Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysuru, is one of the premier food laboratories in the country. Housed in the beautiful Cheluvamba Vilas (Cheluvamba Mansion) in the sprawling 145-acre campus, CSIR-CFTRI, in its 67 years of existence has had many charismatic Directors and achievements. Amul Baby Food is one such achievement. The current Director Prof. Ram Rajasekharan is also in the same league with his huge industry and academic accomplishments. However, he has been in the limelight sometimes for reasons beyond his control. Star of Mysore Features Editor N. Niranjan Nikam caught up with the affable, enigmatic Director at his plush office after he showed this writer around the campus and the changes he has brought in, including the renovation of the palatial building and new laboratories he has set up. In this free-wheeling interview, Prof. Rajasekharan, a highly decorated academician, talks about the contributions of all the Directors, his mission, his pro-farmer role and how much pro-Kannada he has always been. Excerpts…
By N. Niranjan Nikam
