Prof. Tangeda Navaneetha Rao was a prominent academician who was remembered in a personal tribute written by Sr. Prof. D. Ravinder Yadav, who also recognised him as a top figure in the field of education. Professor Tangeda Navaneetha Rao is one of the select few who oversaw Osmania University, which sent forth many outstanding thinkers in a variety of subjects. He's from the Jeelugula hamlet in Elkaturthi mandal, which is close to Huzurabad.
He graduated from Osmania University with a degree as well as PG and PhD degrees. He started at OU as a teacher. As a student, researcher, teacher, and administrator from 1948 to 1991, he established an enduring 43-year connection with OU. Served as the OU vice-chancellor for two periods (1985–88 and 1988–91) and was the driving force behind several risky choices. It is not an exaggeration to say that his efforts to increase OU's influence in the domains of research and education will always serve as a model for subsequent generations.
Prof. Navaneetha Rao spearheaded efforts to preserve vast Osmania University lands for use in education, research, and employment. A few crores of rupees were spent to construct a protective wall around the OU some three decades ago. It gained a lot of popularity at the time and was likened to the Great Wall of China.
By constructing a road around the wall, we are currently keeping an eye on the OU land. Most of the current teaching and non-teaching employees at OU received job opportunities during his administration. In his forty years as a professional, he has directed numerous studies. As a professor, scholar, and administrator, he made an irreplaceable impression on Osmania University.
Three late chief ministers of the undivided state of Andhra Pradesh — N.T. Rama Rao, Marri Chenna Reddy, and Nedurumalli Janardhan Reddy—took the initiative on several occasions and gave OU the money it required. New Delhi authorities provided funding for the study impressed with his commitment. As a result, OU had the opportunity to establish a sizable research centre. From the chemical department where he conducted his research, numerous researchers have established themselves all over the world.
They have given OU exceptional distinction on the global stage thanks to their intelligence. People who conducted research under Prof. Navanitha Rao's guidance are today holding important positions all over the world, particularly in the USA where several corporations have been established.
In my function as vice-chancellor of Osmania University, I recently travelled to America. Many of the folks who greeted me there were students from our university's engineering and chemistry departments. They all brought to mind Prof. Navaneetha Rao's academic accomplishments. The OU Chemistry Department was regarded as a miniature university at the time. This is because chemistry has the most professors, researchers, and students overall. No other department had such a large faculty. The claim that Prof. T. Navaneetha Rao was involved in this as well is not hyperbole.
The requisite laboratories were set up by Prof. Navaneetha Rao on his own initiative so that research could be done in other departments as well. He placed a lot of attention on building dormitories, schools, and human resources. OU has prospered as a result of such vision. Prof. Tangeda Navaneetha Rao, a teacher and researcher who worked in the field for four decades, overcame a variety of obstacles. He served as an OU chemistry lecturer from 1951 to 1991.
He was a fervent learner. Students and research students took part in this as well and helped launch numerous technologies.
He has studied a variety of subjects, such as environmental chemistry, chemical education, and the employment of technology in rural areas. 5 books and almost 220 research papers published. 160 research papers were presented at conferences on a national and international level. Presented keynote addresses and talks those were invited. 24 students received their doctorates while working with Prof. Rao, visited several nations in Southeast Asian, American, and European regions.
For his studies and findings, Prof. Navaneetha Rao received numerous honours and accolades. In 1972, he was given the J.C. Young Scientist Award. He was given the Best University Teacher Award in 1981. For his contributions to science and technology, he received the St. Meesum Award in 1986 and the Dr. CR Reddy Vamsi Award in 1989. 1990 saw Prof. Navaneetha Rao receive numerous honours and accolades, including the National Unity Award, Vijya Shree Award, and the Andhra Pradesh Academy of Sciences Award.
He held positions as President of IPE, Director of Andhra Bank, Member of Task Force, and Chairman of Scientific Commission, in addition to being the Chairman of the Swami Ramananda Tirtha Rural Training Centre. Established programmes for economic and cultural exchange between the European Union and India. He has vast expertise through his roles as OU Vice-Chancellor, Rector, Director of PG Colleges, Head of Chemistry Department, and Chairman of the Karnataka Universities Review Commission, in addition to membership in other professional organisations. Inter-American Photochemical Society Research Fellow at the Royal Society of Chemistry (London) a member of the Indian Science Congress, a researcher for the Indian Chemical Society, a member of the Indian Photobiological Society, and a researcher for the Indian Electrochemical Society.
He currently serves on the Andhra Pradesh State Research and Development Committee and the Executive Committee of the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT). He has also held other senior posts on the CSIR and UGC Research Committees. He has assumed numerous significant roles in many educational institutions like the Chairman of the Administrative Staff College of India, Hyderabad, and the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board.
Osmania University has moved in the direction of comprehensive growth under the direction of Prof. T. Navaneetha Rao. He made a lot of risky choices throughout his two years as vice chancellor. All communities were included in the administration of Osmania University, which was operated in accordance with the social and economic circumstances of the time His initiatives and decision making acumen saved the 1988 academic year. Because of his efforts, several generations after that were able to avoid missing school years. In order to manage the institution as a whole, Prof. T. N. Rao identified human resources as the major difficulty, which led to the creation of numerous job possibilities. More than 300 academic and support staff members have been hired.
The majority of those who are currently employed began their careers under his direction. All departments finished their extensive hiring of lecturers and readers between 1988 and 1990. His vision allowed OU to recognise that there is no teacher shortage. Under his direction, everyone who was appointed is now retiring. Prof. T. Navaneetha Rao had a distinct idea of what positions he wanted for himself. You can see how outstanding a humanitarian he is by looking at the positions he has held. Priority was given to the unemployed and socially and economically disadvantaged sections when it came to work prospects. Osmanians without jobs received employment.
By arranging his son's intercaste marriage, he set an example for others to follow. I'm also honoured to have been chosen for one of his appointments and to have held Prof. Rao's hand when I accepted the letter of appointment. People who for a variety of reasons couldn't find employment were offered the chance to start universities. Nobody else in OU history has offered as many employments opportunities and options as Prof. Navaneetha Rao did. His backing allowed for the establishment of colleges that are now renowned educational institutions that educate thousands of students. As a result, he gained a lot of recognition. Having said that, I am pleased to mention that Prof. Navaneetha Rao is one of the very few vice chancellors who has left a unique impact on Osmania University's history in every way.
It is regrettable that he is no longer here with us. Let's all work together to follow his lead and raise Osmania University's honour and reputation to the highest possible degree. Let's all rethink who we are as Ottomans to reinforce the framework they built. Let's establish OU as a hub for research and teaching on a global scale. Let's honour that great man by doing so.
Let's gather at Tagore Auditorium on September 4 at 3 pm to honour Prof. Tangeda Navaneetha Rao's devoted contributions to the esteemed Osmania University. Everyone who was in any way connected to Prof. Rao, whether they worked in the classroom or not, should attend his memorial service and pay tribute to him. Let's honour him.
(The writer is the Vice-Chancellor of Osmania University)
