Dr. Vasudevan J. autobiography chronicles an extraordinary 77-year journey that began in the humble village of Perandur, Tamil Nadu, and evolved into a multifaceted life of engineering excellence, academic contribution, and deep spiritual awakening. This inspiring memoir is more than a record of achievements—it is a master class in resilience, purpose, and transformation.
From childhood days filled with simple joys and rural struggles, the author emerged as a first-generation learner, driven by curiosity and a deep-rooted passion for mathematics. A pivotal moment came when a chance opportunity led him to apply for engineering studies, launching him into a field that would define his career. With degrees in Mechanical (B.E.), Urban Engineering (M.E.), and a Ph.D. in Transportation from IIT Madras, Dr. Vasudevan built a rare academic profile bridging multiple engineering disciplines.
Professionally, his early assignments in road and bridge construction—including work on National Highways and complex bypasses—provided hands-on insights that would later fuel his leadership in transportation planning and road safety. His research contributions, particularly his M.E. thesis on pedestrian safety and Ph.D. dissertation on bus route rationalization in Chennai, remain relevant and influential even today.
Serving as a senior expert in the Institute of Road Transport (IRT) and later in consultancy roles with Indian and multinational firms, he made lasting contributions to urban mobility, bus transit systems, and infrastructure development. He played a crucial role in training over 200 batches of drivers, pioneering road safety education using the IPDE (Identify, Predict, Decide, Execute) model and a unique 3x3 matrix representing nine qualities of a good driver. These methods were adopted widely across Tamil Nadu's transport corporations.
As an academician, Dr. Vasudevan held visiting and adjunct faculty positions at prestigious institutions like Anna University, NIT Trichy, and the School of Planning and Architecture. He mentored several doctoral students and co-guided research projects that bridged theory and practice.
Beyond engineering, his life took a profound spiritual turn as he embraced the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita and ISKCON, becoming a life patron and authoring Krsna Consciousness for All. Even in his later years, he continued learning, completing courses in Artificial Intelligence and Business Intelligence, showcasing a lifelong commitment to growth.