Patna University has unfortunately let slip the opportunity to celebrate the centenary of the iconic Wheeler Senate House, and now it looks set to miss recognizing the 100th anniversary of Patna Science College as well.
Patna: Nearly a century after two landmark institutions of the Patna University (PU) that shaped Bihar’s academic and intellectual legacy, it has let their centenary moments pass without any official commemoration, drawing concern from senior academicians and alumni.
The absence of any official commemoration for the Wheeler Senate House and the approaching centenary of Patna Science College is being seen as an opportunity lost to reconnect the younger generation with the state’s rich educational heritage.Despite both institutions emerged as symbols of academic excellence and cultural pride, , no formal celebrations were organised to mark the 100th anniversary of the Wheeler Senate House, which was inaugurated on March 20, 1926.
Former head of PU’s ancient Indian history and archaeology department Jayadeo Mishra said the absence of any commemorative event reflected poorly on the university administration’s commitment to preserving its legacy.Built at an estimated cost of Rs 1.75 lakh entirely funded by Raja Devaki Nandan Prasad Singh of Munger, the senate The house has hosted some of the most illustrious names in India’s public and academic life.
Leaders and luminaries such as Lord Mountbatten, Sarojini Naidu, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, C D Deshmukh, V K R V Rao and Vijayalakshmi Pandit addressed university convocations from the historic hall. Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore and renowned scientists — Jagdish Chandra Bose, C V Raman, Meghnad Saha and Satyen Bose — also interacted with students and faculty here on various occasions, cementing the building’s place in national academic history.A similar neglect appears to shadow Patna Science College, which is set to enter its centenary year in July. Despite its pivotal role in advancing science education in eastern India, no concrete initiative has yet been announced to mark 100 years of the institution.The college formally came into being after science classes were separated from Patna College and shifted to a newly designated campus in July 1927, following govt sanction in Dec 1926.
While teaching began in partially constructed buildings, the fully developed campus — complete with laboratories and academic facilities — was inaugurated on Nov 15, 1928, by the then Viceroy of India, Lord Irwin.The college was conceived as a centre of excellence. Its physics and chemistry laboratories, constructed during 1927–28 on the lines of Oxford and Cambridge universities under the guidance of K S Caldwell, were equipped with cutting-edge instruments of the era.
The physics laboratory, in particular, offered facilities not only for undergraduate and postgraduate teaching but also for advanced research, housing an astronomical observatory, an instrument repair workshop and an equipment museum.Academicians argue that commemorating the centenary of these institutions would not merely be symbolic but educational — providing an opportunity to showcase Bihar’s historic contributions to higher learning and inspire students at a time when universities are striving to reaffirm their relevance and identity.
