National Symposium on Rethinking Gandhi in Contemporary Times
The Department of History from the Easwari School of Liberal Arts, hosted a national symposium on “Rethinking Gandhi: Relevance and Revaluation in our Times,” focusing on the facets of Gandhian legacy of meditation and tolerance. The symposium, held on February 25, 2025, witnessed an assembly of noted stalwarts of Gandhian Studies and modern South Asian history whose expertise in unpacking Gandhi and his politics is noteworthy. Prof. Mridula Mukherjee, Retired professor, JNU, Prof. Amar Farooqui, Retired professor, University of Delhi-North Campus, Prof. V Krishna Ananth, Professor of History, Dean of the School of Social Sciences, Sikkim University, Gangtok, delivered insightful sessions at the symposium moderated by Dr V Rajesh, Associate Professor, Department of Humanities and Social Science, IISER, Mohali.
Prof. Vishnupad, Dean of Easwari School of Liberal Arts, gave a comprehensive account of the relevance of revisiting the Gandhian legacy and ideology of inclusivity, compromise and tolerance in the contemporary world. He also opined the importance of liberal arts education in redefining oneself and shaping young minds into leaders and change-makers of tomorrow.
The symposium highlighted three perceptive lectures by leading academicians in Gandhian Studies. Prof. Mridula Mukherjee elucidated Gandhi as a leader of civil liberties. She commented, “Gandi’s doctrine placed democracy, civil liberties, and the notion of dissent in the forefront. His political ideology played with the terrains of legality and legitimacy.” Prof. Amar Farooqui discussed Gandhi’s relevance, particularly in relation to the idea of secularism. He commented, “Gandhi is uncompromisingly secular” and emphasised that Gandhi’s understanding of secularism remains relevant today.
Prof. V Krishna Ananth highlighted that tolerance was central to Gandhi’s journey. He remarked that Gaandhi’s activism exposed the exploitative nexus between colonialism and financial power, a reality that remains relevant today. Dr V Rajesh moderated a Q&A session following the lectures.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Manoj K Arora expressed his appreciation to the Department of History and the Easwari School of Liberal Arts for this formidable initiative. He stated, “The National symposium is hugely beneficial for liberal arts students to enlighten the idea of swaraj. It is important for young minds to imbibe Gandhi’s teachings to strive towards a right and judicious world”.
The symposium aimed at revisiting Gandhi’s legacy, ideology, and vision and their relevance in the contemporary world. The event featured the participation of the Associate Dean of Easwari School of Liberal Arts, Prof. Vandana Swami, Head-Department of History Dr Aqsa Agha, Convenor of the symposium, Dr Maanvender Singh, faculty from the Liberal Arts school, research scholars, and students.
- Published in Departmental News, History Current Happenings, News, Research News
Padmashri Prof. Shanti Sinha Discuss Child Labour and Child Rights in India at UDL#20
“Every Child Out of School is in Child Labour. Education, Education and Education alone is the Way Forward for a Progressing India.” – Prof. Shanti Sinha
The twentieth edition of the University Distinguished Lecture (UDL) on February 21, 2025, witnessed an invigorating session by the eminent anti-child labour activist Padma Shri Prof. Shanta Sinha, Ramon Magsaysay Awardee, Former Chairperson of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), and Professor (Retd.) Dept. of Political Science, Hyderabad Central University. The session on the topic “Making Education a Reality and Ending Child Labour: Experience of M.V. Foundation” gave an overview of the work of M.V. Foundation in the field of child rights in India.
In a society ravaged by poverty, where children were forced to join the bonded labour workforce, Prof. Sinha remarked that it was not poverty that led to child labour but child labour that led to poverty. Prof. Sinha elucidated on the non-negotiable principle adopted by the M.V. Foundation, that ‘no child must work, and every child must attend full-time formal day school,’ which broke the societal norms of Indian society.
She briefly spoke about the impact that the M.V. Foundation had and the ripple it created in the field of child rights. “M.V. Foundation has withdrawn over 15 lakh children in the age group of 5-14 years from child labour; stopped over 20,000 child marriages and pioneered a program for mainstreaming children to schools through residential bridge courses. The MVF’s mission to abolish child labour also led to the Closure of Night Schools and the creation of necessary amendments in the Child Labour Act of 1986,” stated Prof. Sinha.
The session also discussed Prof. Sinha’s Journey at the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), and the various challenges faced in addressing key issues such as violation of children’s rights in relation to child labour and child trafficking, rights of children in areas of civil unrest, juvenile justice system, corporal punishment, child abuse and violence on children, and child malnutrition.
The UDL 20 was a mind opener and a lens into the reality of child labour still prevalent in India. Prof. Manoj K Arora, Vice Chancellor of SRM University-AP, expressed his gratitude to have the presence of a torchbearer of social reform at the UDL. He stated, “Prof. Sinha is a stalwart whose work has created a magnitudinal shift in the societal norm, significantly contributing to the abolition of child labour in India. We are grateful to imbibe from her knowledge and experience as a social leader.” Dean of Easwari School of Liberal Arts, Prof. Vishnupad, also expressed his heartfelt appreciation for Prof. Sinha’s presence and her work. He stated that the thought-provoking and inspiring session will ignite students to think in a ‘non-conventional’ way and offer courage to make a change.
The 20th UDL was organised under the aegis of the Office of Dean-Research, the UDL committee, and the Easwari School of Liberal Arts. It witnessed the presence of Registrar Dr R Premkumar, Dean of the School of Engineering and Sciences, Prof C V Tomy, Dean of Research, Prof. Ranjit Thapa, and Faculty and students of the varsity. The signature lecture series is the university’s flagship initiative to impart global exposure and quality education to its students.
Paari School of Business Launch Two New B.Com. Specialisations
Marking a significant stride towards expanding academic offerings and equipping students with the skills required for the evolving business landscape, The Paari School of Business at SRM University-AP has launched two new specialisations for its B.Com. programme – B.Com. (CA Integrated) and B.Com. (Fintech and Banking).
The event witnessed the presence of stalwarts from Banking, Data Analytics and Chartered Accountancy along with the Vice Chancellor of SRM University-AP, Prof. Manoj K Arora, Registrar Dr R Premkumar, Dean-Paari School of Business, Prof. Bharadhwaj Sivakumaran, Head-Department of Commerce Dr A Lakshmana Rao, faculty, staff and students from the school. Mr Ruhbir Singh, CEO of Tatvic, a Global Analytics Firm, was the Chief Guest; Mr Bala Iyer, MD of Barclays Bank, was the Guest of Honour, and CA Ravi Kishore, President of ICAI Vijayawada Branch, was the Keynote Speaker.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Manoj K Arora appreciated the school for its launch of specialisations that will generously benefit the management education offered at the university. Dean Prof. Bharadhwaj briefly spoke on the objective of launching the two new specialisations and the expected outcome of the B.Com. programme. “At Paari School of Business, we offer modern, contemporary, and cutting-edge programmes that meaningfully align with current market demands. The curriculum of the two new specialisations is tightly integrated with the Fintech and CA fields and will be taught by industry experts and seasoned professionals,” stated Prof. Bharadhwaj in his welcome address.
This initiative by the Paari School of Business invokes innovation, inspiration, and excellence. In his address, Mr Ruhbir Singh, a pioneer in Digital Marketing and Data Analytics, elucidated the strategies for making it big in the business frontier. He remarked, “Critical thinking, keeping abreast with technology, and learning to present yourself are the pivotal skills graduates must equip themselves with to sprint to high-impact placements.”
Guest of Honour Mr Bala Iyer emphasised the importance of networking and building connections among different strata of the business and economic fields as the real wealth that one must accumulate. In his keynote address, CA Ravi Kishore also underscored the significance of practical and soft skills accompanied by a mindset for continuous learning triumph over academic qualification in the real world. Both dignitaries launched the specialisations B.Com. (Fintech and Banking) and B.Com. (CA Integrated) respectively.
The event also witnessed the launch of the much-awaited two-day Business fest AMEYA’25 by the Chief Guest Mr Ruhbir Singh. AMEYA’25, the Management Mavericks’ Meet will hold numerous formal and informal events, ranging from Business Development to PR and Entrepreneurship, with a prize pool of Rs 1.75 Lakh. The fest will welcome students and participants from management colleges and universities in Vijayawada and Guntur. The event concluded with the felicitation of the esteemed dignitaries and a vote of thanks from the Head of the Commerce Department.
- Published in Commerce Current Happenings, Departmental News, News, Paari Current Happenings, paari-events
Insights into Success in the Corporate Environment
The Department of Management organised a Guest Talk on the topic “The Commercial Real Estate Industry; Trends & Insights” on January 17, 2025. Mr Dibashish Ghosh, Senior Vice President and Country HR Head at Berkadia delivered an insightful session on the transition from Campus to Corporate. With over 18 years of extensive experience in human resources, Mr Ghosh has successfully led global organisations and Indian conglomerates, including GE and Genpact, in key leadership roles. His expertise, spanning organisational culture transformation, change leadership, and talent management, gave professional tips to MBA students by sharing real-world experiences, challenges and strategies for success in the corporate environment.
The session provided a holistic perspective, enabling students to connect theoretical knowledge with real-world applications in the Financial Services and Commercial Real Estate domains. The talk focused on enhancing Real Estate Industry awareness—the trends, challenges, and opportunities; Understanding the Key Financial Components and their integration with real estate investments; Knowledge of Asset classes and opportunities for investing in Commercial Properties; Practical insights into investment and mortgage banking; Impact of Regulatory and economic factors; Networking and mentorship; and Preparation for Corporate Roles.
- Published in Departmental News, News, Paari Current Happenings, paari-guest-lectures
Developing Organic Thin-Film Transistors into Biosensors
The Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering is proud to announce that Dr Durga Prakash M and his scholar Prasanthi Ms Prasanthi Lingala have their invention titled “An Organic Thin-Film Transistors (OTFTs) with Steep Subthreshold and Ultra-Low Temperature Solution Processing for Label-Free Biosensing” published in the Indian Patent Office Journal with the Application Number: 202541000088. Their research focus on developing an Organic Thin-Film Transistor (OTFT) that is able to work as a biosensor in detecting diseases or for real-time health monitoring.
Abstract
Organic Thin-Film Transistor (OTFT): The name “organic thin-film transistor” (OTFT) refers to a type of transistor that employs organic semiconductor materials in its active layer rather than the more traditional inorganic materials such as silicon. Optical thin-film transistors (OTFTs) are distinguished by their adaptability, low fabrication cost, and optimal applicability for electronic devices that are lightweight and portable. Considering their high sensitivity to changes in the surrounding environment and their compatibility with functionalised layers for the detection of biomolecules, these transistors find widespread application in the field of biosensors.
Explanation of the Research in Layperson’s Terms
Imagine a flexible electronic switch that can be bent, stretched, and used in lightweight devices—this is what an Organic Thin-Film Transistor (OTFT) does! Unlike traditional transistors made from rigid silicon, OTFTs use special organic materials, making them more adaptable for wearable sensors, flexible displays, and medical devices.
The research focuses on how these transistors can be used as biosensors, meaning they can detect tiny changes in the environment, like the presence of certain chemicals or biomolecules. This is important for medical testing, where OTFTs could help develop low-cost, highly sensitive diagnostic tools—imagine a simple patch that can detect diseases from sweat or a flexible sensor for real-time health monitoring! By improving how OTFTs interact with biological substances, the team aims to make them more accurate, efficient, and reliable for next-generation healthcare and wearable technology.
Fig.: Schematic structure of DNTT based OTFT
- Published in Departmental News, ECE NEWS, News, Research News
Theory-Experiment Dialogue on Big Bang Nucleosynthesis
The Department of Physics organised a Department Research Seminar on February 05, 2025, that offered a theoretical expression on Big Bang Nucleosynthesis. The seminar, which unravelled as a theory-experiment dialogue, also delved into interesting topics like Quantum Field Theory and General Relativity. Dr Martin Schaefer, nuclear physicist from the Department of Theoretical Physics Nuclear Physics Institute, Czech Academy of Sciences was the keynote speaker of the session.
The key idea of this session was to understand the means of the Big Bang and the Standard Model Lagrangian Method. Dr Schaefer discussed the nuclear reactions that formed the early universe and had an interaction session with the participating students and scholars.
The workshop was based on ‘Big Bang to Now: Exploring the Origins of the Universe’ with Nuclear Processes during Big Bang Nucleosynthesis. It focused on understanding the universe’s origins and the nuclear processes responsible for its birth during Big Bang nucleosynthesis.
Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN) refers to the process that occurred roughly 10 seconds after the Big Bang when the temperature of the universe dropped enough for atomic nuclei to form. This has led to the creation of stable elements such as helium and lithium isotopes, which played a crucial role in the evolution of the universe. The specific abundance of these elements provides observable imprints in the universe today, helping scientists validate theories like the Hot Big Bang Model and the Standard Model of particle physics.
The study of BBN allows scientists to understand the fundamental forces and nuclear interactions that governed the early universe. Dr Martine Schaefer provided insightful and educative information by helping scientists test the hot Big Bang theory. The session proved to be an incredible platform for scholars, students, and faculty to collaborate and discuss theoretical and experimental physics.
- Published in Departmental News, News, Physics News
Field Trip to Hyderabad: A Journey of Education, Culture, and Adventure
The 5th Semester B.A. History students went on a field trip to Hyderabad as part of their courses ‘Medieval India’ and the ‘Eighteenth Century in Indian History’. Dr Aqsa Agha, Course Coordinator, and Dr Manaswini Sen led the study group to explore the city’s historical and cultural significance, enhancing their learning outside the classroom for the two courses.
The group visited Charminar, exploring the iconic monument and its surrounding bazaars, Golconda Fort, discussing its history and architecture with a Heritage Walk Practitioner from Hyderabad, and finally the Qutb Shahi Tombs and gardens, a standing testament of Indo-Persian architectural excellence.
The field trip provided students with a refined exposure to the diverse culture and history of Hyderabad and the historical context of the evolution of the culture of the city. The students had a wonderful chance to visit the important historical monuments and urban morphology that mark the period of study in the courses on Medieval and Eighteenth-century Indian History.
The field trip fostered a deep understanding of the respective courses, inspiring students to explore beyond books and classrooms.
- Published in Departmental News, History Current Happenings, History News, News
Techno-Cultural Fest INFINITUS’25 Wrap up with a Bang
The four-day Techno-Cultural Fest, INFINITUS’25, from February 05-08, 2025, has come to a showstopping end at SRM University-AP. An incredible lineup of artists featured on the final two days of INFINITUS’25, including renowned music composer-performer duo Salim-Sulaiman Merchant. The duo and their team enthralled the audience with their popular hits and electrifying performances, transforming the campus into a captivating concert where they showcased an unforgettable stage.
The cultural performances also included a stand-up comedy act by Hoody, mesmerizing songs by Ram Miryala and a final showdown by DJ Akram. The performing artists set the stage ablaze with their incredible zeal and talent, and the grounds of SRM University-AP became a platform for fun, creativity and enjoyment.
The techno fest, a central highlight of INFINITUS 2025, commenced with great enthusiasm and an immense exhibition of talent. The inaugural function witnessed Vice President of PowerTrain at Volvo Group, Mr Kishan Sreenath, as the Chief Guest along with Vice Chancellor, Prof. Manoj K Arora; Registrar, Dr R Premkumar; Director of Student Affairs, Mr Anil Kumar Nigam; Chief Club Advisor, Dr Sujith Kalluri; and Student Council President, Mr B V S Laksman.
Chief Guest Mr Kishan Sreenath commended the ethos behind INFINITUS ‘25. He also highlighted the importance of problem statements in hackathons and their crucial role in advancing technology. Mr Kishan stressed how platforms such as INFINITUS ‘25 foster collaboration among individuals with varying backgrounds, benefiting society.
The HACK SRM Challenge was the standout event among the technical events, with 22 hours of nonstop hacking, six tracks, a grand prize pool of ₹ 1 Lakh, and ₹75k worth of sidetracks. Some of the other technical competitions of the fest included FIFA, Valorant, BGMI, Bullet Echo, and Rapid UI, to name a few. Navacharak bagged the 1st prize, followed by Pinterest Gillies in the Hack SRM Challenge, winning prize money of 50k and 30k, respectively. The winners of the techno expo- Mahammad Hassain, Yella Reddy, Sai Kumar, and Charmi bagged the prize money of 10k.
The final day of the Techno-Cultural Fest also hosted the much-awaited Mr and Ms Fresher competition, where the brightest, most talented, and deserving candidates were chosen as the title winners. Mr Aashir, a first-year B.Tech. student, and Ms Pratyusha, a first-year M.Sc. student, were selected as Mr and Ms Fresher, respectively. Other cultural programmes included Tech Tales, Cyber Vogue, Cyber Sway, Cyber Tunes and Glitch Stage where participants put on exemplary performances and won spectacular prizes. INFINITUS’25, organised under the aegis of the Directorate of Student Affairs and the Student Council of the university, was a resounding success, a memorable experience celebrating innovation, talent and creativity./p>
- Published in News, student affairs news, Students Affairs Events
Prof. Stefan Kalkhof on Advancing Biomaterial Design
The Department of Biological Sciences organised an expert talk on “Guiding Biomaterial Design Through the Power of Omics Technologies” by Prof. Stefan Kalkhof on February 05, 2025. Prof. Kalkhof, a distinguished member of the Faculty of Applied Natural Sciences, Coburg University of Applied Sciences, Germany, and Head of the Proteomics Research Group at the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), Germany, began the session with an introduction to Coburg University, highlighting its rich academic history and research contributions, followed by a brief overview of the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), which is dedicated to developing the medicine of the future through innovative research in cell therapy and immunology.
Prof. Kalkhof’s talk focused on the potential of mass spectrometry-based proteomics and its wide-ranging applications in biomedical research. He emphasised how this advanced technology helps study the structure and function of drug targets, develop cancer-specific drugs, design functional implants, understand bacterial infections, and assess the toxic effects of chemicals.
A significant part of the discourse revolves around bone implants and tissue regeneration. He explained that although bones naturally regenerate, certain conditions, such as Type 2 diabetes and other metabolic disorders, may need bioactive scaffolds to promote healing. These smart scaffolds are designed to stimulate active tissue regeneration.
Prof. Kalkhof also spoke about the importance of proteomics technologies in regenerative medicine. He highlighted how mass spectrometry at the protein level plays a crucial role in healing, diagnostics, and drug development. His discussion extended to bioactive functional implants, a field that offers vast opportunities for materials scientists, chemists, toxicologists, and medical researchers.
The session also covered clinical trials and experimental models used to evaluate bioactive scaffolds, including in vitro and in vivo characterisation, osteoblast cell culture models, and simulation experiments in animal models.
Towards the conclusion of his talk, Prof. Kalkhof provided insights into ongoing projects in regenerative medicine, emphasising the significance of comprehensive analysis for bio-resource-based bioactive scaffolds. He also acknowledged his core research team and their invaluable contributions to these projects. The lecture was followed by an engaging Q&A session, where students and faculty members posed insightful questions about proteomics, biomaterials, and regenerative medicine.
- Published in Biology News, Departmental News, News
6-Day Workshop cum Mini-Symposium on PDE Successfully Concludes
The Department of Mathematics successfully hosted a 6-day Workshop cum Mini-Symposium on Partial Differential Equations (PDE) from December 23 to 28, 2024, with generous financial support from the National Board for Higher Mathematics (NBHM). The event aimed to bridge theoretical foundations and cutting-edge applications of PDEs, fostering academic dialogue among researchers, scholars, and students.
The Workshop held on the theme “Basics of regularity theory of elliptic partial differential equations” featured sessions by subject experts including Prof. A. Adimurthi, Visiting Faculty, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, IIT Kanpur; Dr Karthik Adimurthi, Reader, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Centre for Applicable Mathematics, Bangalore and Prof. Prosenjit Roy, Professor, Department of Mathematics, IIT Kanpur.
Themed “Applied Mathematics Symposium on Differential Equations: Theory, Computation, and Beyond”, the mini-symposium featured insightful talks by Prof. Mohit Dalwadi, Associate Professor in Applied Mathematics, Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford; Dr Satyajit Pramanik, Assistant Professor, Department of Mathematics, IIT Guwahati and Dr Moitri Sen, Assistant Professor, Department of Mathematics, NIT Patna. These experts delivered lectures on advanced topics, including elliptic PDE theory, computational methods, and interdisciplinary applications.
The primary aim was to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the abstract theory of elliptic partial differential equations, emphasising both foundational principles and modern computational techniques. Interactive sessions, problem-solving workshops, and collaborative discussions enriched the learning experience.
The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from 23 outstation researchers (from reputed institutions across India) and PhD scholars from the Department of Mathematics, SRM AP. The diverse cohort facilitated vibrant academic exchanges and networking opportunities.
A special felicitation ceremony was also held on December 24, 2025, to honour Vigyan Shri Prof. Adimurthi for his monumental contributions to mathematics. This segment underscored SRM AP’s commitment to celebrating excellence in scientific research. The Workshop cum Mini-Symposium served as a dynamic platform for disseminating knowledge, fostering collaborations, and inspiring future research in PDEs.
- Published in Departmental News, Math News, News, Workshop