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Row mars `Platinum Jubilee' function of Lucknow varsity

Public is unable to fathom as why the platinum jubilee celebration in 85th year of its inception

Lucknow: The much-publicised yet controversial `Platinum Jubilee' celebration of Lucknow University (LU), seems to have landed in some trouble amid reports of Governor T.V. Rajeswar and Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav deciding to stay away from the function.

The function proposed by the University authorities but disposed by almost all is slated on November 25, the founders day of the university. The function is losing its sheen following stiff resistance from the teachers as well as the students who are calling it as a `replay' of platinum jubilee functions which had already taken place nine years ago.

LU Students' Union (LUSU), LU Teachers Association (LUTA), LU Associated College Teachers Association(LUACTA) have all opposed the celebrations proposed by the University authorities. The Alumnae associations have charged the authorities with collecting funds in the name of celebrations, while the public is unable to fathom as why the platinum jubilee celebration in 85th year of its inception.

These associations have gone a step further asking the LU Vice-Chancellor to issue a white paper on the funds collected by the University on this count. Reportedly, the LU has asked all the associated colleges to pool in Rs. 25,000 each for the celebrations.

Clouds have descended over the function as after the Governor and the CM, other prominent invited alumni including Jharkhand Governor Syed Sibte Razi, Tamil Nadu Governor S.S. Barnla and former Union Minister K.C. Pant may also abstain from the functions.

Controversies have shrouded the `Platinum Jubilee' function from the very day it was announced with almost the entire teaching fraternity putting a question mark on the event. Even the students were also opposed to it and the only query was how and why the celebration as it was `replay' of what had been `played' nine years ago.

The University authorities, however, seem unperturbed as Prof Nishi Pandey, the part of the organising committee, insisted while talking to UNI: ``Yes, we are moving ahead with the programme, Why should we backtrack ?''

The LU came into existence on November 25, 1920 and the first class was held on July 17,1921. The Golden Jubilee celebrations of the University were held in 1971 while the platinum Jubilee celebrations were in 1996.

The LU authorities have relented a bit terming the function as `85th anniversary function' but it was even more ridiculous as the earlier invitations and the letters sent to the dignitaries had mentioned `platinum Jubilee ` functions. Interestingly, the dignitaries invited included The President of India, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

According to LUACTA President Moulindu there was no logic behind sich extravaganza when the cash-strapped varsity was struggling to pay salary to teachers on time. Similar views were expressed by the LUTA President K.K. Rastogi who saw no utility in such functions.

Bajrangi Singh, President of LUSU said that it made no sense in spending so much of money on the occasion that had already been celebrated nine years back.

LU V-C Dr R P Singh was unavailable for comments but sources close to him said despite the resistance from various quarters, the celebrations were on and would be held on time. They, however, refused to comment on the Governor and the CM not attending the function. - UNI

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