OU Arts College turns 75 today

Sorry state of affairs mars the glory

Hyderabad: The University College of Arts and Social Sciences, Osmania University, popularly known as Osmania Arts College, turns 75 today. It was founded by the seventh Nizam of Hyderabad Mir Osman Ali Khan. Built on a sprawling 2.5 lakh square feet of land, the historic structure took five years to be completed.

It was the first college in the country to offer courses like BA and B Com in Urdu medium. The courses were later offered in the English medium. The lost list of alumni at the college includes several chief ministers, Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao, scientists and sportspersons. The Arts College has also been the epicentre of many agitations including the fight for separate State of Telangana in 1969 and 2004.

Speaking about the architecture, college prinicipal T Krishna Rao says, “A team of experts travelled around the world to find the right design and the right person who could design this historic masterpiece.” Monsieur Jasper, a Belgian national, was the architect of the college. The university was started on rented buildings at Gunfoundary back in 1918.

Subsequently, an official operation of the university was shifted to the Arts College post construction of the building. “The present principal’s room was Vice-Chancellor’s chamber and the controller of examination used to work from the basement of the college,” says Krishna.

Today, the upkeep of the Arts College doesn’t compliment its rich history. At one point of time the man responsible for the construction of the magnificent structure, Mir Osman Ali Khan, had kept aside Rs 40,000 just for its maintenance. But later, the money was withdrawn.

Krishna Rao says that the college has been facing a dearth of finances to spruce up the institute. “We are striving hard to protect and preserve the historical structure. Very soon we will write to the university administration regarding issues. A faculty member of the archeology department was roped in to look into the issues,” Krishna Rao informs.

When asked about the funding pattern for the historical college, Prof. A Ravinder Nath, Dean, development and UGC affairs, says that the University Grants Commission does not allot funds for the college structure. “The UGC only gives funds for the departments,” he says.

Bad times

Osmania University is still considered as one of the best universities in the country. But quality research and path breaking papers have not seen the light of the day in the recent past. One of the reasons is the lack of teachers. Prof. B Balaswamy of the same department says dearth of faculty members is hitting hard. “Department which should have 10 professors are now working with two professors. We are not getting replacement in place of professors who retiring from the university, if we get college will excel more,” he adds.

Sharing his experience as a student and faculty member of the college, senior professor of communication and journalism department Prof. K Narender says, “I feel proud to be part of the Arts College both as a student in mid 80s and as faculty now. Needless to emphasise, Arts College has an iconic status among the students who wish to pursue higher education.” “Protests and agitation from this citadel of learning got us the much desired separate State of Telangana. Now that the State is a reality, it is important for all of us to get back to work with renewed vigour so that we can make this learning environment rich by contributing our best.

It is all the more important as many among the first generation learners’ throng to the Arts College to make a career. The onus and responsibility is on both the teacher and the taught in Arts College to restore the old glory and connect with the community.” Seminars, symposiums, heritage run and endowment lectures have arranged as part of the year long platinum jubilee celebrations of the college.