View source for Man Mohan Sharma

{{Short description|Indian chemical engineer (born 1937)}}
{{EngvarB|date=July 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}}
{{Infobox scientist
| honorific_prefix  = [[Professor]]
| name              = Man Mohan Sharma
| honorific_suffix  = {{postnominals|country=GBR|size=100%|FRS|FREng}}
| image             = File:Drbatu2014a.jpg
| caption           = Sharma (in the middle) at the convocation of [[Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University]].
| birth_date        = {{birth date and age|df=y|1937|5|1}}
| birth_place       = [[Jodhpur]], [[Jodhpur State]], [[British India]]
| alma_mater        = [[Institute of Chemical Technology]]<br>[[Cambridge University]]
| awards            = • [[Padma Vibhushan]] (2001)<br>• [[Padma Bhushan]] (1987)<br>• [[Leverhulme Medal (Royal Society)|Leverhulme Medal]] (1996)<br>• [[Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize]] (1973)
| workplaces        = [[Institute of Chemical Technology]]
| fields            = Chemical Engineering
}}
'''Man Mohan Sharma''' (born 1 May 1937) is an Indian [[chemical engineer]].<ref name="ICT_profile">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ictmumbai.edu.in/uploaded_files/EMERITUS_PROFESSOR_OF_EMINENCE_Professor_M._M._Sharma.pdf|title=EMERITUS PROFESSOR OF EMINENCE Prof. M. M. Sharma|website=INSTITUTE OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY, MUMBAI}}</ref> He was educated at Jodhpur, [[Mumbai]], and [[University of Cambridge|Cambridge]]. At age 27, he was appointed Professor of Chemical Engineering in the [[Institute of Chemical Technology]], Mumbai.<ref name=Bio>{{cite web|url=http://www.ecm.auckland.ac.nz/sharma.html |title=Prof. Man Mohan Sharma |publisher=Chemical & Materials Eng., The University of Auckland |access-date=22 January 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090112033654/http://www.ecm.auckland.ac.nz/sharma.html |archive-date=12 January 2009 }}</ref> He later went on to become the Director of [[Institute of Chemical Technology|UDCT]], the first chemical engineering professor to do so from UDCT.

In 1990, he became the first Indian engineer to be elected as a Fellow of [[Royal Society]], UK. He was awarded the [[Padma Bhushan]] (1987) and the [[Padma Vibhushan]] (2001) by the [[President of India]].<ref name="Padma Awards">{{cite web |url=http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf |title=Padma Awards |publisher=Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India |year=2015 |access-date=21 July 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015193758/http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf |archive-date=15 October 2015 }}</ref> he has also been awarded the [[Leverhulme Medal of the Royal Society]], the [[Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology|S.S. Bhatnagar Prize in Engineering Sciences]] (1973), FICCI Award (1981), the Vishwakarma medal of the [[Indian National Science Academy]] (1985), G.M. Modi Award (1991), Meghnad Saha Medal (1994), and an honorary Doctor of Science degree from [[Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi]] (2001).<ref name = Bio/>

==Education==
Sharma obtained Bachelor of Chemical Engineering (1958) from [[Institute of Chemical Technology|UDCT]] and subsequently MSc (Tech) in 1960. He obtained PhD (Chemical Engineering) (1964) at [[Cambridge University]] with [[Peter Danckwerts]]. In 1964, he returned to India as Professor at the University of Bombay, and later became Director of the University Department of Chemical Technology (UDCT) (now the [[Institute of Chemical Technology]]).<ref name="BT_samant">{{cite journal |last1=Samant |first1=S. D. |title=History of the Journal |journal=The Bombay Technologist |date=2001 |volume=50 |page=21 |url=http://www.bombaytechnologist.org/index.php/bombaytechnologist/article/view/128788/0 |access-date=14 May 2020 |language=en |issn=0067-9925}}</ref> He served as Professor for 33 years at UDCT, along with 8 years as Director of this institute.<ref name="ICT_profile"/>

==Academic career==
Sharma made contributions to chemical engineering science and technology. His studies on Bronsted based catalysis in CO<sub>2</sub> hydration (published in the Transactions of Faraday Society) and subsequently kinetics of COS absorption in aqueous amines and alkanolamines brought out linear free energy relationship between CO<sub>2</sub> and COS absorption in solutions of amines and alkanolamines. He has contributed extensively on the role of microphases in multiple reactions which he pioneered. He also became an independent Editor of Chemical Engineering Science at a young age. He taught different subjects in chemical engineering and encouraged his doctoral students, from the very beginning, to publish independently their work in renowned journals.

Under his stewardship, UDCT was granted autonomy by the [[University Grants Commission (India)|UGC]] and the Institute increased the number of PhD graduates.<ref name="ICT_profile"/>

== Biography ==
In June 2025, a biographical book titled ''Divine Scientist''<ref name=":2">Title: ''Divine Scientist'', Author: Aneeta Patil, Publisher: Sundaram Digital Publication House, June 2025 ISBN 9789349989238</ref> was published, chronicling the [[life]] and contributions of Professor Man Mohan Sharma.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Team |first=CID Editorial |date=2025-06-09 |title=Biography of Prof. M M Sharma Divine Scientist Released {{!}} |url=https://chemindigest.com/biography-of-pro%E2%80%A6ientist-released/ |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=Chemical Industry Digest |language=en-US}}</ref> The book, authored by Anita Patil and published by [https://sundarampublication.com/ Sundaram Digital Publication House], highlights Prof. Sharma's academic journey, pioneering research in [[chemical engineering]], and his role in shaping scientific education in India.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-06-07 |title=Mukesh Ambani gifts Rs 151 crore to ICT as 'Guru Dakshina' to mentor Prof M M Sharma |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/mukesh-ambani-gifts-rs-151-crore-to-ict-as-guru-dakshina-to-mentor-prof-m-m-sharma/articleshow/121691431.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2025-06-23 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref> The biography was launched at the [[Institute of Chemical Technology|Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT)]], [[Mumbai]], where he served as Director for many years.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Guru Dakshina: Mukesh Ambani pledges Rs. 151 crore to ICT Mumbai |url=https://www.indianchemicalnews.com/chemical/guru-dakshina-mukesh-ambani-pledges-rs-151-crore-to-ict-mumbai-26432 |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=www.indianchemicalnews.com/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Patil |first=Mrs Aneeta |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Divine_Scientist/v4BlEQAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=divine+scientist+mm+sharma+book&printsec=frontcover |title=Divine Scientist |date=2025-06-06 |publisher=Sundaram Digital Publication House |isbn=978-93-49989-00-9 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2" />

The book has also been translated into Marathi by Soniya Khare, expanding its accessibility to regional readers.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-06-21 |title=Mukesh Ambani donates ₹151 crore to alma mater ICT |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/mukesh-ambani-donates-151-crore-to-alma-mater-ict-101749236417667.html |work=Hindustan Times}}</ref>

==Awards==
Sharma is a recipient of a number of prestigious academic honours and awards including the 1977 Moulton Medal of the [[Institution of Chemical Engineers]],<ref name="Moulton">{{cite web |title=Moulton medal senior winners |url=http://www.icheme.org/about_us/medals/moulton/senior_winners.aspx |access-date=7 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170923051028/http://www.icheme.org/about_us/medals/moulton/senior_winners.aspx |archive-date=23 September 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and is himself commemorated in the ''M M Sharma Medal'' awarded by the same institution for outstanding research contributions.<ref name="Medal">{{cite web|title=M M Sharma medal |url=http://www.icheme.org/about_us/medals/mm%20sharma%20medal.aspx}}</ref>

He won the [[Leverhulme Medal (Royal Society)|Leverhulme Medal]] of the [[Royal Society]] "for his work on the dynamics of multi-phase chemical reactions in industrial processes". He was awarded the [[List of Padma Vibhushan award recipients|Padma Vibhushan (in 2001)]], and [[List of Padma Bhushan award recipients (1980–1989)|Padma Bhushan (in 1987)]] by the President of India.<ref name="INSA"/> He was INSA President (1989–90).<ref name="INSA">{{cite web |title=INSA: Indian Fellow Detail |url=http://www.insaindia.res.in/detail/N76-0753 |website=www.insaindia.res.in |access-date=14 May 2020}}</ref> He is a Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore, Honorary Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences (India), Allahabad, Fellow of the Royal Society, London. Subsequently, he was elected Honorary [[Fellow]] by the [[Royal Academy of Engineering]]<ref name="List of Fellows">{{cite web|title=List of Fellows|url=http://www.raeng.org.uk/about-us/people-council-committees/the-fellowship/list-of-fellows|access-date=28 October 2014|archive-date=8 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160608094405/http://www.raeng.org.uk/about-us/people-council-committees/the-fellowship/list-of-fellows|url-status=dead}}</ref> and is Foreign Associate of the US [[National Academy of Engineering]].

He has been honoured by several universities including IITs by honorary doctorates.{{cn|date=May 2020}}

In 2025, Sharma's biography written by Anita Patil, titled The Divine Scientist, was released in English and [[Marathi language|Marathi]] (''Gurunam Guruhu'').<ref name=":0">{{cite news |title=Biography of Prof. M M Sharma Divine Scientist Released |url=https://chemindigest.com/biography-of-prof-m-m-sharma-divine-scientist-released/ |access-date=10 June 2025 |work=[[Chemical Industry Digest]] |date=9 June 2025}}</ref> During this book launch ceremony, his former student [[Mukesh Ambani]] announced an unrestricted gift of [[Indian rupee|₹]]151 [[crore]] (equivalent to [[USD|US$]]16.7 million) to the Institute of Chemical Technology to honor Sharma.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chhapia |first1=Hemali |title=Mukesh Ambani announces historic donation to institute of chemical technology |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/mukesh-ambani-announces-151cr-endowment-to-his-alma-mater-ict/articleshow/121683104.cms |access-date=10 June 2025 |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=7 June 2025}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite news |title=Guru Dakshina: Mukesh Ambani pledges Rs. 151 crore to ICT Mumbai |url=https://www.indianchemicalnews.com/chemical/guru-dakshina-mukesh-ambani-pledges-rs-151-crore-to-ict-mumbai-26432 |access-date=10 June 2025 |work=Indian Chemical News |date=9 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Mukesh Ambani announces Rs. 151-crore donation to ICT, to recognise contributions of Prof. M. M. Sharma |page=136 |magazine=Chemical Weekly E-Magazine (17-6-2025) |url=https://chemicalweekly.com/digitalissue/jun2025/17/files/basic-html/page136.html |access-date=2025-06-18}}</ref>

==Further reading==
*{{cite journal |last1=Yadav |first1=Ganapati D. |title=Man Mohan Sharma: A Dnyanayogi and Karmayogi, a Knowledge and Action Seeker Par Excellence |journal=Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research |date=May 2007 |volume=46 |issue=10 |pages=2911–2916 |doi=10.1021/ie078002g |url=https://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/ie078002g |access-date=14 May 2020|url-access=subscription }}
*{{cite journal |last1=Kulkarni |first1=Shashwat |last2=Sathe |first2=Devavrat |last3=Chaudhari |first3=Ameya |last4=Naik |first4=Durva |title=An Interview with Prof. Man Mohan Sharma |journal=The Bombay Technologist |date=31 December 2019 |volume=66 |issue=1 |pages=3–5 |doi=10.36664/bt/2019/v66i1/148991 |url=http://www.bombaytechnologist.org/index.php/bombaytechnologist/article/view/148991 |access-date=15 June 2020 |language=en |issn=0067-9925|doi-access=free }}
*{{Cite book |last1=Patil |first1=Anita |title=Divine Scientist (Autobiography) | isbn=9789349989009| year=2025 | url= https://sundarampublication.com/bookDetails/3/10 |lang=En}} ([https://sundarampublication.com/bookDetails/3/11 (transliteration: Gurūṇāṃ Guru) गुरूणां गुरु  In Marathi)]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons}}
*{{Official|https://www.ictmumbai.edu.in/uploaded_files/EMERITUS_PROFESSOR_OF_EMINENCE_MMSharma.pdf}}

{{Padma Vibhushan Awards}}
{{PadmaBhushanAwardRecipients 1980–89}}
{{SSBPST recipients in Engineering Science}}
{{FRS 1990}}
{{Institute of Chemical Technology vice-chancellors|state=collapsed}}{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sharma, Man Mohan}}
[[Category:1937 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Indian chemical engineers]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Vibhushan in science & engineering]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Bhushan in science & engineering]]
[[Category:Rajasthani people]]
[[Category:Fellows of the Royal Society]]
[[Category:Engineers from Rajasthan]]
[[Category:University of Mumbai alumni]]
[[Category:Institute of Chemical Technology alumni]]
[[Category:People from Jodhpur]]
[[Category:Fellows of the Indian National Science Academy]]
[[Category:Fellows of the Indian Academy of Sciences]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian engineers]]
[[Category:Fellows of the National Academy of Sciences, India]]
[[Category:Foreign associates of the National Academy of Engineering]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award in Engineering Science]]
[[Category:Om Prakash Bhasin Award recipients]]