ITBHUGlobal.org: The Chronicle: Economic Meltdown - State Sponsored?

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(The above article is written and forwarded to us by Shiv Shankar Kedia, Mechanical 1975. Email: sskedia@gmail.com)

Right from the start of the economic meltdown everyone has felt the heat in varying degrees. The affected and the not so affected, all have their own version of the story and own strategy to analyse and overcome. People at all levels discuss it in their own way – whether they understand it or not, right from the best experts to the layman, governments to the common man - the lowest unit of the system, politicians, economists, policymakers, corporations, employers, employees, businessmen all. In intellectual circles it is a common topic of discussion and debate. And yes it looks like a debate only as no solutions are visible except bailout packages by various bodies.

As a layman I am caught up in the debate many a times. I’ve read a number of articles by different authorities in various publications and seen various interviews on TV channels. In most part the whole thing is being blamed on the US, or at least the start is always attributed to USA, and spreading to the whole world, engulfing it in its flames.

Sometime in the early part of the beginning – I was with a professional friend, 20 years my junior and one who had spent 12 years working in the US as a technology expert. Obviously apart from other things – we started discussing the economic conditions and here also the discussion revolved about the US and US credit policies, real state, consumerism, life-style, rampant use/misuse of credit cards and all such things.

Based on the discussions and readings, I was tempted to write my views and share with the world what I feel about it as a layman, but somehow was not able to do so. On January 18, I was reading our regular news paper Rajasthan Patrika and in the Sunday column there was a reproduction of a lecture by Mr. S Gurumoorthy, a prominent journalist, economist and a very reputed professional. After reading the article, I could not hold back and am here trying to share my views and seek answers I’m unable to find. My comments have borrowed heavily from the above cited article, and in no way I want to criticize, contradict or comment on the renowned Mr Gurumoorthy.  I’m too novice for that and being a layman – I don’t stand anywhere near compared to him. I have used some of the points only because; more or less all discussions and my readings revolve around similar points. Even my discussions with my friend referred above have the same content.

Everyone has blamed the USA, its consumerism, consumption, debt, economic policies, and credit cards as responsible for the crisis. My friend and Mr Gurumoorthy agree on the point of average 10-12 credit card ownership per family. To a great extent they attribute the downfall to this. They also point to a whooping loan taken by the US and heavy advances by most of the countries exporting to the US. They have tried to analyse the whole scenario and find/suggest answers – but I could not find the answers or reasons. May be I’m not able to understand the same. In the article – at one place he writes that we in India are better placed because of our cultural and social upbringing and this in turn has given us saving habits. This is upheld as a big virtue and a strong reason for our safety in these times. There are so many different references to interest rates, stock markets, mall culture and spending habits of the western world. Also there is a positive reference to the Indian family system and culture. Most of it I’m unable to understand. He has also pointed to the American social security system and concludes this as a type of Nationalisation of the family structure.

Whether it is US or anywhere else in the world – if one gets a credit card – he cannot go on getting credits endlessly. If a country imports goods on credit it has to pay back. It cannot endlessly get credit. The way I understand the trade, mostly it is between private players. A manufacturer/Supplier in Japan/China/India exports to US/EUROPE – on some fixed payment terms. In most cases the payments are advance by LC (Letter of Credit) even if there are credits – they are normally short term. The traders are not in default for long periods of time. The citizens of any country using multiple credit cards cannot be in default for long times. On an average a US citizen earns better than an average Asian or Indian. He may not save but cannot spend much beyond his limits. In all countries of the world, governments run on taxes and as far as I understand – the tax collection machinery is the most ruthless everywhere. No government leave the tax defaulter at ease for long.

India is a different story. If the government is collecting the taxes – and the population after paying the tax is left with little to survive/indulge in and still live on credit, to me it sounds – state sponsored debt. The government is rich and the citizens’ debt ridden, living under a constant debt burden. In a way it looks like the government and a few people favoured by the government are rich and are becoming richer by the day. Nowhere have I read the US government has become bankrupt. Nowhere in all the material I have read so far is there news of a bailout package for the state. This again compels me to wonder if everything is state sponsored. Since my exposure to their system is limited, I cannot discuss much on them but just a few points which as a layman come to mind – point a finger to state sponsorship for all that is happening.

Coming to India – the virtues pointed out in the article don’t seem to be holding ground in the present system. The only difference I see here is the system – if we can say we have a system. Else it is the non-existence of the system that probably is saving us. In India I know what it is to get a credit card. If you have a strong balance sheet – there are tens of lending agencies to extend a card. If you are financially weak – I hope everyone knows what it to own a credit card. In case of defaults also the ways of recovery are well known. My experience shows – it is mostly the powerful/mighty/prosperous who default the most as they know they can fight/evade/manipulate the recovery agents/system. The middle class and poor mostly pay-up or don’t default in the first place. I personally know of a number of instances where huge outstanding bills of industrial houses are converted in loans in case of habitual defaults. To a common man – one unpaid bill and the departmental people are there to disconnect/disrupt services. After defaulting once – and going through the reconnection process – few have the nerve to default again.

The family system is also falling apart – the prosperity of the past decade is not based on the virtues of the traditional system but newer generation which have scant respect to the old values. What we see mostly is the result of IT/ITES (IT Enabled Services) boom and the American way of life. I personally know many young Indians earning more than their parents and still unable to meet their personal expenses. The highest family discord/mal-adjustment is in the young and educated/modern generation. The growing greed, materialism, disregard towards elders, life style do not speak too well for these virtues. Still we are better placed compared to the western world is beyond explanation. Probably we are in transition and hence neither traditional nor western. Yes I agree totally with Mr Gurumoorthy about the strength of the traditional Indian Family system rooted in virtues. Also I firmly believe and advocate the opinion that we will never be “westernised” in the way they are, our cultural and social systems and upbringing will always withhold us. Despite seeing it fail – we are following them, but not for long. In the final analysis we will have to invent our own system and we will.

We may be happy about the bank deposits – but it is not the savings of the common man. The common man is hardly able to meet his minimal requirements of food and shelter, leave aside health; he cannot afford to be health conscious. He only takes care of emergency health management and that also by insufficient methods and means. The abundant presence of quacks and untrained practitioners is proof enough. Education is a luxury for the blessed few. Where is he going to find funds for savings? This saving is also coming from the parallel economy to a large extent. As the government control on banks is increasing we will see less in the bank savings accounts and FDRs (Fixed deposit Receipts). Real estate is another alternative option of investment of the funds from the parallel economy and we already have seen the rise in investment in this sector.

We are better placed compared to the west because we have less state control or no control, to be more true. Our state does not have control on the tax collection; the numbers of tax evaders are proof enough.  The existence of parallel economy is a known and accepted fact. We do not have a working bureaucracy or a political system. The major part of the working hours of our policy makers are spent in saving the seat. The politician is under constant pressure of retaining his seat – so the most part of his time is spent in protecting it, managing alliances, planning for re-election for the next term. Making the most out of the present position and insuring the future of his whole generation – as he is not sure of getting a second chance. To get a second one has to work and perform; but alas he does not have time or capability for one thing that he needs to work and perform. A bureaucrat also has a similar agenda, though not in fear of losing the job, but he also has to safeguard the seat of profitable assignment. The one on a lucrative posting lives under constant pressure of losing it and the one without, under constant pressure of making efforts to get there. In all this seat management where do we see the time to make policies and manage the affairs he is entrusted. In all this seat-management mayhem – governance and duties are casualty.

Probably India is the only country in the world where we reward the defaulter. We pay the bills of the pilferers. Electricity is a very good example. It is a well established fact that we have one of the highest electricity pilferages. And what is the ground reality? The establishment reports loss and increases the rates – to be paid by the conscientious honest user. It is the same everywhere – the honest user of services pays for the dishonest. Again, this is a typical case of systemic failure.

In a way we can say – we are better placed because we do not have any state control. We do not have STATE at all. We just have a symbolic state; and that is probably a boon in disguise. Neither virtues, nor systems but the absence of STATE is helping us survive, if we can have a semblance of satisfaction that we are as surviving.

A counter-point is; despite the gloomy economic scenario, the huge success of the Vibrant Gujarat Investor summit. A well managed show of State - commitment.

If we really want to find solutions – we have to look at the STATE and the ways of the STATE – initiate changes from the top. The person who care and understand what little is in their capacity have taken a resigned view, we have to bring them to the front ranks. The overwhelming affinity of materialism have pushed the thinkers and knowledgeable to the sidelines. We have to restore honour and respect for them to get them out of the perpetual hibernation they have chosen for themselves. Just today I was reading an article about the Fall of Mr Raju of Satyam and some where he had quoted – “Ordinary people have the capacity to deliver the Extra Ordinary”. Yes that is very true. We have to get out of the Jargons and look for simple terms and ages old systems which helped us to whether all storms. We have to balance the STATE and PEOPLE.

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http://www.gocomics.com/comic_page/view/391003

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ITBHUGlobal.org: The Chronicle: Opinion-Shakti Samanta passed away

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(By Yogesh K Upadhyaya.  Email: yogesh@optonline.net)

Bollywood has lost a veteran filmmaker and Director, Shakti Samanta, known as the wizard of entertainment after giving pure entertainers like An Evening in Paris and Kashmir Ki Kali.

The veteran filmmaker died on April 9, 2009 after a month-long hospitalisation in the Nanavati Hospital at Ville Parle in the western suburb of Mumbai. He is survived by his wife and two sons.

(Shakti Samanta)

Though Samanta started with making B-grade movies in the early 1950s, he became one of the most successful names in the business a decade later. He was known for producing musical and entertaining films. He produced and directed over 70 Bollywood films. He introduced Sharmila Tagore at the age of 16 in Kashmir Ki Kali and later she appeared in many of his films.

As the unstoppable star of the 1960s, Shammi Kapoor helped Samanta steer his career to success. So did Rajesh Khanna, the superstar, during the following decade. And the filmmaker admitted that unequivocally and with all humility.

"What made Shakti Samanta different from many other successful filmmakers was that he never took recourse to cheap subjects to pander to the box office. His movies saw box office success by their own merits," said filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra.

During the 1970s, Samanta made one successful movie after another. Hits like Kati Patang, Amar Prem, Amanush and Anand Ashram put him on a pedestal and made his Shakti Films one of the most sought after banners.

"In spite of all the adulations he received from his audience and peers, he remained a humble man. He never allowed success to turn his head. That speaks for the man's character," said Kiran Shantaram, owner of Rajkamal Studios in central Mumbai.

A science graduate, Samanta began making his living as a school teacher in a remote village in Maharashtra. It was his love for films that brought him to Mumbai in the early 1950s.

Thanks to producer Karimbhai Nadiadwala, he got an opportunity to make four movies - Bahu, Sheroo, Inspector and Hill Station. But it was his 1958 film Howrah Bridge that brought him success.

Uneasy with making B-grade movies, he tried his hand at a socially relevant theme with Insaan Jaag Utha in 1959. It disheartened him when the movie received a lackluster response from the audience. So he reverted to making entertainers and found a saleable star in Shammi Kapoor - he teamed up Shammi in Singapore, China Town, An Evening in Paris and Kashmir Ki Kali.

Later he teamed up with Rajesh Khanna and it was Samanta's Aradhana that made him a superstar. The duo later worked together in films like Amar Prem, Anurodh, Awaaz, Kati Patang and Mehbooba.

With the decline of the popularity of Rajesh Khanna, Samanta's grip over the box-office also started slipping. None of the movies he made with other stars, except Great Gambler (1979) and Barsaat Ki Ek Raat (1981) with Amitabh Bachchan, could bring him the success which was his for the asking in the preceding decade. Suddenly he lost his Midas touch.

It was at about this time that he slowed down the pace of his filmmaking and handed over the reins of Shakti Films to his son Ashim Samanta. With time at his disposal, he became president of the Indian Motion Picture Producers' Association (IMPPA) and later also assumed the post of chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

In the mid-1990s, his health began deteriorating and later he had a cardiac arrest. He had a pacemaker placed in his heart about a year ago. Last month, he was rushed to the Nanavati Hospital for a prostate gland operation.

The cumulative effect of having to withstand a weak heart and the operation became too much to bear for the 83-year-old filmmaker. He was discharged from the hospital only a week before he died.

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Additional Links:

Bollywood will miss wizard of entertainment Shakti Samanta

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/009200904101732.htm

Sharmila praises Samanta

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/009200904101931.htm

Asha Parekh remembers Shakti Samanta

http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=HomePage&id=6085ef13-e2f8-4aed-8016-112012cbde86&Headline=Asha+Parekh+remembers+Shakti+Samanta

Shakti Samanta in Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shakti_Samanta

Shakti Samanta in Internet Movie Database (with list of his movies)

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0759662/

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ITBHUGlobal.org: The Chronicle: Report on IT-Day Celebration

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The IT-Day was celebrated at Swatantrata Bhavan on Saturday, April 25. Retired Judge Mr. Giridhar Malaviya (grandson of Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya), who was also the chief guest inaugurated the function.

Distinguished Alumni Award

Every year, institute gives out distinguished alumnus award and this time it was conferred on Dr. Himadri Sen (Pharmaceutics 1971) and Prof. Pankaj Chandra (Mining 1983). Dr. Himadri Sen is President - R&D (Generics & NDDS) at Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd. Prof. Pankaj Chandra is Director of IIM, Bangalore. The prize includes a citation, a memento and a shawl. There is an Annual Day coordination committee made every year for the conduct of the Annual IT-Day headed by Director.

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Additional links:

 (Prof. Pankaj Chandra)

Chronicle interviews Prof. Pankaj Chandra in December 2007 issue

http://www.itbhuglobal.org/chronicle/archives/2007/12/

 (Dr. Himadri Sen)

Dr. Himadri Sen is Ranbaxy's R&D chief http://www.blonnet.com/2007/03/13/stories/2007031304690300.htm

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Distinguished Student Award

This award is given to outgoing 4th year student for all round distinct performance in academics, co-curricular etc. This year it is given to Saurabh Agarwal from Computer Science & Engineering (CSE) Part-IV.

CITATION

Mr. SAURABH AGRAWAL, son of Smt Sulekha Agrawal and Shri Ram Murari Agrawal joined the Institute in the session 2005-2006. Mr. Saurabh Agrawal is not only a rank holder of his class but he also stood first in his School level Secondary (10^th) and Senior Secondary (10+2) Examinations of the Central Board of Secondary Education, New Delhi.

Mr. Saurabh Agrawal has taken keen interest in research and development activities. He secured First position in “MODEX (Electronics & Instrumentation)” of the TECHNEX’06 at IT-BHU. He participated in “SNAP” at Techfest 2007, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay. In 2007, he also secured First position in the TECHNEX’07 through participation in the “MODEX” at IT-BHU.

Mr. Saurabh Agrawal has been honoured through participation as Guest of Hon’ble Prime Minister of India for witnessing the Republic Day Parade, 2009 for his academic performance in the B. Tech., Computer Science and Engineering Examination conducted by the Banaras Hindu University during the year 2007-08.

Mr. Saurabh Agrawal has been an excellent performer and organizer of events. He has been an active member of practically all co-curricular and extra-curricular activities of the Institute. He has been Coordinator of MODEX-2008. He has also been a Member of Student Welfare Committee during the year 2008-09.

Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University is proud of Mr. Saurabh Agrawal, who has shown exemplary performance in academic, extra-curricular and co-curricular activities, and confers on him the “OUTSTANDING STUDENT OF THE YEAR” award for the session 2008-09.

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Academic Award for Rank Holders

This is given to top 2 rank holders/academic toppers grade-wise, i.e. first two rank holders per branch per year.

IT-Color Award

 IT-Color award is given by IT-Gymkhana for distinguished performance by students in sports or cultural events, for excellence in activities related to it. It is awarded for particular activity like IT-Color for Volleyball or IT-Color for Music.

12 students received IT-Color Award this year.

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IT-Day coverage in news media

a) IT-BHU celebrates annual day

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Varanasi/IIT-BHU-celebrates-annual-day/articleshow/4448887.cms

25 Apr 2009, 1917 hrs IST, TNN

VARANASI: Amidst hopes of gaining the status of IIT, the Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University, celebrated its annual day on Saturday. 

Inaugurating the function, former justice, Allahabad High Court, Justice Giridhar Malaviya said the institute had already attained global recognition and was included among the premier engineering institutions of the country. "The soul of the great founder of the university still lies in the institute and the IIT status should not depart it from the university," added the grandson of Pt Madan Mohan Malaviya- the founder of the institute.

Recalling his association with the institute, director, Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, Prof. Pankaj Chandra said it had made rapid progress in all fields and was helping the country in becoming a knowledge superpower. Vice-Chancellor, BHU, Prof DP Singh, while presiding over the function, assured all help to get the status of IIT to the institute. 

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b) Published on 26th April 2009 Amar Ujala (Varanasi)

 On IT-Day, Prof. Pankaj Chandra receiving award from retired judge, Mr. Giridhar Malaviya.

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c) Published in Dainik Jagran

http://in.jagran.yahoo.com/epaper/index.php?location=40&edition=2009-04-26&pageno=7

English Translation:

IT-BHU will be on top after becoming an IIT

Varanasi: Educational Correspondent

Retired Judge and grandson of Mahamana, Mr. Giridhar Malaviya told that Engineering Institute of Banaras Hindu University will be in the front in the country after becoming IIT. IT (Institute of Technology) is the mother of all technical institutes of the country. This institute has made our country proud in the world. On the eve of IT-Day function held on Saturday in Swatantrata Bhavan on campus, chief guest judge Malaviya said that even the process of conversion of IT to IIT should be as per wishes of Malaviyaji and should not be different than his spirit. During the function, two old alumni of the institute, Dr. Himadri Sen from Bombay and Prof. Pankaj Chandra of IIM, Bangalore were honored with top alumni awards. Also, bright students who participated in educational, sports and cultural activities were also presented with awards.

In-charge of the awards ceremony, Vice-Chancellor of BHU, Prof. Dhirendra Pal Singh wished best to awardees and hoped that progress of IT will be even faster. An overview of the progress of the IT was presented by Prof. S N Upadhyaya, Director; and annual report of the institute was presented by Prof. Virendra Singh, Registrar.

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ITBHUGlobal.org: The Chronicle: Newsletter from Mahamana Malaviya Foundation

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(We are grateful to Prof. N.K. Mukhopadhyay, Department of Metallurgical Engineering for forwarding us the Newsletter with the permission from the Foundation. Prof. Mukhopadhyay can be contacted at: mukho.met@itbhu.ac.in or mukho.nk@gmail.com.)

We are pleased to publish the recently newsletter (March 2009) issue, published by Mahamana Malaviya Foundation (http://www.mahamanamalaviya.org/).

A PDF link of the newsletter is provided here. mahamana_newsletter.pdf

 The newsletter contains some stunning photographs of our institute during 1920’s. It has also some archived articles (such as speech by Dr. Gopal Tripathi in 1968) and current events (IIT conversion issue). We are reproducing some photographs and articles here with the kind permission from Mahamana Malaviya Foundation.

The newsletter is compiled with great efforts by Dr. Umesh D. Tiwari. Dr. Tiwari did his MA (1983) and Ph. D (1988) in Hindi from BHU. After that he was appointed as Fellow (a special award of BHU) for three years, to work on Mahamana's philosophy. He founded the Mahamana Malaviya Foundation (outside BHU) in 1992. He is based in varanasi and can be contacted at mmfbhu@gmail.com.

Many of our faculty/alumni are members of this foundation. The aim of the foundation is to spread the message of the ideals and thoughts of Malaviyaji throughout the world. Dr Tiwari is General Secretary of the foundation and devoted most of his time for working towards the foundation. Presently there are about 1000 members to the foundation. There are 24 books published by the foundation on Mahamana Malaviya. Dr. L. C. Singh, of Nihilent Technologies (www.nihilent.com) and alumnus of our institute (1970 Chemical) is the President of the foundation. Our Director Prof. S. N Upadhyaya was also president of the foundation few years back.

The website for the Newletter shall be started shortly. Then readers can view the Newsletter online. Currently about 2,500 copies of each issue are published and distributed to readers. The Newsletter is published quarterly. The next issue will come out in June.

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 Excerpts from the Foundation Newsletter

With the kind permission from Dr. Umesh D. Tiwari, we republish a part of the newsletter here. Complete Newsletter can be viewed here. mahamana_newsletter.pdf

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The Handicaps Facing the IT-BHU

Various Disabilities And Disparities Between The IITs And IT-BHU

 (Edited portion of the Lecture delivered on March 9, 1968, on the occasion of Annual Function, College of Technology, BHU, by Late Prof. Gopal Tripathi, the Principal-College of Technology from 1950, and Director- I.T , BHU from 1968)

In this era of technological revolutions and scientific break-throughs, technical education is fast changing its pattern and offering more challenges than ever.

For the last several years I have been trying to draw attention to the various handicaps which the technical colleges of our University have to face, vis-a-vis, the IITs set-up by the Govt. of India. As you are aware the Banaras Hindu University has been the pioneer in the field of technical education in this country and has played a leading role in the training of graduates who could take-up positions of responsibility in industry and education.

 With the setting-up of the Indian Institutes of Technology which have been declared by the Govt. of India, an institution of national importance and the attention and finances are given to them as leading institutions in the field of technical education, the Banaras Hindu University began to lose its preeminent position for several reasons.

I have repeatedly drawn attention to the various disabilities and disparities that exist between the IITs and the technical Institutions of the Universities regarding the facilities available, namely capital and recurring grant, the flexible nature of the cadres of staff, the high percentage of free-ships and studentships that obtains in the IITs and the denial of the same to us etc. and I have been pressing for an early removal of such discrimination. Just to quote a few figures, on an average, on every one of the IITs about 8.3 crores of rupees have been spent with regard to building and equipment. The cost of engineering education per student in the three types of institutions according to the official figures of the U.G.C. are given as follows: IITs- Rs. 16,886/-, Regional Engineering. Colleges-Rs 6468/-, and

Technical Colleges of the Universities-Rs. 3,013/-.

Realising the disparities of expenditure between IITs on one hand and the technical colleges of the universities on the other, the U.G.C appointed a Committee consisting of Dr. T. Sen, Union Minister of Education, Dr. P. K. Kelkar, Director IIT, Kanpur, Dr. Gopal Tripathi, Principal- College of Technology, BHU, and Shri K.L. Joshi, Secretary, U.G.C. to examine the disparities and suggest remedies. The Committee observed that the objectives of technical education are the same in all institutions in the country including the IITs and University technical colleges; the students after completing the courses take the same types of jobs, and they have to appear for the same competitive examinations and tests conducted by the Govt., and Industry for recruitment to different posts. It would, therefore, be reasonable to support the technical institutions for teaching and research work on an equitable basis and so a certain minimum quantum of grants is essential for every institution for equipment, staff, scholarship, etc. At present differences exist in the assistance being given for this purpose to the IITs on the one hand and University institutions on the other. The Committee recommended certain measures which are yet to be implemented.

Tortuous Procedure

I have already mentioned the tortuous procedure for the receipt of grants from the U.G.C. for the technical institutions in our Universities. The IITs on other hand, have supreme advantage of receiving their grants directly from the Central Govt. There is no appreciable time lag between the assessment of their needs and the receipts of the grants from the Central Govt. The Technical Colleges of the University have no direct dealing with the Govt., although their needs have still to be scrutinized by the All India Council for Technical Education. But since they form a part of the Banaras Hindu University Complex their grant is controlled by the U.G.C. which is not always alive to the needs of the technical Colleges, or to the prompt release of funds. Further, whatever financial and other advantages are given to the IITs. by way of increased emoluments, better grade of salary and huge numbers of scholarships and stipends, cannot be easily given to the technical Colleges of the University because of the fear of introducing discrimination between these technical Colleges and the other constituent Colleges of the University.

Another supreme advantage enjoyed by the IITs is the one of foreign collaboration. Each of the IITs has a foreign partner who is prepared to flood the IITs with equipments and participation in the adventure of setting up new laboratories. The University institutions are practically starved out in this respect. To import any equipment is like chasing the will-of-the-wisp. One's energy is all spent up in inviting quotations, struggling for import license, justifying the demands for additional grants, etc. All this in addition to lack of adequate teaching staff is truly frustrating."

(BHU Gazette, March, 23, 1968)

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CONVERSION ISSUE OF IT-BHU INTO AN IIT

The Text of the BHU-Executive Council Resolution passed on Feb. 21st, 2009

 “CONSIDERED the issue of grant of status to the IT-BHU. The issue was deliberated in details with the premise that the vision of its founder Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya as enshrined in the goals and objectives of the University envisaging the Banaras Hindu University as an integrated seat of learning shall remain intact.

The Vice-Chancellor appraised the Executive Council of the deliberations he had on the issue with the Ministry Officials regarding retention of the Integral Character of the University.

The Director, IT appraised the Executive Council of the chronological developments on the issue. It was also apprised that to formalize the grant of IIT status the Ministry of Human Resource Development expects the University to suggest inter-alia the methodology for establishing the Indian Institute of Technology-BHU, Varanasi.

The Executive Council noted with pleasure the recent development in connection

with the granting of IIT status to the existing IT-BHU and felt that this would be a vital enabling factor in improving the quality and access of technical education to the students of this region, in particular and the country, in general, commensurate with the objectives of the University and the vision of its founder. It also noted the feelings of the faculty, students and alumni of IT-BHU.

The members of the Executive Council were of a unanimous opinion that the integration of IT-BHU into the IIT should be so made that it remains an integral part of the Benares Hindu University having functional autonomy as provided to other IITs.

After deliberating over the matter at length the following was resolved-

Resolved that the decision to grant the IIT status to the ITBHU be welcomed and concurred with appreciation subject to the condition that on integration with the IIT system it should remain an integral part of the Banaras Hindu University.

Resolved further that on incorporation into the Institute of Technology Act, 1961, IT-BHU be named as Indian Institute of Technology-BHU, Varanasi and it be governed under provisos of the Institute of Technology Act, 1961 subject to the following-

1. In respect of the proposed IIT-BHU, Varanasi, the Body Corporate be the Banaras Hindu University. Acknowledging the composition of the Corporate Body as provided for in the Institutes of Technology Act-1961, the BHU Act be appropriately expanded to include Chairman and members of the Board of Governors and Director of the proposed IIT-BHU.

2. The Vice-Chancellor, BHU be the ex-officio Chairman of the Board of Governors of the proposed IIT-BHU.

3. Two members of the Board of Governors of the proposed IIT-BHU, be nominated by the Executive Council.

4. Three members of the Senate of the proposed IIT-BHU, be nominated by the Chairman, Board of Governors (V.C.-BHU), from the allied fields.

Resolved further that the suggestion for making amendments (annexed) in the BHU Act on the above premise be forwarded to the MHRD for further necessary action with the request that necessary corresponding amendments be made in the Institute of Technology Act, 1961 incorporating the above.

Resolved further that Ministry may also make any other suitable amendments in the corresponding Acts, keeping in view the above, if required for legal reasons.

Resolved further that 500 acres of land be allocated to IIT-BHU at Rajeev Gandhi South Campus, Barkaccha, Mirzapur.

Resolved further that IIT-BHU, Varanasi be relocated at Rajeev Gandhi South Campus, Barkaccha, Mirzapur within a reasonable period of time say, three years from its incorporation in the Institute of Technology Act 1961.

It was further noted that at present IT-BHU runs only the core Engineering courses in addition to Applied Science, Bio-Medical Engineering, Bio-Chemical Engineering, and Material Science. When the establishment of the full-fledged IIT-BHU, Varanasi, it will be required to introduce more inter-disciplinary courses also in humanities, management, etc. to make it a "World Class Institution". This obviously will require large area of land for expansion which is a big constraint at the main campus of BHU. The Banaras Hindu University is already running a number of courses at its South Campus named as Rajeev Gandhi South Campus (RGSC), Barkaccha, Mirzapur having an area of about 2700 acres, under its expansion plan and has already created large infrastructure there. Considering above, the members were of the view that this major constraint of land crunch at the main campus of the University could be over come if the proposed IITBHU, Varanasi is subsequently relocated by allocating 500 acres of land at its RGSC, Barkachha, Mirzapur over a reasonable period say, from the date of incorporation of IT-BHU, Varanasi, in the Institute of Technology Act, 1961. Besides, this will help in the overall development of otherwise educationally and economically backward region of the country. This will also pave way for the access of best quality technical education to the students residing in a vast region incorporating Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar and Jharkhand.''

AMENDMENT/INCLUSIONS IN THE BHU ACT XVI OF 1915

3. Incorporation

1. The Chancellor and the Vice-Chancellor and the members of the Court, the Executive Council and the Academic Council, for the time being, shall be

a body corporate by the name of the Banaras Hindu University.

2. The University shall have perpetual succession and a common seal, and shall sue, and be sued, by the name first aforesaid.

3. Except as aforesaid, the Institute of Technology, established under the Statutes, shall on incorporation under the IT Act-1961, be governed in terms of the provisions of the said Act on and from the commencement of IT (Amendment) Act, subject to the following conditions:-

The IT-BHU, on such Incorporation, be called the Indian Institute of Technology,

BHU, Varanasi.

ADDITIONS/SUBSTITUTIONS IN THE IIT ACT-1961

a) In respect of IT-BHU, Varanasi the body corporate shall be the Banaras Hindu University.

b) Any reference to the Institute of Technology, BHU in any law shall be deemed as a reference to the Indian Institute of Technology, BHU, Varanasi.

c) All liabilities of the IT-BHU shall be transferred to, and be the liabilities of, the IIT, BHU, Varanasi.

d) The Board, as defined in the IT Act-1961,shall have the Vice-Chancellor of the Banaras Hindu University as its Chairman.

e) The Board, as defined in the IT Act-1961, shall have two nominees, in addition to the composition defined in section 11 of the IT Act-1961, to be nominated by the Executive Council of the BHU.

f) The Senate, as defined in the Institute of Technology Act-1961, shall have three nominees, in addition to the composition defined in Section 14 of the IT Act-1961, from the fields of Science, Humanities, Law and Medicine to be nominated by the Vice-Chancellor, Banaras Hindu University.

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Earlier days of Benaras Engineering College, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi.

(Photographs-courtesy of Mahamana Malaviya Foundation Newsletter)

The Engineering College BHU started in one single shed in January, 1919. Its Power House was built, and a 20 KW Set (200 Volt DC) was installed in1921, which was augmented by a 100 KW Set in 1923. The Boiler House was erected in 1922.

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 Engineering College Drawing Class. The First Principal Prof. C.A. King Instructing a Student (on second table of right hand row)

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 The first Workshop (Carpentry Section) of the Engineering College started with Artisan-Carpentry Course in Feb. 1919

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