Born on 12th June 1929 in an orthodox Hindu Brahmin family, Kambal, as he was known to many of his colleagues and “Laddoo” to his friends, completed his B.Sc. (Physics) from Madras University and reached Banares Hindu University in a dhoti and shirt (donated by friends) to do research in Atomic Physics. Completing his M.Sc. in Electronics in 1951, he had enrolled for Ph.D. at BHU.
Fate played a hand at this stage in 1957, and requirement of funds for his family prompted him to join the Indian Army through Short Service Commission, when he joined the Corps of Signals. An option to continue with the army was again in store. Kambal found that his knowledge would be far more useful to the country’s needs through the defence services and progressed in the areas of Antenna engineering and Satellite communication – which was new technology during the 70s. After OLT at Mhow, he was sent to Telefunken, Germany to further adopt new technologies for the Army. So obsessed was he with his knowledge that he joined the HAM group with code sign “VU2RW” and was communicating through his personal transmitter (which he constructed on his own) setting an antenna over his residence.
Kambal was famous for his “Fault Dignostic Tester Trainer” which made him choose the pathway of Technical Officer Training (TOT), making the workforce of Corps of Signals more technical through training at STCs at Jabalpur, Goa and MCTE, Mhow.
During his service, his backbone deteriorated as he habitually used to lift his (heavy) paralytic father and keep on him on his scooter to take the aged person for treatment.
He retired from service in 1982 from Goa and joined Coal India Limited as Superintending Engineer (Telecom) providing the telecommunications network for the Coal fields all over India. He retired from Coal India Limited in 1984.
His wife Shantha, was his friend, philosopher & guide. She was adept at designing and creating works of art from waste materials – most popular one being “coconut shells”, of which an exhibition was held in Goa in 1983. She left for her heavenly abode in 2000.
Not undaunted by age and health problems he took up the ardous task of tutoring young students in Science & English, free of cost, only to give up at the age of 79.
Kambal is survived by his only son (Dr. K.R.Rao), daughter-in-law and two grand daughters with whom he was staying. It is as if the soul had quietly slipped into the fog, “Laddoo” is no more, but his memory will stay with us forever.
Bala,
K S Rao, a noble soul, it is unbelievable, has passed away. My close association with him was at Delhi, 1965-66. An affectionate person he was, used to encourage me when I was keen to join Army. Mrs Shantha Rao was equally made for each other with KS and we cannot forget them, the revered couple.Lakshmi and I pray for the soul rest in peace and bless all of us.
I am sure that this message would be read by Ram Mohan Rao. Our heart felt condolences for them.
With grief,
Visweswaran
