Regional Engineering College, Warangal (1979-83)

After completion of Intermediate, I kept trying a seat in Engineering.  At that time there was no common entrance test like Eamcet.  The Engineering Entrance Tests were conducted by OU and JNTU separately at Hyderabad. I applied

& appeared  for both the Tests.  I got good ranks in both the Tests but not good enough to get me a seat in either of the Univerties.  I came back to Nizamabad and applied for Sugar Technoloy Course. I got seat in Sugar Technology, a new course introduced by the Govt. Polytechnic, Nizamabad at that time.  Although I joined in the diploma Course, my intention to get an Engineering seat did not end. I applied for seat on merit basis at REC Warangal as, at that time, there's no entrance test for RECs.  I even applied for Telephone Operator's post in Telephone Department (Govt. of India) based on SSC qualification.

I was lucky enough to get offer letter  from RECW for Engineering Seat and at the same time I got appointment letter for Telephone Operator's post in Telephone Department. I opted for Engineering Seat and I managed to get Metallurgy branch. 

 It was very wonderful time when I joined RECW on one fine day in October, 1979. It was a big and beautiful Campus with Administrative building at front, Staff quarters, Hostel buildings, canteen, cafetaraia etc. I was thrilled to see such an atmosphere (when I felt) where I would be there as a student for another 4 years. I was accompanied by my Eldest brother to join at RECW. As I joined in waiting list, the classes were already started and the campus was full of Students /Hostellers.

After my brother left, I felt lonely all of a sudden. It was Hostel No.6 where I was given room along with other two room mates. The other two also took admission along with me. So no problem. My first class went off in Latin & French. Because of Telugu medium up to Intermediate, it was very difficult for me to understand even English at that time.  In Telugu if it was 'మాత్రికలు' (Matrikalu) (in Mathematics), it took time for me to know it as Matrix in English. Similarly, త్రికోణమితి (Trikonamithi) (Telugu) in English as Trigonometry etc.

In the night, a group of seniors knocked at our door. I was unaware of the things, at that time, what would be going next because I didn't know the Ragging at that time. They took all of the three to their room and started ragging. Oh my God. We got to do the things whatever they directed  and we did-  some funny & some rubbish. It was shocking for me- I felt like coming back home the very next day. On advice of some good seniors, I just controlled. For almost one week, we were targets to different groups of seniors, if not in the rooms, at canteens or cafetaria or mess. Anyway, finally all iz well. The ragging disappeared gradually and I felt like I became a free bird. 

But when it comes to study, it was very tough to me. The Physics subject (publisher : Resnick Halliday) stood like a big devil in front of me. In a few days I had to face the internal examination. Did hard work those few days and studied very seriously. Exams over. Results were being announced day by day subject wise. It was the day the results of Physics announced. I thought definitely I would not get good marks because I came from Telugu medium. Most of the class mates came from English Medium. So they would get good marks. After results announced it was nothing strange to me that I got 2 marks out of 25. But strangely none of the classmates had crossed 10 marks. Most of them got 2 or 3 or 4 only. Then I thought it was not lingual problem. It was definitely Subject problem. In all other subjects, I got good score only. As usual in Mathematics, I got 25 out of 25.

As the days passed, RECW looked the most beautiful and wonderful abode in my life. It was around 7 PM in the month of November 1979 (date not remembered) i.e. hardly 1.5 months passed in RECW. I was in the Block no.3 a few yards away from Block no.6. There was sudden commotion heard from 3rd mess. When peeped out of window, a gang seen in the 3rd mess premises and few hostellers were running helter skelter. Blood marks were seen on their clothes. The scene looked panic. It took no time to us (whoever in 3rd block) to know that some external gang barged into campus and attacking the hostellers with knives and rods. All of a sudden atmosphere changed in the campus. Everyone of us were afraid on what was going on and what would be going to. Just stuck in the hostel room where I went just to meet a friend. Did not dare to come out of hostel rooms. After some time Police was seen in the campus. We're relaxed but fear still remained. Some suggestions heard on discussion to better vacate hostels immediately as the College going to be shut indefinitely. Most of the hostellers seen with baggages leaving the campus to night. We followed the suit. News came to us later that the College was shut indefinitely.

Not remembered exactly, when the College was reopened. After reopening everything looked afresh. Every one must have forgotten what had happend earlier. Everything started looking good again. That incident sooner became a history.

Some how the first year was completed sucessfully. First year was common to all the Branches and from II year onwards some of the so far classmates had to leave for their respective branches. There was an option of "Change of Branch" on certain criteria at that time. Those, whoever fulfilling the criteria and willing to change their Branch they could apply for change of Branch. In that process, I changed my Branch from Metallurgy to Electrical.

I got comparatively good marks (60.45% ) in my B Tech I/IV Examination held during Sept/October 1980 in the subjects: English, Mathematics-I, Physics-I, Chemistry, Strength of Materials, Engineering Drawing, Workshop and Practicals. Thankfully it was not a bad score in Physics. Of course, Mathematics was my maximum strength here.  

From II Year onwards we had to follow the Semester System. As I entered second year, confidence in me has boosted further and I put up hard work in my Studies.  In II Year First semester, I had to face the subjects in Mathematics-II, Physics-II, Electromagnetic Fields & Waves, Mechanical Engineering Science, Network Theory-I, SM Lab, Machine Drawing-I & Workshop.

In the BTECH II/IV - 1st Semester Examination held during July 1981, I got good score at 71.5%.   

 In II Year II semester, I had to face the subjects in Mathematics-III, Electrical Machinery-I, Mechanical Technology, Fluid Mechanics & Machines, Network Theory-II, MT Lab, FM & Machines Lab & Networks Lab. Thankfully it was good bye to Physics. Also bye bye to Electromagnetic Fields & Waves - a toughest subject of all.

In the BTECH II/IV - 2nd Semester Examination held during Nov 1981, I got good score at 73.85% and it was 2nd rank in the class. 

In III Year I semester, I had  the subjects in Mathematics-IV, Electrical Measuements, Power Systems-I, Electronic Engineering-I, Control System Theory, Electrical Machinery-II, EM Lab I. In this semester, it was tough competition for rank-II between myself & Mr SS Bhat. Yes yes it was Bhat who gained II rank this time.

In the BTECH III/IV - 1st Semester Examination held during June 1982, I got comparatively a good score at 68% and it was 4th rank in the class.  

In III Year II semester, I had  the subjects in Computer Programming, Material Science, Economics & Accountancy, Power Systems-II, Electronic Engineering-II, Electrical Machinery-III, EM Lab., Electronic Engineering Lab-I. In this semester, it was tough competition for rank-II between myself & Mr SS Bhat again. Computer Programming - looked totally new at that time. It was very difficult to write a program with extra care keeping importance to spaces, commas, brackets etc. It was in FORTRAN-IV Language. 

In the BTECH III/IV - 2nd Semester Examination held during November 1982, I managed to get a good score at 70.84% and it was 3rd rank in the class. SS Bhat Stood Strong at 2nd rank. Interestingly, I got highest score in Computer Programming.  

In IV Year I semester, the subjects were Principles of Electrical Machine Design, Management Science & Productivity, Instrumentation, Power Systems-III, Electronic Engineering-III, Electrical Machinery-II, EM Lab., Electronic Engineering Lab-II. In this semester, Management Science & Productivity & Instrumentation looked boring. Probably, the teaching faculty were not good enough. These two subjects obvisouly have impact over other subjects too. So, overall it was tough semester for me and unable to get expected scoring. But comparatively, it was very good score if looked at others' scores.

In the BTECH IV/IV - 1st Semester Examination held during April 1983, I managed to get only 61% and don't remember the rank.  Obviously it was SS Bhat again at 2nd rank.  

In IV Year II semester, the FINAL subjects were Electrical Drives, Computer Technology, Elective: Utilization of Electrical Energy, Power Systems-IV, Electronic Engineering-IV, Power Systems Lab., Project Work. It was Utilization of Electrical Energy which has scored highest. The Project work along with other two class mates: Mr Samantha ( W.Bengal), Mr Lama (W.Bengal) was done successfully.

Here one thing I would like to tell small story behind Project Work's guide selection.

"There was a faculty (Mr X sir) for Electrical Machines who seemed to be similar to a main character in the famous movie - 3-Idiots. Almost all the students in Electrical Branch were afraid of him. We, from the class, had to start the Project Work. The students were divided into groups and each group had 3 students. The faculty for each group had to be chosen to guide in the Project Work. For that lucky dip was the process. In one bowl-  faculty & their names and in the other bowl -  groups by names. All the students had the same worry that their respective group should not have Mr. X as their Project guide. If he happened to be their guide (their feeling was that) they would not see the end of the Project. Some even did prayers to their Gods. 

First  draw results - announced. The first draw was not only a lucky dip but also a lucky day for everyone except one group. Because in the first draw itself - Mr X was drawn with a group that is none other than my group. There was big round of applause from every one. We three had hard smile(s) on our faces."

However, we were fortunate to finish the Project Work on "Rotor Impedance Control For Constant Starting Torque Of Wound Rotor Induction Motor".

This project describes the method of controlling the starting torque to a constant value by connecting resistances and inductances in the rotor circuit externally. The approach has been made graphically for the whole analysis. This method is more economical but with less accuracy. The control circuit is appreciably simplified. Attention has been paid only to the steady-state aspects of the machine. 

 In the BTECH IV/IV - 2nd Semester Examination held during October 1983, I got 69.5% and don't remember the rank. My overall percentage of Marks secured from I year to IV year II Semester was: 67.85% and it was definitely in first 5 ranks of Electrical Branch.  

So far it was mentioned either II rank or the below. You must be interested to know who was the First Rank holder! right?  Well it was Mr Srinivas who was always topper in the class.