Memories With DGB Sir

Er.
Dilip Bhagwat (profoundly called as DGB sir) left us on 8th July-

2021 late evening! His passage was sudden and shocking.
Extremely intellectual person, post-graduate in structural
engineering from IISc-Bangalore, expert in various subjects
especially – Engineering Mathematics, English, Sanskrit, German
and Marathi language; always eager to learn attitude till last
breath, yet down to earth! Any time ready to help young people
like me. How can I forget the ‘golden memories’ spent with him
at his wooden cabin in Asia Foundation and Construction
company’s Head Office (AFCONS HO) at Andheri-West, Mumbai!
Clouds of so many memories are gathered in mind since past a

few days – probably which showered out like a drizzling, awaited, rains in the form of this short note! And
I am sure ‘keep learning’ was his matra given to us and will be a tribute to his cherished memories.
It was mid of summer (May-2007), when I got introduced to DGB sir. As usual he was critic about my
ground improvement scheme below a Cement Silo foundation in one of the railway bridge projects at Kochi.
After debate of several hours, finally I told him, “Sir, I had executed similar silo-footing with ground
improvement under the able guidance of Er. S. B, Joshi (SBJ sir) for Ganga River project for Hindustan
Construction company (HCC)”. Only then DGB got a bit comfortable. Later after quenching hundreds of
more questions, finally he got convinced and approved my design! – DGB sir was exceptionally talented
and a first critic of my professional works in early years of career – whereas in personal life he was
completely opposite; he supported each of my decisions, whole heartedly; not only so, often extracted the
positive aspects in it before me (with a pinch of risks at the end)!
Another incidence I recollect was from a Steel Load-out Jetty at Abhu Dhabi. I was novice in marine
structure design – and DGB was expert in this area. When I visited site the PMC in-charge Mr. Andrew
Boggle, a British engineer, 6 feet tall and blue eyes, simply blasted me with several queries in design and
suspicions. I was clueless about the answers to these queries, but I was bit nervous and hesitant to contact
DGB sir directly (as he was very Senior in the organization and department). No colleagues were able to
help me late evening; and I had to submit the replies to client in the morning. Finally, in late evening I had
to contact DGB sir. He first listened to my doubts, patiently, then started replying with answers to each –
one by one, he referred to me several reference codes, books, literatures and past executed projects. My
fear got little reduced. Next day when I confidently faced Mr. Boggle, he was satisfied with all the answers
and amazed too, as what miracle happened to me, over night! That day I understood the power of
‘Wisdom’.
Anyways, the time spent with DGB sir was educating me every moment. We young engineers never felt
burdened or stressed by his immense knowledge, simply because of his friendly and jolly attitude. He used
to educate us bit by bit through every moment, but we never realized that, because it was a fun-filled
learning process. DGB Sir was a very humorous and a jolly person. Whenever company messenger used
visit his cabin with a A4 size paper containing official notices / announcements / circulars – DGB used say
“Why Circular, is always rectangular!!”. His several anecdotes (sighting the pitfalls & futility of human
behaviors in corporate culture) viz. ‘Ghoda Raja – Ondka Raja’; ‘Topi theory’ etc. were popular within his
subordinates. DGB Sir was bold enough to stand-up in a meeting and present his views ideas to our
Managing director without any fear. Because of this attitude most of his ideas used to get approved also!
DGB was mainly interested in learning and really get bored by the corporate management processes. He
has no dreams and desires to encash his intelligence in terms of corporate posts / promotions / positions /
corporate rivalry etc.
Several initiatives were started by DGB sir in the organization in olden days like – QRM (Quick reference
manual); dedicated email ID (afcons garden); technical library; software programs, Basic skill-set matrix
etc. were extremely useful for budding engineers in the department.
Once DGB was to give a lecture on ‘Concrete Diaphragm Walls’ at one of the institutes in Rajsthan. He did
a mockup session before his young colleagues (Sumit, Rahul, Amruta, Ashif and me). I was astonished to
see his grip over the subject. DGB was also well-known for his studies on ‘crack width calculations’ for
concrete. His formulae for piles with end-socket in rock had got published in one famous book on
Foundation design and subsequently got a place in design codes! – DGB had no proud or ego or even care,
about these achievements – but his complete focus was on ‘continuous learning new scientific thigs’.
DGB was keen in learning programming languages and had set up several programs in olden days using
DOS / PASCAL / FORTRAN / VB etc. He tried to inspire me for computer programming too. But I was a dumb
student in this area. But looking at my inclination towards structural design and practical construction
aspects / enabling works – he often used to say. “Vivek, I have got a lot of hopes from you regarding
popularizing the Enabling Works design in India. People don’t know the intricacies in this area!”.
He taught us so many things in day-to-day professional life like - how to write corporate emails, how to
travel in a city like Delhi, how to behave in a meeting to get design approvals, how to frame strategic
engineering proposals, how to write construction notes on a drawing. He once explained me the difference
between use of phrase = ‘Few’, ‘A few’ and ‘A couple of’ with examples of books in our library. He was
instrumental for me to understand and start using ‘UNICODE’ for composing my Marathi articles for my
spiritual website. His way of teaching was friendly – so we could ask his several questions on the topic. He
always used to strengthen our positive side than pointing out the limitations!
From year 2007 till 2009 I was running an activity called ‘Knowledge Sharing Sessions’ (KSS) in which DGB
contributed a lot through his lectures as well as active presence. Three lectures given by him on pile analysis
– design – construction & testing were memorable for me and very useful for professional practice. He
inspired me to learn the ‘Strut-and-Tie method’ through two publications by Mike Schlaich. Somewhere in
Yr 2009 DGB joined another organization but still he was always approachable for technical advice of
several matters. In 2015 I organized a series of lectures by Dr. N. Subramanian (award winning author,
mentor, a senior structural engineer). DGB quickly agreed to join for these lectures despite of his all other
preoccupations. He attended both the lectures with lot of interest and curiosity. Later he maintained the
contact with Dr NS and they became good friends. DGB had a great regards and love for Dr NS due to his
literature and polite attitude.
DGB was only the one who introduced me to the works of another engineering wizard, Late Mr. Hans Kelm
(a German Structural Engineer, a one man army kind of person in design and construction filed). I was
highly inspired by the designs and drawings prepared by Mr. Kelm, so I prepared a brief write-up on his
work (so to say a short biography), DGB sir liked my initiative and suggested various changes in the draft
copy. DGB never neglected even any of my small initiatives. When I designed Industries highest capacity
friction clamps, DGB was the main guide and reviewer, without which it was not possible.
So much to write about DGB sir from Yr. 2007 till 2021!
On Friday early morning got a message from Dr NS, Maryland USA – “ DGB sir passed away last night”.
I was speechless. Now after two days writing this note. His debt of knowledge and unconditional love could
not be measured and could not be returned! I think if we implement the knowledge imparted by him, and
his matra ‘keep learning’ - then itself would keep the departed soul in peace.
I pray god for the peace of departed soul !
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti . . .
by Er Vivek Abhyankar
Structural Engineer,
Mumbai
*******

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Er.

Dilip Bhagwat (profoundly called as DGB sir) left us on 8th July-

Clouds of so many memories are gathered in mind since past a

I pray god for the peace of departed soul !

Om Shanti Shanti Shanti . . .

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