STUDENTS' ENTHUSIASM AT ALLAHABAD - UNPARALLELED

This is the second post of the series 'Happy Days Gone by'. It talks about the first notch of the key to unlock the door to glorious future - Invite eminent academicians to the campus. 

Vizianagram Hall - As was then when I attended the lectures or studied

Happy Days Gone By

Introduction।। Students' Enthusiasm At Allahabad - Unparalleled।। God Does Not Exist।। Christ Birth In Stable - Courtesy Statistician।। The Unforgettable Teacher - Prof. RD Pathak।। Don't Worry, It Will Cool Down।। Can Parliament Abolish Constitution।। Fall from Grace।। We Shall Overcome।।

I joined the Allahabad university in 1968 but had visited the University on earlier occasions. My sister was a student here from 1961 to 67 and she saw to it that I attended important talks in the science faculty. I distinctly remember two that were held in the Vizianagram hall in the first half of 1960s.

The first one was when Harishchandra came here to deliver a talk on Relativity. He was leading mathematician in the world at that time and on his name Harishchandra Research Institute is established at Jhusi. He was invited by Professor Rajendra Singh, the then Head of the Physics Department. They were class fellows in the University from 1939 to 1943.

Bust of Harish Chandra at Harish Chandra Research Institute, Allahabad. Haishchandra's wife Lalita and his daughter are behind the bust – picture courtesy HRI Allahabad

The second one was, when an American  computer scientist (I forget his name) gave a talk on computers. He was invited by Prof RS Misra, the then Head of Mathematics Department. 

Firstly, the surprise of the speakers for the enthusiasm of the students on the subject. Secondly, an incident in the US narrated by Prof RS Mishra, the then head of the Maths Department. 

A shopkeeper had announced discount on different items. There was a crowd to purchase them but the shopkeeper’s calculator failed. No one knew how to calculate the amount. Prof Mishra, surprised everyone by doing it orally. 

The point that I wish to make is eminent academicians were invited to speak and inspire students. They normally delivered two talks: one was high level meant for the research scholars and the other used to be popular talk for anyone to attend। 

Point-1: Invite eminent academicians to the campus. They inspire students more than anyone else.  

#AllahabadUniversity #GoodTeacher