Collating memories of UVCE etched by many of our alumni, here it is presenting to you – “Decadewise Memories”. This article is a narrative by Dr. N Srinivasan, Dr. H V Lakshminarayana and Miss H N Uma about their time at UVCE in 1960’s.

We shall not cease from exploration

And the end of all our exploring

Will be to arrive where we started

And know the place for the first time

~T. S. Eliot

The portals of UVCE for me, is the symbol of sanctity, temple of learning, home away from home. My courtship with UVCE started as a student in 1960. Later I joined my alma mater as a teaching faculty in 1967 and continue to serve for 34 yrs. I am indeed proud to say that my daughters, my brother and my nephew were students of this prestigious college.

My memory goes back to the days when I applied for engineering seat on this college in the year 1960. There was no CET and we had to apply separately to different colleges. There were only two engineering colleges in Bangalore, UVCE formerly called as University College of Engineering and BMS college of Engineering. You may call it confidence or naivety, for I had applied only in UVCE. Veteran Prof. B. R. Narayana Iyengar was the Principal of our college. He had an aura about him and his very presence evoked reverence. I still recall vividly his authoritative voice and question shot by Prof. BRN during the interview for my admission. The question was – what is log and of course I answered it.

Prof. BRN’s dedication and sincerity is legendary. The college working hours were 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Sun may fail to raise but Prof. BRN never fails to be in college before 7:00 AM was the adage. It was possible to set your watch by the sight of him alighting from his Morris mirror.

We had decided professors like V. Byrappa and Prof. M, V. Krishnappa and many others whom we held in great reverence bordering on idolatry. In the third year of our course, we were taken to Subramanya Ghati for about a week for survey practice. The survey practice in the field used to prolong for 6 hours followed by nice lunch as incentive. Then Prof. D. B. Narasimhaiah used to deliver his lecture on fluid mechanics to a bunch of sleepy flock.

As a teacher I had very good time in college in the company of my energetic, dynamic, humorous and broadminded colleagues. This college has produced great personalities and I am proud of having taught some of them – to name a few, Mr. B. V. Jagadish, H. Ravindra and Y. N. Srikanth. I cherish forever the happy. Inspiring and productive times I have spent in this college both as a student and as a professor.

– Dr. N. Srinivasan, Principal, Sapthagiri College of Engineering, Bangalore

In the year 1960, when I entered UVCE as a student, the number of engineering colleges could be counted on one’s fingers and UVCE was the shining star among them. The workshops and laboratories were well equipped in all the three major disciplines mainly Civil, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering. The college was very well located at the heart of the city. The admission was based on merit only and an interview was a mere formality. I am therefore proud to be alumni of this great institution.

The faculty at UVCE was considered the best in those days. I recall great teachers: Prof. T. Rameshan (Mathematics), Prof. D. B. Narasimhaiah (Civil), Prof. B. R. Narayana Iyengar (Mechanical), Prof. M. V. Krishnappa (Electrical), Prof. K. V. Subba Rao (Mechanical), Prof. K. V. Gundu Rao (Mechanical), and Prof. B. K. Ramaiah (Civil). The undergraduate curriculum was a mixture of courses from all the three disciplines.

My association with UVCE during 1968 – 1973 as a faculty in the department of Mechanical Engineering was memorable. I had the pleasure of teaching postgraduate student specializing Machine Design. I recall my colleague Prof. H. Srinath, who persuaded me to take up a research career in the field of Mechanics of Laminated Composite Materials and Structures. The atmosphere then was conducive for academic research leading to publications in professional journals. This in fact paved the way for my career at the National Aerospace Laboratories. The short stay at UVCE was rewarding. The Bangalore University honoured me with the Best Teacher Award to mark the Silver Jubilee of Inida’s Independence during 1972.

UVCE today is almost autonomous. It should therefore develop into a premier institution on par with the IIT’s which are known for their excellence.I wish to live long enough to witness that happening. However, it needs commitment from those who are responsible for it.

I wish to thank my friend Prof H N Shivshankar for his kind invitation to express my views.

– Dr. H. V. Lakshminarayana, Professor, M. S. Ramaiah School of Advanced Studies

When I applied for admission to the Engineering course I was not quite sure that I would get the opportunity. I thought that only the lucky ones would get a chance to enter such a prestigious college. And I could hardly believe my luck when I secured admission into U.V.C.E.

When I was selected for the course my parents were not very willing to let me go ahead with it as I was only girl who was selected. Moreover it was the first time in U.V.C.E history that a girl student would be on the rolls. Since I liked engineering, I persuaded them to permit me to join the college.

I cannot forget the experiences of my first day at college. One Saturday afternoon I came over to copy the time-table. I had been placed in the 1st year D’ Section. I noted down the time-table but since I was so embarrassed of being the only girl among so many boys, I forgot to note down the Lecture hall number. Our classes started on the following Monday. We had Civil Engineering (Building Materials) from 7-15 a.m. to 8-15 a.m. I arrived at college at 6.45 a.m. and verified the timetable. Our Lecture hall was L304, and I did not know where L304 was. Though I had studied in co-education schools, I was never alone before. Being shy I did not ask any of the boys where L304 was. Instead I asked a peon who was of no help to me. So I started to look for the room starting from the far end of the college ascending and descending all the stairs. Even the 7-15 bell had rung and I had not yet found the room. After another 5 minutes I finally managed to locate the lecture hall. I cannot express in words, how I felt that day. I was so upset that I felt like running home and never returning to the college.

For about 15 days I was very unhappy as there was nobody I could talk to. By then I was asked to share the ladies staff room. But after the first fortnight, I had grown used to the life at college. Another girl joined the class a few days later and that finally marked an end to most of my problems.

When I was in the 2nd year, our Electrical Professor once called us to his staff room and told us that we must wear khakhi uniform-pants and shirts like the boys, as it was a necessity during practical classes in Laboratories’ and Workshops’. And since ours was the first batch of girsl, we should take the initiative. The uniforms were ready by a week. The first time we wore the uniform, the boys began to tease us and we were thoroughly embarrassed. However we got over it soon. All our lecturers were kind and helpful to us and though we were in a minority we felt quite at home. I cannot forget Mr.V.Ramachandran, out Reader in the Civil Engineering department who taught me drawing. I was very bad at drawing during the first two years. In the 3rd year he taught us Graphics Statics. During each class he used to stand by my side and teach me all the fundamentals of drawing with infinite patience. He was very happy when I improved my drawing.

I had a good time during my stay in the college. My classmates were cooperative and considerate as I was the only girl. I thoroughly enjoyed mass bunking of the classes, especially the drawing classes. I enjoyed the laboratory work, educational tours and the functions that took place at college. During the Union and Alumni days we girls used to organize the lucky dips, and it was great fun.

– Miss H.N.Uma, (Graduated in 1966)