A Bit of Delhi University: Remembering a Bygone Era

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The book A Bit of Delhi University captures memories of the author spread over a period of more than sixty years. Except the first chapter which provides an engaging backdrop, the book largely deals with things and events relating to the Delhi University system.

Matters of examinations, selections and governance both at the college level and the University level get naturally reflected in the bits of anecdotes. The book shows no loyalty to the unity of time and place. Every bit is a stand alone piece and the bits could be pieced together to form an idea of things in a bygone era. What stands out in the book is the immense loyalty to facts and belief in the intrinsic strengths of the University. The earthiness of the initial parts has its own aroma, which many with a rural background would relish.

In the many engaging narrations Delhi University comes out unscathed as a field of ambition, as a former Vice-Chancellor once put it, and as a place of tolerance and mutual accommodation showing unique unity in its fabulous diversity. The book also examines some matters of interpretation of certain rules and regulations relating to the system.

Dr. S.S. Rana; born in 1936 in village Saidpur in Haryana; B.A. (Hons), Panjab; M.A. (Sanskrit), Ph.D., Delhi; taught at different colleges of the University; elected to the Academic Council (1975- 76); Head of Sanskrit Department (1975); Principal, Shivaji College (1976-88); Dean of Colleges (1988-2000); additional charge as (i) NCC Officer in Shivaji College (1963- 72), (ii) Staff Advisor, Delhi University Students' Union (1983- 85), (iii) OSD (Principal), Ramjas College, Delhi (1982), (iv) OSD (Controller) Examinations, Delhi University (1985); five books and several papers published; Sanskrit Sahitya Seva Samman by the Sanskrit Sahitya Academy of NCT, Delhi (2000); Shashi Bhanu Award for Education (2012); served as Secretary (1998-2001) and Vice-President (2001-2007) of Surajmal Memorial Education Society, New Delhi.