A Legacy
of Courage, Conviction and Commitment
Dr. E. Balagurusamy, fondly known as
EBG, is a towering figure in the Indian educational landscape, embodying the
virtues of honesty, integrity, and dedication. His life story is a compelling
testament to the transformative power of education, which he has harnessed to
drive social change, nurture future leaders, and inspire a new generation of
educators and students alike. As the Chairman of the EBG Foundation, his
lifelong mission has been to bridge education with innovation, and social
responsibility, creating a legacy that continues to thrive.
Humble
Beginnings and Academic Brilliance
Born in the rural heartland of Tamil
Nadu to a humble farming family, Dr. Balagurusamy's academic prowess was
evident from a young age. His teachers recognized his exceptional talent and
thirst for knowledge, which paved the way for a remarkable academic journey. He
pursued engineering and earned his Ph.D. in Systems Engineering from
IIT Roorkee in a record time of 14 months with 12 international
publications – an achievement that remains unparalleled. Along the way, he
clinched prestigious accolades, including three gold medals and the
Chancellor's Best Graduate Student Award at Roorkee, a testament to his
excellence in academia.
Authoring
to make computer education accessible and affordable
Foreseeing the transformative
potential of Information Technology, Dr. Balagurusamy embarked on a career that
would leave an indelible mark on both fields. He became a pioneering force in
computer science education in India, authoring several highly influential
textbooks such as Programming in ANSI C, Object-Oriented Programming with C++
and JAVA. These books became cornerstones in computer science curricula,
celebrated for their affordability, clarity, and practical approach, not just
in India but across Asia. It is no surprise that Prof. Balagurusamy is often
called the "Father of Computer Science" among the computer
science fraternity of India.
As an educator, he was not just a
teacher but a mentor to hundreds of students and scholars. His innovative
teaching methods, ability to simplify complex subjects, and passion for student
success earned him admiration from across the academic world, cementing his
place as a pillar of Indian academia.
Programming
the Future with Reforms
Dr Balagurusamy's expertise extended
beyond the classroom into the realm of educational administration. His concepts
such as Outcome Based Education' (OBE) are a testament to his visionary
approach As the Vice-Chancellor of Anna University, he oversaw more than
600 engineering institutions, implementing reforms that advanced
academic excellence, transparency, and digitalization. His Initiatives such as ‘Online
Distributed Counselling' and "Tamil Nadu State Placement Programme”
remain the most appreciated ones under his leadership
His tenure as a member of the Union
Public Service Commission (UPSC), at the special request of Prime
Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, allowed him to introduce reforms that
strengthened the integrity and transparency of civil service examinations in
India. He served as an IT advisor to the Government of Andhra Pradesh under
Sri N.T. Rama Rao for more than 10 years and later, as a Member, Planning
Commission of Tamil Nadu, His expert advice was solicited by many States
and national institutions like the Consortium for Educational Communications in
New Delhi
Dr. Balagurusamy has also served as an Academic Advisor to the Governor of Jharkhand. He has been appointed by the Government of Kerala as the Chairman of the Commission for Reforming Agricultural Education in the state. He is also a Distinguished Member of the Advisory Board of Consortium of Private Universities of India.
Legacy: The Power of Honesty
Dr Balagurusamy's biography, A Journey
of Honesty, reflects a life dedicated to education that goes beyond imparting
knowledge to instilling values. Throughout his career, he has championed
fairness, transparency, and accountability, both as a teacher and a leader. In
the face of institutional challenges, his unwavering commitment to ethical
principles and visionary leadership helped him overcome obstacles, driving
meaningful change in education.
As an educator, Dr Balagurusamy has
shaped countless minds, instilling not only technical expertise but also a deep
sense of integrity. His textbooks continue to serve students worldwide, while
his reforms as an administrator have elevated institutions and inspired a new
generation of educators to prioritize ethical practices
Now, as Chairman of the EBG
Foundation, he links education with innovation and social responsibility,
blazing a trail for future leaders. In a world where the lines between success
and ethics can blur, Dr Balagurusamy's journey serves as a powerful reminder
that honesty, courage, and commitment can create lasting impact, shaping not
just careers but society itself.
Balagurusamy's
Most Popular Books
Balagurusamy has
authored more than 45 books, a pushed by McGraw-Hill Putchers. Here are the
most popular among them:
1. Relability Engineering (1983)
2. Programming in BASIC (1904)
3. Arificial Intelligence in Industry and
Government (099)
4. Programming in ANSI C (1990)
5. Expert Systems for Engineering and
Management (1990)
6. Object Onented Programming Dang C++
(1995)
7. JAVA Programming (1998)
8. Numerical Methods (1999)
9. Cand Data Structures (2002)
10. Programming in C# (2002)
11. Fundamentals of Comp (2006)
12. Programming and Data Structures (200)
13. Problem Solving Using Python (2016)
14. Design Thinking A Beginner's
Perspective (2024)
Recognitions and Honours
Prof Balagurusarmy is a
proud recipient of more than thirty-five Awards and Honours, and to cite
a few:
1) Chancellor's Best PG Student Award
(1974)
2) Khosla Research Award (1975)
3) Distinguished Leadership Award (1988,
USA))
4) Man of the Year Award (1992, USA)
5) Distinguished PSG Alumni Award (PSG
That, 1994)
6) World Lifetime Achievement Award
(1996, USA)
7) Outstanding Fellow Award of
institution of Engineers (1996)
8) Author of the Year Award (1998,
Publisher's Club, Hyderabad)
9) Rashtria Ekta Award (Economic
Promotion Council, 1999)
10) Vocational Excellence Award (2000,
Rotary, Coimbatore)
11) For the Sake of Honour Award (2002,
Rotary, Chennai)
12) Seva Ratna Award (2003, Centenarian
Club, Chennai)
13) Life Achievement Award (International
Trade Summit, 2004),
14) Vibrant Indian Award (Developers
India, 2011)
15) Doyen of Madras Award (Ambassador
Group, 2013)
16) Saadhanai Thamizhar Award (Kolkata,
2013)
17) Lifetime Achievement Award (2015, EMC
Academy, USA)
18) Lifetime Achievement Award (2015,
Lions Club International)
19) Lifetime Achievement Award (2020,
Coimbatore Citizens Forums)
20) Most Admired Gandhian Award (Senior
Citizens Club Chennal 2020)
21) Lifetime Achievement Award (2023,
Institution of Engineers)
22) Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Lifetime Achievement Award (2023)
23) Indo-Thai International Lifetime
Achievement Award (2024 Thailand)
In recognition of his accomplishments, he has been listed in the Directory of International Who's Viho of Intellectuals (UK) and the Directory of Distinguished Leaders (USA)
Contact Prof. Dr. E. Balagurusamy
Mobile:
+91 94422 00365
Email:
balagurue@yahoo.co.in
Address:
7, Nalvar Nagar (South), Maruthamalai Road,
Bharathiar
University (P.O),
Coimbatore
– 641046,
Tamil Nadu, India
Conclusion: A Role Model for the Nation
In an age where success is often measured by wealth or influence, Prof. Dr. E. Balagurusamy redefines it through impact, purpose, and honesty. His legacy is a shining example of what happens when education meets ethics, and when vision meets values.
He is not just a professor — he is a movement, a mentor, and a mission in himself. India’s academic, technological, and civic landscapes are far richer because of his contributions.