Parliament has finally passed the Institute of Technology (Amendment) Bill and my alma mater Institute of Technology Banaras Hindu University (ITBHU) will get the IIT tag and may be renamed IIT BHU.
Only time will tell to what extent this change will benefit the institution.
The oldest engineering college in India, Roorkee University too got the IIT tag a few years ago.
ITBHU (then called BENCO) was probably the second oldest engineering college in India and it is the engineering graduates from Roorkee and BHU that not only helped set up the IITs but played a stellar role in the development of India's Infrastructure and Industry.
Roorkee and ITBHU pioneered Engineering Education in India and it would have been befitting if IT-BHU and Roorkee University were made the first IITs the moment India got Independence in 1947.
Someone said that the IIT tag will enhance the “status” of the Institution.
I asked him what he exactly meant, so he explained that the “market value” of the degree will increase.
Yes, today's world is all about “brand image” and that is why “branded” goods are in great demand and sell more - brand value enhances status and hence matters more than utility value.
ITBHU enjoyed a great advantage being a part of BHU which is a unique university, centre of excellence with a great heritage and I trust that the synergy continues.
We are pioneers in a sense, as we belong to the first IIT JEE Batch (1972 - 1977) - the first batch to receive B. Tech. degrees [the earlier batches received the B. Sc. (Engineering) degree - of course it doesn't matter much whether one gets the BE or B.Sc.(Engg) or B. Tech. degree as all are on par].
I wish my alma mater and all members of the IIT BHU family (faculty, students and alumni) the best of success and Godspeed and on this Red Letter Day permit me to post, once again, an “ode” to my alma mater which I wrote a few years ago after an alumni reunion of our batch.
(By the way, this proposal to rename ITBHU as IIT BHU or IIT Varanasi was envisaged quite some time back, many years ago, and has finally borne fruit. I only hope that the change will be for the better and the glorious heritage and traditions of the institution are not forgotten)
MEMORIES OF MY ALMA MATER
By
VIKRAM KARVE
One of my ITBHU classmates told me that soon ITBHU is going to be designated as an IIT.
Well, I have studied at an IIT (IIT Delhi) too, but let me tell you I still cherish fond memories of our Banaras Days, our student life at ITBHU Varanasi, living to our fullest, playing sports, enjoying life, relishing delicious food in delightful company and studying in a truly academic ambience.
Also, we were pioneers of change, the first batch selected through the IIT JEE Entrance Exam, who joined in 1972 and passed out with our B.Tech. degrees in 1977. [Earlier the degree awarded was B.Sc. (Engineering)].
In retrospection, here is my nostalgic piece on my alma mater.
ITBHU [Erstwhile BENCO – Banaras Engineering College]
Institute of Technology
Banaras Hindu University
Varanasi
India
Let’s begin with the college song :
IT BHU Chorus
HAND IN HAND WE GO TOGETHER,
HAND IN HAND WE ARE SINGING ALONG.
SIDE BY SIDE WE FACE THE MUSIC,
WIN OR LOSE WE ALWAYS SING A SONG.
WAVE THE FLAG, WE’LL KEEP IT FLYING,
TILL THE SUN SHINES O’ER THE LAND.
IF THE LUCK IS GOOD WE’LL ALWAYS SHARE THE CHEERS,
IF THE LUCK IS BAD, WE’LL GLADLY BEAR THE TEARS.
TILL THE DAY WE TURN THE CORNER,
WE’LL KEEP ON AS LONG AS WE ARE HAND IN HAND.
IF YOU KEEP ON SMILING AT THE RAINBOW,
YOU WILL NEVER MIND A SHOWER OF RAIN.
KEEP YOUR HEAD ON THE CLOUDS,
DON’T GET LOST IN THE CROWDS.
ALWAYS KEEP THE SONG IN YOUR HEART,
AND SHOUT HIP-HIP HURRAH.
Composed by:
Prof. Charles. A. King
The First Principal of the
Banaras Engineering College (BENCO)
On what basis do you judge an educational institution, especially an Engineering College or a B-School...?
In today’s world there is just one criterion – market value – the starting salaries and campus placement the students get – the more outrageously astronomical the pay packets, and the greater the percentage of lucrative campus placements – the better the institution.
And with the increasing commercialization of education, many institutes blatantly compete, advertise, and focus on these materialistic aspects to attract students – it’s a highly competitive rat race.
I feel the cardinal yardstick for appraising the true merit of an educational institution is the value-addition it instills in its alumni – and I’m not talking of utility and materialistic values alone; but more importantly the inculcation and enhancement of intrinsic and intangible higher values.
The student should feel he or she has changed for the better, professionally and personally; and so should other stakeholders observing the student from the outside be able to discern the value enhancement.
I studied for my B.Tech. Bachelor’s Degree in Electronics Engineering at ITBHU from 1972 to 1977 (first batch IIT JEE) and I experienced the well-rounded value addition I have mentioned above.
Later in life, being academically inclined, I continued studying, and have completed many courses, a Post Graduate Diploma in Management, an Engineering and Technology Post Graduation at a premier IIT (M. Tech. - IIT Delhi) and have worked in multifarious capacities and even taught for many years as a Professor at prestigious academic institutions of higher learning, but I shall always cherish my days at ITBHU the most.
I knew I was a better man, in my entirety, having passed through the portals of ITBHU, and I am sure those scrutinizing me from the outside felt the same way.
ITBHU was amalgamated by integrating three of the country’s oldest and best engineering colleges: BENCO (Banaras Engineering College) – the first in the Orient, and certainly in India, to introduce the disciplines of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, MINMET – the pioneer in Mining and Metallurgy in India, and College of Technology – the first to start Chemical and Ceramic Engineering in India.
Indeed these three institutions pioneered engineering education in India and were the harbingers of industrialization in our country.
Now, like Roorkee, the first Engineering College of India, I understand that they want to rename our celebrated alma mater as an IIT. I really wonder why – maybe in today’s world brand value is more in vogue rather than heritage value.
In my time ITBHU was indeed a center of excellence, an apt institution to study in, and a lovely place to live in.
The vast verdant lush green semi-circular campus at the southern end of Varanasi, the largest university campus I have ever seen, with its pleasant and relaxed atmosphere was ideal for student life.
And being a part of a premier university afforded one a consummate multidisciplinary experience.
It was a delightful and fulfilling experience I will always cherish – learning from erudite and totally dedicated Professors, who were authorities in their fields of specialization, amidst excellent academic facilities and ambience, elaborate labs and workshops, lush green campus, well-designed comfortable hostels, delicious food, expansive sports fields and facilities for all types of sports, the beautiful swimming pool, the unique well-stocked and intellectually inspiring Gaekwad library, and the exquisite temple that added a spiritual dimension to the scholarly ambiance.
One could learn heritage and foreign languages, fine arts, music, indology, philosophy, yoga, pursue hobbies like numismatics – the avenues for learning were mind-boggling.
Many of us learnt music and foreign languages at this sanctum of learning.
We had a truly holistic education and the idyllic environs of BHU helped one develop a philosophical attitude to life.
Like all premier institutes ITBHU was fully residential, which fostered camaraderie and facilitated lifelong friendships amongst the alumni. I can never forget those delightful moments in Dhanrajgiri, Morvi, Vishwakarma, Vishveswarayya and CV Raman hostels, mouthwatering memories of the Lavang Lata and Lassi at Pehelwan’s in Lanka, the Lal Peda opposite Sankat Mochan, Chinese at La Bella in Lanka, and the delicious wholesome cuisine of Banaras, watching movies at the quaint and unique cinema halls, strolling on the holy ghats, and the cycle trips all over Varanasi, Sarnath, and even across the holy and sacred Ganga on the pontoon bridge to watch the Ram Lila at Ramnagar.
We, the batch who passed out in 1977, the first IIT JEE batch, still meet regularly to relive our glorious days.
Way back then, in the 1970s, ITBHU was a wonderful place to study engineering and live one’s formative years in.
I wonder what my dear alma mater is like now...!
VIKRAM KARVE
Only time will tell to what extent this change will benefit the institution.
The oldest engineering college in India, Roorkee University too got the IIT tag a few years ago.
ITBHU (then called BENCO) was probably the second oldest engineering college in India and it is the engineering graduates from Roorkee and BHU that not only helped set up the IITs but played a stellar role in the development of India's Infrastructure and Industry.
Roorkee and ITBHU pioneered Engineering Education in India and it would have been befitting if IT-BHU and Roorkee University were made the first IITs the moment India got Independence in 1947.
Someone said that the IIT tag will enhance the “status” of the Institution.
I asked him what he exactly meant, so he explained that the “market value” of the degree will increase.
Yes, today's world is all about “brand image” and that is why “branded” goods are in great demand and sell more - brand value enhances status and hence matters more than utility value.
ITBHU enjoyed a great advantage being a part of BHU which is a unique university, centre of excellence with a great heritage and I trust that the synergy continues.
We are pioneers in a sense, as we belong to the first IIT JEE Batch (1972 - 1977) - the first batch to receive B. Tech. degrees [the earlier batches received the B. Sc. (Engineering) degree - of course it doesn't matter much whether one gets the BE or B.Sc.(Engg) or B. Tech. degree as all are on par].
I wish my alma mater and all members of the IIT BHU family (faculty, students and alumni) the best of success and Godspeed and on this Red Letter Day permit me to post, once again, an “ode” to my alma mater which I wrote a few years ago after an alumni reunion of our batch.
(By the way, this proposal to rename ITBHU as IIT BHU or IIT Varanasi was envisaged quite some time back, many years ago, and has finally borne fruit. I only hope that the change will be for the better and the glorious heritage and traditions of the institution are not forgotten)
MEMORIES OF MY ALMA MATER
By
VIKRAM KARVE
One of my ITBHU classmates told me that soon ITBHU is going to be designated as an IIT.
Change is inevitable. First it was BENCO, then ITBHU and now IIT.
Also, we were pioneers of change, the first batch selected through the IIT JEE Entrance Exam, who joined in 1972 and passed out with our B.Tech. degrees in 1977. [Earlier the degree awarded was B.Sc. (Engineering)].
In retrospection, here is my nostalgic piece on my alma mater.
ITBHU [Erstwhile BENCO – Banaras Engineering College]
Institute of Technology
Banaras Hindu University
Varanasi
India
Let’s begin with the college song :
IT BHU Chorus
HAND IN HAND WE GO TOGETHER,
HAND IN HAND WE ARE SINGING ALONG.
SIDE BY SIDE WE FACE THE MUSIC,
WIN OR LOSE WE ALWAYS SING A SONG.
WAVE THE FLAG, WE’LL KEEP IT FLYING,
TILL THE SUN SHINES O’ER THE LAND.
IF THE LUCK IS GOOD WE’LL ALWAYS SHARE THE CHEERS,
IF THE LUCK IS BAD, WE’LL GLADLY BEAR THE TEARS.
TILL THE DAY WE TURN THE CORNER,
WE’LL KEEP ON AS LONG AS WE ARE HAND IN HAND.
IF YOU KEEP ON SMILING AT THE RAINBOW,
YOU WILL NEVER MIND A SHOWER OF RAIN.
KEEP YOUR HEAD ON THE CLOUDS,
DON’T GET LOST IN THE CROWDS.
ALWAYS KEEP THE SONG IN YOUR HEART,
AND SHOUT HIP-HIP HURRAH.
Composed by:
Prof. Charles. A. King
The First Principal of the
Banaras Engineering College (BENCO)
On what basis do you judge an educational institution, especially an Engineering College or a B-School...?
In today’s world there is just one criterion – market value – the starting salaries and campus placement the students get – the more outrageously astronomical the pay packets, and the greater the percentage of lucrative campus placements – the better the institution.
And with the increasing commercialization of education, many institutes blatantly compete, advertise, and focus on these materialistic aspects to attract students – it’s a highly competitive rat race.
I feel the cardinal yardstick for appraising the true merit of an educational institution is the value-addition it instills in its alumni – and I’m not talking of utility and materialistic values alone; but more importantly the inculcation and enhancement of intrinsic and intangible higher values.
The student should feel he or she has changed for the better, professionally and personally; and so should other stakeholders observing the student from the outside be able to discern the value enhancement.
I studied for my B.Tech. Bachelor’s Degree in Electronics Engineering at ITBHU from 1972 to 1977 (first batch IIT JEE) and I experienced the well-rounded value addition I have mentioned above.
Later in life, being academically inclined, I continued studying, and have completed many courses, a Post Graduate Diploma in Management, an Engineering and Technology Post Graduation at a premier IIT (M. Tech. - IIT Delhi) and have worked in multifarious capacities and even taught for many years as a Professor at prestigious academic institutions of higher learning, but I shall always cherish my days at ITBHU the most.
I knew I was a better man, in my entirety, having passed through the portals of ITBHU, and I am sure those scrutinizing me from the outside felt the same way.
ITBHU was amalgamated by integrating three of the country’s oldest and best engineering colleges: BENCO (Banaras Engineering College) – the first in the Orient, and certainly in India, to introduce the disciplines of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, MINMET – the pioneer in Mining and Metallurgy in India, and College of Technology – the first to start Chemical and Ceramic Engineering in India.
Indeed these three institutions pioneered engineering education in India and were the harbingers of industrialization in our country.
Now, like Roorkee, the first Engineering College of India, I understand that they want to rename our celebrated alma mater as an IIT. I really wonder why – maybe in today’s world brand value is more in vogue rather than heritage value.
In my time ITBHU was indeed a center of excellence, an apt institution to study in, and a lovely place to live in.
The vast verdant lush green semi-circular campus at the southern end of Varanasi, the largest university campus I have ever seen, with its pleasant and relaxed atmosphere was ideal for student life.
And being a part of a premier university afforded one a consummate multidisciplinary experience.
It was a delightful and fulfilling experience I will always cherish – learning from erudite and totally dedicated Professors, who were authorities in their fields of specialization, amidst excellent academic facilities and ambience, elaborate labs and workshops, lush green campus, well-designed comfortable hostels, delicious food, expansive sports fields and facilities for all types of sports, the beautiful swimming pool, the unique well-stocked and intellectually inspiring Gaekwad library, and the exquisite temple that added a spiritual dimension to the scholarly ambiance.
One could learn heritage and foreign languages, fine arts, music, indology, philosophy, yoga, pursue hobbies like numismatics – the avenues for learning were mind-boggling.
Many of us learnt music and foreign languages at this sanctum of learning.
We had a truly holistic education and the idyllic environs of BHU helped one develop a philosophical attitude to life.
Like all premier institutes ITBHU was fully residential, which fostered camaraderie and facilitated lifelong friendships amongst the alumni. I can never forget those delightful moments in Dhanrajgiri, Morvi, Vishwakarma, Vishveswarayya and CV Raman hostels, mouthwatering memories of the Lavang Lata and Lassi at Pehelwan’s in Lanka, the Lal Peda opposite Sankat Mochan, Chinese at La Bella in Lanka, and the delicious wholesome cuisine of Banaras, watching movies at the quaint and unique cinema halls, strolling on the holy ghats, and the cycle trips all over Varanasi, Sarnath, and even across the holy and sacred Ganga on the pontoon bridge to watch the Ram Lila at Ramnagar.
We, the batch who passed out in 1977, the first IIT JEE batch, still meet regularly to relive our glorious days.
Way back then, in the 1970s, ITBHU was a wonderful place to study engineering and live one’s formative years in.
I wonder what my dear alma mater is like now...!
VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve 2012
Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
Did you like this post?
I am sure you will like the 27 short stories from my recently published anthology of Short Fiction COCKTAIL
To order your COCKTAIL please click any of the links below:
http://www.flipkart.com/cocktail-vikram-karve-short-stories-book-81910
http://www.indiaplaza.in/cocktail-vikram-karve/books/9788191091847.htm
http://www.apkpublishers.com/books/short-stories/cocktail-by-vikram-ka
COCKTAIL ebook
If you prefer reading ebooks on Kindle or your ebook reader, please order Cocktail E-book by clicking the links below:
AMAZON
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005MGERZ6
SMASHWORDS
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/87925
Foodie Book: Appetite for a Stroll
If your are a Foodie you will like my book of Food Adventures APPETITE FOR A STROLL. Do order a copy from FLIPKART:
http://www.flipkart.com/appetite-stroll-vikram-karve/8190690094-gw23f9
About Vikram Karve
A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer. Educated at IIT Delhi, ITBHU Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures (2008) and is currently working on his novel and a book of vignettes and short fiction. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories, creative non-fiction articles on a variety of topics including food, travel, philosophy, academics, technology, management, health, pet parenting, teaching stories and self help in magazines and published a large number of professional research papers in journals and edited in-house journals for many years, before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for almost 15 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing. Vikram lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.
Vikram Karve Academic and Creative Writing Journal: http://karvediat.blogspot.com
Professional Profile Vikram Karve: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
Vikram Karve Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/vikramkarve
Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog: http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm
Email: vikramkarve@sify.com
Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
Did you like this post?
I am sure you will like the 27 short stories from my recently published anthology of Short Fiction COCKTAIL
To order your COCKTAIL please click any of the links below:
http://www.flipkart.com/cocktail-vikram-karve-short-stories-book-81910
http://www.indiaplaza.in/cocktail-vikram-karve/books/9788191091847.htm
http://www.apkpublishers.com/books/short-stories/cocktail-by-vikram-ka
COCKTAIL ebook
If you prefer reading ebooks on Kindle or your ebook reader, please order Cocktail E-book by clicking the links below:
AMAZON
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005MGERZ6
SMASHWORDS
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/87925
Foodie Book: Appetite for a Stroll
If your are a Foodie you will like my book of Food Adventures APPETITE FOR A STROLL. Do order a copy from FLIPKART:
http://www.flipkart.com/appetite-stroll-vikram-karve/8190690094-gw23f9
About Vikram Karve
A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer. Educated at IIT Delhi, ITBHU Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures (2008) and is currently working on his novel and a book of vignettes and short fiction. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories, creative non-fiction articles on a variety of topics including food, travel, philosophy, academics, technology, management, health, pet parenting, teaching stories and self help in magazines and published a large number of professional research papers in journals and edited in-house journals for many years, before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for almost 15 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing. Vikram lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.
Vikram Karve Academic and Creative Writing Journal: http://karvediat.blogspot.com
Professional Profile Vikram Karve: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
Vikram Karve Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/vikramkarve
Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog: http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm
Email: vikramkarve@sify.com
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
Hi Vikram,
ReplyDeleteGreat to see your comments - makes us proud - one small correction please - the first B Tech Degree was warded from IT BHU was in 1974. I was in the batch 1970-75 (5 years course) - they had circulated a letter that they are going to issue B Tech instead of B Sc Eng
Cheers!!!
Alak Jha
B. Tech IT BHU Electronics, M Tech IT BHU Electronics, Sydney, Australia Mobile: +61 411 287 513
Note: Being a rank holder of a stare in India, those days they used to give direct admission into IITs. I selected IT BHU as those days only BITS Pilani and and IT BHU had pure electronics degrees having own dept. IITs HAD Electronics under electrical dept