Adobe CEO Shantanu promises help for OU centenary fete

Rare encounter:Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen at the global alumni meet of the Osmania University College of Engineering, along with his father, Laxmi Narayen, on Sunday.— Photo: G. RamakrishnaG_RAMAKRISHNA  

Alumni meet where father, son share the dais

It was a unique reunion where both father and son went down memory lane, with the son being the chief guest and the father the chief patron of the alumni association.

Considered one of the global leaders of the software industry, Shantanu Narayen, chief executive officer, Adobe Systems, was the cynosure of all eyes, including his proud father, Laxmi Narayen, at the global alumni meet of the Osmania University College of Engineering (OUCE).

It was a rare event where both father and son shared the dais, with the father being the oldest alumnus of the gathering, welcoming his son. Mr. Shantanu Narayen was a student of the class of 1984, while Mr. Laxmi Narayen graduated in 1962.

Mr. Shantanu Narayen recalled his association with college, saying he was always an Osmanian as it was at these portals that he learnt the fundamentals of the envious position he has now reached. Complimenting the alumni association for its work, he also promised to do his bit for the centenary celebrations of the varsity to be held in 2017.

Fond memories

Former OU Vice-Chancellor D.C. Reddy had the gathering in splits, recalling how he had to scold Mr. Shantanu Narayen when he was chatting with his friends in the corridor during a class. Osmanians are street-smart and have great potential to succeed, he said.

The Adobe CEO recalled how he could not win the recommendation letter from Prof. Reddy for higher studies in the U.S. as the professor had a condition that only two best students of his class would get the same.

Another alumnus, former Vice-Chancellor of JNTU-Hyderabad D.N. Reddy, said the alumni could change the face of the college with their intellectual contributions and push it to a global level. OU Vice-Chancellor S. Ramachandram, who is also an alumnus of the OUCE, principal S. Sameen Fatima; R.V. Rammohan Rao, president, OUCE Alumni Association, and general secretary D. Vijay Kumar also shared their views.

Senior alumni, including irrigation expert Vidyasagar Rao, were felicitated by the chief guest, who had earlier inaugurated the new alumni association office.

Students presented a flash dance with a medley of Hindi and Telugu songs. Innovative fun-filled events like live interview, Dubsmash, networking, and games zone, were a big hit with the gathering.