I remember Prof Faruqui consoling us (after that) and telling us not to take it to heart and that these failures happen and we should work harder and smarter next time and surprise everyone. A simple lesson, but something as an 18 year old I have never forgotten and still try and treat failure as my stepping stone to the next achievement. I remember visiting his lab in Kharagpur 5 or 6 times a year and he would always have me see the work that was going on and invariably pull me into some technical discussion. I used to always wonder what value I was adding as I had been away from the technical field for many years. I realized later that he was trying to make sure I did not just become a "salesman" but had my "fundas" clear.

I was very fortunate and am truly proud to have a long association with late Prof M. N. Faruqui, a legendary figure. A perfect gentleman and very kind hearted, he was a constant source of inspiration and encouragement for me to take up challenging tasks. He mentored and guided me in all my academic as well as personal matters throughout my academic career. He always stood by me and rendered full support in all my professional and even personal moments of crisis. I am unable to visualize my career without the help of such a visionary. I am ever indebted to him for all that he did for me. Even now, I am living my life based on whatever I learnt from him over our long association of more than three decades. In my opinion, his contributions, towards the growth and acquisition of high global status of IIT Kharagpur, can never be overlooked. He firmly stood for modernization and innovation in both teaching and research in engineering education and worked for the advancement of the Institute despite many opposition. His democratic approach in all academic matters was really exemplary. There are many lessons I learnt from him, which I find useful even today in leading a good life, but it is not possible to pen them down right now. However, I am mentioning here a few of them as they come spontaneously to mind. He would lay a lot of emphasis on practical and project work in engineering education. He would often come with a new idea and ask us to keep the idea in our mind and continue thinking about it so that it can evolve properly. Similarly, he firmly believed in off the cuff open discussions on any important issue before taking it up for implementation. He insisted that we always invite and listen to people who are opposed to our ideas. These principles were really helpful in bringing and promoting innovative changes. He had a rich collection of Urdu couplets for every occasion and they used to be very useful and inspiring often. He had a towering and very pleasing personality. I wish, we follow his footsteps for progress!

I am not going to write about the academic achievements of Prof Faruqui which are known far and wide. On the other hand I wish to point out that in keeping with his size, he had a big heart so that any one who needed help from him invariably got it from him, often without asking. I will illustrate with a one example. There was a student in I. I. T (not named to avoid embarrassment) who in his first year fell short of his fees. Rather than face a notice from the IIT, he decided to pack up and go without telling anyone. However, one of his classmates found out about it and told Prof Faruqui, who on the same day landed up in that student's hostel room, told him not to do stupid things and gave him the required money, saying not to worry about things like this. The person concerned took heed and finished his degree well and finally retired from a Govt. job with a very high position. This is only one of many similar incidents in which he helped student and other financially weaker persons. Further he would go out of way to help students who would be facing psychological problems and/or problems with their studies. All together one can only say that he was a great man with compassion and enthusiasm besides his academic qualities and I am honoured to have been closely associated with him since my student days (1964).

It is rather difficult to put all that Professor Faruqui meant for the IIT KGP family in a nutshell. But a glimpse of tributes paid to him from his associates and students are summarized below: It would be futile on my part to put on paper all that this most noble of human beings meant to everyone in the IIT fraternity, and more so for me personally. The affection that I and my family received from him and Mrs. Faruqui will always be cherished in our hearts. I always found him a great source of strength and inspiration. He has also left a glorious legacy of lifelong dedication to a vocation that he truly loved. The combination of firmness and kindness in him would perhaps never be matched -- it was a gift from the supreme being -- and he bestowed love on all that he came in contact with. He had magically touched many lives during his long association with the alma mater.

It was 1977. I had just entered the hallowed portals of IIT Kharagpur. I was overawed by everything that I saw. At 17, I guess that is the way it should have been. Manoj ChughAmongst my most enduring memories is that of one of our Professors, Prof M N Faruqui. Many generations of IITians will remember Prof Faruqui with great fondness . He taught in the Electronics and Electrical Communication Department. What made him stand out from the many others was his deep understanding of what inspired young minds and how one could shape them to become important contributors to society. He taught us to be tolerant, humble, open minded and secular. My most memorable Holi and Diwali Celebrations were at his home. He embraced all with equal measure. He believed that education was a great leveler and encouraged his students to pursue excellence in all walks of life. Prof Faruqui had many qualities of head and heart. We learnt how to swim and survive in the whirlpool of life from him. With great sadness, I learnt that Prof Faruqui left for his heavenly abode a few days ago- on August 24. India has truly lost a great son. May his soul rest in peace.

Yes, I consider myself as one of the most favourite student of Prof M.N. Faruqui.Being from ECE, I had close interaction with him. Then as G.Sec. (Society & Culture) for One Year and then as VP for one year again, I have a large number of incidents when we had great incidents. There are a lot many I can narrate.Then while I was the Dean of Jaypee University, he was the Advisor. My last meeting with him was just about three months before his death when he invited me for dinner at Kanpur at his place. he was always a great host for me. Whenever, he used to invite me for dinner, only vegetarian food was served on the table. That was his concern for me."I feel very lucky that he showered his love and affection on me all the time. I learnt a lot from him when I was G.Sec and then VP of Gymkhana. I inculcated a lot of qualities from him that have stood the test of time for me always and every time. He precisely knew the pulse of the students. He was firm but not rigid. He was a great mentor not only for me but for hundred and thousands of KGPians who have passed from the portals of this great institution. He will always be remembered as a great professor not only in the class room but as a great guardian outside the class room too.