Mr. U.C. Saxena, whom we fondly call the earliest BITSian of us all, is a distinguished alumnus of Birla Engineering College, now known as our alma mater, BITS Pilani. Through this unique PHOTO BLOG, he shares his cherished experiences, presented by his son, Mr. Vineet Saxena.
Mr U C Saxena - or simply Papa - travelled the last 23 km on camel back in 1947 to get to campus. Developed all these photos in a high tech lab (by ducking under a table with a blanket draped over it)! Built the windows/doors of Krishna/Gandhi hostels as part of his Mechanical Workshop. Laid the foundations of Shankar/Vyas hostels as part of Civil Engineering labs. Graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1952 and spent his career with the Birlas in Calcutta and Delhi. These are some of his memories as narrated to me (1982–87). Warning: Papa wants you to know that some of his memories - like these photos - have faded. This is to the best of his recollection.
The Nation Builders
As the “official” photographer, Papa had access to a number of the dignitaries who visited this new engineering college of an independent India.
Dr Rajendra Prasad - first President of India - on a campus visit. This might have been the time when Dr. Prasad requested Mr. G.D. Birla to open a similar institute in Bihar as there was a dire need for higher education in that state. He promised all help from the Bihar and Central government. BIT Mesra was launched at the back of this visit.
Rear profile of Jawahar Lal Nehru, first Prime Minister of India, at the Jaipur session of Indian National Congress. Papa was on assignment to report from the event. There was minor commotion one morning at 430 am when Nehruji’s fancy (foreign) suitcase could not be opened. His staff rushed it over to the engineering students camp to get it unlocked. Earlier in the year, Papa had travelled to Delhi to watch the Independence Day speech live in 1947. And fun fact: he has seen or listened to every other prime minister’s Independence Day speech ever since – through August 15, 2023 and counting!
Sardar Patel - first Home Minister of India - on a visit to the campus. This was where he shared that all kingdoms, like the Nizam of Hyderabad, were to become part of the integrated India. A number of stories from my father speak to the excitement of the new India at that time.
Indian Army Chief on a visit to the campus accompanied by Prof. Laxminarayan, the first Principal of Birla Engineering College.
Prof. Narliker from Planning Commission, hosting the Indian flag on a visit to Pilani. There was a request to support an engineering college in Anand, Gujarat (BVM - Birla Vishwakarma Mahavidyala).
The Institutionalists
These are invaluable pictures of our very first leaders – who shaped the campus and the institution as we know today.
Prof V Laxminarayan - first Principal of Birla Engineering College - showing us the ropes :) at the Sports Day celebrations.
Prof. Keshav Murthy - recent graduate from Massachusets Institute of Technology. Professor of Electrical Engineering.
Foreground: Professor from the engineering college in Anand Gujarat. Used to come as an external examiner. In the background: Fields. One of the graduates from the first batch joined the Indian Air Force. He was on a flight between Agra and Delhi and rerouted the plane to this field in Pilani. The landing was successful, but he was unable to take off from the sandy field. A dozen students had to push the plane onto a road to allow the plane to get off the ground.
Students. 1947-52. Prof I J Nagrath (Left) with Mr. Sripati. IJN went on to become Dean of Instruction Division, and also was a beloved teacher. Papa reconnected with Prof. Nagrath when I joined BITS in 1982. Papa walked out of that reunion a bit shaken - "Bechare ki umr badh gayi hai (he has aged)" - with no real regard to his own age. Precious how he had locked away an image from 1952!
The Campus & Community
These are some of the earliest pictures of campus and life on it. Amazing how much still felt the same when I was there a generation later.
First look at the new Electrical Engineering Laboratory. Three students, led by Papa, were sent by the Principal with a letter of introduction to the VC of Benaras Hindu University (BHU) in 1949, and a request to show BHU’s Electrical Engineering labs. The Pilani lab was modelled on BHU.
Shiv Ganga - then as now! This had already been completed in 1947. There was no water most days. Water would be filled with VIP visits - the process would take 15 days. The building in the centre would be used as a guest house for examiners and VIPs. The entire campus was an RAF area and was taken over by Mr Birla. Classes initially were held in barracks.
Student 1947-52. Mr. Ajay Mohile. Active athlete. Also represented the College in Basketball. Joined J K Steel near Calcutta. Papa and he stayed friends until Mr. Mohile’s death in 2018. Papa was also close friends with Mr. K. C. Saraswat in Calcutta. Those of you still on the main campus, look at the board of toppers. Saraswat uncle’s is the first name on the board. I lived with him for 2 years when my father was transferred to Delhi in 1978. Relationships forged in the Pilani heat that lasted a lifetime!
Students 1947-52. Mr. C.V. Dev and Mr. N.P. Jangalwa. Mr. Dev was the son of an army officer and had access to powerful binoculars. He is spotted here looking at the girl’s hostel :) – some things never change! Mr. Jangalwa was an active sportsman. He joined a textile mill in Indore upon graduation.
A timeless picture of life in the hostels. I have a similar one with my own friends. Most of us are still in touch after all these years.
Adding my own voice in conclusion: my time on campus was one of the most meaningful phases of my life. Yes a fourier transformation. I am so grateful to all who helped build it – and to those to help sustain it.
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