Our University is planning to celebrate 3rd International BHU Alumni Meet with a grand scale. The Meet will be held at our campus on January 6-7, 2007. To get the first-hand information about the preparation for the meet, Yogesh K. Upadhyaya talks to Prof. Devendra Pratap Singh. Prof. D. P. Singh is the professor Emeritus at Mining dept. of our institute and also the Chairman of the Organizing Committee.
Bio-data of Prof. DP Singh is attached here. Download file
Question 1: Welcome, Sir, Please tell us about 3rd International BHU Alumni Meet.
The 3rd International BHU Alumni Meet, (IBAM), the third in this tradition has immense, historical and emotional significance because it is being hosted for the first time at the Karmasthali of Mahamanaji- the BHU campus. The previous two Meets were held in the Year 2001 in New Delhi and 2004 at Mumbai. The idea of hosting a BHU Alumni Meet on a regular basis was born in the Year 2000. It was felt that our Alumni should meet at least once a year nationally and once in three years internationally to renew old links and forge new ties. As you know Alumni Associations are immense sources of support to their Alma Mater academically, administratively and financially. I hope the 3rd IBAM scheduled for January 6-7, 2007 on the campus of your Alma Mater will be an opportunity for you to reaffirm you ties with your parent institution.
Question No.2. How the preparation for the meet is going on?
The preparation for the 3rd IBAM started in right earnest many months ago, with the establishment of a full fledged “Alumni Cell” in the Central Registry on par with the other administrative Units of the University. Our first circular giving the basic details about the Meet and the International seminar on “Education in the 21st Century and Mahamana’s vision” has been sent to over 7000 Alumni. The details along with the brochure are posted on our website www.bhu.ac.in /Alumni Meet. The 2nd circular is already on its way to all our Registered Alumni.
We are expecting the Meet to be attended by over 2000 delegates and guests. We hope that attending the Meet will be a Unique experience for our Alumni. The hub of all activities will be the Swatantrata Bhavan. We plan to host a two day exhibition at the venue which will not only showcase the achievements in various Faculties but will also have a commercial component. There will be special stalls displaying the traditional handicrafts and wares of Varanasi which are bound to interest any visitor to our city. We plan an exhibition cum auction of works of the students of fine arts of our University too at the venue.
The four major publications to be released on this occasion are “Mahamana Ke Vichar- Ek Chayan”, “Mantra Pushpanjali,” Mahamana Sandesh” and of course the “Souvenir”. Some rare photographs connected with the history of BHU are being published for the first time in the Souvenir, adding immense value to it. We plan to gift a complimentary copy of each publication to our delegates.
Question 3: What a visitor can expect at the Meet?
It would be very nice if our Alumni could register for the Meet well in advance as this will help us make the arrangements accordingly. As I have mentioned before all the details are posted on www.bhu.ac.in and can be accessed by clicking on Alumni Meet. The Registration fee of Rs.500/- per person includes the cost of the kit and break fast, Lunch and dinner on both days.
Limited accommodation is available in the University Guest Houses, Hostels and vacant quarters. We have also made arrangements for stay at Kashi Mumuksh Bhavan, Jain Dharmashalas & Jangambari Math in addition to various hotels of Varanasi. In case you want to make your own arrangements, even then the details are available on our web site about the leading hotels of Varanasi.
Our Organizing committee is organizing day trips to places of interest in the campus and city in addition to tours to Allahabad, Gaya & Ayodhya on extra payment. Both the days will end on a Musical note with performances by invited artistes and faculty members in every oeuvre –vocal, instrumental &dance.
Question 4: You have held very challenging assignments in you career span, including technical assignments, Vice-Chancellor of a couple of universities, among the governing board of IITS, etc. Which assignment you enjoyed the most and why?
I look on my years as a teacher at the Department of Mining Engineering, BHU as the most rewarding intellectually and most satisfying emotionally. I think it was a god gifted opportunity to be given the chance to shape the destiny of so many students. I had the good fortune to be a part of the evolution of the department into a Centre of Advanced Studies in my specialization Rock Mechanics. I am happy that the Department is rich in academic and research programs (like QIP & FIST to name a few) and I continue to be associated with it in my capacity as a Professor Emeritus.
I would say that my term as the Vice-Chancellor of Lucknow University was administratively one of the most challenging assignments held by me. A lot of time effort and care went into re-establishing this University on the academic map of India.
When I look back on the years I have spent in the academic and administrative field. I consider myself blessed for having chosen this profession. After all it is our students who are the knowledge creators of tomorrow.
Question 5: Please tell us about your educational background and your days while studying at our college.
I was a student of the college of Mining and Metallurgy, BHU during 1956-60. I cherish very special memories of my teachers Prof. Daya Swarup, (Principal of the College) and Prof. M.P Netarwala (Head of the Department, Mining Engineering)
I feel that a successful teacher touches our soul and shapes the way we grow as human beings. Prof. Netarwala, a perfect gentleman, a most qualified academician and an excellent teacher comes to my mind immediately when I think of a role model. I have always tried to follow in his footsteps as a researcher, teacher and administrator.
The years as a undergraduate student at Dhanrajgiri hostel are memorable for the opportunity I had to interact with students from all over India.
I spent four years at the University of Melbourne as a Post graduate and Research student and was awarded the M.Eng.Sc & Ph.D degrees from this University. Again I was fortunate to have Prof H. Duncan as my Professor and Head of the department. His affectionate guidance ensured that I felt at home even in a new country. In fact I look on my years at Melbourne as an extension of my student days at BHU.
Question 6: Currently there is a trend for students in core engineering disciplines (such as mining engineering) to start the career in unrelated field such as programming/software engineer in an IT firm. What is your opinion about it?
I am observing with some concern the recent trend of students to choose a career in a field unrelated to their core degree. I personally feel that this is not a good trend. The prosperity of a nation depends on the successful tapping of its mineral wealth. Our country at this juncture desperately needs Mining Engineers who can identify and utilize the vast mineral reserves of India for it industrial growth.
Further, the future of Mining Engineering is very bright in our country. The coming years will see an explosion in the number of Mega Steel Plants and large Power Houses. Already there is a growing realization in the country that the export of Iron and other ores should be stopped. The thrust now is not on mere export of raw material but on value addition. Similarly “King Coal” is set to make a come back with a bang. These developments reassure me that Mining Engineering will be the most sought after discipline in the coming years.
Question 7: Thank you, Sir. It was nice talking to you.
I want to utilize this opportunity provided by the Chronicle to invite all our Alumni to the 3rd IBAM. Ultimately it is your presence in large numbers at the Meet which will make it a resounding success and will make us feel that our efforts have been rewarded. I can be contacted at dpsingh[AT]hotmail.com.