Whose alma mater? Only political alumni

HYDERABAD: The unique academic idea and fascinating experience called Osmania University turns 100 on April 26. It's a major milestone that calls for grand celebrations. It is also the occasion to recall the unparalleled contribution of the distinguished alumni of this great educational institution. Many of the alumni, who brought laurels to their alma mater, are no more and we continue to cherish their memories and contribution to the mankind.Some of the bright old boys of the pre-Independent era, who are present amongst us now to witness the centenary of Osmania University, remain unsung heroes. They unfortunately do not get the attention they deserve either from the state government or the university authorities entrusted with the task of the centenary celebrations.
Ironically, their names do not even figure in the scroll of honour (distinguished alumni) on the centenary website of the university. The authorities could not make even a list of at least 100 distinguished alumni to mark the occasion. Of the 51 personalities listed in the scroll of honour, 23 are politicians including MLAs and MLCs. Only two figure in the literature category and eight in the scientists group.
The fact is Osmania University has produced hundreds of students, who made a mark in almost every sphere of life. There is no mention of Vainu Bappu, the only Indian after whom a comet has been named. Bappu was associated with Nizam College and Nizamia Observatory. Moulvi Abdul Haq, who is regarded as the father of Urdu, and Dr Raziuddin Siddiqui, theoretical nuclear physicist and mathematician, do not figure in the scroll of honour. Dr Raziuddin incidentally served as vice-chancellor of OU. Dr Hameeduddin, who was from the first graduation batch of Osmania in 1925, represented the princely state of Hyderabad in the League of Nations (United Nations). He translated the Holy Quran in French and authored over 400 books.
Two such unsung heroes, who live in Hyderabad, are Dr MK Hasnuddin Siddiqui and Dr Syed Fareeduddin. Dr Siddiqui did Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Chemical Technology, Bachelor of Chemical Engineering and PhD from Osmania University between 1947 and 1958. His discovery of attapulgite clay in Telangana and other parts of India and the technology for purification of edible and fuel oils has resulted in a recurrent saving to the nation of about 2,000 crore a year. He was the first Indian scientist whose work was published by Pergamon Press Limited, Oxford. His books, Bleaching Earths and Palygorskite-Sepiolite, are the most quoted scientific works.
Eminent nuclear scientist Dr Fareeduddin, served as the director, Division of Nuclear Fuel Cycle, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Vienna. He was the founder-director of Heavy Water Projects (Heavy Water Board). His brainchild is the Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC) that powers nuclear power stations across the country. The OU authorities have not extended invitation to these two old boys that brought laurels not only to the university but also to Mother India.