Ruia College goes platinum

Hindustani Classical singer Ashwini Bhide Deshpande remembers sitting in a class of 120 students in Ruia College and listening to a professor teaching through a microphone.

Hindustani Classical singer Ashwini Bhide Deshpande remembers sitting in a class of 120 students in Ruia College and listening to a professor teaching through a microphone.

“It was a thrilling experience. It looked like theatre,” said the 1981 batch alumna from Ramnarian Ruia College in Matunga.

As the college celebrates its platinum jubilee this year, Deshpande will head back to college to perform at a music festival on November 20 as part of the 75 years’ celebrations.

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“I have fond memories of the college quadrangle and the canteen. The college has changed quite a lot over the years,” said Deshpande, who spent five years in the college.

Thousands of students, who studied at the college, one of the most coveted for the science stream, will reunite with their batchmates in a series of alumni meets organised by the college from November 19.

The college was set up in 1937 with a motto to provide education for all.

“At Ruia College, we not only strive our best to provide quality education but also motivate students to take part in extra-curricular activities. It is a proud moment for us that our institution has entered in its 75th year,” said Anushri Lokur, vice-principal, science faculty.

Professor K Raghuraman, a former student and secretary of the alumni association, said, “It is a great feeling to see our Alma matter achieve these heights. It is a proud moment for all of us at Ruia.”

The college will also inaugurate its new auditorium and will release a research journal ‘Ruia Minds’ that will have research publications of the faculty and students. Other events include a musical evening ‘Amrit Naad’ and a Marathi poetry festival ‘Amrut Gaan’.

Ramnarain Ruia College was established in June 1937.

It was the first college in Mumbai started by the Shikshana Prasarak Mandali, Pune. Suvratadevi Ruia and her son, Ramnivas Ramnarain Ruia, were instrumental in setting up the college.

In 1937, the college had 275 students, 11 departments and 24 teachers.

Currently, the college has more than 5000 students, 23 departments and 120 professors.