Hyderabad: Vidhya Rani reformer who radiated love and goodness

Hyderabad: The loss of noted educationist and reformer Dr A. Vidhya Rani, who re-defined social structures, fought for women’s empowerment and education for girls, will be felt by many.

Fondly known as ‘amma’ as she radiated love and goodness, this is how she was best remembered at her one month death ceremony held at Mahbub College on Wednesday.

The longest serving principal of Kasturba Gandhi Degree College who brought about several revolutions in the education system Dr A. Vidhya Rani passed away in June fighting cancer.

She was 78. Students, colleagues and friends spoke of her individual contribution that was impactful. Courses and training programmes introduced by her in the college led to a massive growth in the number of students.

The number grew from 100 to 2,000 within a few years of her joining as the principal.

Purnima Janardhan, formerly of the national women’s cricket team, said, “When parents used to force their children to study medicine and law, she always facilitated Kasturba College’s women’s team. She was with us throughout our career. She gave us the ground for practice and supported us in every possible way.”

In 1941, in the undivided Andhra Pradesh, Dr Vidya started her career as a Telugu lecturer in Tagore’s home and later held the post of principal of Kasturba Gandhi Degree College for 23 long years (1976 to 1999) where she executed her vision.

In 23 years as a principal, the longest duration in the history of the college, she worked hard and passionately to bring instrumental changes in the college.

Despite facing many hurdles as a woman, she not only did her MA and PhD from Osmania University but she was also the first woman principal from South India to be nominated for the prestigious Fulbright Fellowship under the educational administration programme to study and observe higher education in the USA.

During her academic career she visited several universities and colleges in California, Georgia, Kentucky, Florida, Washington etc.

Dr P. Aruna Reddy, remembering her time with Vidhya Rani, said, “She used to treat her colleagues and subordinates as a family. She made life simple for everybody and her motherly affection for people is  unforgettable. During her career, she always strived to spread education, especially for girl children. She was against school drops outs. She encouraged her colleagues who wanted inter caste and religion marriages at a time when it was considered a taboo.”

Throughout her life she advocated education for women.

She not only helped them in securing education in different institutes in the city but also motivated them and their families to allow them to work and be self sufficient.