It started as a modest school in 1860
A frontal view of the 155-year-old AVN College in Visakhapatnam which has been declared as a heritage site by the Intach. (Photo: DC)
Visakhapatnam: Producing richer and renowned alumni in its 155 years of existence, Mrs A.V.N. College in Visakhapatnam seems to be on the verge of recapturing its past glory, withstanding a few setbacks down the road. Situated in the One Town area of the city, the college building, which was recognised as a heritage building by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (Intach), is still serving in its full capacity.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, principal of the college Dr Vedula Perraju said, “We are competing with other colleges without sacrificing the age-old customs upheld all these years and imparting education to all the students, irrespective of their social milieu despite paucity of fun-ds and government not filling the aided posts.”
“But lack of an RTC bus facility has become a bane to the college, forcing many students to withdraw from joining the college. If the government runs two buses to and fro the college, it would be a great advantage,” he added.
Started as a modest school in 1860, it has since spread its wings to become an educational institution of high standards. It’s Ankitam Vekata Narsinga Row, a generous landlord, who changed the fortunes of the college by endowing it with a lumpsum of assets, including 11-acre site and Rs 1 lakh in 1892, which was thereby named as Mrs A.V.N. College in the memory of his beloved wife.
Dr E. Annapurna, Dean of Academics, proudly said that the college is equipped with experienced and distinguished faculty with many of them having doctorates. “From having a wom-an’s NCC wing and indoor stadium to e-library, advanced laboratories and gymnasium, the college is providing all the infrastructural needs in keeping pace with academic growth. And the college, which consists of nearly 2,500 students, was awarded with B grade by NAAC,” she added.
On the instructions of GVMC, some blocks which were in a dilapidated condition in this 155-year-old building, were left empty as they can be a threat to the students. Dr. Ayyagari Sitaratnam, HOD of Telugu, who recently convened an intellectuals’ meet for the uplift of the college, said, “Several eminent personalities, including Acharya Nagarjuna University former Vice-Chancellor Balamohan Das and Registrar of BRAU Srikakulam Krishnamohan and college vice-chairperson Indrani Jagga Row, were present and made several suggestions.” We have already started implementing those recommendations, including providing free admission to meritorious students and sports enthusiasts.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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