Jadavpur University Alumni Association Hyderabad Chapter

JUAAH magazine - Latest Editions

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Megh Peon (Cultural)

 

From The Editor's Desk

There are journeys we choose, and then there are journeys that choose us, revealing their meaning only in retrospect.

Ours, I suspect, belongs to the latter.

At some indeterminate point between lecture halls and lifetimes, between youthful certainties and the slow negotiations of adulthood, we stepped out of Jadavpur University carrying more than just degrees. Some of us carried instincts, unarticulated then, but enduring. And, years later, scattered across cities and professions, one would imagine those trajectories to remain parallel, perhaps even indifferent to one another.

And yet, here we are, in a city far removed from where it all began, finding ourselves in each other’s orbit. I won’t say its because we once shared classrooms (most of us did not), nor because time placed us side by side (it did not), but because something far less tangible, and far more compelling, insists on continuity. A recognition, almost instinctive, that individual journeys need not remain solitary in their meaning. And thus, between who we were and who we are becoming, there exists a beautiful continuum. It is within this continuum that I find myself returning, time and again, to the idea of Purushartha - the four anchors of a life well-lived: Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha.

Artha was never merely about accumulation; it was the restless pursuit that took us outward, into professions, into cities, into versions of ourselves we had once only imagined. Kama, in its gentler articulation, found expression in the friendships we forged, the endless, sometimes irrelevant debates, the long, unproductive afternoons that, in hindsight, were anything but unimportant.

What is more intriguing is what follows.

At a stage where life could very well have remained comfortably self-contained, something shifts. One begins to look outward again, not in pursuit this time, but in extension. Time, experience, perhaps even a certain fatigue with self-sufficiency, whatever the cause, it finds articulation in acts that do not immediately return to the self. If that is not what we call as Dharma in motion, it is at least its echo for certain.

And Moksha that is so often framed as a distant, almost ceremonial culmination, according to me, is far less dramatic and uncomplicated in practice. It arrives, if at all, without announcement: in the unburdening that follows a small act of kindness, in the peculiar satisfaction of having been of use, in the kind of sleep that does not negotiate with the conscience.

Megh Peon finds its place somewhere within this unfolding.

I’d urge to consider Megh Peon not as a declaration, but as a gesture. A space where familiar, sometimes unfamiliar, names acquire texture, where distances collapse not geographically but narratively. In the absence of daily proximities, this becomes our way of knowing each other ever more, through reflections, recollections, hesitations, convictions. Through the written word, which has always had the peculiar ability to reveal more than conversation permits.

There is, of course, a certain irony in discovering one another only after decades of not having met at all. But perhaps that is precisely the point. Some associations do not belong to chronology; they belong to recognition.

If this magazine manages, even briefly, to hold that recognition, to carry a thought from one mind to another, to translate experience into something that lingers, then it has done more than enough.

The rest, as always, will find its way.

Humbly,

Aindrila Ghosal

Editor, Megh Peon

Symposium (Science)

 

From the Desk of President

It is immensely gratifying for me to give my message for the XIV th Science symposium volume for School Students. This unique annual event as like previous 13 editions is an attempt that continues to inculcate the spirit of scientific inquiry among young learners.

I heartily welcome all the young minds of the twin cities of Hyderabad to this 14th edition of Annual Science Symposium, which is being held at CSIR-IICT, Hyderabad on 22nd August, 2026. The Jadavpur University Alumni Association, Hyderabad, since its inception, has been taking up varieties of programmes and projects in Hyderabad. With many University Alumni Association members, who are well established in their respective fields of Science and Technology, a strong urge was felt to take up projects and programs in the fields of science and Technology. Clearly, the idea was to use existing human resource for the benefit of society in general, especially for the school going children of the same city, which nurtured each of the Alumni Association members’ professional aspiration.

Methodically nurturing a scientific temperament from a young age is more important than ever and the job is not easy. Hence, the tireless efforts of Science Symposium Organizing Committee, Educators, and Mentors for creating the enriching and inclusive platform for budding scientists are truly commendable.

This highly interactive platform attracts high school students of 8th to 12th standard. We hope this way we are able to spread awareness and popularise science. I am overwhelmed by the response we have got from speakers and the students alike. I am thankful to all the members of the science symposium committee who have made this possible.

We are profusely thankful to the Director, IICT who has given permission to organise the programme in CSIR-IICT auditorium, Hyderabad in association with CSIR-IICT JIGYASA. I profusely thank all the sponsors / well wishers for their support to organise the symposium. To end with I hope that the participants will have higher aspirations to continue their journey in the field of scientific research with daring dream.

Wishing the symposium continued success and lasting impact.

Aniruddha Sengupta,

President, JUAAH

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From the Desk of Convenor

Welcome to the 14th Science Symposium for students.

It gives me immense pleasure to welcome you to the 14th Symposium on Science for school children, organized by the Jadavpur University Alumni Association (JUAA), Hyderabad Chapter &Jigysa, CSIR-IICT, Hyderabad. Taking place on August 22, 2026, at the CSIR IICT Auditorium, Hyderabad, this event is a heartfelt celebration of curiosity, creativity, and the scientific spirit of our young minds.

This symposium is more than just a gathering -it is a dynamic platform where ideas come to life. It is a space where asking the right questions matters just as much as finding the answers, and where every experiment, observation, and presentation showcases the bright future of our scientific community. We believe the journey of discovery begins in school, and we are incredibly proud to see students stepping beyond their textbooks to explore the realm of real-world science. Nurturing this scientific temper from an early age is vital for building a progressive society, and our goal today is to ignite a lifelong passion for inquiry, problem-solving, and innovation.

As part of our humble initiative to connect students directly with masters in their respective fields, the JUAA Hyderabad Chapter has curated this year's event around the central theme: "Living Planet.”

For sustainable growth and to address the limitations of fossil fuels, alternative sources of clean energy are essential. Nuclear energy is one of the major alternatives for achieving net-zero emissions. The Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at IGCAR, Kalpakkam, Department of Atomic Energy has achieved criticality and is designed to generate more nuclear fuel than it consumes, thereby contributing to the long-term sustainability of nuclear energy.

To reflect this theme and celebrate the achievement, we have thoughtfully selected our distinguished speakers. Dr. Tamanna S.R.C. Murthy (Head, Mineral Processing Division, BARC), who will deliver an insightful talk on "The Role of Nuclear Energy, Fast Breeder Technology, and Safe Radiation". Dr. Rajeev Arav (Eminent Endocrinologist), who will share crucial medical insights during his talk on "Lifestyle Diseases and Juvenile Diabetes."

To ensure a highly engaging and hands-on learning experience, this one-day symposium will also feature a variety of activities, including: An Elocution Competition (an exciting new addition for this year!) besides A Poster Presentation Competition and a an engaging Science Quiz Competition.

I am confident that the participating students will greatly benefit from these sessions, leaving motivated to pursue further studies and research in STEM. Ultimately, it is this younger generation that will drive our beloved nation towards greater economic development and self-sufficiency in science and technology. On behalf of the JUAA, Hyderabad Chapter, I extend my deepest gratitude to all the participants, mentors, teachers, and organizing team members. Your unwavering dedication and enthusiasm have made this event a reality.

I wish all our students a day filled with fruitful interactions, boundless inspiration, and profound discovery. Best wishes for a highly successful symposium!

Dr. Chanchal Sarbajna,

Convenor & Vice President, JUAAH

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From the Desk of Co-Convenor

Our country cannot ignore the unique and burning problems of its 1.5 billion people, especially in the ever-challenging world. Student’s should keep in mind that we, the citizens of this Earth are apparently one of its kind intelligent people in this universe, especially when other ‘Living Planet(s)’ are yet to be discovered. So, keeping this ‘living planet’ lively is everybody’s responsibility and students today should also feel the enjoyable burden of keeping our fortunate planet livable for all, including nonhumans, floras and faunas. Innovations in answering how effectively and with what minimal resources, while remaining healthy, can I achieve the same, are the keys.

Keeping this in mind, Jadavpur University Alumni Association, Hyderabad (JUAAH) is organizing 14th Science Symposium for School Students in collaboration with CSIR-IICT, Hyderabad under CSIR’s JIGYASA program on 22nd August 2026in IICT Auditorium. This year also the symposium calls for the Essay Competition with theme “Living Planet” from the students of participating Schools. Idea is to find how eloquently one reciprocates the problem of the world and how India can achieve a smart yet simple answer to that. We received very concentrated response from multiple schools. Students with their wonderful ideas indeed taught us wonderful lessons.

We look forward to students’ active participation and hope they will have fun while learning new ideas during the symposium.

With warm wishes and regards.

Dr. Rajkumar Banerjee,

Co-Convenor, JUAAH

What binds us together?

Is it that spirit of restlessness which translates, no not into any jitteriness or disquietude but into activity – a constant endeavor for betterment? Perhaps guided by the same spirit our founder fathers – Rabindranath Tagore or Aurobindo Ghosh had set up the National Council of Education. It is duly transmitted to our DNAs however short the time a Jadav spends on the campus. Some of us left the university almost five decades ago while others just a few years back, yet those silent tugs at our heart strings can be felt wherever we are.
"Megh Peon (Earlier known as Sei Somoy)" for a creative space

And it is this spirit of restlessness which has inspired us to look beyond our annual literary magazine. Like the household spider relentlessly weaving its web, connecting however distant and disparate the objects are, we too want to reach out to every Jadav, even those at the farthest corner of the world with our e-magazine. Do read, contribute and spread the word…

We are all ex-students of the Jadavpur University, which is situated at the southern part of the metropolitan city Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal. The origin of this institution dates back to 1905 when the then British Government decided to divide Bengal under the pretext of administrative reasons. People rose to the occasion in Bengal. Luminaries like Gurudev Rabindranath and Rashbehari Ghosh felt the necessity of having an educational system based on national ideals. Thus the National Council for Education, Bengal (N.C.E.Bengal) came into being on March 11, 1906. Subsequently, the Bengal National College was established on August 15, 1906 for teaching science and humanities and the Society for the Promotion of Technical Education founded the Bengal Technical Institute on July, 1910. This was merged afterwards with the N.C.E, Bengal. The present site of the Jadavpur University was obtained on lease from the Calcutta Municipal Corporation by N.C.E. The engineering college was shifted to this place in 1924 as the College of Engineering and Technology, Bengal (E.E.T Bengal). Shri Aurobindo Ghosh, who became famous later on as the great yogi of Pondicherry, was the founder Principal of this  college. After independence this institution gained the status of full-fledged university on December 24, 1955. The celebrated scholar Professor Triguna Sen took over the charge as the first Vice-Chancellor. Every year the university organizes its convocation on this day to commemorate the occasion. The university at present is divided into the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Arts. Each faculty governs a number of departments.
It is really amazing to see that top-graded engineers, linguists, historians, geologists, physicists, mathematician, chemists and pharmaceutical technologists are coming out from the same campus every year. Besides having degree colleges, the campus also houses a school and a number of well - equipped research laboratories (details available at the university website http://www.jadavpur.edu). It is indeed a privilege to get an opportunity to study at this institution.

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On the eve of the golden Jubilee (21 st December, 2005) of Jadavpur University, the Department of Posts Government of India issued a postage stamp in recognition of its educational contribution towards the country.

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