HYDERABAD: Osmania University celebrated its 108th foundation day with grandeur at the Tagore Auditorium on Saturday. The event commenced with a two-minute silence to honour the victims of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.
The chief guest, Dr K. Keshava Rao, Advisor to the State Government, attended the celebrations. Speaking on the occasion, he expressed hope that Osmania University would achieve further success in education and research. He emphasised that OU had played a crucial role in shaping modern Telangana and suggested that the curriculum should be updated to match contemporary circumstances. He observed that while OU continued to maintain its reputation for excellence in education, further efforts were needed. Recalling his days as a student at OU, he spoke fondly of his enduring association with the university.
Hyderabad City Police Commissioner CV Anand, who attended as a guest of honour, described OU students as embodiments of holistic talent. He urged students and faculty to seize opportunities to contribute to the development of Telangana through their work at the university. Reminiscing about his time as a member of the OU cricket and basketball teams, Anand said he was selected for the Indian Police Service at a young age and attributed his success to his education at OU. Expressing a desire to give back to his alma mater, he urged the university administration to develop an action plan to facilitate alumni contributions. Anand also stressed the need for curricular reforms to ensure OU excelled on a national scale and pledged not to miss any opportunity to enhance the university’s prestige.
Nawab Mir Najaf Ali Khan, grandson of the seventh Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan, became emotional during his speech. He said he felt proud to see the achievements of Osmania University and honoured the foresight of his grandfather.
Addressing the gathering, MLC and academic Prof Kodandaram expressed concern that despite the recommendation by the 1966 Kothari Commission to allocate six percent of the GDP to the education sector, funding still remained below four percent. He alleged that the Central Government was attempting to interfere in higher education institutions listed in the concurrent list. Criticising the University Grants Commission (UGC), he said it provided only nominal funding while undermining the autonomy of universities through various circulars.
Renowned poet Andesri shared his emotional attachment to OU, saying that the very air and soil of the campus were filled with vibrancy. He recalled writing many songs under the university’s trees and expressed his deep love for the institution.
IAS officer and Collegiate Education Commissioner Devasena, who attended the concluding session as a guest of honour, expressed her delight at participating in the prestigious celebrations. She assured that she would strive to extend the required support from the government to the university and wished for OU’s continued success.
The event saw the participation of Vice-Chancellor Professor Kumar, Registrar Professor Naresh Reddy, OSD Professor Jitender Kumar Naik, Dean of UGC Affairs Professor Lavanya, Dean of Student Affairs Professor Rajendra Naik, Executive Secretary of the event Dr Kondanageshwar Rao, senior faculty members, principals, deans, directors, staff, and a large number of students.
