Manas Bihari Verma
{{Short description|Indian aeronautical scientist (1943–2021)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Manas Bihari Verma
| image = Dr. Manas receiving Padma Shri award (cropped).jpg
| alt =
| caption = Verma in 2018
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1943|07|29|df=y}}
| birth_place = Darbhanga, British India
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2021|5|4|1943|07|29|df=y}}
| death_place = Darbhanga, India
| death_cause =
| resting_place = Darbhanga, India
| alma_mater =
| known_for =
| awards = Padma Shri
}}
Manas Bihari Verma (29 July 1943 – 4 May 2021) was an Indian aeronautical scientist instrumental in the development of the light combat aircraft, Tejas. In 2018, he was conferred the Padma Sri civilian honour by the President of India. After his retirement he launched Mobile Science Lab aimed at promoting science education in Bihar.
Early life
Verma was born to Yashoda Devi and Anand Kishore Lal Das on 29 July 1943 in the Bour village of Ghanshyampur block, situated in Darbhanga district, Bihar. He had three brothers and four sisters. He was related to Braj Kishore Verma Manipadam, a celebrated Maithili literary writer.{{cite web|url=https://www.livehindustan.com/national/story-dr-manas-bihari-verma-awarded-by-padmashree-1768590.html|script-title=hi:बिहार: 'तेजस' विमान की नींव रखने वाले दरभंगा के डॉ मानस बिहारी वर्मा को मिला पद्म श्री|website=Hindustan Dainik|language=hi|access-date=17 November 2018}}{{cite web|script-title=hi:रिटायरमेंट के बाद समाजसेवा में व्यस्त हैं 'तेजस' बनाने वाले डॉ वर्मा, मिलेगा पद्मश्री सम्मान– News18 हिंदी|url=https://hindi.news18.com/news/bihar/darbhanga-dr-manas-bihari-verma-awarded-by-padma-shri-1248540.html|access-date=17 November 2018|website=News18 India|date=26 January 2018|language=hi}} He completed his schooling from Jawahar High School in Madhepur. Later, he studied in National Institute of Technology, Patna, and Calcutta University.{{cite news|url=https://www.thebetterindia.com/164113/manas-bihari-verma-bihar-education-day-kalam-news/|title=Mentored by Kalam, This Unsung Scientist's Brilliant Ideas Brought Science to Rural Bihar!|date=9 November 2018|work=The Better India|access-date=17 November 2018|language=en-US}}
Career
Verma worked as a scientist at the Defence Research Development Organization (DRDO) in the aeronautical stream for 35 years. He worked in various aeronautical departments established in Bangalore, New Delhi, and Koraput. Later, he was made responsible for the design of the Tejas aircraft mechanical system. He was part of the design team of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) in the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA). He led the team responsible for the full-scale engineering development of the Tejas aircraft.{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/dr.-abdul-kalam-azad-dalit-bihar-drdo-light-combat-aircrafts-missile-man-211632-2013-09-20|title=Former aide of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam imparts science education to Dalit children in Bihar|website=India Today|language=en|access-date=17 November 2018}} He was given the 'Scientist of the Year' award by former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and 'Technology Leadership Award' by former PM Manmohan Singh respectively. He retired from the ADA in 2005 as the Director of the Aeronautical Development Agency.{{cite news|agency=PTI|date=4 May 2021|title=Former President Kalam's close associate scientist Manas Verma dies|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/former-president-kalams-close-associate-scientist-manas-verma-dies/article34479522.ece|access-date=11 May 2021|issn=0971-751X}}
In 2018, the Government of India conferred the Padma Sri award to him for his exemplary contributions in the field of aeronautical engineering.{{cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/manas-bihari-varma-expresses-gratitude-for-padma-shri-118012700022_1.html|title=Manas Bihari Varma expresses gratitude for Padma Shri|last=ANI|date=27 January 2018|work=Business Standard India|access-date=17 November 2018}}{{Cite news|last=ANI|date=27 January 2018|title=Manas Bihari Varma expresses gratitude for Padma Shri|work=Business Standard India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/manas-bihari-varma-expresses-gratitude-for-padma-shri-118012700022_1.html|access-date=17 November 2018}}
File:Dr. Manas receiving Padma Shri award from President Ramnath Kovind.jpg
After retirement, he returned to his native village of Bour and was involved in imparting science and computer knowledge to Dalit children in the areas of Supaul, Madhubani, and Darbhanga, through the Viksit Bharat Foundation started by Verma.{{cite web|author=Rohit Kumar Singh|title=Former aide of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam imparts science education to Dalit children in Bihar|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/dr.-abdul-kalam-azad-dalit-bihar-drdo-light-combat-aircrafts-missile-man-211632-2013-09-20|date=20 September 2013|website=India Today|access-date=11 May 2021|language=en}}{{cite web|date=9 November 2018|title=Mentored by Kalam, This Unsung Scientist's Brilliant Ideas Brought Science to Rural Bihar!|url=https://www.thebetterindia.com/164113/manas-bihari-verma-bihar-education-day-kalam-news/|access-date=11 May 2021|website=The Better India|language=en-US}} Through his Mobile Science Lab project, launched in 2010, a team of science and computer instructors would visit schools to demonstrate scientific experiments and impart computer learning.{{cite news|last=Rumi|first=Faryal|date=9 November 2018|last2=|title=Bihar govt to honour scientist Manas Bihari on November 11|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/state-to-honour-scientist-manas-bihari-on-november-11/articleshow/66548521.cms|access-date=5 May 2021|website=The Times of India|language=en}} The teaching was done through the 'Lab in Box' (LIB) programme supported by IBM.
Death
Verma died from a heart attack at 11:45 pm on 4 May 2021, at his home in the K M Tank locality of Laheriasarai, Darbhanga in Bihar, aged 77 years.{{cite web|date=4 May 2021|title=Scientist Manas Bihari Verma, key man behind Tejas, dead|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/scientist-manas-bihari-verma-key-man-behind-tejas-dead-101620128718211.html|access-date=5 May 2021|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Padma Shri Award Recipients in Science & Engineering}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Verma, Manas Bihari}}
Category:Indian aerospace engineers
Category:People from Darbhanga district
Category:Recipients of the Padma Shri in science & engineering