HOMAGE TO LATE PROF.CHANDRAKANTH KOKATE In the year 1980, Prof.Kokate joined as Professor of Pharmacy in University College of Pharmacy,Kakatiya University,Warangal. He was the youngest Professor with 30+ yrs age at the University, and perhaps in the Country itself, in a professional subject like Pharmacy. In a short span of time, Prof.Kokate became popular at the National level with his decent body language, soft and friendly voice, a typical smiling face, dignified attire and perfect clarity in whatever he talks either in English, Hindi or other languages. He became the President of Pharmacy Coucil of India and also on the committees of different academic bodies at the National level, such as UGC.,AICTE, NAAC, UPSC etc., Soon after Prof.Kokate became the Principal of Pharmacy College in KU., he took a bold step to have Ph.D.,program for the young aspirants. In general, such a program is available only when there is P.G., course at the institution, but only with U.G., at the college, he could implement it. Thus many youngsters who had just M.Pharm., could join for Research, this way not only themselves but also the University got recognition at the National level in the field of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Thus Pharmacy at Kakatiya University got good financial support for a rapid development in the field of Research and other infra-structure. Prof.Kokate had several books to his credit in Pharmacognacy, some of these are text books for B.Pharm & M.Pharm students at different colleges and Universities in India, thus he was popularly known as “Pharmacy Guru”. He has also contributed number of research papers published in reputed National, International Journals. When Prof.Kokate became the Vice-Chancellor of Kakatiya University in 2001, he has envisaged “VISION 2005 – Agenda for Action” and motivated the teaching, non-teaching staff for active involvement to project the University at National level. As a result, the University secured significant research funding and for other developmental activities at different deptts., During his tenure,the State government has liberally granted permission for establishment of Private degree colleges in the districts, even at remote places. Prof.Kokate felt the need for educating the managements who were interested to start these colleges on the Rules & Regulations of State Counsil for H.E., UGC and the University. I was fortunate to be the Dean, C.D.C.,at that time. He has guided us to conduct series of Seminars during August/Sept’2003 at the four north telangana districts which are under KU jurisdiction. These seminars were named as “ QUALITY ASSURANCE IN HIGHER EDUCATION”. Through CDC office a small book entitled ANUBANDH was published with the GOs, norms for establishment of new college, the inputs required, course structure, fee for different courses etc., The management members, Principals and other stake holders were invited as participants. It was a grand success and everybody has appreciated. It has become easy for the University also to have uniform standards at all the affiliated colleges. Even Osmania has not conducted such a program, the then Chairman of APSCHE has appreciated the initiative taken by Prof.Kokate. Similarly, the next year (2004) the Vice-Chancellor Prof.Kokate has motivated us to take up a similar program at all the four districts as “WORKSHOP ON QUALITY ASSURANCE IN SCIENCE PRACTICALS AT DEGREE COLLEGES”. For this, we brought out a Manual “ PRAYOG” showing the lab design for different Science subjects, the equipment required & chemicals etc., The Dean, faculty and Chairman, BOS of Physics, Chemistry, Botany,Zoology & Education (for B.Ed colleges) were invited to address at these workshops. The participating lecturers of private and government colleges have actively took part in open discussions and clarification of doubts. At both the Seminars and Workshops Prof.Kokate has participated and delivered Keynote address. Prof.Kokate was also strict in imposing penalties to the colleges who deviate the norms, thus even the colleges run by some Executive Counsil members also paid penalties. Some managements have even gone to High Court against such punishment, but they could not succeed. There was one instance worth mentioning to show how principled and not after the positions Prof.Kokate was. Once one of the local political leaders tried to interfere with University affairs which disturbed the VC., then he has sent resignation to the government and stopped attending office for almost a week, waiting for the govt., to take next step. It was only when the then CM has reprimanded that leader and assured Prof.Kokate that such incidents do not happen thereafter, he has resumed the office. Foreseeing the pension payment problems likely to happen to the retirees, Prof.Kokate has created a separate a/c of “Pension Fund”to credit certain amount regularly from the University income that comes through affiliation fee, admission fee, examination fee etc., Thus, to my knowledge more than Three Crore rupees were accumulated by the time he relinquished the office. He has also introduced a humane style of bidding farewell to the staff who are retiring. On the day of retirement, by convening a get-together, he/she was presented a “Certicate of Appreciation for their services to the University” duly signed by the VC & Registrar along with a Cheque of the retirement benefits and a shawl, then he will be accompanied till the main gate and give send off by arranging official vehicle to their home. Even after his retirement Prof.Kokate continued his contact with senior professors and other staff, while in Hyderabad and from Pune also. He used to enquire about several people whom he could recollect and used to tell to remember him and convey his “Namaste” to them. That’s what Kokate was. To conclude, in one word, Kakatiya University and particularly the Pharmacy deptt., are lucky to have Prof.Chandrakant Kokate, a dynamic leader and Scholar of reputation as its faculty member and also its Vice-Chancellor. My humble SHRADDANJALI to him with a deep sense of Sorrow Prof.A.P.Rao ( Retd) Former Dean, CDC & Registrar, Kakatiya University, Warangal, T.S.