SV University - A Lost Glory!. Review on Sri Venkateswar University

SV University – The Lost Glory

If you happen to visit Tirupati, and entering the pilgrim town from the western direction, you can see the Golden Jubilee Arch of Sri Venkateswara University (SVU) under construction. The campus spreads in a verdant 500 acres right up to the foot of Tirumala Hills.

Last year (2003), the varsity celebrated its completion of 5 decades of excellence. The dignitaries, who attended the mega fete, included President APJ Abdul Kalam, then chief minister Chandrababu Naidu, and several others from all lifestyles, coming from all over the country. In 1998, the University Grants Commission’s accreditation committee had awarded the SVU – a Four Star status, while the authorities desperately tried for a 5*. The varsity’s old students included late President Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. It also produced ace personalities, who are now spread all over the world.

Highlight of SVU is that a look at its library reminds you of Taj Mahal. None other than our former Prime Minister late Jawaharlal Nehru inaugurated one of its massive academic blocks. Its clock tower is popular all over Rayalaseema, the region much dreaded for its faction fights. The area’s well-known leaders are Ex-CM Chandrababu Naidu, and present CM YS Rajasekhar Reddy.

All great achievements began with a little step. Established in 1953 with a mere four departments in the languages, now, SVU is a vibrant academic leader offering courses in nearly 45 faculties, including most advances subjects like microbiology, biomedicine, virology and biochemistry. It has a top-ranking engineering college, besides offering affiliation to a medical college. More than 2000 families, both teaching and non-teaching, are succored by the varsity administration.

Till 1990, SVU witnessed a golden era. Thanks to the divine grace of Lord Venkateswara, the university is recognized worldwide. Symposiums, seminars, exhibitions and like events were held every year. Hundreds of the elite sections from different parts of the country, representatives of various universities, inland and overseas, visited SVU and were thrilled at the marvelous beauty of the campus and its rich tradition of academic excellence. Parents had imposed great faith in SVU and sent their children to study at Tirupati. Girl students found foolproof security in the hostels. They found great taste in food supplied to them, and extraordinary wisdom in the teaching imparted to them.

Alas, gone were those golden days, but a golden jubilee arch is coming up. Since a decade, the varsity became the worst centre of political game. Most of the eminent teaching staff was retired and the vacancies lay unfilled or occupied by the affluent and influential people. For instance, you have the Department of Music, but no students. Two faculty members are paid their salaries in thousands of rupees each month. In the wake of great demand for courses in science and technology, the departments offering courses in humanities are neglected.

A matter of high solace is that as long as there is support from the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the varsity continues to be regarded as one of the reputed institutions in the country. Coming to the extra-curricular activities, the departments of NSS and Cultural Division have little or no work at all.

But, you have certain very good people among the teaching and non-teaching staff, who believe in one thing. Service to the university is service to Lord Venkateswara. Let us pray to the Lord for revival of the lost glory for SVU.