Who Is Prof Alok Sagar? Biography, Wiki, Age, Wife, Net Worth, Family, Education, IIT & More
Prof Alok Sagar (born 20 January 1950, Age: 74 years old) is a former professor of electrical engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, who left his prestigious career in 1982 to dedicate his life to the service of the tribal communities and the environment in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India.
He is also known for being the teacher of the former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor Raghuram Rajan, and for planting more than 50,000 trees in the Betul and Hoshangabad districts of Madhya Pradesh.
Early Life and Education
Prof Alok was born on January 20, 1950, in Delhi, India. He belongs to a middle-class family background, with his father owning a small business and his mother being a housewife. He completed his schooling from a local high school in Delhi and then pursued his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from IIT Delhi, graduating in 1971.
He continued his studies at IIT Delhi and obtained his master’s degree in electrical engineering in 1973. He then went to the United States, and completed his PhD in electrical engineering from the University of Houston, Texas, in 1978.
Prof Alok Sagar Wiki/Bio
| Name | Prof Alok Sagar |
| Date of Birth | January 20, 1950 |
| Place of Birth | Delhi, India |
| Education | B.Tech and M.Tech in Electrical Engineering from IIT Delhi, PhD in Electrical Engineering from the University of Houston, Texas, USA |
| Occupation | Former Professor of Electrical Engineering at IIT Delhi, Social Worker, Environmentalist, Educator |
| Known For | Leaving his prestigious career at IIT Delhi in 1982, and dedicating his life to the service of the tribals and the environment in Madhya Pradesh, India |
| Awards and Honors | Rajya Alankaran Award by the Madhya Pradesh government in 2010 |
| aloksagar | |
| Homepage | newsunzip.com |
Career as a Professor
After completing his PhD, Prof Alok Sagar returned to India and joined IIT Delhi as a professor of electrical engineering. He was a brilliant and inspiring teacher, who groomed many students, including the former RBI governor Raghuram Rajan, who was his student in the 1980s.
He also published several research papers in reputed journals and contributed to the advancement of his field. He was well-respected and admired by his colleagues and students, and had a promising career ahead of him.
Decision to Leave IIT Delhi
However, in 1982, Prof Alok made a surprising decision to resign from his professorship at IIT Delhi and to leave his comfortable and prestigious life behind. He said that he wanted to contribute to the growth of the country, and felt that it was a better idea to work at the grassroots level, rather than in the academic world. He also said that he was inspired by the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi, and wanted to follow his path of simplicity and service.
Parents and Siblings
Prof Alok was born in Delhi, India, to a middle-class family. His father was an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer, who owned a small business and passed away last year.
His mother was a physics teacher at Miranda House, a prestigious college affiliated with Delhi University. He has a younger brother, a professor at IIT Delhi. Alok Sagar inherited properties worth crores in his name in Delhi, but he gave them up for the sake of his work.
Net Worth and Income Sources
Prof Alok does not have a regular income source, as he left his job as a professor at IIT Delhi in 1982, and moved to a remote village in Madhya Pradesh, where he lives a simple and humble life. He owns only three kurtas and a bicycle and lives in a grass-thatched hut.
He does not have any bank accounts or assets and relies on the donations and support of various NGOs and activists, who appreciate his work for the tribals and the environment. His net worth is not known, but it is likely to be very low, as he does not care about money or material possessions.
Wife and Kids
Prof Sagar is married, but his wife’s name and details are not disclosed. He does not have any kids, as he considers the tribals as his family, and devotes his time and energy to their welfare and empowerment. He also has two dogs, who are his companions in his work and life.
Phyical Appearance
| Height (approx.) | In Feet Inches: 5′ 7″. In Centimetres: 170 cm. |
| Weight (approx.) | In Kilograms: 60 kg. In Pounds: 132 lbs. |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown. |
| Hair Color | White. |
| Nationality | Indian. |
| Religion | Hinduism. |
Caste and Religion
Prof Alok does not belong to any specific caste or religion, as he believes in the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi, and respects all people and faiths. He follows a path of simplicity and service and does not discriminate or judge anyone based on their caste or religion.
He works for the tribals, who are mostly from the Gond and Korku communities, and who have their own indigenous culture and beliefs. He learns their local dialects adapts to their lifestyle, and communicates with them in their language. He also participates in their festivals and rituals and celebrates their diversity and harmony.
Life as a Social Worker
Prof Alok Sagar moved to Kochamu, a remote village in the Betul district of Madhya Pradesh, which has a population of about 750 tribals and lacks basic amenities like electricity, roads, and health care. He adopted a simple and humble lifestyle, living in a hut, wearing only two kurtas, and riding a bicycle.
He also changed his name to Raju and did not reveal his true identity or qualifications to anyone. He immersed himself in the lives of the tribals and started working for their welfare and empowerment. He helped them in various ways, such as:
- Educating the children and adults, and teaching them basic skills like reading, writing, and arithmetic.
- Organizing the tribals into self-help groups, and encouraging them to participate in local governance and decision-making.
- Providing them with legal aid and guidance, and helping them fight for their rights and entitlements.
- Promoting organic farming and sustainable agriculture, and helping them improve their livelihoods and incomes.
- Protecting the environment and the forest, and planting more than 50,000 trees in the Betul and Hoshangabad districts.
- Raising awareness about various social issues, such as gender equality, health and hygiene, and family planning.
Prof Alok also collaborated with various NGOs and activists, such as the Shramik Adivasi Sangathan (SAS), which works for the rights of tribals and forest dwellers. He also participated in various movements and campaigns, such as the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA), which opposed the construction of large dams on the Narmada River.
Recognition and Challenges
Alok Sagar’s selfless and noble work has earned him the respect and admiration of many people, especially the tribals, who consider him their friend and mentor. He has also received recognition and appreciation from various quarters, such as the media, the civil society, and the government.
He has been featured in several articles and documentaries and has been invited to various events and seminars. He has also been awarded and honored by various organizations, such as the Madhya Pradesh government, which conferred him the Rajya Alankaran award in 2010, for his outstanding contribution to the field of environment.
However, Prof Alok Sagar has also faced many challenges and difficulties in his work, such as:
- Resistance and opposition from some sections of the society, such as the local politicians, the contractors, and the forest officials, who do not like his interference in their affairs, and who accuse him of being an anti-national and a Naxalite.
- Threats and attacks from some anti-social elements, such as the timber mafia, the poachers, and the land grabbers, who try to harm him and his work, and who have even filed false cases against him.
- Lack of resources and support from the government and the mainstream society, who often neglect and ignore the problems and needs of the tribals and the rural areas.
- Health and personal issues, such as aging, illness, and loneliness, which affect his physical and mental well-being.
Current Status and Future Plans
Prof Sagar is 74 years old and still lives and works in Kochamu village with his two dogs. He is active on social media and has an Instagram account, where he posts pictures and videos of his work and life.
He also has a blog, where he writes about various topics, such as education, environment, and social justice. He says that he is happy and satisfied with his work and that he does not regret his decision to leave IIT Delhi. He says that he plans to continue his work as long as he can and that he hopes to inspire more people to join him in his mission.
Prof Alok is a former professor of electrical engineering at IIT Delhi, who left his career in 1982 and moved to a remote village in Madhya Pradesh, India, to work for the welfare and empowerment of the tribals and the environment. He has planted more than 50,000 trees in the Betul and Hoshangabad districts and has educated and organized the tribals into self-help groups.
He is also known for being the teacher of the former RBI governor Raghuram Rajan, and for following the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi. He has faced many challenges and difficulties in his work, such as resistance, opposition, threats, attacks, and lack of resources and support. He is currently 74 years old, and still lives and works in Kochamu village, along with his two dogs. He is active on social media and has a blog, where he writes about various topics.
