Osmania Courier - Centenary Special Issue

Osmania

Centenary Special

Courier

Bimonthly Lab Newspaper ~ Published by the Department of Communication & Journalism, Osmania University, Hyderabad ~ Vol. LVI No. 1 ~ 26 April 2017

GENESIS

University’s inception marked by twists and turns Prof. K. Stevenson recounts an interaction with Late Professor M. Radhakrishna Sarma, eminent historian and former Head, Dept. of Ancient Indian History and Archaeology, on the birth of Osmania University.

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he beginning of the history of the Indian Universities goes back to the middle of the 19th century, when soon after the receipt of the Dispatch of the Court of Directors dated 19 July 1854, the Government of India took up the work of organising Universities.

During a long period of more than half a century, between 1857 and 1915, only five Universities were established in India -Universities of Calcutta, Bombay and Madras, established in 1857 and Punjab (now in Pakistan) and Allahabad established in 1882 and 1887 respectively.

About the same time the first Universities were contemplated in British India, the appointment of Sir Salar Jung I as the Dewan of State of Hyderabad in 1853 paved the way for the embarking on a policy of modernisation of administration on British lines.

Founding the Dar-ul-‘ulum or the Oriental College in 1853-54, establishment of a Civil Engineering college in 1869 and the creation of the Education Department in 1869-70 were in line of modernising the educational system in the State.

The State education scene changed after the arrival of Sheikh Jamaluddin Afghani. A Professor at the Al-Azar University of Cairo, Afghani was a strong votary of the oriental, more specifically Islamic, education imparted through one’s mother tongue. He visited India on as many as five occasions.

Afghani came to Hyderabad for a prolonged sojourn in 1879, and launched a determined campaign for the establishment of a proper University which might be set up anywhere in India and which might attempt to teach the pupils

His Exalted Highness Mir Osman Ali Khan, Nizam VII, laying the Foundation Stone for Arts College building.

Photos courtesy: Emanuel

in their own native tongue instead of Persian, Arabic or English.

Two local editors, Mohid Hussain and Sajjid Mirza, lent Afghani the unstinted hospitality of their columns to propagate his ideas. “Progress depends on the instruction being imparted in the language of the country,” Afghani told his listeners and asked, “Why do you not translate the books from modern languages into Urdu? How can a man point out proudly to his library if it contains thousands of books written in foreign languages but not a single book written in the language of the country?”

According to the unpublished

PhD thesis of Dr. H. Rajendra Prasad (1977), the indefatigable Jamaluddin cultivated important personages, harangued anyone who cared to listen to his advanced views, and generally created, almost single-handedly, the first mild stirrings in the informed circles of the state.

The idea of a University in the State had come up during the time of Nizam Mahboob Ali Khan in 1884 when Wilfrid S. Blunt, who came to India on a semi governmental status and visited Hyderabad, made a proposal for the establishment of Mohammadan University or Nizam University. In spite of the enthusiastic support from all quarters including the Nizam, it

Students attend classes in the new Arts College.

was abandoned. The fillip received by educational activities resulted in the establishment of Nizam College in 1887. In 1885 Nawab Rafa’at Yar Jung, after enumerating the defects of the prevailing system of education though the Persian medium of instruction, proposed the foundation of a Jamial Ulum Oriental University with Urdu as the medium of instruction.

However, no action was taken on the proposal in spite of Sir Salar Jung I’s expression of support for it. The widespread demand in the Hyderabad State for a type of higher education calculated to satisfy the intellectual and cultural aspirations of the people and having its foundation deep in

There was widespread demand in the Hyderabad State for a type of higher education that would satisfy the intellectual and cultural aspirations of the people and having its foundation deep in their natural consciousness

their natural consciousness and enlightened public opinion in the state becoming averse to control of higher education in the state

by Madras University paved the way to the events leading to the establishment of the Osmania University after Nizam Osman Ali Khan’s accession to the throne of Hyderabad in 1911.

In 1913, the Government of India passed a resolution on educational policy which served the twin objectives of restricting affiliations and satisfying the Indian opinion through encouragement to regional Universities.

As a consequence of this sympathetic attitude towards India aspirations, Universities followed in quick succession not only within the British Indian territories but also outside. The Banaras Hindu University came into existence in 1916 to be followed by Mysore the same year, Patna in 1917, Osmania in 1918 and Aligarh Muslim University in 1920.

Here, an important aspect of the development of University education was the establishment of Universities outside the British Indian territories.

The first such University was established at Mysore in July 1916, through an Act of Mysore legislature. Osmania University, which was established at Hyderabad in 1918, came as a surprise to the British Government which had no prior information regarding the Nizam’s intention to establish a University in the State. On 14 December 1917, the British resident at Hyderabad forwarded the state proceedings to the Government of India in reply to their numerous queries, informing them that it was a fact that the Nizam had sanctioned the University.

The Government of Hyderabad made it clear that the new University was intended “merely to supplement not to supplant” the English College of the Nizam’s College, affiliated to the University of Madras.

Dar-ul-‘ulum Old Boys’ Association which celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of the Dar-ul-‘ulum in 1913 recognised the struggle for the foundation of a Nizam University. The Hyderabad Educational Conference established in 1914 demanded the establishment of a University.

Early in Osman Ali Khan’s reign, an educational advisor was appointed to report on the improvements to be effected in the educational organisation of the State and on his advice, the whole system of primary and secondary education was overhauled.

The system of higher education was then taken up and in April 1917, the Right Hon. Sir Akbar Hydari (Nawab Hydar Nawaz Jung Bahadur), then SecMore on Page 2

VIEWPOINT

2 Osmania Courier Bimonthly laboratory newspaper published by the Department of Communication & Journalism, Osmania University, Hyderabad.

Registered with the Registrar of Newspapers for India (RNI) under No. 6132/62. Vol. LVI No. 1 Special Issue on Osmania University Centenary Editor Prof. K. Stevenson Head, Dept of Communication & Journalism, OU. Editorial Associates Sneha Verghese (JRF) Ramaswamy Kandle (SRF) Editorial Trainees Sushma Nagaraju, Sriveda Baswapoor, Anantha Lakshmi Latchayya, Pranith K Reddy, Anilathmaj Phani Kumar, Prasanth Deshini, Manoj Reddy S., Dheeraj D.P. and Ravi Sankar Reddy M. Designed by B Ramakrishna (Asst Prof. (C)) in QuarkXPress 8.1.

Typeset in Crimson Text and Gill Sans. Email: courier.ou@gmail.com FORM IV Place of Publication: Hyderabad Periodicity: Bimonthly Printer’s Name & Address: Director, University Press & Publications, Osmania University.

Whether a citizen of India: Yes Publisher’s Name & Address: Prof. K. Stevenson, Head, Department of Communication & Journalism, Osmania University, Hyderabad-7.

Whether a citizen of India: Yes Editor’s Name & Address: Prof. K. Stevenson, Head, Department of Communication & Journalism, Osmania University, Hyderabad-7.

Names & Addresses of Individuals who own the publication and the partners or shareholders holding more than 1 per cent of the total capital: Osmania University, Hyderabad - 500 007.

DISCLAIMER All opinions expressed herein are personal as attributed, and do not necessarily represent the official view of the Department or of the University.

An apology for a Centenary theme 100 years is a major milestone in the history of an institution. Osmania University has survived the vicissitudes of time, policy, economy , academics and it is a historic moment, it’ s time to sum up the past, evaluate, armed with both, be prepared to confront the future. It is probably the expression of some fairly deep-seated urge, perhaps even need, that we choose to stop and survey what has been achieved and then stand aside for a while, catch our breath and make thoughtful plan for the future instead of simply unthinkingly perpetuating the daily routine. What better occasion could there be for this than a celebration of one hundred years.

One needs to ask, “Is this the year for a new beginning? Definitely, after having completed 100 years, we need to make a new beginning? What is the legacy to be left behind for posterity and for the succeeding generations?

The farman, the royal charter issued by Mir Osman Ali Khan, the founder of Osmania University embeds the theme proposed.

Sounds prophetic but ‘reminisce’, ‘recalibrate’ and ‘reinvent’ can be deduced from the farman.

“I am pleased to express my approval of the views set forth in the Arzdasht (petition) and the memorandum submitted therewith, regarding the establishment of a University for the State, in which the knowledge and culture of Ancient and Modern times may be blended so harmoniously as to remove the defects created by the present system of education and full advantage may be taken of all that is the best in Ancient and Modern systems of physical, intellectual, and spiritual culture. In knowledge, it should aim at the moral training of the students and give an impetus to research in all scientific subjects.

Reminisce Since 1917, the evolution of this University and its focus on diverse academic streams is primarily because of the dedicated and visionary faculty. The academics have evolved over decades nurtured by the respect for knowledge, policy and adequate funds by our great teachers of the past and the serving ones. At the centennial anniversary, our faculty, integrated more than just in space and time in one of the most prestigious universi-

ties, proves that it respects and carries forward the dreams and efforts of the former teachers who believed in the higher education. Just like the architectural marvels, our academics have stood rock solid during the 100 years.

The “blending of the ancient and the modern” in the farman, implies that we learn from the past. The very fact that the University has a host of programmes during the centenary to felicitate eminent alumni, invite past Vice Chancellors, look at the University in retrospect is reminiscing.

Recalibrate “[...] blended so harmoniously as to remove the defects created by the present system of education and full advantage may be taken of all...” (From the farman setting up OU) Though Osmania University has been avante garde in its approach to academics, given the cataclysmic changes in the academic and the industry nationally and globally it becomes imperative to “remove the defects lack of modernised applied curriculum, financial support and infrastructure, lack of academic freedom, excessive political and bureaucratic interference, so on. Having identified the lacunae, it’s time to address these defects.

The University and each department should seed new ideas and thoughts in young minds that are researchable and testable and which augment contribution to the society.

These research activities in the long run will put the university to its distinction even as faculty is made more accountable for a sustained growth and recognition of universities.

From the students perspective, varsity education gives an opportunity to excel in their dreams of becoming entrepreneurs, scientists, academicians, bureaucrats, writers and activists. Thousands of young minds throng the University every year to make their dreams come true. It becomes incumbent on the University to reach out to the students to fulfill their dreams by regularly framing and updating the curriculum and preparing them for the job market even as they are shaped into good Indian citizens The CBCS has been implemented and there is a constant effort by Departments, re-

University’s inception marked by...

Continued from Page 1 retary to His Exalted Highness Government in Educational Department, submitted a memorandum to His Exalted Highness in which after surveying the existing educational conditions and discussing the advantages of imparting education through the medium of a foreign language, he recommended that considering the peculiar needs and conditions of the state, a new University free from the evils inherent in the present system and calculated to undo its deplorable effects, recommended the use of Urdu language for imparting knowledge and the training of the intellect.

On 26 April 1917, the Nizam through a Farman approved the proposal for establishment of a University for Nizam’s Dominions, to be called the Osmania University of Hyderabad. In pursuance of the Nizam’s Farman, the Education Department pro-

Osmania Courier 26 April 2017

ceeded with the work and the draft curricula prepared by committees were widely circulated in educational circles in England and India. The first constructive work of the University was the establishment of Bureau of Translation. The Royal Charter of the University was promulgated by Nizam in September 1918. The Osmania University College was opened in August 1919. The first intermediate examination was held in April 1921, and the first BA Examination in 1923. The University started with provision for instruction in Theology, Arts and Science but to furnish opportunities for professional training to its graduates and undergraduates, a Law class was opened in August 1923. The first MA and LLB examinations were held in 1925.

The translation of Engineering and Medical books had been taken on hand. The first year MBBS class of the University College of Medicine was opened

in July 1927 and the College of Engineering and the Teachers Training college in 1929.

Osmania University College was in the beginning housed in eight large and commodious buildings in the city, but the authorities found the location not satisfactory for expansion. It was decided to acquire a site and have buildings worthy of the University. Prior to the materialisation of the scheme, it was considered a matter of primary importance to depute two of its suitable and experienced engineers to a world tour, to study the requirements of a modern model University both from academic and engineering points of view and to propose the appointment of an architect Syed Ali Raza and Nawab Zain Yar Jung Bahadur accordingly conduced their tour in Great Britain, Europe, Japan, America, Egypt, Syria and Turkey, and recommended the appointment of Monsier E. Jasper of Belgium, a

search centres, institutions to launch new courses and provide a conducive ambience for academic pursuit. It is only after a careful assessment, the University has planned for strengthening of the crumbling infrastructure to meet the growing demands.

Reinvent At a time when there is an erosion of values, it becomes essential to infuse a “physical, intellectual, and spiritual culture. In knowledge, it should aim at the moral training of the students and give an impetus to research in all scientific subjects.”

Firstly, the higher education policy should reorient universities to a steady balanced shift from teaching to professional research. The centres of academics - the universities, fame and recognition rests on their high quality research, experiments, and other academic endeavours. Quality of faculty, quality of teaching and research are the prime indicators carrying high weightage in methodologies of universities ranking indexes such as Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) and Quacquarelli Symonds (QS).

Today’s top universities are in top ranking because of their path breaking research and programmes.

Our entire approach should be geared towards becoming more contemporaneous and relevant to create an ambience which contributed to the State and the national ethos.

In this context, the initiative of the University to prepare a vision document for the next few decades is commendable.

The centenary ought not to be reduced to an occasion when a few events are staged people meet and exchange pleasantries.

The historic role of “The University” is the study, interpretation and transmission of the great humanistic traditions of the world. Our search for academic excellence in an interconnected, and crowded world, with rising expectations, needs to understand and internalise their many lessons more than at any time in the past.

Then let us, with the Spirit’s daring / step from the past and leave behind / its disappointment, guilt and grieving, / seeking new paths, and sure to inish. -- Anon -- Editor

recognised authority in Oriental Architecture as a consultant architect.

From an article of Syed Ali Raza, we get some interesting details of his world tour with Nawab Zain Yar Jung Bahadur and their ideas on the architectural plans of Osmania University buildings. They started on the world tour on 24 September 1930 taking the route in the east touching Madras, Colombo and reaching Japan. They spent two months in Japan visiting the Universities of Osaka and then went to San Francisco in USA. They stayed in America for three months studying the architecture of older Universities of Yale, Harvard and Princeton and that of newer Universities of California, Stanford, Wisconsin, Illinois, Chicago, New York and Columbia. From America they went to England where they keenly observed the architecture of old Universities of Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Manchester and visited the buildings under construction of the Universities

of Kingston, Birmingham and the Leeds. From England they went to Europe and studied the University Architecture of Sorbonne of Paris; Leiden; Heidelberg, Munich and Berlin of Germany; Vienna of Austria; University of Hungary. After completing the European tour they proceeded to Egypt and Turkey.

In Egypt they saw the University of Egypt where they met the Belgian Architect Monsier E. Jasper who was the consultant Architect of the University of Egypt, as also of Hotel Casino, Race Course and residential quarters. In these buildings Oriental Architectural styles were preferred. Therefore Syed Ali Raza, and Nawab Zain Yar Jung suggested Mr. Jasper as the consultant Architect of Osmania University Building project.

After the world tour they returned to India on 24th September 1931. After years of toil, Arts College was inaugurated in 1939.

So much for the history of Osmania.

WOMEN

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To be young, a woman and an Osmanian!

Prof. Padmaja Shaw (Retd.) goes down memory lane and says the University, true to its ideals, brought in gender equity in education.

gating, writing with care and style.”

By 1990s, journalism education began to expand rapidly in tandem with the expanding media industry both in the staterun and private sectors.

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o begin with, the birth history of Osmania University is irrevocably linked with Maha Laqa Bai Chanda, that politically powerful advisor to the Nizams, poetess, and courtesan, whose generous gift of 1400 acres of land is home to the university. She was a highly educated, creative woman and the university from its earliest days encouraged women to pursue higher education.

Many women who graduated from Osmania have gone on to distinguish themselves in various fields. Justice G Rohini was the first woman Chief Justice of Delhi High Court.

Prof Shantha Sinha served with distinction as the Chairperson, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, in addition to serving as professor at the University of Hyderabad and pioneering a lifelong campaign to bring child labour back into mainstream education for which the Magsaysay Award was bestowed on her.

Late Smt. VS Ramadevi was the first woman to be the Election Commissioner of India. Smt J Manjula was the first woman Director General (DG - Electronics & Communications Systems or ECS) at Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), a premier research establishment under the government of India.

Mithali Raj (cricket), Sania Mirza (tennis) and Saina Nehwal (badminton) are the current sports stars who are alumni of the university.

Danseuse Ananda Shankar who is also a central services officer is an alumna of Osmania. Apart from these names, in its hundred years of history, Osmania University was alma mater to achievers in almost all fields of enquiry and enterprise both in India and abroad.

In the 1960s, Osmania University main campus was also host to undergraduate programmes. By early 1970s, the campus colleges began to offer only post-graduate programmes. Through the years, there has been a substantial representation of women in the classrooms.

Women in journalism programme As late-1970s students, some of us recall that close to 50 percent of the class was women in the journalism programme.

Sheela Reddy, who is the author of the much-talked about historical book, Mr and Mrs Jinnah, studied in the department in 1974-75. Sheela has had a distinguished career in journalism for over thirty years as book editor in Outlook magazine and as an author.

Sheela reminisces about her days as student in the department fondly. She says, till she got into journalism she studied in girls only schools and colleges. The department provided a friendly and non-discriminatory environment in which one could relate to boys and girls on equal terms and to learn the basics of journalism.

She remembers Prof Bashiruddin fondly for being responsible for instilling a lot of self-confidence in the girls, enabling them to come out of their sheltered upbringing.

PICS: RAMASWAMY KANDLE

She found the department liberating for it provided opportunities to work with male classmates on assignments and projects. She says, “what was unique about the course was the amount of practical work we were made to do, whether it was a month's apprenticeship at a newspaper or advertising agency of our choice, running the campus newspaper and submitting a student thesis, which we had to read aloud in the classroom and be critiqued by our classmates.” She recalled that there was also a class tour to Delhi to visit media houses … that benefitted the students a lot, and even visiting the Prime Minister at one of her (Indira Gandhi) durbars. She felt “The course was certainly very interesting and exhilarating.”

Another student of the 1977-79 batch, Rukmini Vemraju, began her career in advertising, went on to do media research, and later as a consultant for promotion of community radio at the Commonwealth of Learning Centre in Delhi, became a well-known facilitator of community radio projects in Commonwealth countries.

She recalls her time in the department for its informality. She says that much of the learning was collaborative, with students addressing the young faculty by their first names. Tea was allowed in the classrooms and faculty would drop by to chat over lunch at the cafeteria. She remembers staying in the department late to work on the daily news bulletin, Telenews, that would be made by students and displayed at the entrance of the college.

She remembers that in her class there were nearly 50 percent girl students.

Though the numbers went down later.

She feels that the department and the university at the time were remarkably free of discriminatory behaviour. She came to study journalism from Gujarat/Assam and had no problem integrating into the department, she recalls. She remembers girl students of her time challenging any attempts at harassment without any fear.

Malini Menon Shribhashyam (76-78) worked for the State Bank of Hyderabad and later served at a senior position in Satyam Computers. She also seconds the views of Rukmini and Sheela saying that girls did not feel discriminated or different from boys in class. In her words, “I absolutely loved the course, loved the way it opened my mind … The great fun we used to have with Telenews board, the tremendous sense of the power of information because we had the teleprinter in the department and got to know breaking news first (Pre-TV days).”

She feels that the diversity in her class was learning in itself. Varied backgrounds, religions, some students being young new graduates while some were already working journalists, and some seniors would drop by at Telenews time. Different age groups. Different social backgrounds. She also goes on to say pithtily, “So much to learn all around, and so much taught so well by so few. It shaped my outlook in life. The critical thinking, the questioning, the confidence, the interests in everything that journalists have, and the skills.”

She says, “I’m glad we were part of the adventure days, when we were encouraged to double and triple check facts and do our journalism the hard way, investi-

Changes in the new millennium There has been a steady increase in the number of women enrolling for courses in the university. The number of women enrolling for post-graduate courses has doubled since 2001 (5575) to 2010 (9845). The university has 33 percent reservation for girl students.

The girl students are enrolling in ‘nontraditional’ courses like MBA, MCA and Engineering and Technology. There has been a sharp spurt in enrolment in Education courses too since 2009, perhaps as a result of the Telangana movement and the promise of large-scale recruitment of teachers in a separate Telangana. BEd enrolment went up from 5221 in 2009 to 15,281 in 2011-12. The number of girls enrolling for MPhil and PhD programmes also went up from 431 in 2001 to 1187 in 2011-12.

While the enrolment began to steadily increase, there has been a steady decline in the numbers of faculty, partly because of retirement and partly because of the teachers moving on to other institutions. In the seventies, the bachelor of journalism class had 20 students with 6 or 7 highly qualified teachers. In the 1990s, there were 12 teachers but the class strength went up to 40, plus one third self-finance seats and supernumerary seats that brought the total strength to 60 +.

The university itself went through traumatic political and cultural upheavals.

So much so, a self-styled ‘student leader’ with a proclivity to moral policing objected to girls protecting themselves from the sun with their chunnis during an outdoor photo-journalism class! As there were no student union elections, campus began to abound with ‘self-styled’ leaders.

For a few years, the campus acquired a reputation for unruly, illiberal politics.

This impacted girl students as well.

A more recent student, Zehra, says that “I was determined not to take admission even if I were offered a seat on campus.”

She says, when she finally got into the journalism programme on campus, “My perspective about the college changed totally. In the department there is no discrimination based on gender, and I never felt insecure even when the agitation for Telangana was at its peak.”

A working journalist over the last three years, Zehra feels that the exposure provided by the department has developed her personality and has given her an opportunity to meet interesting people who are achievers.

Girl students and challenges The warm memories of a nurturing department and university, of course, do not imply that the university was a utopia and completely problem free. The women on campus have always stood up for their own rights as well as for the rights of others.

Osmania University women alumni were in the forefront of left-liberal activism and participated with courage and insight in many social movements, producing scholar-activists like Lalitha of Anveshi and Prof Rama Melkote. Anveshi More on Page 15

PERSONALITIES

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Osmania Courier 26 April 2017

Visionaries who shaped Osmania’s destiny

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n reaching the century milestone, Osmania University has come across men who have given their all to make the institution stand out. If the vision of the founder himself was exemplary, people who took the baton later left indelible impression on their times. As OU enters the 100th year of its formation, it's important to recall the contribution of some Vice-Chancellors, who worked in the most turbulent times of the varsity's history and took tough decisions to restore the glory of this famed institution.

Prof. D.C. Reddy (1999-2002)

(From left to right) Nawab Ali Yavar Jung Bahadur, Prof. Suri Bhagavantham, Prof. D.S. Reddy and Prof. Ravada Satyanarayana.

Nawab Ali Yawar Jung Bahadur (1948-52)

The credit for mainstreaming and integrating the then vernacular OU into the broader milieu of post-Independence era goes to him. He headed OU when Hyderabad State was merged into the Indian Union. The Nizam College (established in 1887), affiliated to University of Madras till then became a part of Osmania University in 1948. He later scaled many an academic, diplomatic and gubernatorial rungs in his career. Many of the University’s later traditions and usages were said to be the refined legacy bequeathed by him.

Prof. J. Anantha Swamy (2002-04)

(L-R) Justice P. Jaganmohan Reddy, Prof. G. Ram Reddy, Syed Hashim Ali (IAS), and Prof. T. Navaneeth Rao

Prof. Suri Bhagavantham (1952-57)

He set a new vision for the university and embarked on integrated development of science education and research through institution-building and interface with national laboratories. He was a distinguished Physicist nurtured in the footsteps of the Nobel Laureate Sir CV Raman. He brought in interdisciplinary research culture in the University and established a string of science departments and laboratories. He later became the Director of IISC, Bengaluru.

(L-R) Prof. M. Malla Reddy, Prof. V. Ramakistayya, Prof. D.C. Reddy and Prof. J. Anatha Swamy

He is credited with the establishment of University-Industry Hub for the first _ time on the campus and also launched a unique course 'Learn while you Earn' in B.Com in association with GECIS. The library also went digital. President A.P.J. Abdul Kalarn attended 77th convocation of OU while Hameed Karzai, Afghanistan President, also visited the varsity during his term.

Prof. T. Tirupati Rao (2008-11)

(L-R) Prof. Mohd Suleman Siddiqui, Prof. T. Tirupati Rao, Prof. S. Satyanarayana and Prof. S. Ramachandram Prof. G. Ram Reddy (1977-82)

He was an outstanding teacher and provided a healing touch to the university transitioning through a turbulent era with the OU becoming the hotbed of the Telangana agitation.

Known for envisioning distance education as a viable and alternative mode, he was instrumental in the establishment of the first State open university (BRAOU) and also the first national open university (IGNOU) in India. The University witnessed rejuvenation of academic activity and allround development. He later served as the Chairman, University Grants Commission.

Justice P. Jaganmohan Reddy (1975-77)

Syed Hashim Ali (1982-85)

A jurist, he took on the mantle of resurrection of OU from the prevailing rot and brought in discipline while creating conducive atmosphere for serious academic pursuits. The notoriety of mass copying was suppressed by him and he set right students by debarring them for copying.

The university established three District PG Centres to expand the avenues of higher education during his tenure. It was his initiative to conduct Entrance Test for Admission into PG courses in the University.

An IAS officer with an academic bent of mind, he succeeded in stabilising the university and infusing dynamism into its functioning. He took upon campus beautification to create conducive academic ambience and all the greenery one sees on the campus now and the pavements is attributed to him. He later headed the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU).

Prof. Ravada Satyanarayana (1969-72)

He set out with significant initiatives of consolidation of academic reforms like extension of semester system and establishment of new institutions such as Research, Development and Consultancy Cell (RDCC) and Alumni Association of Osmania University (AAOU). He extended semester system to all affiliated colleges and was also credited with the modern Central Facility Building.

Prof. Mohd Suleman Siddiqui (2005-08)

Prof. D.S. Reddy (1957-69)

It was an epoch-making period for OU that registered substantial progress in different spheres and emerged a pace-setter in higher education at the national level.

The university celebrated golden jubilee on a grand scale in 1968. He vigorously pursued the cause of university autonomy.

He brought visibility and national character to the University through acquisition of finest faculty talent and establishment of new departments and infrastructure development.

He unveiled a distinctive vision for OU and pursued with passion his mission for its planned development. Besides academic reforms like introduction of semester system in PG courses, he also initiated institutional innovations like Directorate of Admissions and University Foreign Relations Office (UFRO) as a single window agency for international students. The university secured NAAC grade of five stars in 2001 under him. He also took a bold decision of closing down hostels for vacations thus driving away non-boarders while the allocation of rooms was taken away from the clutches of student unions.

Prof. T. Navaneeth Rao (1985-91)

The credit for vigorous pursuit of sus-

tained development of the university and protection of university land goes to him.

He built the massive boundary wall that helps the university in keeping the land sharks away, to a large extent. He also strengthened the network of District PG Centres by setting up one centre each in Nalgonda and Mahabubnagar, which now have been elevated as State universities.

Prof. M. Malla Reddy (1991-95)

The university celebrated platinum jubilee during his tenure marked by several controversies. But he was credited with the expansion of District PG Centres along with the conferment of autonomy to campus colleges.

Prof. V. Ramakistayya (1996-99)

He successfully pursued the task of streamlining the university functioning and setting up of four specific inter-disciplinary centres of excellence to promote teaching and research. The university also hosted 85th session of the Indian Science Congress in 1998.

Despite the Telangana agitation -Th being at its peak during his term, he launched the Choice-Based Semester System (CBCS) and ensured that exams were held at any cost, thus saving the academic year.

A well-known social scientist, he had to go through a tough period as even teachers joined the separate statehood agitation.

Addition of girls' hostels was another positive aspect of his period.

Prof. S. Satyanarayana (2011-14)

He inherited the hostile atmosphere on the campus with the Telangana agitation spiralling and the reputation of the academic institution being at stake. However, it was during his tenure that the university secured the prestigious University with Potential for Excellence (UPE) status.

Prof. S. Ramachandram (2016 onwards)

He held several positions in the university as Dean(Informatics), HoD of Dept of CSE, Chairman Board of Studies, Vice Principal of University College of Engineering, Director University Computer Center, Additional Controller (EDP) Examination Branch, Nodal officer for TEQIP Project Phase-I and Project Coordinator for TEQIP Phase-II. His research areas include Mobile Computing and Grid and Cloud Computing. He has authored books on Software Engineering, Operating Systems.

COLLEGES

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Koti Women’s College:

Asma Sharia Anantha Lakshmi Latchayya

TRULY MAJESTIC

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s Osmania University gears up to celebrate its Centenary this year, there is one more iconic college, with a history of its own, the University College for Women, also popularly known as Koti Women’s College.

A constituent college of Osmania, the college was established in the year 1924. Located on the Northern banks of River Musi in the city of Hyderabad, it is one of the first institutions established for women’s education in Hyderabad. This site was originally the home and the office of the British Resident from 1779 to 1947. It was built during the time of Sir James Achilles Kirkpatrick, who was the sixth resident of Hyderabad.

Commissioned in 1803 by Sir Kirkpatrick, its builder Lt. Samuel Russell of the Madras Engineers, along with his team of skilled builders, erected a magnificent structure that has stood the test of time and still evokes a sense of awe in those who set eyes on it. The edifice is an impressive model of Palladian architecture, with massive Corinthian pillars that stand forty feet tall, and has been recognized as a Heritage structure. Twenty-one marble steps lead up to the entrance guarded by two lions.

The Durbar Hall’s painted ceiling is a sight to behold, and the parquet floors of inlayed

“The buildings, the paths, the trees, and the people... everything here has magic, an aura of positivity and it is a happening place all the time”

PICS: LENNY EMANUEL

wood make a soft tapping sound as one walks inside. The four floor-to-ceiling length mirrors placed opposite to each other in the hall gives the feeling of stepping into a different era in time.

An oil painting of Mir Osman Ali Khan hangs in one corner of the hall. A statue of Mahatma Gandhi has been strategically placed in the middle of the double staircase that leads up from the backside of the building, portraying the triumph of democracy over monarchy.

Durbar Hall’s landscape is dotted by three arched gateways, named after Lord Roberts, The Commander-in-Chief, Lord Lansdowne, the Viceroy and Queen Victoria herself. The back side of the building with its spectacular Empress gate, from NIZAM COLLEGE

where Begum Khairunissa (wife of Sir Kirkpatrick) entered her Rang Mahal (now in a dilapidated condition). An old lawn roller made by Richardson and company lies as a testimony that once these gardens were as maintained as the queen of the palace.

The Durbar Hall falls in the category of Protected Monuments list of Hyderabad Urban Development Authority and the State government, for it is in dire need of repairs and removal of modern accretions to restore the authentic aspects of the building.

Rs.17 crore has been set aside to reinstate the charm of Durbar Hall.

Apart from the Durbar Hall, several of the buildings in the college date back to the time of Sir Kirkpatrick. Spanning over

SUMMER PALACE STANDS TALL

an area of 42 acres, the college is nestled right in the midst of the bustling city, and yet manages to shut out the air and sound pollution of the busy streets, providing a quiet haven for the students, in a campus full of trees and lush greenery. Says K.S.N. Jyothi, Assistant Professor in the Department of Genetics, and an alumna of the College, says,“To find a serene place such as this amidst the daily traffic and rush, to study or to work, is truly a blessing. My association with this lovely college for almost two decades now has taught me to find inner peace and happiness in every walk of life. The buildings, the paths, the trees, and the people... everything here has magic, an aura of positivity, and it is a happening place all the time.”

Pranith K Reddy

N

izam College is a constituent college of Osmania University established in 1887 during the reign of Nawab Mir Mahaboob Ali Khan, Asaf Jah VI, in Basheerbagh, Hyderabad, Telangana by the amalgamation of Hyderabad School (Noble School) and the Madarsa-i-Aliya.

The College was originally the "Mirsarai" of Nawab Safdar Jung Musheer-ud-Daulah Fakhrul-ulMulk II the owner of the grand Errum Manzil palace Fakhar ul mulk and Khan-i-Khanan II,who were the son's of Nawab Fakharul-mulk I,a noble of Hyderabad.

The present building, was a summer palace of Paigah Nawab Mulk Fakrul Bahadur, later he gifted the palace to the college administration.

The founder of the college and of several other educational institutions in the Hyderabad State,

“I feel privileged to be an integral part of this majestic place!” she says.

Says B. Madhulata, another alumna, “I spent five years on this campus, doing both my B.Sc. and M.Sc., and it still doesn’t seem like enough. While it is well known for its historic value, it is also an excellent institution in terms of infrastructure, resources and faculty. Studying here was no less than an adventure, with its mysterious, old buildings that seem to hide secrets of their own.” Quite recently, a walled-up hidden staircase was discovered by the Department of Archaeology and Museums, which is involved in the conservation efforts that are on to restore the glory and strength of the heritage structure. was Syed Hussain Bilgrami (Nawab Imad-ul- Mulk), who did pioneering work in the field of education as the Director of Education. He scouted and then appointed Dr. Aghorenath Chattopadhyay (father of Sarojini Naidu) as the first Principal of the college. It was affiliated to the University of Madras for 60 years after its inception, and was made a Constituent College of Osmania University on 19 February 1947.

Nizam College celebrated its centenary in 1987. The college is one of the oldest and most prestigious institutions of higher education not only in Telangana State but also in India.

In view of its consistently high degree of academic performance and long standing the college had been granted autonomous status and CPE (College with Potential for Excellence) grant by the UGC.

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Osmania Courier 26 April 2017

CAMPUS LORE

Osmania Courier 26 April 2017

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STUDENT MOVEMENTS

As old as University itself University on ground that their medium of instruction differed.

The then Nagpur University Vice Chancellor T.J.Kedar came forward to give an opportunity to seek admission, and he asked them to apply individually for consideration of their cases.

Consequently, in January 1939, Nagpur University and its affiliated colleges admitted all the expelled students of Osmania University, whoever had applied. The whole staff of the university did not mind to forego their summer vacation and held classes for the students. The University of Jabalpur also granted admission to students who participated in Vande Mataram Movement. The expelled students had several political leaders of Hyderabad state like P V Narasimha Rao, Arutla Ramachandra Reddy, Devulapalli Venkateswara Rao.

Osmania University and the majestic building of Arts College have a history of being the epicenter of several social and student movements.

Courier Bureau

T

he student movement in India has a glowing history.

First it was the Independence movement, then the anti-Emergency movement, then the Mandal movement for reservation, and over the decades, many more have produced Indians with a deep social commitment.

Students have a legacy of activism. Their rallies, marches, and boycotts have been vital to conquering the status quo and advancing conversations on issues ranging from jobs to financial reform and shaping public policy and change of government. Despite widespread skepticism of the feasibility of protest in effecting change, students effectively harnessed it as a way to engage officials in conversations about the value of education and more.

Political repression and brutal crackdown have not deterred countless students from taking to the streets demanding reforms, condemning discrimination, and voicing their support for people’s rights and democracy. They have neither winced nor wilted under the bludgeoning of State .They have stayed at the forefront of free speech, civil rights, and anti-war movements around the world. Their movements were not only aimed at transforming academic institutions but also at bringing reforms in political and social fabrics of the world.

Student activism at Osmania University is nearly as old as the University itself. Nearly a dozen student movements saw their genesis here on diverse issues and ideologies. Even while Arts College was under construction, Osmania University had seen a movement called ‘Hyderabad for Hyderabadis’ as a reaction to One may recall that the Mir Osman Ali Khan issued the farman, the royal charter mentioning that Urdu should be the medium of instruction. Since it was the only university teaching in Indian language and also because of the prominence of the people knowing Urdu from United Provinces in the Nizam’s administration, Osmania attracted a lot of outsiders who later joined the public service.

Though the Nizam promulgated Mulki Rules in 1919 reserving

certain positions and ratio for the locals, growing discontentment led to the movement in 1935 and this university was a major centre.

Vande Mataram movement The Vande Mataram Movement was the most significant movement in the history of Hyderabad freedom struggle. The Nizam Government has forbidden the singing of Vande Matram all over the state including the educational Institutions and Hostels, and it became a symbol of nationalist agitation. It was used for rousing the nationalistic sprit among the people The Nationalists of Hyderabad state the civil liberties and student unions launched a united struggle called Vande Mataram in 1938 to fight for the basic civil and political rights of the people.

The origin of this movement in Hyderabad state may be traced in the decision of Nizam Government to conduct special (Religious Discourse) classes viz, Dinayat in all Educational Institutions exclusively for Muslim students. The Non Muslim students were not permitted to sit in the class room during Dinyat . The students of Osmaniya University were influenced by the magnetic personality of Swami Ramanand Tirth, the founder of Hyderabad state Congress.

There were two prayer halls in Osmaniya University Hostels since the beginning of 1938 one for the Muslims and the other for the Hindus. The Muslim prayer hall was free from any restrictions, whereas the songs sung in the Hindu Prayer hall were subjected to scrutiny by the Government as it suspected that songs

like Vande Mataram had political overtones, apart from hurting non Hindus. The University officials banned the singing of the Vande Mataram song in the prayer hall on 28th Novemeber1938.

Despite representations, the Vice chancellor reiterated the earlier ban order o the grounds that it was issued by the Executive council, the supreme Executive body in the state. In the evening of 28 th November, when the day song was banned, the students went to the prayer hall and sang the song.

When students were coming out of the prayer hall of B hostel, the warden and other officials of the University authorities took the signatures of the students who had violated the University order and were asked to leave the hostels on the night of 29 th November 1938.

A committee was formed to spearhead the struggle till their demands were met even as the Government adopted a tough stance. Policemen were posted to the University Hostel Campus and all the connected roads leading to the University.

The University officials gave notice to the strikers that by 13

December 1938 they should apologies and resume classes, otherwise their names would be struck off from the admission rolls. As students refused to comply with the orders, the names of 350 students of the Osmania University College were struck off the rolls on 12 th December 1938. On the same day, 70 students from City College, and 120 students from Mahaboobnagar high School were removed from the respective institution. About 1200 students were removed from the schools and colleges throughout the state for participating in Vande Mataram strike. The Government also stopped the payment of scholarships and fee concessions.

Within a short period the movement became a statewide phenomenon. It received the blessings of national .Leaders like Gandhi, Subash Chandra Bose, and Nehru etc. But the state Government was adamant not to readmit the expelled students. Therefore expelled students planned to go to other neighboring Universities, but Madras and Mysore Universities refused to grant admission to the expelled students of Osmania

Mulki movement

Later, in 1952 the Union Government, particularly Prime Minister Nehru tried to convert Osmania into a Central Hindi university to propagate the language in south India. The Hyderabad civil society in general and Osmania University in particular vehemently opposed this proposal. But in the din, slowly Urdu was replaced by English.

Apart from this movement against proposal for a Hindi University, another major student movement, Mulki movement was started in Osmania University at the same time, opposing non-Mulkis (non locals) taking over education and public services. In all, 18 people succumbed to rifle shots and hundreds were hurt.

The Government arrested and tortured about 350 persons including students and many editors and reporter. Thus government forcefully suppressed the movement.

In 1966, when the then Chief Minister did not like the incumbent D.S Reddy , the Vice Chancellor, brought in an ordinance changing the tenure of the VC and appointed a new person.

The VC challenged it in court while the teachers, non-teaching staff and students laid seige on the campus and did not allow the new appointee to enter the university. He had to sign in his papers in Raj Bhavan and leave without taking charge.

The ideas of Mulki – nativity – continued and resurfaced many a time ultimately leading to the movement for a separate state, popularly known as Jai Telangana movement in 1969.

Osmania being the only university in Telangana at that time Scene at the Nizam College during 1969 agitation for Telangana. spearheaded the movement.

Photo courtesy: Deccan Chronicle More on Page 15

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CREME DE

Osmania Courier 26 April 2017

CROWN JEWELS Osmania University, during its 100-year journey, has been the alma mater to scores and scores of people who excelled in various walks of life and laid the foundations in their respective fields. Like its rock solid academics which stood the test of time, many of its alumni became stalwarts in society and beacons for the succeeding generations. Reams and reams of paper would not suffice to document their invaluable contributions. Owing to space constraints and without prejudice to anyone, Osmania Courier lists a few illustrious alumni and salutes them in this Centenary year.

P.V. Narasimha Rao

Pamulaparti Venkata Narasimha Rao, the ninth Prime Minister of India, popularly known as PV, studied his Bachelor’s degree in the Arts College at Osmania University. He later went to Hislop College, now under Nagpur University, where he completed a Master’s degree in law. Rao was a scholar par excellence. His mother tongue was Telugu, and he had an excellent command of Marathi.

In addition to eight other Indian languages (Hindi, Oriya, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Sanskrit, Tamil and Urdu), he was said to speak English, French, Arabic, Spanish, German and Persian.

PV edited a Telugu weekly magazine called ‘Kakatiya Patrika’, in the 1940s along with others. Both PV and Sadasiva Rao contributed articles under the pen-name “Jaya-Vijaya”.

His ascendancy to the primeministership, in the aftermath of the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, was politically significant in the sense that he

Prof. G. Ram Reddy

Prof. G. Ram Reddy is the architect of Distance Education and the father of open learning in India.

He was presented the prestigious Sri Raja-Lakshmi Foundation Award for his stupendous work in Education in 1994. In memory of his remarkable services, the Andhra Pradesh Government named the Centre of Distance Education in Osmania University as Prof. G. Ram Reddy Centre of Distance Education.

was the first holder of this office from a non-Hindi-speaking region. As Prime Minister, Rao deftly managed the pressures of the high office and was able to bring about the most significant change in the post-Independence Indian economy. Often referred to as the Father of Indian Economic Reforms, he was personally responsible for the dismantling of the socalled “Licence Raj”, by changing the Industries (Development and Regulation) Act, as this came under the purview of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

His tenure as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh is also equally well remembered today for the land reforms and strict implementation of land ceiling acts in Telangana region. Rao held several diverse portfolios, most significantly Home, Defence and Foreign Affairs, in the cabinets of both Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. He was the first person outside the NehruGandhi family to serve as Prime Minister for five continuous years, the first to hail from southern India, and also the first from the state of the united Andhra Pradesh.

Prof. Patcha Ramachandra Rao

Patcha Ramachandra Rao, metallurgist and administrator, graduated with a master’s degree in Physics from Osmania University in 1961. Rao was drawn to metallurgy, which had turned into an academic discipline from being a craft only decades earlier. Rao’s doctoral dissertation on the rapid solidification of liquids (at a rate of a million degrees per second) laid the foundation for research in this area in India. He was said to be the first outside the United States to conduct research in this area.

Dr. Y.V. Reddy

Dr. Yaga Venugopal Reddy, better known as Y. V. Reddy, was an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the 1964 batch who served as Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) from 6 September 2003 to 5 September 2008. He obtained his PhD in Economics from Osmania University in 1960. A witty speaker, Dr. Reddy had started out as a lecturer in 1961 prior to joining the IAS. As RBIGovernor, Dr. Reddy adopted a calibrated approach to financial sector reforms. A 19 December 2008 article in the New York Times has credited the tough lending standards he imposed on the Indian banks for saving the entire Indian banking system from the sub-

prime and liquidity crisis of 2008.

In 2010, he was awarded India’s second highest civilian honour, the Padma Vibhushan.

He had also worked with the International Monetary Fund as Executive Director in 2002.

He has held the positions of Secretary (Banking) in Ministry of Finance and Principal Secretary to Government of Andhra Pradesh and has worked with the governments of China, Bahrain, Ethiopia and Tanzania. He has been a Visiting Fellow, London School of Economics, a full-time UGC Visiting Professor in Department of Business Management, Osmania University; full-time Visiting Faculty, Administrative Staff College of India and continues to be the Honorary Senior Fellow at Centre for Economic and Social Studies at Hyderabad.

Dr C. Narayana Reddy

Cingireddy Narayana Reddy ‘Cinare’ was a Professor in the Department of Telugu, Osmania University. He won the Jnanpith Award in 1988 and is considered an authority on Telugu literature. He had been awarded an honorary Kala Prapoorna by Andhra University in 1978, having been a recipient of the Padma Shri in 1977, and in 1992 he was honoured with India's third-highest civilian award, the Padma Bhushan.

Reddy entered film industry in 1962, writing all the songs for ‘Gulebakavali Katha’. He became famous with the song

Nannu dochu kunduvate...vannela dorasani.

He became known to a wide public as a lyricist for several famous Telugu films. He has written more than 3000 songs and contributed to the success of many films.

Narayana Reddy was nominated to the Rajya Sabha – the upper house of the Indian Parliament in August 1997.

Prof. Bhadriraju Krishnamurti

Prof. Bhadriraju Krishnamurti founded the Department of Linguistics at Osmania University, which later became the first Centre of Advanced Studies in Linguistics in India.

He served as Professor from 1962 to 1986. He was also instrumental in conceptualising, designing and implementing the compilation of a ‘Telugu Dialect Dictionary of Occupational Vocabularies in Andhra Pradesh, India,’ and so far over a dozen volumes covering different occupations and dialects have been published. This series is first of its kind in India.

He was an eminent Dravidianist and one of the most respected Indian linguists of his generation: he was the first of the two Indian scholars to become a fellow of the prestigious Royal Society of Edinburgh (2004), and only second Indian after S. K. Chatterji to receive an honorary membership from the Linguistic Society of America. He was Vice Chancellor of the University of Hyderabad from 1986 to 1993.

His magnum opus The Dravidian Languages is considered a landmark volume in the study of Dravidian linguistics. He was a student and close associate of Murray Barnson Emeneau. He got his A.M. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Pennsylvania in 1955 and 1957 respectively. Krishnamurti was also associated with the study of South Indian languages in many western institutions.

LA CREME

Osmania Courier 26 April 2017

Prof. J.N. Reddy

Junuthula N. Reddy is Distinguished Professor, Regents' Professor and inaugural holder of the Oscar S. Wyatt Endowed Chair in Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University, USA. He is one of the researchers responsible for the development of the Finite Element Method (FEM). He is an authoritative figure in the broad area of mechanics. He has made seminal contributions in the areas of finite element method, plate theory, solid mechanics, variational methods, mechanics of composites, functionally graded materials, fracture mechanics, plasticity, biomechanics, classical and non-Newtonian fluid mechanics, and applied functional analysis. Reddy has over 580 journal papers, 20 books and has given nu-

Dr. V.K. Saraswat

Scientist Vijay Kumar Saraswat obtained a Doctorate in Propulsion Engineering from Osmania University after completing his Bachelors in Engineering from Madhav Institute of Technology & Science, Gwalior, and MTech from Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore.

Dr. Saraswat, started his career in DRDO in 1972 at the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad and was responsible for the development of country’s first Liquid Propulsion Engine, DEVIL. As Project Director of Prithvi, he steered the design, development, production and induction of the first indigenous Surface-to-Surface missile system into the armed forces. He is regarded as one of the key scientists in the team of former President of India, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. He served as the Director General of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Chief Scientific Advisor to the Indian Minister of Defence. He is a recipient of the Padma Shri from the Government of India.

Makhdoom Mohiuddin

Makhdoom Mohiuddin hailed from Andole in Medak district, then part of Hyderabad State. He received his schooling and religious education in his village and later on moved to Hyderabad to pursue higher education, where he received a Bachelors and followed by a master’s degree in 1936 from Osmania University. He settled down in Hyderabad after completing his higher education and committed himself to the fight for a Free India against British-occupation.

Mohiuddin started working as a lecturer at the City College in 1934 and taught Urdu literature. He was a distinguished revolutionary Urdu poet and Marxist political activist of India. He was the founder of the Communist Party in Andhra Pradesh. He rallied against the then-monarchy of the Princely State of Hyderabad to merge with the newly liberated Indian Union. The then-ruler of Hyderbad, Mir Osman Ali Khan, had issued orders to kill him for his work that served to arouse people to fight for freedom and abolition of Nawab (“princely”) rule. He founded the Progressive Writers Union in Hyderabad and was active with the Comrades Association and the Communist Party of India, and at the forefront of the 1946–1947 Telangana Rebellion against the Nizam of the erstwhile Hyderabad state.

merous national and international talks.

He has advised around 36 postdoctoral fellows, 65 Ph.D. students, and 46 M.S students over 40 years.

Many of his PhD and postdoctoral students are now faculty members in reputed universities across the world. He has been listed as a highly cited author in Engineering by the ISI Web of Knowledge, Thomson Scientific Company.

Dr. Reddy is one of the original top 100 ISI Highly Cited Researchers in Engineering around world, with h-index of over 66 as per Web of Science; the number of citations is over 47,000 with h-index of 89 and i10index of 405 (i.e., 405 papers are cited at least 10 times) as per Google Scholar.

Prof. Shantha Sinha

Prof. Shantha Sinha did her MA in Political Science from Osmania University in 1970. She obtained her PhD from JNU in 1976. She is an antichild labour activist of international reputation. She is the founder of Mamidipudi Venkatarangaiya Foundation, popularly known as MV Foundation (which is named in memory of her grandfather Mamidipudi Venkatarangaiah), and was a Professor in the Department of Political science at the University of Hyderabad. She headed the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights for two consecutive terms.

As a rights activist, her work led to a phenomenal reduction in child labour in nearly 500 villages of Ranga Reddy district in Telangana. Recognising her work, the Government of India appointed her as the first chairperson of the newly formed NCPCR. She won 2003 Ramon Magsaysay award for community leadership. She has also been awarded the Padma Shri (1999).

Ananda Shankar Jayant

Ananda Shankar Jayant completed her master’s degree in Ancient Indian History and Culture from Osmania University. She passed the civil services examination to join the Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS), thus becoming the first woman officer of the service. While serving IRTS, she continued her studies to secure an MPhil in Art History on a UGC research scholarship and a doctoral degree (PhD) in tourism, her thesis being Promotion of Tourism in India - Role of Railways.

She is an Indian classical dancer, choreographer, scholar and bureaucrat, known for her proficiency in the classical dance forms of Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi.

Her 2009 TED talk is ranked among the top twelve Incredible TED talks on cancer.

She is a recipient of Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Kalaimamani Award of the Government of Tamil Nadu and Kala Ratna Award of the Government of Andhra Pradesh. The Government of India awarded her Padma Shri in 2007 for her contributions to arts. The Government of Andhra Pradesh included her in the Ugadi Day honours list for the Kala Ratna award in 2008. She received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2009.

Shyam Benegal

Shyam Benegal received an MA in Economics from NIzam College, Osmania University. In 1959, he started working as a copywriter at a Bombay-based advertising agency, Lintas Advertising, where he steadily rose to become a creative head. Meanwhile, Benegal made his first documentary in Gujarati, ‘Gher Betha Ganga’ (Ganges at Doorstep) in 1962. His first feature film had to wait another decade while he worked on the script.

In 1963 he had a brief stint with another advertising agency called ASP (Advertising, Sales and Promotion). During his advertising years, he directed over 900 sponsored documentaries and advertising films.

Between 1966 and 1973, Shyam taught at the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune, and twice served as the institute’s chairman: 1980–83 and 1989–92. By this time he had already started making documentaries. One of his early documentaries, A Child of the Streets (1967), garnered him wide acclaim. In all, he Prof. Ramulu Mamidala

Dr. Ramulu Mamidala is a mechanical engineering professor at University of Washington. Usually called 'Ram', or 'M.R.', he is recognised for promoting collaborative education and research with industry. He is currently the director of Manufacturing Science and Technology Laboratory (MSTL) at Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Washington. He has designed and developed manufacturing methods for a wide range of systems, from the B2 bomber to the Boeing 787.

Professor Ramulu received a B.E. in mechanical engineering with distinction from Osmania University, India;

S. Jaipal Reddy

Sudini Jaipal Reddy is a former member of the Lok Sabha from Congress party. He last represented Chevella constituency of Telangana. He has an M.A. and Bachelor of Communication & Journalism from the Osmania University. He was a member of the Congress Party but quit to protest against the emergency and joined the Janata Party in 1977. He contested the 1980 Lok Sabha elections unsuccessfully from Medak against Indira Gandhi. He served as a Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting in the IK Gujral cabinet in 1998. In 1999, he returned to Indian National Congress K. Keshava Rao

K. Keshava Rao did his B.Com. at Badruka College, then pursued an Bachelor of Communication & Journalism and later PhD at Osmania University. He started his career as a journalist, actor producer after a shot stint as teacher at Mahboob College MP High School. He was editor of The Daily News,a popular daily in English, printed from Hyderabad. He had his apprentice in the Indian Express, Vijayawada and The Patriot, Delhi. His writings were well received. He opposed the Emergency (1975-77), particularly the censorship of the media and The Daily News was blacklisted

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has made over 70 documentary and short films.

He received independent financing and Ankur (The Seedling) was finally made in 1973. It was a story of economic and sexual exploitation in Telangana, and Benegal instantly shot to fame. The film introduced actors Shabana Azmi and Anant Nag and won Benegal the 1975 National Film Award for Second Best Feature Film.

With his first four feature films Ankur (1973), Nishant (1975), Manthan (1976) and Bhumika (1977) he created a new genre, which has now come to be called the “middle cinema” in India. He has expressed dislike of the term, preferring his work to be called New or Alternate cinema. The success that New India Cinema enjoyed in the 1970s and early 1980s could largely be attributed to Shyam Benegal’s quartet: Ankur (1973), Nishant (1975), Manthan (1976) and Bhumika (1977).

M.Tech in production engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi. He completed his doctoral degree at University of Washington in 1982. He established and directed two graduate educational programs and developed a certificate program in Composite Materials & Manufacturing that serves working aerospace engineers in collaboration with The Boeing Company. He is a recipient of the NSF Presidential Young Investigator Award and has supervised more than 250 graduate students.

after 21 years.

In 2004 he was reelected to 14th Lok Sabha from Miryalguda Constituency and served as a Minister for Information and Broadcasting and Minister for Urban Development in United Progressive Alliance-1. He acted as the spokesman for several parties of which he has been a member and was awarded the Outstanding Parliamentarian Award in 1998. Reddy hails from Nermatta, a village in Chandur Mandal in Nalgonda District in Telangana State but is actually from Maadgula, Mahbubnagar district in Telangana. for it. He was the producer and screenplay writer of a National Award winning feature film in Telugu, Nimajjanam in 1979.

Dr.Rao has been a senior Congressmen, holding many high positions in the Party and Government. Dr. Rao was a Cabinet Minister in the three consecutive governments in the state of Andhra Pradesh, holding important portfolios like Education, Industry and Labor.

Earlier Keshava Rao was Dy Chairman of the Legislative Council of Andhra Pradesh. He was elected to Rajya Sabha 2006-12. At present, he is Secretary General of TRS party.

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Osmania Courier 26 April 2017

RESEARCH

Osmania Courier 26 April 2017

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STARRY EXPLOITS Alekhya Kondapuram

T

he elusive “falling star” that is sought after in John Donne’s “Go And Catch A Falling Star” signifies woman, especially women of the virtuous and fair kind.

In real life too, counting stars by human beings remains elusive. But the Department of Astronomy, Osmania University, has shattered this notion and has tracked the course and named 23,000 stars in our universe through its observatory.

“Osmania University is the only University in the country to have an observatory of its own”, says Dr. Shantipriya, Head, Department of Astronomy, pointing out that it is the most significant asset. Over the past century, it has made several other research contributions as well to the field of astronomy.

Some of the landmark astronomical events were recorded for posterity by the Observatory’s telescope as photographs.

The total solar eclipse in 1983 that was visible only in India was captured by the Japal-Rangapur Observatory nearly 70 kilometers from the city. The rare phenomenon that it was, many international experts visited the Japal-Rangapur observatory to have a glimpse of the eclipse.

The visit by Halley’s comet, which is occurs every 76 years, was also captured by the telescope in the year 1986.

In the year 1996,a comet named Shoemaker-Levy 9 col-

(Clockwise from top) Japal Rangapur Observatory; Shoemaker Levy comet; and total solar eclipse captured by the 48-inch telescope at the observatory in 1983.

lided with Jupiter. As a result, the comet was shattered to many pieces, and is touted to be the first direct observation of an extraterrestrial collision in the solar system. The Rangapur observatory captured this collision.

With the help of the data obtained from the telescope at JRO, as many as 130 research papers have been published.

In the year 2004, it was decided that the manual mode of functioning of the telescope should be dismantled so as to allow automation. Unfortunately, the automation could not materialize. Though the optics of the telescope were still robust, the technology had become obsolete. Efforts were on till 2009

to revive the telescope, but to no avail; hence, the telescope at the Japal Rangapur Observatory is no longer functional.

“A two-metre telescope costs around 50-60 crores. The 48inch telescope at Japal-Rangapur is a one-metre telescope. We have now submitted a proposal for purchasing a 0.5 metre telescope, on the occasion of the University’s Centenary, which costs around Rs. 2 crore”, says Dr. Shanti Priya.

However, there are two 8inch astrographs present in the observatory, which were later shifted back to Begumpet. With the help of these two astrographs, a whopping 23,000 stars were catalogued and named.

Even today, many astronomers use this catalogue as a reference, a testimony to the quality of research that took place at the observatory.

At present, in the Department of Astronomy, there are two 12inch telescopes, two 2-inch telescopes, and two 6-inch telescopes, one of them assembled by the research scholars at the department itself. Around 170 high-quality research papers have been published by the faculty and research scholars at the department so far. Their current research projects include those of Department of Science and Technology, Young Researcher Project, the DST start-up projects among many others.

The beginnings of the Observatory date back to 1908, when the Nizamiah Observatory was set up in Begumpet, Hyderabad.

When Osmania University was established in the year 1917, the then officials decided to hand over the control of the observatory to the University.

But it was in 1919, Nawab Jafar Jung Bahadur, transferred it to the University. Urban ills of congestion and pollution in Begumpet area impeded research work at the observatory, as astronomical studies require dark nights to make accurate observations. So, in 1955, it was decided to relocate the observatory from Begumpet to a place that was far from the city glare.

A site search was initiated by Dr. Akbar Ali in 1957, under the India Wheat Loan Educational Exchange Program, in collaboration with the U.S. government. Dr. K. D. Abhyankar played a key role in selecting the new observatory site at Japal – Rangapur, which was to house the 48-inch reflecting telescope.

The telescope was installed in Japal-Rangapur, Under the directorship of Prof. Karandikar.

The observatory is 15km away from Ibrahimpatnam, on the city outskirts.

The Department of Astronomy was set up later, in the year 1959. Initially, the department offered graduate and postgraduate courses in astronomy. However, it currently offers only a postgraduate degree in astronomy. It is a highly research oriented department. Major research in the observatory involves the examination of variable stars and meteors. A variable star is one which has a variation in brightness. This variation could be attributed to various factors like physical explosion, formation of eclipses, etc.

Science research gets a fillip Sneha Verghese Sushma Nagaraju

I

f the filing of 40 patents and over a lakh publications by faculty and research scholars in reputed national and international journals, and the science faculty alone producing nearly 400 high impact research papers annually is any indication, science research in Osmania University is treading a steady path.

Research activity has been bolstered as Osmania University is one among the six universities in the country to be given the University with Potential for Excellence (UPE) status for a period of five years from 2012-17 with a grant of Rs. 50 crore The UPE has two components - Focused Area Research (FAR) - Materials Research, and Holistic development. An amount of Rs. 15 crore has been earmarked for the FAR and Rs. 35 crore for the Holistic development. About Rs. 30 crore were released for the Holistic development in 2013.

The Materials Research project, comprises projects on (i) Materials for Energy and Industry

The Centre for Advanced Research and Training Earth Sciences has made significant advances by conducting geological, geophysical, geochemical and hydrological studies in parts of Nalgonda, Mahbubnagar and Ranga Reddy districts (ii) Materials for Food Security and (iii) Materials for Healthcare applications. While research on Nanomaterials and Spintronics is on to develop materials for Energy/Industry, the possibility of developing innovative food security and health care materials are being explored through research on transgenic plants, microbial fermentation products and natural/synthetic bioactive products.

The products are expected to be commercially viable, and to contribute greatly to sensor technology and drug delivery research.

The Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, Biochemistry and Microbiology departments, along with the Centre for Plant and Molecular Biology(CPMB) have been entrusted with developing next-generation material applications. The major role of communicating the progress made in these research projects

to the common public has been entrusted to the Department of Communication and Journalism, along with developing strategies for exploratory research. The FAR program has overseen the hosting of 14 National Conferences / Workshops and the publication of 75 high quality research papers.

The Centre for Advanced Research and Training- Earth Sciences (CART-ES) that was instituted as part of the Holistic Area Development, has made significant advances by conducting geological, geophysical and geochemical, hydrological studies in parts of Nalgonda, Mahbubnagar and Rangareddy districts.

The research focuses on crustal evolution in selected regions, its potential and management. Socio economic surveys have been conducted in active mining areas, and field work was carried out

specifically in the Gadwal area.

The Centre for Advanced Research and training-Governance and Development(CART-GD), the second initiative of the Holistic Area Development Program, aims at developing better strategies and delivery mechanisms that facilitate democratic governance in diverse social settings and to help strengthen existing institutions and institutional practices by shifting the focus to participatory governance. It acts through organizing and supporting training programs for various stakeholders, and by providing consultant services to various governmental and nongovernmental organizations in the areas of field research, policy administration and management.

Three National seminars have been conducted, and capacity building initiatives for the empowerment of women, tribal communities and the traditionally disempowered have been undertaken.

The Centre for Advanced Training and Research- Translation and Multilingualism (CART- TM) is a unique initiative proposed by Osmania under

the Holistic Development Program to further the role of classical languages and translation in higher education. The CARTTM recently organized a “Festival of Languages”, and conducted two national seminars that explored the linguistic diversity in the country and the role of translation.

“The program implementation has been quite satisfactory.

The Advisory Committee of the UGC, which visited the University on 13 March, 2017, satisfied with the progress recommended for an extension of two more years to complete pending projects”, says Prof. Parthasarathy, Dean, UGC Affairs. The UGC Review Committee is expected to visit the University once again in the first week of June, 2017, for further evaluation.

Apart from the research efforts being put in under the UPE program, Osmania has been the recipient of several other funding programs from the centre. Osmania University was the only state university to be chosen for the DBT-ISLARE program by the Department of Biotechnology in 2009.

LANDMARK

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Osmania Courier 26 April 2017

C

ut off from the din and pollution of the twin cities of Hyderabad, and nestling in the green environs of the 1,500 acre campus is Arts College .

Documents reveal that the Osmania University College, (Arts College) was inaugurated on August 28, 1919. Sir Ross Masood was the first Principal of the college. The college was temporarily housed in eight rented buildings in Gunfoundry area with 25 teachers and 225 students in the Intermediate first year class. But since the authorities found the location unsuitable for expansion, it was decided to acquire a site and have building worthy of the University. Subsequently, a vast portion of land was acquired near Adikmet in 1928. Prior to executing the plans, it was considered a important to depute two of its suitable and experienced Engineers to a world tour, to study the requirement of a modern model university- both from academic and engineering points of view and to propose the appointment of a Consultant Architect. A team of experts with Sri Syed Ali Raza (later Ali Nawaz Jung), an Engineer and Nawab Zain Yar Jung, an architect, was sent abroad to study and suggest a model plan.

The group toured Great Britain, Europe, America, Japan, Egypt and Turkey, and recommended the appointment of Monsieur Jasper, a Belgian as an architect. Jasper prepared a detailed plan of all the university buildings. After Jasper left Hyderabad in1931, Nawab Zain Yar Jung executed the plans for which he was awarded a Padma Bhushan for his outstanding service to the field of architecture.

Much thought and careful planning lies behind the selection of the present site of the Campus of Osmania University with the Arts College building as the central structure. The last Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan evinced intense desire for the success of the university scheme and agreed to lay the foundation stone of Arts College himself.

H.E.H. Nizam VII, laid the foundation stone for the Arts College building on 5th July, 1934 and it was declared open by him on 4 December 1939.

The Arts college has an architectural heritage structure similar to College of Sultan Hassan in Cairo, Egypt and was meant to reflect implicitly some lofty and noble ideals of Indian education.

The edifice is a synonym for architectural uniqueness unspoilt by the arrival of new fangled architectonics.

This stately granite giant, an articulate specimen of later Osman Shahi architecture, combines the archetypal characteristics of the Hindu temple styles with those of the Saracenic. Inlaid into this unique form are motifs of medieval Moslem, Arabic, Moorish and even Gothic schools of architecture.

The unspoiled edifice reveals majesty and is the nucleus of the 95-year old Osmania University.

The College was originally Osmania University itself and from here starts a bio-spiritual journey into the world of art and aesthetics revealing itself in

PIC: LENNY EMANUEL

BEAUTY IN PINK GRANITE The stately granite giant, an articulate specimen of later Osman Shahi architecture, combines the archetypal characteristics of the Hindu temple styles with those of the Saracenic. Inlaid into this unique form are motifs of medieval Moslem, Arabic, Moorish and Gothic schools of architecture. sculptured granite.

The College of Arts and Social Sciences of the famed Osmania University, popularly known as the Arts College, a doublestoried construction covers a plinth area of 2.5 lakh sq. ft. with cellars bringing up the level of depressed portion to the ground floor level of the building. The cellars meant to be used as locker, store and cloak rooms. The exterior of the basement is of dressed granite, the interior lime plastered and its roof is done in Jach arch. Built in dressed granite of pink shade obtained from quarries within the project area, Arts college stands without a parallel, unique amongst its contemporaries.

A large number of imported dressers, the majority of whom hailed from remote towns in Southern India like Tanjore, Turukapalam, Conjeeveram, etc., are busy like the bee, patiently carved and dressed one of the hardest varieties of granite.

The visitor is mesmerised by the innards of the great welcome arch built in dressed granite, seemingly supported by two soaring, round and polished granite columns. The main entrance to the building is an immense portal in a vertical oblong stands out from the façade and is higher than the side walls and winds of the structure. It encloses a trefoil arch whose peak soars higher than the walls of the edifice to either side of the portal.

The arch houses a semicircular

vault with stalactites, resulting in a synthesis of several major architectural themes of iwan, arch and monumental portal. The interior of the arch is deep to make an iwan covered by a semi-circular vault with stalactites. The result is a synthesis of several major architectural themes of iwan, arch, monumental portal, sanctifying half dome, stalactite ornamentation reproducing the form of a Mihrab. The college exterior can be broadly divided into the centrepiece consisting of a grand arch which has a huge doorway designed after the Persian Pishtaq or the mosque of the yesteryears.

On the either side of the centrepiece are two double-storied colonnaded galleries, each reflection of the other. The huge doorway with its marvellous arch, welcomes the staff, students and all the visitors to the striking interior. Inside the college you’ll find the flooring, staircase balustrade and railings covered in pink terrazzo. The flooring of the first and the second floor was done in -Shahabad stones. Atop the centre of the hallway you’ll find a fantastic dome with chande liers set.

The dome is double-decked in structure, the first deck has sixteen sides and the second deck, a downward extension of the first, has sixteen windows related to each side of the first deck. The dome has 32 inverted “A” symbols with 16 windows. But the uniqueness and strength is not

confined to the building.

The portal found in madrasas and mosques of medieval welcome a visitor into a sacred interior. The remarkable tall polished round granite pillars flank the entrance, accentuating the vision of height of the portal. The main cornice and parapet were done partly in dressed granite and partly imitation. Railing in external verandahs were cast and fixed in artificial granite. The overall plan is perfectly symmetrical. If we exclude the portal, the three façades of the building are treated alike and the symmetry and the repetitive rhythm of each side is pleasing.

Into this façade of Islamic character, the look of rock-cut architecture of the Deccan seems integrated. For the instance a Tin Tal at Ellora, which formed part of former Nizam’s Dominion.

The railing of the octagonal shafts strike one as based on Buddhist Cave architectural elements of the Deccan.

The entrance hall of the ground floor is the chief attraction of the architecture of Arts College, with a dome crowning it, its floor in shining pink terrazzo and enclosed by twentyfour ornamental pillars. These pillars are the best representation of Hindu architectural style with shaft fluted in parts and carrying an Amalaka capital.

Long and deep aisles, lecture halls, open courts with columns of dressed granite stone and three

stair cases, one of which is of cantilever type. The flooring of Arts college in the ground and first floors is of polished shahabad stone. The College stands as a pioneer in the history of state buildings for having adopted RCC work on a large and comprehensive scale.

The arcades around the open countryard, the ornate parapets on the first floor, all of same dimensions and of Moorish variety, give a mirror like effect, again a characteristic form of the medieval Islamic architecture.

The building in pinkish granite stone represents a harmonious blend of pillars and lintel style of Ajanta and Ellora. The architectural uniqueness stirs romance and the stunning structure blows the mind. The arches were modelled on the arches from the monuments of Delhi, Agra, Charminar and the Mecca Masjid of Hyderabad. This style of arches is called as Indo-Saracenic tradition. In some places arches and slender pillars in the Arabian have been constructed. The octagonal pillars similar to the columnar architecture found in Ellora.

Relief, brilliance and excitement are the objects of decorative elements in Islamic architecture.

Judicious, limited but balanced decorative elements are found mainly on the walls of the first floor, around the railing going round the open space above the entrance hall of the ground floor and on the underside of the dome. Architectural decoration consists of the muqaranas, stalactite and simple niches and mihrabs, geometric shapes of rectangles, squares, various types of diamonds. Geometrically conceived star patterns, various net patterns based on geometric principles, meanders and circles have been used. The ornamentation College has a sobering, ennobling and eye soothing effect befitting The building is one of the heritage structures in Hyderabad. The diamond jubilee of the college building was celebrated in December 1999.

More on Page 15

MOMENTS

Osmania Courier 26 April 2017

VIGNETTES

(Clockwise from above) HEH the VII Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan arriving to lay the foundation stone for Osmania University buildings; Workers with stone cutting machines at the work site; Golden bowl and trowel used by the Nizam to commence construction work; Work in progress on the north side of Arts College building; and Top view of silver replica of Arts College building.

Photos courtesy: Nizam Museum

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PLAYTIME

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Osmania Courier 26 April 2017

NURSERY FOR SPORTS Courier Bureau

The most important part of education is proper training in the nursery. -- Plato

P

lato’s quote is apt to Osmania University. It is here the sports buds blossomed into international talent. It is here that the rookies cut their teeth, toiled for hours shed oceans of sweat and sharpened their skills to outwit formidable foes in diverse games.

Students fused academics with sports and brought laurels not only for the University, but also the State and the country , thus etching their names in the pages of history Exploiting the sports facilities , dedication of the physical education staff, grit, determination and passion of the sportspersons, the University What made them tick in the intense competitive sporting world is the conducive ambience created by the Physical Education Departments in various colleges in the University .

Osmania Courier looks back and salutes such stalwarts who continue to be role models for the successive generations.

Whiilst there is paucity of information News clipping from Osmania Courier shows Vice Chancellor Justice P Jaganmohan Reddy felicitating the victorious University team, which of the sporting history in the early 1900s won the Rohinton Baria Trophy against the 23-time champion Bombay in 1976. wfter the University was founded, records indicate that University team was almost unbeatable in the All India and manager of the Indian national team Cricketing history can be dealt in two kissed on the field.[Vijay Merchant who Inter University Football in the latter half from 1950 until his death in 1963 and a to three phases- The first phase immedi- was commentating then remarked "I of the '50s." The University won the All former player. He is regarded as the ar- ately after independence had legendary wonder where all these enterprising India University Football in 1954, 1955 chitect of modern Indian football. Basi- figures -Ghulam Ahmed, Abbas Ali Baig, young ladies were when I was scoring my and 1959 and several All India tourna- cally a teacher by profession, he was a Asif Iqbal and ML Jaisimha. hundreds and two hundreds.”] A painting ments. The University team participated good motivator and his tenure as a coach Ghulam Ahmed was the greatest off called "The Kissing of Abbas Ali Baig", in the international football matches in is regarded as a "golden age" of football in spinner India has produced . He captained depicting the incident was featured in 1950s at Afghanistan.Notable names in India. He led the Indian team to the semi- India in Test cricket. As a result of his Salman Rushdie’s novel The Moor's Last football which frequently surface include finals of the 1956 Melbourne Olympic easy-flowing and stress-free action, Sigh (1995). Baig's success in the 1959/60 Syed Abdus Salam, Abdul Rahim and Football tournament making India the Ahmed was capable of bowling for long season led to him being named as one of Syed Shahid Hakim. first ever Asian country to achieve this periods of time. A tireless workhorse, he Indian Cricket 's five "Cricketers of the Syed Abdus Salam, was member of the place. was no stranger to marathon spells; he Year".

Indian football team that participated at Many young footballers and rookie once bowled 92 overs and three balls for Asif Iqbal Razvi, born on June 6, the 1956 Melbourne The Hyderabadi journalists may not know much about Hyderabad in a Ranji Trophy match 1943,in Hyderabad, hailed from a crickplayed as a centre-back in the ’56 Olympic Syed Shahid Hakim. son of India’s leg- against Holkar — a record at the time. eting family where few of his uncles team which to this day is considered one endary coach, the late SA Rahim., he was After his playing days, Ahmed became played the game at a higher level. He is of the finest Indian sides in the history a former FIFA referee, Olympian, coach secretary of the Board of Control for the nephew of Ghulam Ahmed, the forSyed Abdul Rahim also known as and ex-Director of Sports Authority of Cricket in India (BCCI) for five years mer India captain and off-spinner. Living Rahim Saab, was an Indian football coach India (Calcutta). Probably no one could from 1975 to 1980. in a joint-family, cricket was everywhere boast of a fantastic sports background like Abbas Ali Baig is a former Indian in the house and young Asif got encourhim. cricketer who played in 10 Tests between aged by his uncles to take up the game. He Olympians In table tennis, the University boasted 1959 and 1967. In a career spanning 21 graduated in History and Economics ~ Gagan Narang (Bronze, shooting) of Mir Khasim Ali, the Arjuna Awardee, years, he scored 12,367 runs in first-class After learning his cricket in Hyder~ P.V.Sindhu (Silver, Badminton) was India's Men's Singles Champion cricket at an average of 34.16. He coached abad, India, he emigrated to Pakistan in ~ Pullela Gopi Chand (All England from 1968 to 1969. Ali began playing Indian cricket team in Tour to Australia 1961 and skippered Pakistan.

Badminton Champion) table tennis in 1960 at the age of 11. At in 1991–92 and 1992 Cricket World Cup. Asif is a related to Indian tennis star ~ S.S. Salam (Foot Ball ), the 1963 (played in 1964) Nationals at Born in Hyderabad, Baig made his Sania Mirza, who too hails from Hyder~ S.S. Raheem (Foot ball) Delhi, he burst upon the national scene first-class during the 1954–55 Ranji Tro- abad and is married to Pakistani cricketer ~ S.S. Hakeem (Foot Ball) with a string of convincing victories. He phy, against Andhra Pradesh.In his next Shoaib Malik. Sania Mirza, a journalism ~ Sumeeth Reddy (Badminton) was the National Junior Champion 1963, match against Mysore, he scored 105 and Graduate from St Mary’s college has bethe National Senior Champion in 1968 43 not out. At the end of the tournament, come a role model and an icon for and 1969, runner-up in the Common- he ended up as his team's second-highest women and young girls across the world.

Govt. award winners wealth Championships of the Afro-Asian run scorer, scoring 187 runs at an average PV Sindhu, the silver medalist in the ~ Pullela Gopi Chand (Padma Bhushan, Championships in 1971 and a member of of 62.33.

Brazil Olympics, is a Management Post Padma Shri, Rajiv Khel Ratna and the Indian T.T. team from 1966 to 1973.

In the late 1950s, Baig moved to Eng- graduate from St Ann’s College for Dronacharya Awardee -Badminton) His made his first trip abroad repre- land and went up to University College, Women and trained at the Gopichand ~ S.M. Arif (Padmashri and senting India was to East Africa in 1966. Oxford. In 1959, he played 15 first-class Academy.

Dronacharya Awardee -Badminton) Also in 1966 in Sri Lanka, where the matches for the university team.

Then followed Arshad Ayub, Shivlal ~ Mir Khasim Ali (Arjuna Award-Table South Zone Inter-University ChampiIn the fourth match of the series, Baig Nandilal Yadav, who shouldered the spin Tennis) onships were held. Khasim represented was "summoned" to play for India. Aged department after the slow fading away of ~ G. Mulini Reddy (Arjuna Award – Osmania University, which lost in the fi- 20 years and 131 days, Baig became the the spin quartet of India, Kanwaljit Volley Ball) nals to Bombay University, thanks to U.S. youngest Indian cricketer to score a cen- Singh, a genuine spinner of the ball, ~ Mithali Raj (Padma shree –Womens Gurjar who pulled off an upset win over tury on debut when he made 112 in whose classical arc, sharp turn and disCricket) Khasim.

India's second innings. It was also the first concerting bounce made him formidable. ~ C.S. Pradipak (Arjuna Award-Yatching) He was National Champion in 1968 century by an Indian debutant outside Mohd.Azharuddin, known for his silken and 1969 and runner-up in 1970. In 1971 India. Baig followed that with another leg glances, N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, the he met Zhou Enlai and was present dur- half-century in the second innings against wicket keeper batsman who later became Participants in the World ing the Ping Pong Diplomacy between Australia when he made 58. His half-cen- the Chief Minister of United Andhra University Games China and the United States. During his turies helped India secure a draw. During Pradesh, VVS Laxman reputed for his heyday, Andhra Pradesh reached the fi- a break in India's second innings, when marathon 281 innings against Austrailia ~ Shiva Kumar (3 silver medals in nals of the National team events on nine Baig walked to the pavilion along with (a match which India won eventually) Weight Lifting) occasions, winning the title once, and Ramnath Kenny, he was kissed on his and Venkatapathi Raju. The University ~ Pooja and Poornima (Badminton) until 1973 he was an automatic choice in cheek by a young woman spectator be~ Charan Reddy (Archery) More on Page 15 the Indian team. coming the first Indian cricketer to be

MIXED BAG

Osmania Courier 26 April 2017

Nursery for Sports Continued from Page 14 team dominated the Rohinton Baria tournament were either runners up of winners on several occasions./ University hoopsters with names like Prem Kumar, Rizwan, Norman Isaac, were a menace to the opposition. A few of them had the privilege of being under the tutelage of legendary figures like BG Edwards, former international basketball referee, known for his on and off court discipline, Edwards officiated in many international and national tournaments. He also officiated in the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi.

Dhanalaxmi (Athletics) P.Shankar (Athletics) R.P.K.Singh (Boxing) Narsing Rao (Boxing), G.P. Palguna (Foot Ball)Chaitanya (Power Lifting) would down their opponents through their sheer athleticism.

The Osmania University grounds were used for practice for Athletics, Hockey, Cricket, Foot Ball, Hand ball etc. The grounds of Nizam College groomed 30 students become International Boxers and more than 200 students won medals in Boxing at Inter University Level, Also, the grounds were used for cricket, athletics, basket ball The P.G.College, Secunderabad grounds were famous for hockey.The OU Women’s College grounds played host to Women’s Kabbadi and Kho Kho. The affiliated Colleges like St.Anns College for Women, St. Francis College, Bhavans Vivekananda, Loyola Academy, A.V.College, S.P.College, V.V.College etc have been promoting sports among the undergraduate students.

Kudos Osmanians (Inputs from Prashanth Deshini & Manoj Reddy Singireddy)

To be young, a woman and an Osmanian!

Continued from Page 3 has been a hub of feminist scholarship, producing and disseminating literature and providing a platform for debate.

Osmania alumni founded the Progressive Organization for Women (POW) in the 1970s, which is still active and plays a proactive and robust role in articulating women’s issues, producing analyses and literature.

There has been an unbroken tradition of activism about institutional issues, about feminist concerns, that continues to this

day. Increasing enrolment and decreasing facilities and staff, changing concerns and priorities of women students have only provided more reasons for activism.

The years of women’s activism on campus, however, could not move the university to formalise and implement the Gender Sensitisation Committee Against Sexual Harassment (GSCASH), as prescribed by the University Grants Commission though the university does address such issues through its own internal mechanisms.

Other issues like over-crowding of women’s hostels, safety of women students on campus remain that girl students attempt to raise with unfailing regularity.

The campus land is a gift from an enlightened and powerful woman who showed the way to expanding the boundaries of personal freedom without losing one’s own creativity and love for life. It was a fight well fought.

The women who pass through the portals of this campus seeking higher education are finding their own ways of expanding their personal freedom without losing their humanism and creativity.

Beauty in pink granite Continued from Page 12 Initially, the Arts College building accommodated offices of the Vice-Chancellor, Registrar and Controller of Examinations, University Library, Law College and College of Commerce and Business Management. These were subsequently shifted to separate buildings.

Undergraduate courses in Arts

and Commerce were discontinued from this College in 1973 and Arts College assumed the status of a full-fledged postgraduate college exclusively for postgraduate studies, diploma courses and research studies in the Faculties of Arts and Social Sciences.

Shortly thereafter, it was renamed as the University College of Arts and Social Sciences.

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Movements: As old as the University itself Continued from Page 7 Every Osmanian from the Vice Chancellor Ravada Satyanarayana at the top to the junior-most student took part in the movement for over eight months bringing life on the campus to a halt which led to a loss of one academic year.

1969 Telangana agitation The 1969 student agitation saw the death of 379 people, most of them students who were dissatisfied with the ‘Gentlemen’s Agreement’ between the leaders of the two regions in 1956.

The violation of the agreement’s terms and conditions by the non-mulkis led to the first revolt that began in 1968 - the Telangana Safeguards Movement. Students from various colleges in the region fiercely spearheaded this movement. It was in January 1969, after a meeting of five days, that the students decided that only a separate Telangana state could be the solution to the injustice meted out to them.

Pratap Kishore, the then editor of Deccan Chronicle founded the Telangana Praja Samithi (TPS) to spearhead the struggle . The party contested in the 1971 elections and won a whopping 11 out of 13 seats in the Telangana region. The party’s success fuelled a fresh furore and an uproar for a separate state resurfaced among the Telanganites.

But Marri Chenna Reddy, the party’s key leader was convinced by the then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, to merge TPS with the Congress. Eventually, the momentum that had garnered, slowly receded and the demand for a separate state went into a sabbatical. It was later, after a lapse of nearly three decades, in 2001, after K. Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) (who quit the Telugu Desam Party), formed the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), that a new phase of the movement was born. After a series of twists and turns in electoral politics, another intense movement began in 2009 after KCR announced a fast-unto-death for the cause of Telangana.

Thus, the struggle for Telangana with a six decade old history can be divided into two phases with stark differences - the 1968 agitation and the successful 2009 agitation. The Telangana movement has always been planned, led and executed by students.

One precious academic year was lost as one batch studied only one year of the Intermediate and it was a tough time as job ads openly stated Osmanians need not apply.

The betrayal of leadership and consequent failure of Jai Telangana movement resulted in resurgence of Left student movement in Osmania and to check the growth of radical politics on the campus, George Reddy, a Physics research scholar and a pioneer of left student movement was murdered on Campus which shook the entire State. But the killing did not terrorise students and the students’ movement affiliated to Naxalite politics grew in strength. Progressive Democratic Students Union and Radical Students Union flourished in Osmania in the aftermath. This university also gave birth to the radical women’s movement in the form of Progressive Organisation of Women. However, Emergency suppressed this radical fervour on the campus and it could be revived only after Emergency was lifted. From 1978 to the late 1980s the campus was very vibrant with radical politics.

Osmanians have become leaders of not only the students’ movement, but also of several other mass organizations and even underground Marxist Leninist parties.

Student union elections were banned in all the universities in Andhra Pradesh in 1988 and Radical Students Union was banned in 1992, pushing the campuses into apolitical ambience.. Students turned their attention to careers.

During the period, 2009 – 2014, the campus and the Arts College building witnessed regular protest demonstrations, slogans, meetings, songs, police lathi charges and teargas shells despite closure of hostels and messes, arrests and false cases

LAST WORD

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Osmania Courier 26 April 2017

A crucible of intellect

26

April 1917 marks a major watershed in the history of the princely state of Hyderabad.

Farsighted Mir Osman Ali Khan, of the Asaf Jahi Dynasty and the seventh Nizam of Hyderabad signed the farman -- the royal charter, to establish Osmania University to serve the cause of education in the region.

History records that during THE NEW ICON: The Central Facility for Research and Development; (Right) HEH Mir Osman Ali Khan, Nizam VII. the first thirty years the University launched the Under-gradu- strengthening the socio-eco- ogy, is one among the seven standing with 46 national and 12 cipient of the INTACH Heritage ate, Post-graduate and PhD nomic and political fabric of the Centers of excellence in the coun- international educational/re- Award. programs. nation. try with the mandate to pursue search institutions including the The University was the first to The courses were run in instiTo facilitate candidates to pur- the plant genomics research.

College of Air Warfare, Indian confer an honorary doctorate on tutions and buildings located sue education in a non- formal The Research and Training Space Research Organisation, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, the architect near Gunfoundry. In 1928, Mir setting, in the Telangana State Unit for Navigational Electronics Ahmedabad. of the Indian constitution, Osman Ali Khan acquired about and overseas, the Prof. G. Ram occupies pride of place as it is the The Osmania University Cen- among several leading national 2,500 acres of land from the Reddy Centre for Distance Edu- first University centre to work in tre for International Programs and international personalities. learned courtesan Mah Laqa Bai cation with 26 undergraduate, the area of Global Positioning advances Osmania’s global presFactoring the student centric Chanda’s Adikmet jagir and post graduate and diploma System and GPS Aided Geo Aug- ence through its research con- initiatives, inclusivity and gender transferred it to the university. courses caters to an average of mented Navigation System. It centrations and programmes. equity, the University, has been The University got its present 10,000 students each academic meets the specific needs of the One of the largest residential ranked 23 according to the Nasprawling campus in the year year.

Department of Civil Aviation universities in the country, the tional Institutional Ranking 1934, and the iconic Arts College The imposing Osmania Uni- and the Indian Air Force.

University has 33 hostels for Framework, India Ranking Rebuilding in pink granite was in- versity Library atop the small The University is home to boys, women, research scholars port 2017 of the Union Human augurated in 1939. hillock is a treasure trove of South East Asia’s largest 48-inch and foreign students. The shell- Resource Development (HRD) The lush green campus with a knowledge housing more than Reflecting Telescope, and boasts shaped Tagore Auditorium that Ministry and rated consistently variety of flora, robust infra- six lakh books, including 6825 of a Central Facility for Research hosts major events is a visual de- among the top ten Universities structure, vast playing grounds, rare manuscripts. It is a haven for and Development equipped with light. With its impressive record in the country. modern gymnasium and the bibliophiles. state-of-the-art instrumental fa- in education and research, the To address the educational deswimming pool provide the perCombining academics with cilities and laboratories. varsity has received its share of mands in the backward districts fect ambience for holistic devel- activism students were in the Till date, the University has recognition and has been accred- of Telangana, the University faopment of students. forefront of the major struggles filed 40 patents and has over a ited with an “A” grade by the Na- cilitated the establishment of Osmania University has been for a separate statehood of Telan- lakh publications by its faculty tional Assessment and Kakatiya, Mahatma Gandhi, an enduring symbol of a ques- gana. and research scholars in reputed Accreditation Council. The Uni- Telangana and Palamuru Unitioning spirit as well as a citadel The University is devoted to national and international jour- versity Grants Commission has versities. of higher education over the quality in teaching, research and nals. The science faculty alone, accorded the “University with The University has expanded years. With die-hard commit- innovation, and to develop lead- on an average, produce about Potential for Excellence’ status to its footprint across the shores ment, the University has been re- ers who’ll make a difference to 400 high-impact research papers the University and has extended and has emerged as the most defining pedagogies and the world. It fosters a culture of annually.

Rs. 50 crore financial assistance favoured educational destination moulding students into critical continual multi-disciplinary and The University has recognised for Materials research and holis- for students from West Asia and thinking individuals and making interdisciplinary enquiry and ed- and forged linkages with 50 lead- tic development. The University Africa. Today, it is a melting pot them globally competitive prod- ucation among all stakeholders. ing research institutions/ estab- is the recipient of several re- of cultures with almost 4000 stuucts. Dynamic, modern, and Thus, it leads to the evolution of lishments to leverage their search and special assistance pro- dents of 87 nationalities preferhighly learner-centred, the Uni- an education model that focuses expertise and infrastructure and grammes of the UGC, CSIR, ring to pursue their higher versity acknowledges all stu- on experiential learning and pre- thereby strengthen research and DST, DBT and other agencies of education here. dents as valued leaders of pares students face the challenges training. A few of them include- Government of India.

Osmania University can look tomorrow, whose education and of a rapidly changing world. the National Institute of NutriThe University College of back with pride and satisfaction success are most paramount to It has been in the forefront of tion, Indian Institute of Chemical Arts & Social Sciences, the Uni- at its achievements in dissemithe institution. undertaking path breaking and Technology, National Geophys- versity College for Women, have nating knowledge. The univerAt Osmania University, aca- seminal research through 15 re- ical Research Institute and the stood the test of time and made a sity looks forward to carrying on demic rigour involves empower- search centres and institutes.

Oil and Natural Gas Corpora- mark in history with their the legacy of excellence and work ing stakeholders with cutting The Prof. G. Madhava Reddy’s tion, Dehradun. Also, it has breath-taking architectural ge- towards a promising future. edge knowledge thereby Centre for Plant Molecular Biol- signed memoranda of under- nius. The university is the just re-

Serving Indian Journalism since 1954

T

he Department of Communication and Journalism, Osmania University, established in 1954, is one of the oldest in the country. Started

by D’Forest O’Dell, the Department offered a diploma course with assistance from World Literacy Inc., in 1954. Osmania was the first university in the country to start a Bachelor’s degree (Bachelor of Journalism) course in 1962.

The Department upgraded the one-year postgraduate diploma in journalism to a fullfledged postgraduate Bachelor’s Degree course in 1962. The Master’s degree course (MJ) was started in 1974.

Responding to the industry needs and the growing importance of the field of communication, the Department was renamed as “Department of Communication and Journalism” in 1976-77. The courses were also renamed as Bachelor of Communication and Journalism and Master of Communication and Journal-

ism. The MPhil programme was started in 1991 and PhD programme in 2005.

The Department completed its Golden Jubilee Year in 2004.

The Department has been in the forefront of journalism education in the country and has provided the finest editorial leadership in the regional as well as the national media. Alumni of the Department are spread across the world and occupy top positions in the media industry. It has been reinventing itself to keep its training relevant for the new age professionals and changing mediascape.

It was conferred the status of Centre for Advanced Studies in Journalism (CAS-I) in 2008 by the University Grants Commission (UGC). This is the only Department to be accorded such recognition in the country after having implemented the UGC’s Special Assistance Programme in three phases (1989-07). The Centre, funded to the tune of Rs. 55 lakh, was

mandated to strengthen infrastructure, impart hands-on training in print and electronic journalism and undertake research.

The UGC has approved a sum of Rs 1.83 crore and extended the tenure of the Centre for Advanced Study (CAS) in the Department of Communication and Journalism, Osmania University, by five years from April 2015. Under CAS - II, the Department plans to undertake research, establish a media credibility lab and a mass communication documentation centre. The Media Credibility Lab would create a media credibility index in consultation with various stakeholders.

Periodic reports would be generated and made available online and in printed form to the industry, academicians, researchers and civil society. The Lab, one of its kind in the country, would provide inputs on improving public trust in and expectations from the media.

The Mass Communication Documentation Centre would compile indices, prepare bibliographies, abstracts and monographs. This is aimed at bridging the knowledge gap as there is no organisation at present to document the resources on media and allied subjects. The resources collected through the Documentation Centre will be publicly available. The sanction of CAS - II came at a special moment when the Department marked the 60th year of its inception, and would go towards strengthening the training and infrastructure in keeping with the industry requirements.

The Department recently launched a new initiative, J-Hub. It involves imparting practical skills to aspiring journalists across print, electronic and web streams.

It stems from the recognition of the fact that journalism education is falling short of the dynamic needs of the industry due to compulsions of the academic schedule.