A Life Dedicated to Learning: Remembering Prof. Dayaratnam, JNTU's Guiding Light

In the quiet hours of a Friday night, the world of technical education lost a true titan, a guiding force whose vision shaped generations. Professor Dayaratnam, a name synonymous with innovation and leadership at Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU), breathed his last at the venerable age of 83.

He had been receiving care, you see, at a private hospital nestled in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad — admitted, as it often happens, for age-related ailments. And then, just like that, an era concluded. The subsequent day, a Saturday, saw his cremation at Mahaprasthanam, also in Jubilee Hills; a somber farewell to a man who, honestly, left an indelible mark.

But let's rewind a bit, shall we? Dayaratnam's journey with JNTU wasn't just a brief stint; it was a saga. He first joined JNTU-Kakinada as a faculty member, perhaps not knowing then the heights he would reach. By 1978, he was the Registrar of JNTU (Hyderabad), a key administrative role, certainly. Yet, it was in 1980 that he truly stepped into the spotlight, appointed Vice-Chancellor, a position he held with distinction for a good four years.

Now, this is where his visionary spirit truly shone. He wasn't content with the status quo; not by a long shot. It was under his careful, yet bold, stewardship that JNTU colleges first welcomed cutting-edge streams like computer science and metallurgy. Imagine the foresight! And, in truth, he was a trailblazer, pioneering distance education within JNTU – making learning accessible long before it became a widespread norm. You could say he was planting seeds for the future, knowing they'd blossom into something magnificent.

Even after his tenure as VC, his commitment to higher education didn't wane. Oh no, not at all. For five more years, he lent his considerable expertise as Chairman of the State Council of Higher Education, continuing to shape policy and direction. And even in what might be considered retirement, his passion persisted; he served as Chairman, Board of Governors of Aurora Engineering College. A life dedicated, indeed.

He leaves behind a loving family—his wife, a son, and a daughter—who, no doubt, carry his memory close. And the outpouring of grief, the stream of condolences, was immediate and heartfelt. From then-Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy to Education Minister S. Sailajanath, and even former ministers like K. Jana Reddy and J. Geeta Reddy, alongside Deputy CM C. Damodar Rajanarasimha, many recognized the profound loss. It just goes to show the respect he commanded.

So, we bid farewell to Professor Dayaratnam. But more than just a farewell, it's a moment to reflect on a life remarkably spent, a testament to vision, dedication, and the sheer power of transformative leadership in education. His legacy, undoubtedly, will continue to inspire.