“Exploring the Journey of a Vice-Chancellor: An Interview with Ramamurthi Rallapalli, Author of ‘Musings and Memoirs’”
Clever Fox Publishing: Tell us something about your background.
Ramamurthi Rallapalli: Born in an orthodox Hindu family of civil servants of British India;grown into an intelligent young man ; rising step by step into an acclaimed,accredited academician-administrator, occupying the coveted position of Vice Chancellor of a huge university.
Clever Fox Publishing: When and how did you start your writing journey?
Ramamurthi Rallapalli: Got into art of writing scientific research articles and reviews as a teacher and researcher way back in early 1960s . Later as Professor Zoology I edited 8 books comprising international contributions
Clever Fox Publishing: What is your book all about?
Ramamurthi Rallapalli: Bringing the book to life let me tell that it is the saga of a person who acquired experiences in world of sports, in the world of family, in the world of job with its intricacies and complexities,interactions with students,faculty and society, commenting on educational system in India , suggesting ways and means of enhancing the quality of education and research ,connecting with nature , putting all this in the form a huge narration as a autobiographical memoir.
Clever Fox Publishing: What prompted you to write this book?
Ramamurthi Rallapalli: The plethora of events that occurred in author’s life acquired during the past seven and a half decades prompted him him to write this book sharing his knowledge with readers world over.
Clever Fox Publishing: How was your pre-writing experience? What urged you?
Ramamurthi Rallapalli: As Professor Zoology I edited 8 books comprising contributions from several scientists from different countries.To name a few: Readings in Animal Behavior,Biodiversity, Environmental Biotechnology, Bioenergy: Vision for New Millenium.
This experience and knowledge gained through work exposure in different countries urged me to write this autobiographical memoir.
Clever Fox Publishing: How was your writing experience? Smooth or bumpy?
Ramamurthi Rallapalli : By and large the writing experience has been smooth. At times I felt the journey a little bumpy because of the delays in writing due to international travels.
Clever Fox Publishing: How much did your publishers contribute? Did they ease the process for you?
Ramamurthi Rallapalli : Highly cooperative and proactive;
Clever Fox Publishing: What is the reaction of your family and friends to you writing this book?
Ramamurthi Rallapalli: Always cooperative and helpful
Clever Fox Publishing: Mention the people who supported you in this journey.
Ramamurthi Rallapalli: Sisters Sitalakshmi, Rajyalakshmi,Vasanthalakshmi ; University colleagues Dr.K.P.Rao,Dr. Bhupathi Naidu, Dr.D.C.Reddy;Dr.Kalarani,Prof. Sitakumari of Padmavathi Mahila University; computer specialist Girikumar supported me in a big way.
Clever Fox Publishing: How is your book going to impact the readers?
Ramamurthi Rallapalli: Perceptions regarding impact vary. My expectation is readers from education sectors will be exposed to knowledge I shared on issues of higher educations and ways to cope with them. General readers will enjoy anecdotes and experiences of my travels besides getting to know the higher education scenario. Young readers will realize the importance of connecting to nature and social engineering.
Clever Fox Publishing: How do you deal with negative comments if any?
Ramamurthi Rallapalli: Any author expects reviews and comments. Whether positive or negative
the author needs to take them in the stride to improve in the second edition of the book.
Clever Fox Publishing: Who are your literary mentors and role models?
Ramamurthi Rallapalli: Literary mentor is my elder sister R.Sitalakshmi, Retired Professor of English
Role models: R.Sitalakshmi
J.B.S.Haldane
Abdul Kalam
M.S. Swaminathan
B.T. Scheer
Clever Fox Publishing: What are your upcoming writing ventures?
Ramamurthi Rallapalli: Two book efforts are on pipe line. One is edited version of papers presented in a conference on topics in science and technology; second concerns my review articles on environment with special reference to biodiversity of western mountain ranges in India.
Clever Fox Publishing: Any piece of advice for our aspiring writers?
Ramamurthi Rallapalli: Cultivate the habit of putting what they wish to say in a voice recorder for safe storage to avoid break in the flow of thoughts during writing or typing.
