 1985. The College established George Sudarshan Centre for Physics and computer applications in 1986. He visited the College in 2011 December for participating in a seminar for the last time.