Historic! VP Radhakrishnan to Lead Andhra University Centenary Fest
Synopsis
Andhra University turns 100 — and the centenary is no ordinary milestone. VP C.P. Radhakrishnan and cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar will headline the celebrations in Visakhapatnam on Monday, marking a historic convergence of academia, public life, and national pride at one of South India's oldest universities.
Key Takeaways
Radhakrishnan will address the centenary celebrations of Andhra University in Visakhapatnam on Monday, April 28 , the first day of his two-day visit to Andhra Pradesh .
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar is among the distinguished guests expected at the Andhra University 100th anniversary event.
The centenary week, called 'Vaarotsavam' , has been underway since April 18 on the Andhra University campus, welcoming alumni of all batches without requiring formal registration.
Andhra University , founded in 1926 , is one of South India's oldest public universities, and the centenary marks 100 years of its academic legacy.
Vice-Chancellor G.P.
Raja Sekhar is compiling a Centenary Souvenir featuring alumni video clips of 60 seconds and written memories from graduates across generations.
The centenary events began on March 26 with the International Students Cultural Festival at the Andhra University Convention Centre and will culminate in a Grand Finale bringing together stakeholders from India and abroad.
Visakhapatnam, April 28: Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan will lead the landmark centenary celebrations of Andhra University in Visakhapatnam on Monday, April 28, marking the first day of his two-day official visit to Andhra Pradesh. The historic event will bring together students, faculty, alumni, and distinguished guests — including cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar — to commemorate 100 years of one of India's oldest and most storied public universities.
A Century of Excellence: What the Centenary Celebrations Entail
The centenary events at Andhra University formally began on March 26 with the International Students Cultural Festival at the Andhra University Convention Centre. Since then, a week-long programme called 'Vaarotsavam' — the Centenary Celebrations Week — has been underway from April 18 on the main campus, welcoming alumni from every batch, department, and era.
Vice-Chancellor G.P. Raja Sekhar described the centenary year as culminating in a Grand Finale — what he called the grandest celebration in the university's hundred-year history. The finale is designed to unite alumni, faculty, distinguished guests, students, and well-wishers from across India and abroad for a historic occasion.
The Vice-Chancellor has also invited all alumni to contribute to a Centenary Souvenir by submitting short video clips of approximately 60 seconds or half-page write-ups capturing their memories and association with the university. No formal registration is required for alumni to participate in the Vaarotsavam events.
VP Radhakrishnan's Message: Youth as Nation-Builders
Just a day before his Visakhapatnam visit, Vice-President Radhakrishnan addressed the 35th convocation ceremony of the University of Rajasthan in Jaipur on Saturday, where he urged young graduates to become job creators and nation-builders rather than merely job seekers.
He emphasised that the true value of education lies not in degrees alone, but in its application for innovation, ethical conduct, and the betterment of society. He noted that a convocation marks both an end and a beginning, urging students to leverage education as a tool for meaningful societal progress.
These remarks set the tone for his engagement at Andhra University, where a similar message of academic responsibility and national service is expected to resonate with thousands of students and alumni gathered for the centenary milestone.
Sachin Tendulkar's Presence: A Rare Honour for Academia
The attendance of Sachin Tendulkar at an academic centenary celebration is a notable departure from the norm. While the cricket icon has been associated with various social and educational causes over the years, his presence at Andhra University's 100th anniversary signals the event's national stature and cultural significance.
Tendulkar's participation is expected to draw significant public and media attention, amplifying the university's centenary message to a far wider audience beyond the academic community.
Andhra University at 100: Historical Significance and Legacy
Andhra University, established in 1926 in Visakhapatnam, is one of the oldest universities in South India and has produced generations of leaders, scientists, bureaucrats, and academics. Its century-long journey reflects the broader arc of modern India's educational and intellectual development.
The university's centenary comes at a time when Andhra Pradesh is undergoing significant political and infrastructural transformation following its bifurcation in 2014. The celebration thus carries not just academic but also regional pride and aspirational significance for the state's people.
Notably, the centenary documentation effort — including the souvenir and video archive — represents a deliberate attempt to preserve institutional memory, a practice increasingly recognised as vital for universities seeking to maintain identity and relevance in a rapidly changing educational landscape.
What to Expect Next
Following the centenary celebrations on Monday, Vice-President Radhakrishnan will continue his engagements in Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday as part of his two-day visit. The Grand Finale of the centenary year is expected to serve as a defining moment for the university's next chapter, with stakeholders anticipating announcements related to academic expansion, research partnerships, and alumni engagement initiatives.
Point of View
But the real question is whether ceremonial attention will translate into sustained investment in research infrastructure, faculty quality, and student welfare. As Andhra Pradesh rebuilds its institutional identity post-bifurcation, events like this carry political and cultural weight beyond the academic calendar. The nation should watch whether the centenary becomes a launchpad for genuine university reform or remains a well-attended photo opportunity.
NationPress
2 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where are the Andhra University centenary celebrations being held?
The Andhra University centenary celebrations are being held at the Andhra University campus in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The centenary week 'Vaarotsavam' has been ongoing since April 18, 2025, with the main event on April 28.
Who is attending the Andhra University 100th anniversary event?
Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan is the chief guest at the Andhra University centenary celebrations on April 28. Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and other dignitaries are also expected to attend.
What is 'Vaarotsavam' at Andhra University?
'Vaarotsavam' is the Centenary Celebrations Week instituted by Andhra University as part of its 100th anniversary year. It has been held from April 18 on the Andhra University campus and is an open invitation to all alumni, requiring no formal registration.
When was Andhra University established?
Andhra University was established in 1926 in Visakhapatnam, making it one of the oldest universities in South India. It is celebrating its centenary — 100 years of existence — in 2025.
What did VP Radhakrishnan say at the University of Rajasthan convocation?
At the 35th convocation of the University of Rajasthan in Jaipur on April 26, VP Radhakrishnan urged youth to become job creators and nation-builders. He emphasised that the true value of education lies in its application for innovation, ethical conduct, and societal betterment.
