My first memory of Prof DK Joshi goes back to a Machine Design class. There were only 5 students in the huge classroom. But that did not deter Sir. What he lost in communication, he made up in enthusiasm. ‘Go back to fundamentals’ was a mantra he tried to reinforce in all of us. I remember the Machine Design paper that we appeared for. It had a lot of questions that would never have been in the past 5 years question papers set. We had toppers who had one look at the paper – and walked out of the exam hall. We were all sure that this work of art was the creation of DKJ. I remember going to his house a week later to get his signature on some printing orders for our department magazine. He asked me about the design paper – and I told him about its bouncer status for most of us. A month later, when the results came in, I was flabbergasted to see that I had been given 75 on 100 in the paper. 

That grade made a relationship that lasted 30 years. DKJ retired in the same year that we passed out of engineering. His bungalow in Model Colony was about a km from my house – so I would drop in to enjoy his wisdom every other month. Most of my discussions with him were about engineering. What was amazing about Sir was his never-stop-learning philosophy. At the age of 65, he learnt programming and demonstrated his gear design program to me. He enjoyed his trips to the US to catch up with family there – and I still remember his extensive notes on a visit to the Boeing factory in Seattle. In the last 10 years, he would discuss stuff like robotic surgery, something that his grandson was involved in. He was an amazing sounding board. I ended up discussing business decisions with him – and he would always ask me the right questions. The discussions were accompanied by faral that Ma’am would serve. I remember the grand get together his family had arranged when he turned 75. And also about how Sir and Ma’am gifted American chocolates to all the kids when they visited our school a few years ago.

For our batch’s 25th reunion I was his assigned chauffeur. He must have been around 85 years old at that time. For our lunch break, we had to go to the Boat club – across the road. I offered to drive him down – and he refused. His walking pace would have put a lot of younger people to shame. He shared with me that he does a tekdi walk every morning. Two years ago we invited him to a small batch get-together at my office. In his usual style, he came to teach us. And his topic was as contemporary as always – Design of Solar Concentrators. His last email to me was exactly one year ago. My neighbour, Dr Subodh Pandit, had accompanied me – and the discussion, as always, was about technology. Dr Pandit was talking about one of his acquaintances and his work in water treatment. Sir mailed me after the meet: ‘It appeared that I more or less did not listen to to Dr Pandit’s suggestions about use of water — its treatment etc. This was because of my hearing deficiency. Request him to excuse me. D.K.Joshi.’ The lockdown was harsh for him. He started missing his exercise. And for me, I missed his company. I did meet him a dozen times during the lockdown – but mostly would say hi from his gate. He celebrated his 90th birthday in Nov 2020. For me, Prof DKJ was and will continue to be my role model. I am now at the same stage in life as he was when I first met him. Those are going to be very hard footsteps to follow, Sir, but I will try my best.

My first memory of Prof DK Joshi goes back to a Machine Design class. There were only 5 students in the huge classroom. But that did not deter Sir. What he lost in communication, he made up in enthusiasm. ‘Go back to fundamentals’ was a mantra he tried to reinforce in all of us. I remember the Machine Design paper that we appeared for. It had a lot of questions that would never have been in the past 5 years question papers set. We had toppers who had one look at the paper – and walked out of the exam hall. We were all sure that this work of art was the creation of DKJ. I remember going to his house a week later to get his signature on some printing orders for our department magazine. He asked me about the design paper – and I told him about its bouncer status for most of us. A month later, when the results came in, I was flabbergasted to see that I had been given 75 on 100 in the paper. 

That grade made a relationship that lasted 30 years. DKJ retired in the same year that we passed out of engineering. His bungalow in Model Colony was about a km from my house – so I would drop in to enjoy his wisdom every other month. Most of my discussions with him were about engineering. What was amazing about Sir was his never-stop-learning philosophy. At the age of 65, he learnt programming and demonstrated his gear design program to me. He enjoyed his trips to the US to catch up with family there – and I still remember his extensive notes on a visit to the Boeing factory in Seattle. In the last 10 years, he would discuss stuff like robotic surgery, something that his grandson was involved in. He was an amazing sounding board. I ended up discussing business decisions with him – and he would always ask me the right questions. The discussions were accompanied by faral that Ma’am would serve . I remember the grand get together his family had arranged when he turned 75. And also about how Sir and Ma’am gifted American chocolates to all the kids when they visited our school a few years ago.

For our batch’s 25th reunion I was his assigned chauffeur. He must have been around 85 years old at that time. For our lunch break, we had to go to the Boat club – across the road. I offered to drive him down – and he refused. His walking pace would have put a lot of younger people to shame. He shared with me that he does a tekdi walk every morning. Two years ago we invited him to a small batch get-together at my office. In his usual style, he came to teach us. And his topic was as contemporary as always – Design of Solar Concentrators. His last email to me was exactly one year ago. My neighbour, Dr Subodh Pandit, had accompanied me – and the discussion, as always, was about technology. Dr Pandit was talking about one of his acquaintances and his work in water treatment. Sir mailed me after the meet: ‘It appeared that I more or less did not listen to Dr Pandit’s suggestions about use of water — its treatment etc. This was because of my hearing deficiency. Request him to excuse me. D.K.Joshi.’ The lockdown was harsh for him. He started missing his exercise. And for me, I missed his company. I did meet him a dozen times during the lockdown – but mostly would say hi from his gate. He celebrated his 90th birthday in Nov 2020. For me, Prof DKJ was and will continue to be my role model. I am now at the same stage in life as he was when I first met him. Those are going to be very hard footsteps to follow, Sir, but I will try my best.