Friday, March 13, 2015

Rita Bahuguna

 On the second day of the seminar on 13th March, 2015, I was very happy ro meet an old friend .When I joined the University of Allhabad in 1978, Rita Baguguna joshi was in the same department and since she was also in Medieval hisrory we hit it off very well.Her house was close to my house and often I would travel to the Universiry in her fiat.We were both doing our Ph.d and traveled to Aligarh together and spent some lovely time going around the library, sharing our joys and frustrations.After I left and came to Hyderabad she went into politics, became a Mayor, and is currently the spokesperson for Congress.It was fun connecting with her after ages. As I post this today Rita bahuguna is an MP from BJP and has established herself well in politics.








With Ashima

 On the third day in Lucknow on 13th March, 2015, I met my old friend Ashima and spent time with her.She is now the Director of the Railway Training institute .It was fun spending time with her granddaughter and going around Lucknow.












Thursday, March 12, 2015

Isableela Thoburn, IT College

On 12th March, 2015, attended the two day   National seminar in one of the first women's college Isableela Thoburn popularly known as IT college started in 1875 in Lucknow.Its a beautiful College with a Colonial structure and furniture.The popularity of the college can be gauged from the fact that the cross-section of road adjacent to the college is commonly known as the “IT Chauraha”.There were no avenues for higher education for girls in Lucknow during the reign of Nawabs. The need for extensive higher education gained weight and the Lucknow Women’s College was established on 12th July 1886. Later, it came to be known as the Isabella Thoburn College. All the courses of the college were affiliated to the Calcutta University with Fine Arts (F.A.) being the most popular. In 1894, the college earned the affiliation from the Allahabad University.The institute has been named after its founder Isabella Thoburn who was an American Missionary. She worked tirelessly for the establishment and progress of the college for 31 years. in the year 1901, she passed away following a prolonged illness.Ms. Florence Nichols came to Lucknow in 1921 to handle the administration of the institute in order to provide top level higher education to the girls in Lucknow. I felt happy coming back to the Indo gangetic plain besides meeting many old friends.The College was set up in 1886 for girls and then some portions were added in 1922.The buidings are very Colonial and so is the furniture.























Friday, March 6, 2015

Holi celebrations, 2015

On 6th March, 2015, celebrated Holi the Indian festival of colours.  Happy Holi to every one .