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Amulya Reddy, pioneer of appropriate technology, passes away

Special Correspondent

He stressed the importance of sustainable use of energy and energy security for the poor

Amulya K. N. Reddy

Bangalore : Professor Amulya K.N. Reddy, 75, internationally renowned scientist and pioneer of appropriate technology in India, passed away in Bangalore on Sunday morning after a prolonged illness.

The cremation will take place on Monday at 2 p.m. at the Hebbal Crematorium.

Dr. Reddy, who retired from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in 1991, was widely known for his work in the field of energy. He stressed the importance of sustainable use of energy and energy security for the poor and the deprived, while focusing on technological solutions to meet these goals.

Volvo prize

The prestigious Volvo Environment Prize 2000 was presented to him and three international colleagues for their path-breaking collaborative work towards making environmentally responsible global development possible through a fresh, policy-driven approach to the technical analysis of the world's energy needs. He was the founder-president of the Bangalore-based International Energy Initiative (IEI), set up in 1991 to promote the efficient production and use of energy for sustainable development, particularly in developing countries.

After his retirement from the Institute in 2000, he continued to publish its quarterly journal, Energy for Sustainable Development. Among other important organisations Dr. Reddy was closely associated with were the Centre for Sustainable Technology (CST), established in 1974; and ASTRA (Application of Science and Technology to Rural Areas), which he set up in 1973 under the umbrella of the IISc. This was after an 18-year career in electrochemistry at the institute, which he joined in 1966 as assistant professor in the department of inorganic and physical chemistry. The basic objective of CST and ASTRA was to correct the strong urban bias of science and engineering and generate an alternative pattern of capital-saving, labour-intensive technologies that would be relevant to the lives of the rural poor.

A number of projects in areas such as bio-energy, renewable energy, fuel-efficient stoves and crop driers, water purification and low-cost buildings were undertaken by the CST. It was also involved in extension activities at its Ungra Centre in Tumkur district, Karnataka.

Dr. Reddy was also instrumental in setting up the Karnataka State Council for Science & Technology (KSCST), together with fellow scientist Dr. Satish Dhawan and M.Y. Ghorpade, then Finance Minister of Karnataka. The council, headed by the Chief Minister, comprises eminent scientists and administrators and is meant to function as a bridge between the generators and users of technology.

Dr. Reddy has written extensively in prestigious Indian and international journals, with nearly 300 publications in the areas of technology, energy and ethics. Energy for Sustainable Development, the book he wrote with his international collaborators — Jose Goldemberg, Thomas B. Johansson, and Robert H. Williams — is an articulation of the new energy paradigm recognised by the Volvo Award in 2000.

He also co-authored with John O'M Bockris the two-volume textbook Modern Electrochemistry, which has been described as the Bible of electrochemistry. A new book, titled Energy, Environment and Development: A Technological Perspective, comprising a selection of works by Dr. Reddy, was published in 2005, as part of a tribute by former students and admirers on the occasion of his 75th birthday. The celebrations included a day long seminar on science, technology and development and the launch of a website housing many of his papers, articles, presentations, and short pieces on technology, energy, and ethics. B. Sudhakara Reddy and P. Balachandra, editors of the volume and creators of the website, believe Professor Reddy's work will become ever more important in the future as the worldwide energy crisis continues to threaten the very basis of development.

Born on October 21, 1930 in Bangalore, Amulya Reddy developed a passion for chemistry at St. Joseph's School. He went on to do his B.Sc. (Honours) and MSc in Physical Chemistry from Central College. He was later at Imperial College, London, where he received his Ph.D in Applied Physical Chemistry.

He belonged to an old, established Bangalore family. His father, B.V. Narayana Reddy, was the general manager of the Bank of Mysore and his sister, Sudha Reddy, was a former Member of Parliament from Karnataka.

He leaves behind his muse and wife Vimala Reddy; his sister Sudha Reddy and brother Ramakrishna Reddy; daughters Srilatha Batliwala, Amala Khan and Lakshmi Bloom; sons-in-law Zarir Batliwala, Riaz Khan and David Bloom; grand-children Riyad Batliwala, Anahita Bhatia, Sonali and Sahil Bloom, Karishma and Aqeela Khan, and great-grand-daughter Zara; as well as numerous other relatives, friends, and admirers.

Known primarily for his work as the father of Indian appropriate technology, a leading energy analyst and advocate, a prominent spokesperson for sustainable development, and a dedicated campaigner against nuclear energy for power or for weapons, Professor Reddy was also a highly respected teacher who inspired several generations of Indian scientists.

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