The genesis of Osmania Graduates' Association can be traced back to almost a century. The social, educational, economic
and political conditions of the society under a feudal Muslim rule of Nizam State were more archaic when compared to
other princely states in India. Literacy level among the masses was very low. As such there were no political parties to
reflect and mobilise, the aspirations. of people and project the shocking economic disparities and plan to improve the
situation. The policies of the feudal government were not oriented towards the needs and aspirations of the people.
Osmania University was established in 1919, with Urdu as the medium of instruction because Urdu was the language of the
rulers and the ruling class. Much has been sung about this step, neglecting the fact that Urdu was not the language of
the masses, but was only of the Muslims, and the administration.
After two batches of graduates, passed out of the portals of Osmania University, serious consequences were realized by a
small group of young graduates that their degrees of Urdu medium were denied recognition outside Nizam State, by the
provincial governments in British India, other princely states and also by the University of Madras, Bombay and
Calcutta.
Here lies the fascinating story of the genesis of Osmania Graduates' Association. One of the subtle and grave concerns
shared by few young graduates from elite Hindu and Muslim families was how to draw attention of men in power that
mattered to the anxieties of the young graduates of Osmania University to get their degrees recognized, which were to be
equal to the degrees of other prevailing universities in India.
Late Mir Akbar Ali Khan, a graduate from the first batch and also the first to go to the U.K. for higher studies, has
put on record his reminiscences, how he faced the problem of getting his degree recognized, when he went to enroll his
name for terms of the course of Barrister in London. However, this problem was never solved till 1949, when Urdu medium
was replaced by English medium after the state was merged in Indian Union. Earlier MBBS & Engineering degrees holders in
Urdu medium were immediately absorbed in the Nizam government services. By 1947 about 312 doctors had acquire MBBS in
Urdu medium. Nevertheless, these graduates were admitted for higher studies in UK. Also during Il world war they were
recruited in Armed Forces on equal footing. One of them, Captain Dr. V. S. Joshi was awarded the Military Cross while
another Dr. Yousuf Siddiqui died with his boots on.
At this time the idea of forming an Association took shape - quick action was taken and Osmania Graduates' Association
was born on 25th November 1932, thirteenth year after OU was established. Prominent among founders of OGA were stalwarts
like Nawab Fakhar Nawaz Jung (First President) Sri. Shankarji, Sri. Abdul Rahim, Sri. Raja Rai Gurudas, Sri. Kaleemuddin
Ansari, Sri. Mohd. Ali Khan, Sri. Mir Ahmer Ali Khan and Sri. Mirza Shukur Baig.
A graduate in early thirties carried tremendous dignity, social status and responsibility. The Graduates were
enlightened and detached from narrow social norms. They were indeed treated as enlightened elite. This naturally
motivated them to widen their perception and explore the possibilities to work in social, economic and political fields.
After prolonged sessions of deliberations and discussions, Education Committee was formed. Subsequently in 1938,
Economic Committee was formed, which in its turn founded Exhibition Society in the same year. During the same period a
Political Committee was also formed. Education committee for some time published a monthly magazine. The Political
Committee had become defunct as many Osmania Graduates became government servants, and it went out of existence.
However, Economic Committee and Exhibition Society continued their work, contributing services to economic, commercial
and small and medium industrial development and cottage industries in this part of the state. The history of the O. G.
A. is so vast and stupendous that volumes could be written about it. However, on this occasion, it is relevant to
highlight the continuity, growth and services rendered by O. G.A.
Political developments in British provinces and Nizam State, did not escape the attention of the members of OGA. While
Education Committee went into slumber, a Municipal Committee named as 'Osmania Baldia Jamat' was created, with the
active leadership of Sri. Ahmed Ali Khan (who later became an M.L.A. and subsequently a minister). This committee took
active part in Municipal matters, fought the first two Municipal Elections of Hyderabad city in 1934 and captured 9 out
of 12 seats, against communal organizations. In the next elections it won 10 out of 13 seats. In the functioning of the
business sessions of the Hyderabad Municipality, the elected members of O.G.A. established healthy and progressive
traditions and conventions.
The Political Committee, disassociated itself from O.G.A., became a Political Party. However, the party had had any
follower because politics, liberal or communal, posed a threat to the security of participants. Further, graduates from
Osmania University were absorbed in government services. Consequently, the small strength in the Political Committee
could not withstand the strain and influence of communal politics. Having survived up to 1947, the group could not
withstand the avalanche of partition and Razakar Movement and went out of existence.
Till 1957, the O.G.A. organized about 25 conferences and passed a number of resolutions stressing the need for immediate
industrialisation of the state and increase in educational facilities. Its concerted efforts for a state-sponsored bank
impressed the Nizam Government. Thus, the State Bank of Hyderabad was founded in 1942. The O.G.A., with pride, claims a
share of credit for the establishment of this Bank and few industrial concerns started during this period.
In early fifties there was a move to transfer Osmania University to the Central Government or convert it University into
a Hindi University. On both these issues, O.G.A. passed resolutions in the symposium on Osmania University and the
graduates, expressing their concern on the idea, suggested the establishment of separate universities on those lines
without disturbing the status of the Osmania University. OGA succeeded in its efforts to retain English Medium for
Osmania University.
In the 1950s, it was realized that the Osmania University graduates were not given adequate representation in government
services. A representation was given to the government which gave sympathetic consideration. Again it was realized that
the Osmania graduates were lagging behind in All India competitive examinations. Therefore, I.A.S. coaching classes were
conducted by the O.G.A. for some time. The O.G.A. succeeded in pursing the U.P.S.C. to make Hyderabad as one of the
centres for its All India competitive examination. The O.G.A. also submitted its views to the Law Commission, appointed
by Hyderabad State Government, a number of suggestions, which were acepted by the commission.
In the sixties, Osmania Graduates' Association successfully mobilized public opinion for representation of Osmania
Graduates by carving out Osmania Graduates constituency in the composition of the senate of Osmania University. This
arrangement remained for a decade or so. At this juncture the emphasis of O.G.A. had shifted from multidirectional
activities to unidirectional i.e. towards the development of education in the region preferring women's education. As a
result, the association started many colleges.
After 1960s, the activities of O.G.A. were radically changed under the leadership of a great man of vision and foresight
Sri. Shankarji. He later became Chairman of Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission. His emphasis on education in general, and for
women in particular, led to the establishment of many educational institutions. The sister organization, Exhibition
Society has been a main funding source to all educational institutions sponsored by O.G.A. and Exhibition Society and
Economic Committee. The total number of students in these institutions today which include, a high school, Intermediate,
Degree and Postgraduate colleges, Polytechnics, ITIs and an Engineering college, is around 30,000 and nearly 2000 staff
working in these institutions.
1960 has a great significance in the annals of Osmania Graduates' Association. Doyen Sri. Shankarji successfully
mobilized opinion to give a new direction and dimension to the educational activity. A casual remark/ observation during
an off-hand discussion snow balled into a courageous decision to start a degree college for women in Hyderabad. This was
a turning point in the progressive history of O.G.A., with a long term objective to enter the field of higher education.
The decision to start a college for girls was openly welcomed with great sublimation. Thus, came into existence, Vanita
Maha Vidyalaya in 1960 on the exhibition grounds, which was subsequently renamed as Sarojini Naidu Vanita Maha
Vidyalaya.
The college started as a junior college and in the third year, degree classes were added. Since 1965, it is a composite
college, where intermediate and degree classes run under one roof and one administration and one Principal. It offers
courses in Arts, Commerce and Science. After the Silver Jubilee, new advanced courses were sponsored and today, in the
new millennium, postgraduate self- financed courses like M. A., M. Sc., M. B. A. on the one hand, and Research Labs for
doctoral and post- doctoral research on the other, are launched. The cumulative effect of sacrifice, dedication &
development is that Sarojini Naidu Vanita Maha Vidyalaya is one of the largest colleges for girls in the jurisdiction of
Osmania University. The University Grants Commission assisted the construction of the girls' hostel by sanctioning
grants for the purpose. Admission by girls from the adjoining rural areas is sought with keen competition.
The college has a magnificent building situated on the Exhibition Grounds. It is worthwhile to mention here that the
foundation stone of the college building was laid by the Veteran Freedom Fighter Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan in 1969.
The next educational institution started in pursuit of the lofty aims of spreading higher education was Kamala Nehru
Polytechnic for Women by the Exhibition Society in the year 1961. This institution attracted the attention of the entire
country as it was the first polytechnic college for women. This polytechnic college imparts education in a dozen diploma
courses.
Once again the Exhibition Society took initiative to start a high school for girls in 1969. This was named as Shankarji
Memorial High School in 1974. It has acquired good reputation, which is reflected through the strength of the students
which is on the threshold of one thousand (1000). It is located on the Exhibition grounds.
Climbing high to realize the aim of spreading higher education, Sardar Patel College of Arts, Commerce and Science was
sponsored by O.G.A. in 1970. Today it has established itself as one of the best centres for B. A., B. Sc. and B. Com
with strong emphasis on computer education. Recently Computer Application courses have been sponsored with well equipped
computer labs and more than 250 computers. The College is situated in Padma Rao Nagar, Secunderabad..
In the early seventies a new dimension of spreading Higher Education in less developed areas of Telangana was
visualized. Very serious and hectic exchange of views and discussions resulted in emergence of Lal Bahadur College in
Warangal in 1970. Initially, B.A., B.Sc. and B.Com courses were offered in a very modest establishment. Today, after 40
years, the college has a big campus of 25 acres of land with a majestic building which has become a matter of envy to
other educational institutions. Particular mention has to be made of its science, computer laboratories and the general
reference library. The college campus is situated between Hanamkonda and Warangal.
With the successful establishment of Lal Bahadur College, the O.G.A. was enthused to survey the other less developed
areas (educationally, socially and economically) to start a new college, in rural areas of the Telanagana region. The
result of this exercise was materialized in 1971 as Sri. Venkateshwara College at Suryapet, Nalgonda District. A unique
aspect of this college was that it was the first co-education college in a rural area offering B.A., B.Sc. and B.Com
courses. It has a campus of 80 acres of land donated by a local philanthropist Sri. Amarvadi Venkata Narsaiah. It is the
first college to offer the subject of electronics at an undergraduate level. The college has an expansive three-storied
structure with grounds and facililties for sports and physical education. It is a land mark in the educational map of
Nalgonda District.
In tune with the thrust in the field of higher education, the Exhibition Society started in 1972, the Central Institute
of Commerce imparting vocational courses in commercial practices with more emphasis on Accounting, Auditing, Short-hand
and Type-writing. Recently computer education has been introduced. The institute is located in its own premise at
Tarnaka in Secunderabad.
The year 1973 is indeed memorable in the history of educational development under O.G.A. banner. In one year two
colleges were started. Kasturba Gandhi College for Women was set up in 1973 at Marredpally, Secunderabad. It has made
phenomenal progress both in assets, student strength and number of courses. Initially a composite college, Junior and
Degree colleges today function independently in the same campus in independent buildings. Postgraduate courses have been
added subsequently and the Degree College came to be renamed as Kasturba Gandhi Degree & P. G. College for Women.
One more spot in Nalgonda District was identified and the decision to start a new college in Bhongir was taken. The Sri.
Laxmi Narasimha Swamy College, Bhongir, offers B.A., B.Sc., B.Com. and two restructured courses - Office Management in
B.A and Applied Nutrition in B. Sc.
Meanwhile, the Economic Committee and the Exhibition Society, sister concerns of Osmania Graduates' Association started
an I.T.I. named Visvesvarayya I.T. in Tarnaka. This was the first institution started with the initiation of Economic
Committee. The I.T.I.s later came to be renamed as I.T.C.s. Similarly, the Ravi Narayana Reddy Industrial Training
Centre in Halia in Nalgonda district and Rajiv Gandhi Industrial Training Centre in Nirmal, Adilabad district were
started.
In 1994, under the initiation of Sri. K. Ram Reddy, the then President, Exhibition Society, O.G.A. started another degree
college at Kulkacherla in Ranga Reddy District. The College, initially, offered B.A. and B.Com courses, and added
intermediate subsequently. In 1998, the Exhibition Society started Sri. Venkateshwara Engineering College in Suryapet in
the S.V.S campus. It is affiliated to Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad.
It was a long felt desire of Osmania Graduates' Association to establish Teacher Education Institutions. Two decades ago
a resolution was passed to start Colleges of Education at different centers in Telangana region. Though it was late but
in the year 2000 in the management of O.G.A. took a firm decision to start the long cherished dream of starting colleges
of education at Pargi, R. R. District, Kalwakurthy, Mahaboob Nagar and Warangal districts with financial support from
the Exhibition Society. Accordingly the Osmania Graduates' Association has started three colleges. The O.G.A. & E.S.
College of Education at Pargi, L.B. College of Eduation at Warangal were started during the academic year 2002-2003. The
Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy College of Education at Kalwakurthy was started in the academic year 2003-2004.
The Osmania Graduates' Association, since its beginning is doing its best for the development of education in Telangana
Region. The financial help from its sister organization i.e. Exhibition Society stood as a great source for all these
activities of the association. These organizations together created history in the jurisdiction of Osmania University,
for which all the Osmanians associated with these activities should feel proud and others should emulate them in the
years to come.
Compiled by -
Prof. T. V. GOPALA CHARI
Sri. B. N. Rajeshwar