Teacher,thinker,he opposed quota

A brilliant teacher for the first part of his life spanning 40 years,post retirement he became a public intellectual in the classic Western right-of-centre mould. After graduating from Indian Institute of Science and doctorate degree from Birmingham University,he taught at Rourkee University,IIT Madras and IIT Delhi. He was the director of IIT Madras for five years from 1979,and after a stint in Germany,moved to IIT Delhi. He retired at the age of 65.

Indiresan was known for his opposition to caste-based reservation and quota in promotion,for which he faced criticism,even reportedly reprimanded by the Parliament. But all this did not make him change his view.

He argued that increasing the quality of education in primary schools will address inequality,a solution that is long-term for political parties to capitalise on. Apparently,he used to organise IIT entrance preparatory camps for SC/ST Class 12 students.

His views on deficiencies in the IIT system,delay in justice delivery and decentralisation of administration established him as a thinker whose words had considerable gravitas. While IIT system was celebrated,Indiresan,a votary of autonomous institutions,had said that the standard of the students were far superior to that of the faculty.

He put forth PURA Providing Urban amenities in Rural Areas and was closely associated with former President A P J Abdul Kalam. Indiresan was awarded Padma Bhushan in 2000.