Osmania University, founded in 1918 as India’s oldest public university in Hyderabad, pioneered Urdu-medium education and multidisciplinary programs in arts, sciences, law, engineering, and medicine. This blog profiles seven standout alumni whose achievements in politics, technology, sports, and business reflect the university’s enduring legacy of innovation and global influence—read on to discover their inspiring stories.
P. V. Narasimha Rao
| Date of Birth | June 28, 1921 |
| Place of Birth | Warangal, British India (now Telangana) |
| Education | – B.A. in Law from Osmania University; – Fergusson College, Pune; |
| Known For | – Ninth Prime Minister of India (1991–1996); – Architect of 1991 economic liberalization reforms that opened India’s economy to global markets -Union Home Minister (1980–1984) and Defense Minister (1984–1985); -Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh (1971–1973) – Polyglot scholar fluent in 17 languages; |
| Awards and Honors | – Bharat Ratna (2024, posthumous); – Pratibha Murthy Lifetime Achievement Award |
K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR)
| Date of Birth | February 17, 1954 |
| Place of Birth | Chintamadaka Village, Medak District, Andhra Pradesh (now Telangana), India |
| Education | M.A. in Literature from Osmania University, Hyderabad |
| Known For | – First Chief Minister of Telangana (2014–2023) – Leading the state’s formation and development through welfare schemes like Rythu Bandhu (farmer support), Aarogya Lakshmi (healthcare), and Double Bedroom Housing (affordable homes) – Founder and President of Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS, renamed Bharat Rashtra Samithi in 2022) – Led the decade-long Telangana statehood movement, including hunger strikes in 2009 that prompted the central government’s initiation of the process – Union Cabinet Minister for Labour and Employment (2004–2006) under UPA government; |
Shantanu Narayen
| Date of Birth | May 27, 1963 |
| Place of Birth | Hyderabad, India |
| Education | – B.E. in Electronics Engineering from Osmania University, Hyderabad – M.S. in Computer Science from Bowling Green State University – MBA from Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley |
| Known For | – Chairman, President, and CEO of Adobe Inc. since 2007 – Prior roles at Adobe: Joined in 1998 as VP of Engineering Technology President and COO (2005–2007) – Earlier career at Apple, Silicon Graphics, and co-founder of Pictra (digital photo-sharing startup) – Board roles: Pfizer Inc. – Past member of U.S. President’s Management Advisory Board |
| Awards and Honors | – Padma Shri (2019, India’s fourth-highest civilian award – Fortune Businessperson of the Year (2012) – Economic Times Global Indian of the Year – Honorary Doctorate from Bowling Green State University |
Harsha Bhogle
| Date of Birth | July 19, 1961 |
| Place of Birth | Hyderabad, India |
| Education | – B.Tech. in Chemical Engineering from Osmania University’s College of Technology, Hyderabad – PGDM (MBA) from Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad |
| Known For | -Renowned Indian cricket commentator and journalist, known as the “voice of Indian cricket” for over three decades – Began commentating at age 19 with All India Radio, Hyderabad – First Indian commentator invited by Australian Broadcasting Corporation (1991–92) for India’s tour – Worked with ABC Radio Grandstand, BBC for 1996 and 1999 World Cups, and ESPN STAR Sports since 1995 – Covering IPL seasons (2009–2016) and major events like Sachin Tendulkar’s final Test – Analyst and columnist for Cricbuzz since 2016 – Author of books including “Out of the Box: Watching the Game We Love” and biography of Mohammad Azharuddin – Advisor to Mumbai Indians (2008 IPL) – Board of Governors at IIM Udaipur – Corporate speaker on leadership and sports |
| Awards and Honors | – Voted favorite TV cricket commentator in Cricinfo worldwide poll |
Karan Bilimoria
| Date of Birth | November 26, 1961 |
| Place of Birth | Hyderabad, India |
| Education | – Bachelor of Commerce from Osmania University, Hyderabad (1981) – B.A. in Law from Sidney Sussex College, University of Cambridge |
| Known For | – Founder and former Chairman of Cobra Beer (1989), a global premium lager brand brewed for food accompaniment – Chancellor of University of Birmingham (2014–24) – Former Chancellor of Thames Valley University (2005, youngest in UK at the time) – Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London – President of Confederation of British Industry (CBI, 2020) – Visiting Fellow at University of Oxford (2020) |
| Awards and Honors | – Commander of the British Empire (CBE, 2004) for services to business – Honorary Doctorates from University of Westminster (2017), University of Birmingham (2014), University of Exeter (2014), Cranfield University (2009), and others |
Rakesh Sharma
| Date of Birth | January 13, 1949 |
| Place of Birth | Patiala, Punjab, India |
| Education | – Attended St. George’s Grammar School, Hyderabad – Graduated from Nizam College, Osmania University, Hyderabad – 35th National Defense Academy (NDA), Pune |
| Known For | -First Indian citizen to travel to space aboard Soyuz T-11 (launched April 3, 1984) as part of Soviet Interkosmos program – Spent 7 days, 21 hours, 40 minutes on Salyut 7 space station conducting biomedical and remote sensing experiments – Commissioned as a pilot in the Indian Air Force (IAF) in 1970 – Flew 21 combat missions in MiG-21 during 1971 Indo-Pakistani War, served as test pilot, reaching Wing Commander rank before retirement – Joined Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in 1987 as Chief Test Pilot in Nashik Division (until 1992), then Bangalore |
| Awards and Honors | – Hero of the Soviet Union (1984, highest Soviet award for his space mission) – Ashoka Chakra (1984, India’s highest peacetime gallantry award) – Paschimi Star, Sangram Medal, Sainya Seva Medal, Videsh Seva Medal, 9 Years Long Service Medal, 25th Anniversary of Independence Medal |
Mohammed Azharuddin
| Date of Birth | February 8, 1963 |
| Place of Birth | Hyderabad, Telangana, India |
| Education | B.Com. from Nizam College, Osmania University, Hyderabad |
| Known For | – Former captain of the Indian cricket team (1990–1996) – Played 99 Tests (1984–2000) with 22 centuries, and 334 ODIs scoring with 7 centuries – Led India to victories in 1990–91 and 1995 Asia Cups – Semi-finals of 1996 World Cup; part of 1985 World Championship of Cricket-winning team – Indian National Congress politician; MP from Moradabad (2009–2014) – President of Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (2018) – President of Hyderabad Cricket Association (since 2019) – Involved in match-fixing scandal (2000), leading to BCCI life ban (lifted 2012) – Biopic “Azhar” (2016) based on his life |
| Awards and Honors | – Arjuna Award (1986) for cricket |
These seven alumni exemplify Osmania University’s transformative influence through groundbreaking contributions in politics, technology, sports, and business, propelling India’s advancement since 1918. The university’s dynamic alumni network sustains inspiration for future leaders via inclusive education and global societal contributions.
Vaave helps institutions and corporate entities across the globe in realizing the power of alumni and offers strategies for engaging them. We offer a full-fledged alumni management ecosystem that helps you to leverage alumni to its fullest.
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