V kamakoti, director of IIT-Madras, was named a part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s high-powered task force on exam reforms, which is headed by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani. However, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi questioned his inclusion in the force.

Who is V Kamakoti?

After the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, PM Modi announced the task force which has the responsibility to overhaul the National Testing Agency (NTA) examination system. The panel also includes former ISRO chairman S Somnath, former IB director Tapan Deka, former education secretary Anita Karwal, and logistics expert Amrit Lal Meena.

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Kamakoti Veehinathan, with a Master of Science (MS) and a PhD in Computer Science and Engineering from IIT-Madras, joined the faculty of that institution in 2001 and specialises in computer architecture, information security, and VLSI design. He also leads the microprocessor development programme and the information security education and awareness programme at the institution.

His research team developed India’s first indigenous microprocessor, Shakti and is also a member of the National Security Advisory Board. Kamakoti has also served as the chairman of the artificial intelligence task force constituted by the ministry of commerce and industry.

Kamakoti has several honours, including the DRDO Academic Excellence Award, the Indian Electronics and Semiconductor Association Techno Visionary Award, and the Padma Shri in the science and engineering category. Kamakoti holds an Abdul kalam Technology Innovation National Fellowship.

Priyanka’s jibe

During the anti-paper leak bill debate in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi questioned the inclusion of V Kamakoti, whom she described as a “gaumutra expert.” “In this new committee, there is one ex-IB chief, one IT company owner, and one gaumutra expert,” Priyanka said.

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She was countered by BJP leader Anurag Thakur, who said that Priyanka, with an “innocent face and subtle smiles”, misleads people and tries to cover up the wrongdoings and failures of previous governments led by the Congress.

As per Hindustan Times quoted in their report, Thakur further added, “But after the remarks she made today about the IIT-Madras Director, I feel that the brother and sister are alike. They are on the same path, and perhaps they are consuming something that affects the proper functioning of the brain. Maybe they should consume gaumutra (cow urine) instead.”

After being named a part of the Centre’s task force, V Kamakoti said the biggest challenge in conducting examinations was the integrity and trustworthiness of the question paper setter.

FAQs

Who is V Kamakoti?

V Kamakoti is the director of IIT-Madras and specialises in computer architecture, information security, and VLSI design.

What did Priyanka Gandhi call V kamakoti?

Priyanka Gandhi targeted V Kamakoti and called him a “gaumutra expert”.