Author: Prof. Timila Yami Thapa
Date: November 9, 2025
“Education, when guided by vision and purpose, has the power to transform nations.
Dr. V. Rajaraman showed us how one teacher can ignite generations of thinkers and builders.”
Tribute to Professor Dr. V. Rajaraman — The Father of Computer Science Education in India
It is with great sadness that I share the news that our beloved and legendary professor, Dr. V. Rajaraman, passed away this morning in Bangalore.
For many of us who had the privilege of being his students, his influence went far beyond the classroom. I was fortunate to have been taught by him during my first year at IIT Kanpur in 1970, when he introduced us to the then-nascent world of computer science. His clarity of thought, intellectual rigor, and deep sense of purpose left a lifelong impression on me.
It was Dr. Rajaraman’s teaching and vision that inspired me to dream beyond boundaries — and eventually motivated me to contribute to establishing and nurturing the IT industry in Nepal. His example taught us that education is not merely about knowledge transfer but about nation-building — about using science and technology to create opportunities, empower people, and shape a better future.
Dr. Rajaraman joined the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur) as an Assistant Professor in Electrical Engineering in 1962/63. At a time when computers were a rarity in India, he foresaw their transformative power. He played a pioneering role in establishing India’s first academic programme in Computer Science — the M.Tech. in Computer Science — in 1965, followed by the B.Tech. programme in 1978. Through his vision and leadership, IIT Kanpur became the cradle of computer science education in India. For this monumental contribution, he is rightly regarded as the “Father (Pitamah) of Computer Science Education in India.”
Dr. Rajaraman authored several textbooks that became foundational for generations of students — Principles of Computer Programming, Computer Programming in C, Fundamentals of Computers, and many more. These books shaped the curriculum of computer science across India and beyond, serving as the first doorway for many into the world of computing. Beyond academia, his contributions extended to national policy and digital transformation. He advised the Government of India on IT manpower development, computerization, and early e-governance initiatives, helping lay the groundwork for India’s digital revolution.
His life stands as a shining example of how deep scholarship, visionary leadership, and commitment to education can shape not only institutions but entire nations.
As one of his former students, I see his influence echoed in the evolution of Nepal’s own IT education and industry. The foundational thinking he fostered at IIT Kanpur rippled across borders, inspiring educators, engineers, and policymakers in neighboring countries to recognize technology’s potential as a force for national transformation. His legacy continues to guide those of us working to build stronger, more inclusive digital futures in South Asia.
Dr. Rajaraman’s passing marks the end of an era — but his ideas, values, and vision will continue to live on in every technologist, educator, and innovator who draws inspiration from his work.
May his noble soul rest in eternal peace.