Thank you, Mam! Emotions ran high as students accord warm send-off to OMC principal Dr Shashikala Reddy

Hyderabad: It’s not often that one comes across a grand celebration by students and faculty for an outgoing principal of a college. But on Monday, this is exactly what the students and faculty did for Dr P Shashikala Reddy, principal of Osmania Medical College (OMC), who took voluntary retirement from service (VRS).

The doctor was sent off on a chariot amid the beating of drums by the students who were heard saying “Thank you, ma’am.” According to her students, she is one of those honest principals, who did a lot for the development of the medical college, even spending money from her account.

Dr B Narahari, professor of Paediatrics at Nagarkurnool Medical College had been a student of Dr Shashikala during his MBBS at OMC at the beginning of the 1990s. Even his son Aarush is a first-year MBBS student at OMC, who participated in the farewell function of principal Dr Shashikala.

“Nowadays, it is rare to find upright, non-corrupt, and dedicated principals like Dr Shashikala. During her five-and-a-half-year tenure, she contributed so much to the development of infrastructure in the college, sometimes utilizing her own money and never misusing government funds. She was instrumental in building the internal roads, a gym, a canteen, a bank, and a badminton court within the premises of OMC. Naturally, the faculty members respect her and she is loved by her students,” said Dr Narahari.

When contacted, Dr Shashikala, who had been in government service for 32 years, said, “The grand farewell today came as a surprise to me. I usually do not prefer such grand celebrations but I feel blessed to think I am loved by my students so much.”

Citing personal reasons for taking VRS just two-and-a-half years before her superannuation, Dr Shashikala, who had taught microbiology to students, said, “As a principal, I did as much as I could for the institute. But being in government service, means our efforts are limited by a lot of red-tapeism. Beyond a certain limit, we cannot do anymore. So, I felt this was the right time for me to take VRS. I will be continuing with my charity works now.”

Alumna of OMC and Dr Shashikala’s husband, Dr Vijay Anand Reddy, director of Apollo Cancer Hospital also mentioned his wife’s contribution to their Alma Mater during the coronavirus pandemic time despite facing various bureaucratic obstructions.