Sikkim Governor Balmiki Prasad Singh addresses the audience at the Patna College alumni meet on Sunday. Picture by Jai Prakash

Patna College has always been a subject of comparison between a glorious past and a “deplorable” present.

A group of former students have now sketched a path of revival for the institute, which they cherish as the stepping-stone of their successful careers.

An alumni meet in Patna College on Sunday saw a number of popular faces, including Sikkim Governor Balmiki Prasad Singh, home secretary Amir Subhani, member of Bihar Public Service Commission Rajyavardhan Sharma, JD(U) state president Basishtha Narayan Singh, apart from many senior IAS and IPS officers and people who excelled in their respective fields, come together on the same platform.

The former students vowed to restore the lost glory of Patna College. Their revival plan includes formation of a society that would arrange funds for developmental activities, inclusion of more academic activities in college programmes and organising seminars and guest lectures on the institute’s premises on regular intervals.

Recalling his college days, Balmiki Prasad Singh said in his days (1958), there was a culture of dialogue and interactions between students and teachers on a regular basis. “When we were students, there were regular interactions between students and teachers. Guest lecturers often visited the campus and students never missed their classes. This trend has changed now.”

He added: “Such type of extra-curricular activities should be held at regular intervals. These would not only help the students in improving the academic performance but also inculcate a sense of discipline among them.”

The Sikkim governor also said Patna University (PU) is one of oldest varsities in the country and efforts should be made to develop it as a central university. “Once PU gets a central university status, not only will its reputation improve, it will also get more funds for infrastructural developments, Balmiki said.

Rajya Sabha MP Basishtha Narayan Singh rued the lack of discipline among today’s students.

“When we were students, we referred to our seniors as ‘sir’. The seniors, too, acted as elders and extended to us all possible help for academic improvement.”

Basishtha said in the past decade there has been a gradual decline in the quality of education and the prime reason for it is the lack of good teachers. “Till 70s, Patna College was the first preference of students interested in humanities. This trend began to decline in the early 80s. Sincere students started moving to New Delhi for higher studies,” he said.

Basishtha also blamed political leaders for maligning the college’s reputation.

Home secretary Amir Subhani, who was a college student during 1980-82, said: “Patna College had the finest teachers of that time. Its students’ first target used to be clearing civil services exam.”