On Saturday evening, the air at Osmania Medical College was filled with nostalgia. It’s alumni from across the world came together for the OU Centenary Celebrations (medical wing) organised by the Osmania University Centenary Celebrations Committee and the Osmania Medical College Alumni Association at the college auditorium in Koti. While the chief guest was Prof S. Ramchandram, Vice-Chancellor, Osmania University, the guests of honour were Dr Ch. Gopal Reddy (Registrar, OU), Prof. H. Venkateshwarlu (OSD, OU Centenary Celebrations) and A. Shyam Mohan (Chairman, Organising Committee, OU Centenary Celebrations).
Dr G.V. Rao
Dr G.V. Rao from Asian Institute of Gastroenterology was also present. Interestingly, Syed Hashmath Kamal, the grandson of Dr S.M. Mohsin, who has the distinction of holding the first PhD degree awarded by Osmania University in Zoology in 1953, was also present. Kamal was showcasing his grandfather’s degrees and some photos from his time at the exhibition. “My grandfather was an educationist, writer, scientist and poet. I was invited by the OU Centenary Celebrations Committee for this occasion,” says Kamal.
Dr Neeraj Raj
Dr Neeraj Raj, founder, MD of Immertive, which develops new-age technologies in virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed reality in the field of healthcare, also showcased his paintings. “It’s so good to be back here after so many years,” he says.
Dr O.A. Sarma
Says 92-year-old Dr O.A. Sarma, who was a professor at OMC, “It’s a great feeling to be here. I have published a number of books including medical dictionaries and have also received numerous honours and awards over the years. However, nothing beats the feeling of coming back to my college. It has changed a little... it’s getting old! But it’s still close to my heart.”
Dr Sarma is an avid Deccan Chronicle reader, with old cut-outs from the newspaper still treasured by him. He adds, “I am displaying my drawing of Mahatma Gandhi that I drew with Japanese ink powder in 1947 when I was pursuing third year MBBS at Andhra Medical College.”
Osmania medical education
On the occasion, distinguished alumni were felicitated and a book on Osmania medical education, Maa Thuje Salaam, was released. Cultural programmes and dinner, which was a delicious spread of Hyderabadi delicacies, followed. What was interesting at the event was the photo/painting exhibition, in which the alumni showcased their collections from time immemorial. A few members of the alumni association also donated money to construct lunch halls for boys and girls in the college.
