Transcription: Interview with Debashish Bhattacherjee (February 2012)

Interviewed by: Indira Chowdhury and Mahua Bisht
Interview Place: IIM Calcutta
Interview Date: 21st February 2012

 Table of Contents:

  • Introduction; Background.
  • TIFR, pressure of taking up science; studying Economics.
  • Ds at University of Illinois; working at Arizona State University.
  • Applying for jobs in India; selection at IIMC.
  • Economics versus HR; Annapurna Shaw and CSSSC .
  • Functional versus non-functional areas; informal environment at IIMC; respect for quality research.
  • Best teacher award; changing nomenclature of groups.
  • Reasons for changing group identity; composition of the current HR group.
  • Globalisation, changing academic interests and curriculum.
  • Changing nature of research.
  • Influence of Naxalite movement on faculty and curriculum.
  • Raising revenue for the Institute; publishing papers.
  • Calcutta- lack of an industrial environment; recruitments outside Calcutta.
  • Vikram Sarabhai, IIMA; Migration of faculty over the years.
  • Initial trouble for outsiders with fitting in at IIMC; accommodation at Calcutta.
  • Father’s visit to IIMC; Bengali favouritism at CSSSC in the early years.
  • Sumit Guha and the history course at IIMC.
  • Sabyasachi Bhattacharya, Barun De and labour history.
  • Archival photos and representation.
  • Kendriya Vidyala; Marxists’ children and International schools; exhibition.
  • Satyen Chakraborty and his photographs.
  • Alumni meetings.
  • Campus culture, living on campus and impact on son.
  • Son’s education and career.
  • Ramu Aiyar; neglect of campus; living in the city.
  • Manicured gardens and trees on campus; gymnasium and swimming pool.
  • Housing of young recruits.
  • Culture of IIMC.
  • Autonomy and government control.
  • Journal.
  • Teacher-student ratios and repetition of classes.
  • Minimum teaching and conclusion.

     2012-02-21

     IIM Calcutta
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