“I walked barefoot to school. Now, I walk into the world’s greatest science academies. That’s the power of dreams.”
– Dr. R. A. Mashelkar
In a world obsessed with hustle, fame, and success metrics, there walks a man whose achievements defy numbers — not because they are few, but because they are immeasurable in impact. Dr. Raghunath Anant Mashelkar, is not just a name etched in the golden books of Indian science — he is a movement in himself.
If we are determined, it doesn’t matter whether we’re studying under a streetlight or in a fully equipped room — what truly counts is our determination. Just like Dr. R.A. Mashelkar, who pursued his education with facing all odds. Born in Goa in 1943, would go on to become Dr. R.A. Mashelkar, one of India’s most iconic scientists and policy influencers.
He didn’t just lead institutions — he led revolutions in innovation, intellectual property and inclusive growth. With 53 honorary doctorates, over 100 global recognitions, and a towering presence in India’s scientific evolution, Mashelkar’s story is a rare confluence of brilliance, grit and patriotism.
The Early Years
Born on 1 January 1943 in Marcel, Goa, and brought up in the slums of Mumbai by his widowed mother, Mashelkar’s early life was full of struggles — but he always believed in the power of education. He graduated in Chemical Engineering from the University Department of Chemical Technology (UDCT) in 1966 and completed his PhD by 1969.
As a chemical engineer, his early research revolutionized polymer science, placing India on the global map. But what made Dr. Mashelkar truly iconic was not just his science — it was the way he used science as a bridge between the elite and the excluded.
From leading the National Chemical Laboratory (NCL) to transforming the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) into a performance-driven network of innovation, he proved that Indian minds don’t need Western labs to shine — just Indian resolve. And then came his turning point — the fight for India’s intellectual pride.
Shaping National Institutions
Mashelkar’s transformative work began at the National Chemical Laboratory (NCL) in Pune, where he served as Director (1989–1995). There, he pivoted the research agenda from import substitution to globally competitive innovations. NCL began licensing patents to multinationals, turning into a symbol of India’s scientific resurgence.
In 1995, he became the Director General of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), overseeing a network of 38 laboratories. Over 11 years, Mashelkar led CSIR’s transition into a world-class research engine. Under him:
- CSIR filed thousands of international patents.
- It ranked first among developing countries in WIPO’s PCT filings (2002).
- It accounted for 40% of US patents granted to India that year.
In World Class in India, CSIR was listed among the top 12 Indian institutions that mastered radical transformation in post-liberalized India.
The Patent Warrior Who Engineered a Nation’s Future
It wasn’t just a fight for patents — it was a fight for India’s identity. Dr. Mashelkar showed the world that our traditional knowledge deserves global respect and protection. Mashelkar’s name hit global headlines when he led India’s challenge against the US patent on turmeric’s wound-healing properties and another on Basmati rice by RiceTec. These battles weren't just scientific — they were cultural. They defended India’s traditional knowledge from global exploitation. “This is not just about patents. It’s about pride. About preserving our heritage,” he said.
His work led to the creation of India’s Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) and even forced WIPO to revise its international patent classification system to include traditional knowledge categories.
Leader of Leaders
Dr. Mashelkar held some of the most influential positions in science:
- President, Indian National Science Academy
- President, Institution of Chemical Engineers (UK)
- President, Global Research Alliance
- First Chairperson, Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR)
- Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS), Royal Academy of Engineering (FREng), Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC), and a Foreign Associate of the US National Academies of Sciences & Engineering
He was also a visiting professor at Harvard, University of Delaware, and Monash University, among others.
On the corporate side, he has served on the boards of Reliance, HUL, Tata Motors, Thermax, and Piramal Group—bridging science with strategy.
The Spirit of Gandhian Engineering
One of Mashelkar’s greatest intellectual contributions is the idea of “Gandhian Engineering”: doing More from Less for More (MLM). “It’s not about low cost; it’s about high value. Affordable excellence is the goal,” he explained. His co-authored paper with C.K. Prahalad, Innovation’s Holy Grail, sparked global discussions on frugal innovation. From rural tech to pharmaceuticals, this idea became a new paradigm for emerging economies.
Awards and Recognition
No matter how tough the journey is, true hard work always finds its way to the surface. Just like Dr. R.A. Mashelkar’s life — where every struggle became a stepping stone, and every step left a mark on the nation. Dr. R.A. Mashelkar has been honoured with all three of India’s top civilian awards — the Padma Shri in 1991, Padma Bhushan in 2000, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2014 — a rare and remarkable achievement that reflects the depth of his contributions to science and the nation. With 53 honorary doctorates to his name, he hasn’t just set a record; he has surpassed legends like Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, breaking barriers and inspiring generations. As a jury member for the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering and the Infosys Prize, Dr. Mashelkar is not just celebrating innovation — he is actively shaping its future, guiding the next wave of global scientific excellence.
Why His Story Matters
This is not just a Big Story.
This is India’s story — written in patents, policies, and purpose.
He created the Anjani Mashelkar Foundation, named after his mother, to promote affordable innovation for the poor — because he knows that behind every invention should be a mother’s hope, a child’s need and a community’s future. Dr. Mashelkar’s life is a living example that greatness is not about rising above others — it’s about lifting others as you rise.
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