Remembering Guru – Dr. Mukund Tambe
There are many people who come in our life but there are very few who have a long-lasting impression on us.
My PhD guide Dr. Mukund Tambe was such person in my life from whom I learned a lot. He left us on 17 May 2024. His birthday was on 16 May and I had wished him on phone call. I will cherish every interaction I have had with Sir.
In 2008, I met Sir for the first time in Sinhgad Institute of Management where I used to work as a full-time faculty. I was eager to pursue PhD. Tambe Sir used to work at the institute as a professor. He already had a full quota of PhD researchers under his guidance. It so happened that one of his research scholars opted out and I was lucky that Sir gave me an opportunity to pursue PhD under his guidance.
In 2009, I decided to start management consulting practice along with teaching and training. To pursue this dream, I had to leave my job. When I told my decision to Sir, he was really concerned and I promised him that I will make sure that my career choice will work out well.
Based on my observation, Sir’s hallmark was that he used to speak only when needed and when he spoke, everybody used to listen to him eagerly.
Even after attending my PhD viva, one of my friends asked me who exactly was your PhD guide, he hardly spoke about you nor did he made his presence felt. Tambe Sir was so humble. This is what I replied to my friend, a beautiful quote I had read the same day which reminded me of the Sir.
‘Creator is silent, when the creation speaks for itself.’
I felt that Sir was confident in the work I had done and as per his style didn’t speak much since it was not required.
Beyond work, Sir had interest in music, food, movies and plays. He used to really like drinking tea.
At one instance in my PhD journey, it so happened that there was some procedural challenge at the University and I had lost hope of completing the research. I told him that we have done good work, if the University is not taking the research ahead, I am ready to stop pursuing it.
After this discussion, I think Sir took the situation as a challenge rather than getting irritated. We could complete the required process due to Sir’s perseverance and moved on.
On the day of PhD viva, important documents were missing at the University and we had to resubmit it. Sir and me had to rush to his residence and collect copies to make sure that viva happens on time. He never complained once about this.
Tambe Sir used to call me ‘Sir’ and I used to feel little ashamed due to this. I told him many times to call me Sachin only. Only after lot of persuasion, he started calling me by my name.
After the completion of PhD research, I found lighter side of him. Sir used to share lot of nice jokes and updates. Couple of years back, he edited one excellent book in Marathi ‘Dhule shaharache sanskrutik vaibhav’. He had taken lot of efforts to collect articles and compiled all of them in a book form. I could attend the publishing event of the book and he was really satisfied with the work. He also gave a nice speech https://youtu.be/3X1TIYOGPWM?si=ma0XoZGNucA5qnGF
I always felt at home with a motherly person like Tambe Madam during our interactions. I wish Tambe Madam and family for strength to overcome Sir’s demise. He will always be remembered for all the great qualities he had.