Sir C.R. Reddy Saved Andhra University from Relocation

Former IAS officer E.A.S. Sarma on Wednesday said that several attempts were made in the past to shift Andhra University (AU) to Vijayawada. However, it was only Sir C.R. Reddy, the university’s founding Vice-Chancellor, who firmly opposed the move.

Mr. Sarma spoke as the chief guest at the launch of the book Visionaries of Andhra University: Role of 19 Vice Chancellors in 100 Years. The event was organised by the Society for Integrated Development and Research (SIDAR) in association with Dr. Lankapalli Bullayya College. He praised Sir C.R. Reddy for his pivotal role in transforming the university in academics, administration, and infrastructure.

Bala Mohan Das, former Vice-Chancellor of Acharya Nagarjuna University and one of the book’s authors, highlighted that 14 of AU’s 19 Vice-Chancellors came from a Humanities background, while the rest were from Science or Engineering. K.C. Reddy, former Chancellor of RGUKT and SIDAR president, described the centenary university as having been shaped by visionary leaders.

Madhu Kumar, secretary and correspondent of Dr. Lankapalli Bullayya College, recalled studying at AU during its golden jubilee celebrations. He noted that the college began its first classes on the AU campus in 1973 before moving to its current location.

Several former Vice-Chancellors and alumni, including Beela Satya Narayana, G.S.N. Raju, S.V. Sudhakar, S. Rama Krishna, S. Vinaya Bhushan Rao, and Writers Academy chairman V.V. Ramana Murthy, shared their reflections on the university’s legacy.