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This photograph was taken during IIT Madras’ 20th convocation at the Student Activities Centre (SAC). The students in the white robes are most likely to be Ph.D. students while the students in maroon robes are undergraduates. According to the Annual Report of 1983, 216 students were awarded the B.Tech., 178 the M.Tech., 52 the M.Sc., 60 the M.S. and 72 the Ph.D. degree of the Institute. The B.Tech. robes were maroon, while the others were white. 

This photograph was taken during IIT Madras’ 20th convocation at the Student Activities Centre (SAC).  According to the Annual Report of IIT Madras (1983-84), a total of 580 students received their degrees during the 20th convocation, pushing the total number of degrees awarded by the Institute to 9537.   The student is yet to be identified.

This photograph was taken during the Institute’s 20th convocation. The event was held at the Student Activities Centre (SAC) which was a newly constructed facility at the Institute.  Prof. P. V. Indiresan (Director of IIT Madras) is seen addressing the audience. In an article in The Hindu, it is reported, “M.S. Ananth, former director, IIT Madras, who joined as assistant professor during Prof Indiresan’s tenure, said Professor Indiresan’s entry was like ‘a breath of fresh air’ for the students and teachers.” Prof. Indiresan was known for his bluntness and openness which brought a…

Mr. Giani Zail Singh (President of India, right) plants a sapling to commemorate the inauguration of the Student Activities Centre (SAC). Construction of SAC was completed in 1983. The inauguration of SAC took place on the same day as the 20th convocation. Mr. Singh was the seventh President of India. He served his tenure from 1982 to 1987.   Seen in the photograph is Mr. A. Sivasailam (Chairman, Board of Governors of IIT Madras, standing second from left). The rest of the individuals in the photograph are yet to be identified.

This photograph was taken during IIT Madras’ 20th convocation held at the Student Activities Centre (SAC).  Seen at the stage, first row, from left, Dr. Raja Ramanna (Chairman, Board of Governors of IIT Bombay), Mr. A. Sivasailam (Chairman, Board of Governors of IIT Madras), Mr. Giani Zail Singh (President of India and chief guest), Mrs. Sheila Kaul (Union Minister for Education and Culture), Dr. H. V. Hande (Minister of Health) and Prof. P. V. Indiresan (Director of IIT Madras).    The Professors standing behind the first row are, from left, V. S. Raju (Civil Engineering…

The photograph was probably taken outside the Student Activities Centre (SAC) building during the 20th convocation in 1983.  Seen in the photograph are several distinguished guests and administrators, Mr. Giani Zail Singh (President of India and chief guest, wearing white turban), Prof. P. V. Indiresan (Director of IIT Madras, extreme left), Dr. Raja Ramanna (Chairman, Board of Governors of IIT Bombay, second from left), Mr. A. Sivasailam (Chairman and Board of Governors of IIT Madras, third from left). The lady with her back turned is possibly the daughter of President Mr. Giani Zail…

This photograph was taken during the Institute’s 20th convocation. The academic procession is a formation of two rows headed by the Registrar. The Director and the chief guest are the last two to enter the convocation hall. As the chief guest enters the hall, the first six bars of the national anthem are played. Seen in the photograph, leading the academic procession Mr. S. Santanagopalan (Registrar) and behind him, Prof. L. V. L. N. Sarma (Humanities and Social Sciences Department, Senate Invitee), Prof. M. Ramakrishna Udupa (Chemistry Department), Prof. R. M. Siddaveere Gowda (…

This photograph was taken on the 20th convocation day of IIT Madras. It is possible that the event was inaugurated with a multi-religious prayer. Seen in the photograph are, from left, Mr. Giani Zail Singh (President of India and chief guest, extreme left), Dr. H. V. Hande (Minister of Health, in black shirt), Prof. Surjit Singh (Chemistry Department, wearing a red turban), Prof. Johnson Victor (Civil Engineering Department, fourth from right), Dr. Nazir Ahmad (Librarian, second from right) and Prof. P. Sankaran (Electrical Engineering Department, extreme right). (Identification by Prof.…

The photograph was taken during the 20th convocation day which took place in the Student Activities Centre in 1983. Mr. A. M. M. Arunachalam served as Chairman of IIT Madras from 1978 to 1981. Mr. Arunachalam was the patriarch of the Murugappa Group, which has been closely associated with the development of IIT Madras.

This photograph was taken during IIT Madras’ 20th convocation. The people in the photograph were most likely responsible for the technical support such as audio. In the background, one can observe a board saying ‘Reserved for Prize Winners’. The graduates who won prizes were seated in the row allocated specially for them.  Also visible in the photograph in the first row in the audience, from left, Mrs. Jaya Indiresan (wife of Director of IIT Madras) and Mrs. Indira Sivasailam (wife of Chairman, Board of Governors of IIT Madras).   

This photograph was taken on the 20th convocation day of IIT Madras. The event was held at the newly constructed Student Activities Centre (SAC). Seen in the photograph are, Mr. A. Sivasailam (Chairman, Board of Governors of IIT Madras, extreme left), Prof. P. V. Indiresan (Director of IIT Madras, second from left), Mr. Giani Zail Singh (President of India and chief guest, third from left) and Prof. Surjit Singh (Chemistry Department, second from right). The gentleman shaking hands with the President is Prof. Sankaran Subramanian (Chemistry Department, third from right).

Prof. R. Srinivasan (Deputy Director, left) worked as a Professor in the department of Physics, IIT Madras from 1962-1990. From 1979-1981, he was the Dean of Academic Research. Between the years 1981-1983, he served as Dean of Student Affairs and Deputy Director of IIT Madras from 1982-1984. When the photograph was taken, he was serving his term as Deputy Director.  Mr. A. Sivasailam (right) was the Chairman, Board of Governors of IIT Madras. He was a prominent industrialist and also Chairman of Amalgamations Limited, a company based in Chennai, which was founded by Mr. Sivasailam’s…

This photograph was taken during the 20th convocation at IIT Madras. It is mentioned in the Annual Report of the year 1983-1984 that Dr. Raja Ramanna was awarded the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) during the 20th convocation. It is likely that Dr. Ramanna is being awarded the degree in this photograph. Seen in the photograph are, from the right, Prof. P. V. Indiresan (Director of IIT Madras), Dr. Raja Ramanna (Chairman, Board of Governors of IIT Bombay), Dr. H. V. Hande (Minister of Health, seated), Mrs. Sheila Kaul (Union Minister for Education and Culture) and Mr.…

The photograph was taken during the 20th convocation in 1983. It was also the Silver Jubilee Year, wherein the Institute celebrated 25 years of establishment. The event took place in the Student Activities Centre (SAC).  The persons at the stage are, from left Dr. Raja Ramanna (Chairman, Board of Governors of IIT Bombay), Mr. A. Sivasailam (Chairman, Board of Governors of IIT Madras), Mr. Giani Zail Singh (President of India and chief guest), Mrs. Sheila Kaul (Union Minister for Education and Culture) and Dr. H. V. Hande (Minister of Health). It is mentioned in the Annual Report of…

This photograph was taken during the Institute’s 20th convocation at the Student Activities Centre (SAC). Prof. P. V. Indiresan (right) was the Director of the Institute at the time.  The Institute held Quality Improvement Programmes (QIPs) and other courses for older students (typically those employed as faculty members in colleges) and it is possible that the person on the left (wearing robes) receiving the certificate was enrolled in one of these courses.