Dr Nayak, Scientist by profession (ocean and space), is a forward-looking, passionate, and energetic human being. With minimal exposure to the writing community, he is trying to make a new beginning for himself in writing - to be a writer ‘by ambition’.
Please tell us about yourself.
I was born and brought up in Mangalore. My father was a science teacher who gave me the support, encouragement and help in introducing me to the world/giants of Science with a scientific temper and creative outlook in life. I am a Science graduate (with National Science Talent Scholarship, NCERT, 1st batch 1st rank), Electronics post-graduate and Earth Science doctorate. I have worked as an oceanographer [for a ‘short’ duration of 27-years; in Antarctica for a brief period] from the National Institute of Oceanography (Goa) and an Aerospace Scientist for 10-years (1971-76, and 2004-09 five years each time) at the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) Bangalore.
I have time for everything in life: played cricket during school, college and university and CSIR too; participated in ACC and NCC. Learnt swimming later in life as a sport. I enjoy life in many forms the easy, tough, challenging. I am always trying to convert the threats into opportunities.
Life is amazing when it comes to receiving the rewards, which, truly, I did not deserve.
I am still a learner: the more I read, the more I realize my ignorance and an urge to know more, think more and live more.
I keep my eyes open, heart clean and mind sharp with strong physical fitness. I believe in two things: one, we cannot have a strong mind in a weak body; and two, we are as strong as the weakest link.
Each one of us has a stomach to feed, two hands to work no doubt; but all of us have one powerful ‘brain’ sharper than the surgeon’s knife as a workhorse, the greatest resource always available. Let us remember that each one of us has a right, purpose, duty and responsibility to live and contribute in a creative network of humanity.
As an oceanographer and an aerospace scientist, what draws you to writing?
Writing basically, as I understand is expressing and sharing knowledge with a contemporary network of readers and establishing a dialogue to interact more and arrive at better clarity and understanding of ideas and thoughts.
You are on the editorial board of several scientific and academic journals- Tell us about the experience and requirements for this.
This is an opportunity and a privilege to understand the frontiers of knowledge in the cutting-edge areas/topics to appreciate the extent and direction of human intelligence for the benefit of mankind. In the process, we get clarity in areas of application and research output to society. This experience has been truly satisfying in terms of my standing in the field.
Do you think it is easy to write scientific and technical subjects in a way that is easily understood by a layman?
Yes, it is. All that is required is to make a firm determination to begin and a sincere attempt to explain the subject in an unbiased manner giving food for thought to the reader and pushing one’s own frontiers
Continuing on the same line as the previous question, what in your view are the responsibilities of an academic or technical writer? Any advice for aspiring academic writers who possess a wealth of scientific knowledge?
- Stay up-to-date in the field and possess ‘observational skills’.
- Start writing now or never, we need to have a sense of urgency, commitment and our duty towards society to share the wealth of knowledge.
- We need to stay ‘current/ contemporary’, address “what’s new”, “what’s hot and what’s not” with a “Fire in the Belly” attitude.
What is your favorite piece of writing? Tell us about it.
I have a couple books and writers whom I admire for their value, language and content. There are several favorites. To mention a few:
- The basic writings of Dr S Radhakrishnan,
- The Bhagavadgita (translated by S Radhakrishnan),
- The lives of English poets by Samuel Johnson,
- The works of Henry W.Longfellow
- Memoirs of Henry Kissinger
- Leadership by Rudolph W. Giuliani
- Think before It’s too late by Edward de Bono
- The new realities by Peter Drucker
- The argumentative Indian by Amartya Sen
- Awakening the mind and lightening the Heart by HH Dalai Lama
- Art of happiness by HH Dalai Lama
- Lectures in Physics by R P Feynman
- Writings and speeches by: C Rajagopalachari, Sardar Patel, MK Gandhi, J Nehru, Rabindranath Tagore, Ramakrishna Paramahansa, Swami Vivekananda, Stephen W Hawking, Jack Welch, APJ Abdul Kalam.
What kind of writing do you dislike? Any Turn offs?
Gossip and hearsay.
Do you prefer writing on scientific and technical subjects? Have you considered creative writing? A work of fiction, perhaps?
Yes, I do; Essentially to refresh my own level of understanding.
However, I did attempt an editorial in the Sunday Deccan Herald a few decades back [ March 16, 1980, Bangalore, page 6] entitled, “Indian Economy and Politics” with a suggestion to form an Institute for policy research in the government at that time. To my great surprise, it was instituted a couple of years later in Delhi.
What is the best feedback you received about your work?
“Stay connected in the human network”. A teleconference and discussion forum on topics of current interests which made me to interact more aggressively.
Who is your biggest critic? What has their most valuable piece of advice to you been?
I am my own critic . Always be open to fresh air and fresh ideas.
How do you see the internet changing the way writing works?
Internet is a tool and not an end in itself. We must use technology to our advantage to communicate, understand and prosper in our day to day work and pleasure.
What kind of mistakes do you think new writers usually make?
New writers in my opinion usually make assumptions and draw conclusions on the type and quality of the readers too soon. We need to get the pulse of the reader and get into reader’s mind.
What would your autobiography/biography be called?
I would like it to be called : “A drop in the ocean” whenever it happens.
What is your dream as a writer? Any publications you would like to see your work in?
Yes, I wish to see my articles published in the New York Times, Washington Post and the Harvard Business Review and receive ‘constructive criticism’ to awaken the critic in me.
Is there anything else you would like to tell us about yourself? Perhaps something interesting about you, that people are always surprised to hear?
- Life has been a great opportunity and a reward in itself on planet Earth. In spite of all visible difficulties and constraints there is an Invisible pleasure called “Living”. We have no second chance: it is worth this effort to make it a success in today’s challenging climate.
- All of us need to have our own style of work – just as we see with people who are successful. They always do the most important things first – they know how to prioritise with a sense of urgency, every day. These are the kinds of qualities and habits that never go out of style. Moreover, they are crucial to any successful career and life.
- To my own great surprise, though late, I have this privilege of interacting with people and personalities of eminence through this media called “Chillibreeze”, a great movement of opportunities indeed; which I am sure everyone would definitely like to cherish.
- When I speak and write, it is important that I need to add value, communicate well, deliver results, invest in relationships and gain perspective. Basically it is to behave, respond and motivate people whom I come across at all times.
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