Testimony to empowering women in Telangana

Warangal: Hanamkonda based Pingle Government College for Women, which offers degree and PG courses, has achieved a milestone in its efforts towards empowerment of women during the past five decades. It is celebrating its ‘Golden Jubilee’ this August. The college established in 1966, owes its existence to the generosity of Pingle family which donated land and building for the college.

The donors are Pingle Venkatrama Reddy, deputy prime minister in erstwhile Nizam’s rule, and his brothers Krishna Reddy and Ranga Reddy and their sons. On August 16, 1965, the building was handed over to the government for establishing an institution of higher learning to be named after Pingle family.

It started with pre-university courses in Arts, Commerce and Science faculties in English and Telugu media with 67 students and 11 staff. During the years 1966-67, the college introduced degree courses in BA and B Sc in English and Telugu media with affiliation to Osmania University.

In 1978, the college got affiliated to Kakatiya University. The college’s strength has risen to 1500 students with a sanctioned teaching staff of 70 of which 35 are available. Of the sanctioned 33 non-teaching staff, 11 members are working.

The college offers 17 undergraduate courses and six post graduate courses. The college celebrated its Silver Jubilee in the year 1991. The PG block was inaugurated by former CM late YS Rajashekara Reddy on August 18, 2005.

“Despite running with half the strength in terms of faculty, we make committed efforts to fulfill the objective offering quality education to women and to empower them” said the College’s 47th principal Gadangi Indira here on Monday.

The college adopts a holistic approach towards its vision of meeting the growing requirements of higher education of socially, economically backward rural women in the region. It provides amicable and academically charged atmosphere on campus, she told The Hans India.

The motto of Pingle College is ‘Enter to Learn - Leave to Serve’. In accordance with it the students are equipped with knowledge to face challenges at various levels and in different spheres and to strive for excellence in the fields of teaching, research, employment and entrepreneurship.

The vision and mission of the institution is communicated to the students, staff and stake holders and it is displayed on the notice board. ‘Majority of the students of the college come from poor background yet they are intellectually and are highly motivated’ the principal asserts.

After Koti Women’s College in Hyderabad, Pingle Women’s College is the second oldest institution striving for women’s empowerment in Telangana. “I am very proud to be associated with the college having great history” she adds.

The same is the opinion of the other senior faculty members Vasireddy Krishna Rao, Marka Shankara Narayana and others. The students of the college also share a similar feeling. ‘We are happy to be in this college’ said P Mounika, B Madhavi, D Pravalika and others.

Noted writer Prof. Katyayani Vidmahe, EFLU vice-chancellor Sunaina Singh, TS Police Academy Deputy Director Hennah Parimala Nutan, Warangal (East) MLA Konda Surekha, a treasurer with Acharya Group of Institutes of Bengaluru, Kiran Reddy are among the alumni of the college.

During 1965 Kakatiya Medical College was also run from Pingle College premises. Following the collapse of heritage building donated by Pingle family a new building was constructed in 2012. Foundation laying for a Golden Jubilee Auditorium will take place on August 24 marking the jubilee celebrations.

The college has initiated the process of autonomy and reports are sent to UGC seeking autonomy. In 2011, the college was assessed and accredited by NAAC ‘B’ grade now in November 2016 the college will go for NAAC assessment. The college is equipped with 16 CCTVs and the campus is Wi-Fi enabled, Indira explained.

Marking the Golden Jubilee programmes, 5K run and various other competitions have been conducted during July-August. A grand ceremony is planned to be held on August 24 on the college campus. Deputy Chief Minister K Srihari and Assembly Speaker S Madhusudhana Chary will grace the occasion.