2014) Lucknow University Centenary Anniversary (1920-2020), Bharat/India: A Commemorative Rs.100 Quaternary Silver Proof Coin celebrating the milestone: Coin booked by me on 02.09.2021:
I was particularly happy to learn that a Rs.100/- Commemorative Coin had been released by the Prime Minister on 25.11.2020 (last year) as the University had crossed its 100th year of establishment - 1920-2020.
I have today pre-booked the Proof Commemorative Coin which should be delivered to me in about four month's time.
Lucknow University has been an alma-mater for three generations in my family.
My grandfather Dr. O.P Gupta was the Dean, Faculty of Commerce at the University, My mother and two aunts studied there - Uma Prasad, Sushma Gupta and Dr. Indira Gupta and my uncle Col. V.K. Gupta who were all illustrious alumni of the University. Last, but not least, I too studied here doing my BA.(Hons). and LLB (Law) from 1977 to 1982, before I joined the State Bank of India in 1982.
When I was posted at the Local Head Office, Lucknow (1993), I visited the University for some work. As I passed the Commerce Faculty teaching block, I was pleasantly surprised to see my grandfather's name on the Block. Totally, taken aback, I went to the Commerce faculty and enquired as to when this teaching block was named after my grandfather. No one could enlighten me.
Then, an elderly gentleman tapped me on the shoulder and asked me why I wanted to know this information. I told him that Dr. Gupta was my grandfather. He immediately introduced himself as the present Dean - Dr. Maheshwari, who knew my family very well.
He ushered me into his office, where another gentleman was already sitting. He shared that this gentleman was the son of the Dean, Faculty of Commerce before my grandfather, who had come as a guest faculty to the University for a lecture, and that he himself had been a favourite student of my grandfather's. I learnt from him that it was at his initiative that the Commerce faculty teaching block was named after my grandfather.
There were three generations of ex and present deans being represented in that office at this particular juncture - the present Dean (Dr. Maheshwari), the ex-dean (through his son) and my grandfather (through me). Almost the entire staff of the Commerce faculty and several students came into his office to catch a glimpse of us. I could see that my grandfather was still quite popular at his old Department.
We shared a lot of personal stories for a long time, catching up. It turned out that Dr. Maheshwari's brother was my boss in the State Bank of India - What a small world indeed.
About the Lucknow University (LU):
- The University of Lucknow or Lucknow University (LU) is a public state university based in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
Founded in 1867, the University of Lucknow is one of the oldest government owned institutions of higher education in India.
LU's main campus is located at Badshah Bagh, University Road area of the city with a second campus at Jankipuram (My grandfather was allotted a bungalow as his residence at 76, Badshah Bagh, which I have not visited for several decades, but I have some family photos of it).
- LU is a teaching, residential and affiliating university, organised into more than 160 colleges and institutes, located throughout the city and other surrounding areas.
- It is affiliated to the University Grants Commission; Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU); Association of Indian Universities (AIU); Distance Education Council (DEC). Other accreditations include the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC); National Council of Teacher Education (NCTE); Bar Council of India (BCI). It was affiliated to UGC in 1921.
- The idea of establishing a university at Lucknow was conceived by Raja Sir Mohammad Ali Mohammad Khan, Khan Bahadur, K.C.I.E. of Mahmudabad. He contributed an article in then popular newspaper, The Pioneer, urging the foundation of a University at Lucknow.
- Later Sir Harcourt Butler was appointed Lieutenant-Governor of the United Provinces, and came to know of Raja Sir Mohammad Ali Mohammad Khan's well-known interest in all matters, specially in educational matters.
- The first step to bring the University into being was taken when a General Committee of educationists and persons interested in university education appointed for the purpose, met in conference at Government House, Lucknow, on 10.11.1919. At this meeting Sir Harcourt Butler, being the chairman of the committee, outlined the proposed scheme for the new university.
- After an elaborate discussion, it was later decided that Lucknow University should be a unitary, teaching, and residential University as recommended by the Calcutta University Mission, 1919, and should consist of Faculties of Arts, including Oriental Studies, Science, Medicine, Law, etc.
- Six sub-committees were formed, five of them to consider questions connected with the University and one to consider the arrangements for providing Intermediate Education.
- These sub-committees met during the months of November and December, 1919, and January, 1920; and the reports of their meetings were laid before a second Conference of the General Committee at Lucknow on 26 January 1920; their proceedings were considered and discussed, and the reports of five of the sub-committees were, after certain amendments, confirmed.
- The question of incorporation of the Medical College in the University, however, was for the time being left open for further discussion. At the close of the Conference, Rs. one lakh each from the Raja of Mahmudabad and Jahangirabad were announced as the capital funds.
- The resolutions of the first Conference together with the recommendations of the sub-committees as confirmed at the second Conference were laid before a meeting of the University of Allahabad on 12 March 1920, and it was decided to appoint a sub-committee to consider them and report to the Senate.
- The report of the sub-committee was considered at an extraordinary meeting of the Senate on 7 August 1920, at which the Chancellor presided, and the scheme was generally approved. In the meantime, the difficulty of incorporating the Medical College in the University had been removed.
- During April 1920, Mr. C.F. de la Fosse, the then Director of Public Instruction of the United Provinces, drew up a draft Bill for the establishment of Lucknow University which was introduced in the Legislative Council on 12 August 1920.
- It was then referred to a Select Committee which suggested a number of amendments, the most important being the liberalizing of the constitution of the various University bodies and the inclusion of a Faculty of Commerce.
- This bill, in an amended form, was passed by the council on 8 October 1920.
- The Lucknow University Act, No. V of 1920, received the assent of the Lieutenant-Governor on 1 November, and of the Governor-General on 25 November 1920.
- The Court of the University was constituted in March, 1921 with the first meeting being held on 21 March 1921, at which the Chancellor presided. The other University authorities such as the Executive Council, the Academic Council, and Faculties came into existence in August and September, 1921.
- Other Committees and Boards, both statutory and otherwise, were constituted in course of time. On 17 July 1921, the University undertook teaching—both formal and informal.
- Teaching in the Faculties of Arts, Science, Commerce, and Law was being done in the Canning College and teaching in the Faculty of Medicine in the King George's Medical College and Hospital.
- The Canning College was handed over to the University on 1 July 1922, although previous to this date the buildings, equipment, staff, etc., belonging to the Canning College had been ungrudgingly placed at the disposal of the University for the purposes of teaching and residence.
- The King George's Medical College and the King George's Hospital were transferred by the Government to the University on the 1 March 1921.
- Eventually, The King George's Medical College (today's King George's Medical University), The Canning College, The Isabella Thoburn College provided structural as well as educational and administrational help for the establishment of the university.
LU spreading the "Light of learning":
Established in the winters of 1920 with the lofty ideal of spreading the light of learning, the University of Lucknow is celebrating its centennial year of teaching and learning.
This is the 11th University in India, that has completed 100 years and has over the years given the nation - a President of India, Governors of several states, judges, administrators, scientists, educationists and an internationally known spiritual leader.
Scholars of this university are working as scientists on the Chandrayan (space mission) and at NASA and many a student have brought glory to the University by their contributions in the field of social science, literature, performing and visual arts.
Many have also been conferred the Padma Awards. The University has successfully contributed to fulfilling the dreams and aspirations of the nation through pursuing excellence in different spheres of knowledge and producing citizens who have helped the country grow.
In its centennial year, the seat of learning is striving to achieve glorious heights by realizing its vision of synthesizing society and modern education, knowledge and learning in a global world.
The vision of the University of Lucknow is to be among the leading institutions of the world by consistently engaging in its endeavour through quality teaching, research and innovation rooted in the Indian value system and working towards building an intellectual infrastructure that serves the country, society and humanity.
The Commemorative Coin:
The Reverse of the Rs.100/- (Rupees One Hundred Only) Quaternary Silver Commemorative Coin shows an image of the Lucknow University in the Centre.
The peripheral inscriptions are - "Lucknow Vishwavidyalaya" (in Hindi) and "Lucknow University" (in English). Below this is inscribed - "Shatabdi Utsav" (in Hindi) and "Centennial Celebration". At the lower bottom is inscribed the years the University has been in existence -"1020-2020".
In the centre is the emblem of the Government of India, together with the motto "Satyamev Jayate" (Truth Always Prevails"), below which the denomination is inscribed - "Rs.100".
The specifications of this coin are:
Denomination: Rs.100/- (Rs. One Hundred Only); Issuer: SPMCIL India through the India Government Mint, Mumbai, on behalf of the Government of India; Diameter/Size: 44.00 mm; Coin Quality: Proof (P) and Uncirculated (U); Shape: Circular; Metal Composition: Quaternary Alloy: Silver - 50%, Copper - 40%, Nickel - 5%, Zinc - 5%; No. of Serrations: 200; Weight: 35.00 grams;
Posted on 28.09.2021:
I have since received the Rs.100/- commemorative Coin from the Mumbai Mint a few days ago.
I am giving below a few images scanned by me:
The Cover of the Coin Album is titled "CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION UNIVERSITY OF LUCKNOW". An image of the main building is depicted on the Cover.
Also mentioned are -"Smarak Sikka" (in Hindi) and "COMMEMORATIVE COIN" (in English).
At bottom right is mentioned - "PROOF 1 COIN".
The inscriptions are - "BHARAT" (at centre left) and "INDIA" at centre right). The Emblem pf the Government of India - three Lions of the Ashok Pillar, a bull and a horse below - is seen in the centre of this face. Below the image is inscribed "Satyamev Jayate" ("Truth Always Prevails/Triumphs").
The denomination of the Coin "R 100" is at the lower periphery.
Pages 4 and 5 of the Coin Album give the Reverse of the Coin and the specifications.
Page 4 of the Coin Album presents the Reverse of the Rs.100/- (Rupees Hundred) Quaternary Silver Commemorative Coin.
The inscriptions around the upper periphery read - "Lucknow Vishwavidyalaya" (in Hindi) and "UNIVERSITY OF LUCKNOW". "Shatabdi Utsav" (in Hindi) and "CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION" (in English).
There is an image of the main building of the Luckbow University below with the commemorative years - "1920-2020" further below"
The mint mark of the Mumbai Mint "M" is reserved for Proof Coins only, which is seen below the years of commemoration. For other coins the Mumbai Mint has a diamond mint mark.
Santosh Khanna has commented:
ReplyDelete"Happy to know about your family than coin. Thanks for sharing this interesting information."
Thank you so much, Khanna sahab.
DeleteRsanker Sharma
ReplyDeleteGreat post. Very nice and interesting.
Thank you, Sharma sahab.
DeleteVikram Bhatnagar has commented:
ReplyDelete"What a remarkable coincidence and what an incident; stars make such things possible in this Mrityulok! 🤔😇"
That is very true, Vikram. It was indeed a fated meeting. I was rather disappointed, when I was getting no information and Dr. Maheshwari tapped me on the back. We were all very happy to see one another & had a lot of stories and memories to share.
DeleteRajan Trikha has commented:
ReplyDelete"Very Interesting linkages and it’s Nice for you to have the same in your possession in few months 👍"
Yes, Trikha sahab. I got to know only today that this coin is being pre-booked at the Mumbai Mint. It will represent an important part of our family's history.
DeleteRajan Trikha has further commented:
Delete"Of course it has to be a prized possession."