Grandeur marks Golden Jubilee of KU Botany Dept

Warangal: It was a touching reunion for former students and retired teachers of the Botany Department, Kakatiya University (KU), which was celebrating Golden Jubilee.

Thanks to the 700-odd alumni of Botany wing, who not only came from different parts of the world, but also came forward to make the Golden Jubilee of their alma mater a memorable one. It was a sight to behold when the students of the 1968-69 to 2017-18 batches moved along in a procession from their department to varsity auditorium chitchatting with their friends recalling their college days.

Gracing the occasion was Dr T Mahapatra, Director General and Secretary, Indian Council of Agriculture Research, DARE, Government of India, New Delhi, Prof A Seetharam Naik, MP, Prof R Saynna, Prof K Purushotham and Dr M Surekha, KU Botany Head of the Department.

To mark the occasion, Dr Mahapatra unveiled the 18 feet Pylon on the premises of Botany Department. The meeting was presided over by Vice-Chancellor Prof R Saynna, While Dr M Surekha in her speech told about the department since 1968, Prof. N Pratap Reddy, President Alumni Association, explained about the formation of alumni association and its activities. Later, a pledge was administered by Dr. Usharani of alumni of Botany Department.

Prof Saynna said, “The Department of Botany has a long history and its contribution is appreciated. Majority of alumnus have settled in good positions.” He appreciated the department’s activities such as research and teaching. He said that 5 acres of land earmarked exclusively for the development of botanical garden particularly for medicinal plants.

Dr A R C Reddy, Guest of Honour, former Vice-Chancellor, Yogi Vemana University, in his words he stressed on Taxonomist, stressed for development of Plant science using recent scientific developmental activities.

Special Invitee, Member of Parliament, Alumnus of the Department, Prof A Seetharam Naik said: “I am ready to work for the development of botany department. Efforts are on to establish an exclusive botanical garden with medicinal and rare species of plants.” Dr Mohapatra stressed the need for spreading the importance of plant sciences which is key for environmental protection.

He urged the Botany and Plant Science teachers to concentrate on Fundamental of Botany to protect agriculture and forest, emphasised on self-sufficiency on food grains of the country. He also stressed on protection and conservation of medicinal and rare plants.

Prof. B Digamber Rao, Prof. Bir Bahadur, Prof. Vidyavathi, Prof. S Ram Reddy, Prof. N Pratap Reddy, Prof. A R Reddy, former Vice-Chancellor, Yogi Vemana University, Kadapa, Dr. V Krishna Reddy, Chairman, Board of Studies in Botany and Head Department of Botany were present.