HYDERABAD: Commemorating Suri Bhagavantam, a renowned scientist from the State, Osmania University is all set to celebrate his birth centenary October 14.
University Vice-chancellor T Tirupati Rao announced the decision at a press conference held on the campus here today.
Tirupati Rao said, ``Given his stature and contribution to defence research in the country, we thought it is a great occasion to pay tributes to the great scientist from Andhra Pradesh.’’ He also recalled that Bhagavantam served as vice-chancellor of the university in 1952 before taking up the post of director of Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore in 1957.
Osmania University officials say they are organising the celebrations in association with Andhra University Alumni Association, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and AP State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE).
Former DRDO Chief Controller (R&D) M Krishnamurthi, who was a student of Bhagavantam, expressed that the public should be reminded about the towering personality, who played a crucial role in establishing around 20 research institutes in the country. ``Born at Agiripalli, near Nuzvid, in Krishna district, he played a pivotal role in creating new facilities related to defence like encryption and decryption of war- gaming and training of service officers in modern warfare technologies,’’ Krishnamurthi reminisced.
Informing about the academic contribution of Bhagavantam, he said that the scientist has written around 300 research articles and three books on Group Theory, Raman Effect and Crystal Symmetry.
Former secretary to Union Government KP Rao recollected that Bhagavantam was an erudite scholar of Sanskrit and Telugu, and had a tremendous sense of humour. ``Apart from his scientific and academic contributions, Bhagavantam indulged in social service activities soon after his retirement in 1969,’’ he said.University officials said Scientific Advisor to the Defence Ministry VK Saraswat, Minister of State for Defence MM Pallam Raju will attend. APSCHE Chairman KC Reddy would preside over the celebrations..