For the past 10 years, AV College, Domalguda, Hyderabad, has continuously bagged India Today's best college in the twin cities. Hansa Research Survey has rated the college as fifth best in South India and 15th best at all India level Young Hans team During the 1940s, Urdu dominated Nizami regime deprived people of basic education in the mother tongue (Telugu). To provide education to backward sections of the-then Hyderabad state, Andhra Vidyalaya (AV) Education society was established in 1944. The educational society was founded by the freedom fighters: Raja Bahadur Venkat Rama Reddy, KV Ranga Reddy, Madapati Hanumantha Rao, Suravaram Pratap Reddy and NK Rao. "AV Educational Society was the first to start two AV Schools which imparted education through Telugu medium in the Nizami era," says Prof. K Ramchandra Reddy, Secretary cum correspondent, AV Educational Society and President, Institute of Asian Studies, Hyderabad. In the last six decades, the Society has evolved into a multi-dimensional organisation with several educational institutes functioning under its ambit. With growth in demand for quality educational in higher studies, AV Educational Society has established AV college of Arts, Science & Commerce in 1968, Hyderabad. In 2005, the college has been credited with 'A' grade certification and accreditation of NAAC, a statutory body of University Grants Commission (UGC). From the past ten years, the college has continuously bagged the best college in the twin cities awarded by Indian Today magazine. While Hansa Research Survey has rated the college as the fifth best college in South India and 15th best in all-India level. "Around 90 per cent of the students who study here are from the rural background," says Principal of AV College Dr M Bhagavantha Reddy History With a degree and PG college, AV College at Gaganmahal, is nothing less than a university. It was established by two former Deputy Chief Ministers K V Ranga Reddy and J V Narsing Rao. The college was established with a vision to "Empower students through pursuit of excellence". The college which was started with 240 students and 15 faculty members now has 2,000 students with 200 faculty members. In the last four decades, the college has opened different wings in degree and PG streams. "In 1987, we are the first institute to offer Maths-Physics- Computer Sciences, Maths-Statistics-Computer Sciences combinations at undergraduate level," says, the principal. The college has 12 UG and nine PG courses. It also also offers five languages: Sanskrit, Hindi, Telugu, French and Arabic as second language. Infrastructure Located in the heart of the city, the 100-classroom college stretched in seven acres has three e-classrooms and audio visual room which can accommodate 100 students at once. The college boasts of 700 computers and 1 lakh books in the library. "Apart from the regular classes for law students, the students are exposed to the reality time trails in the moot court," says Madhuri Irene, Law lecturer. Academics The college's consistent results in the last four decades is primarily due to its teacher and student ratio is 1:15. Last year, it produced 85 per cent pass percentage. In the last six years, the college has produced eight PhD's and the faculty published 44 books. Activities Extra circular activities are mandatory for the students. Every student in the campus has to opt for the either NCC or NSS. The college has two NCC units, each consisting about 100 cadets. "In the recent Republic Day parade at New Delhi, five out of 19 students selected from AP, are from our college," says Dr P Yadgiri, lecturer Commerce. As part of NSS activity, the college has adopted two villages in Medchal and Shankarpally each. Placement cell "Last year Infosys, Cognizant, Wipro, Deloitte etc recruited our undergraduate students for various positions," says the principal. Famous alumni Justice Subhash Reddy, AP high court; Gagan Narang, an Olympic gold medal winner in air rifle shooting; Gopi Chand, Badminton player. Campus Talk "I've been into teaching for the last 32 years. I rejected plum offers from Osmania University because I wanted to create difference in this institution by offering my service," says Dr Gautami Reddy, Head department, Chemistry. "The best part of the college is the faculty and management. They are really friendly to us, says Ramandeep Kaur," a BCom student. "Every day is memorable day for us. We just love the college environment and the way our faculty members teach. Our principal is very friendly, he takes all our grievances and acts on them," says first year BCom students.