Osmania University Graduates Association was founded on 25th November 1932 by a group of dedicated alumni of the Osmania University, with a view to harness the talent of graduates towards integrated development of Telangana region and upliftment of the downtrodden by the promotion of scientific, educational, socio- cultural activities in Telangana. In 1960s, under the leadership of Sri Shankarji several educational institutions have been established with the funding source as the exhibition society, a sister organization of OGA, that was originally formed to encourage industrial and economic sectors of Hyderabad. In 1970, Sardar Patel College of arts, commerce and sciences was established and sponsored by OGA, with the aim of spreading higher education and place a strong emphasis on computer education.
The Exhibition Society is a voluntary organization that was established in 1938 to conduct and manage every year the All India Industrial Exhibition, that is held from 1st January to 15th February.
The first exhibition was organized in 1938, by Osmania Graduates Association (OGA), Hyderabad. Soon after, the Economic Committee was formed and registered as a society with the purpose of focusing on economic development related initiatives of the OGA. After four consecutive runs of this annual event, the “Exhibition Society” was formed so that the exhibition could be organized as a permanent annual feature. The primary objective of exhibition society has been the promotion of industrial and economic growth, initially in Hyderabad Deccan (a principality in colonial India) and in the state of Andhra Pradesh in post colonial India. Late Sri Shankerji was the the spirit behind the exhibition society.
"He is remembered as the driving force that propelled the Exhibition Society over three decades from a fledgling organization to a mature social service institution."
The exhibition society has been promoting entrepreneurial and industrial pursuits in the Small and Medium enterprises sector. It conducts industrial exhibitions and utilizes the revenue (stall fees and gate money) to sponsor educational and charitable institutions. This is perhaps the only instance in the world where the alumni of a university have been responsible for establishing over 20 educational institutions for the underprivileged and needy and support them financially by conducting an industrial exhibition every year.
The Members of the Society are from various walks of life but are united by their common resolve to work on a voluntary basis for the underprivileged, particularly in the areas of vocational training and higher education for women. In 1956, the exhibition society was registered under the Companies Act, as a non-profit distributing organisation. This necessity arose mainly due to its having attained an All India stature and also due to its wider scope. Hence the Exhibition Society initiated yet another activity of financing and started setting up educational institutions, particularly for girls, as this was the most neglected sector in the state.