2-Day gala global alumni event commences at PU

Chandigarh, November 28, 2019: ‘Coming to Alma Mater is like a pilgrimage’, said Mr.Sunil Arora, Chief Election Commissioner of India(CEC) and also Alumnus of Panjab University while addressing at the Annual Global Alumni Meet hosted by Panjab University Alumni Association(PUAA), here today at PU. While sharing the transition of Panjab University from Lahore to the present location at Chandigarh, he shared his personal and professional links to the different institutes of PU. He urged the youth to be disrupters by becoming innovators and initiating start-ups which is the need of the nation. He urged all to individually and collectively be part of the change to take the country to greater heights. While appreciating PU in organizing this Alumni Meet and also simultaneously commemorating 3 events namely 550 years of the Guru Nanak Dev Ji, 150 Years of Mahatma Gandhi and 100 years of PU Honours School, said that all these events fill the gap between the vision and its practice. The leanings from each of these metamorphosed into movements led by these individuals who talked of things that were much ahead of times. In their own way, each of them transcended time and left an impact that is felt even today. He highlighted that the PU has had the good fortune of having been nurtured by teachers and administrators who were nothing short of Legends. He further added that by virtue of its history, achievements, the character of its institutions and the thread that binds it to the past, PU has both a national stature as well as international acclaim. Over the years, the University has emerged as an institution that is at the frontier of innovative teaching practices, academic research, and interdisciplinary approach. Mia Yen, Counsul General of Canada in Chandigarh discussed India Canada relations and emphasised the significant contribution of Indian students to the economy of Canada. She also shared her views on women empowerment, gender equality and dynamic bilateral relations. She shared that in last one year, there is an increase of trade between the two countries by 60%. Prof. Raj Kumar, Vice Chancellor, Panjab University, Chandigarh in his welcome address said that this event is being organized to create a strong bond with the Alumni. This will also help to revive all Alumni Chapters spread all over India and the ones established overseas. He said that he is looking forward to people gathered here to reconnect and relive their moments and be the Ambassadors of PU. Eight PU achievers Sunil Arora, Harit Nagpal, Ambassador Prof. Paramjit Sahai, Prof. Balram Gupta, Dr. Jaspreet S. Dhau, Dr. Arun Arora, Mrs Keshni Anand Arora, Harish Chander Sharma and Dr. Gambhir were honoured during the event. Prof. Deepti Gupta, Dean Alumni Relations and Secretary of PUAA informed about various events being planned for the 2 days event for the Alumni. This reunion ignited the memories of past days among all the alumni members, she added. Mr. Sunil Arora, CEC visited Boys Hostel No. 1, PU where he stayed for few months with his brother for the preparation of administrative services. He said that visit to his hostel filled him with nostalgia which has taken him back to his student life. He inaugurated Wall of Alumni in the Common Room of BH-1 which had pictures of ex-residents who achieved distinguished position in their life like Lt. Captain Vikram Batra (Martyr), Naunihal Singh (Inspector General of Police, Punjab), Lt. Vikas Kundu (Indian Army), Pawan Kumar (Crime Branch, Chandigarh Police), Malwinder Kang (B.J.P Spokesperson, Punjab State), Dr. Manoj Kumar Teotia (CRRID, Chandigarh), Kuljeet Singh Nagra (M.L.A. from Fatehgarh Assembly, Punjab), Anmol Rattan Sidhu ( Addl. Solicitor General of India). Prof. Emanual Nahar, Dean Student Welfare(DSW) and Prof. Neena Capalash, DSW(W), Dr. Rajeev Kumar, Warden, Boys Hostel No. 1 and all other Wardens of Boys and Girls Hostels were present on the occasion. A first ever Hostel Magazine of Boys Hostel No. 3, connecting residents and the Hostel Alumni, was launched during the event. It carries memorable moments of the residents and the alumni visiting the hostels time to time during the year. This was published under the supervison of Dr. Sanjeev Gautam as editor-in-chief and Sh. Saransh Fazilka as Editor. There was a 'Fire Side Chat on Brand Building for Higher Education Institutes’ by Dr. Sandeep Goyal, an advertising Veteran and Mr. Harit Nagpal, CEO, Tata Sky. The day 1 of the event concluded with a Light, Sound and Sight show on Guru Nanak Devji and the lighting of lanterns and lamps marking 100 years of the Panjab University Honours School. Large number of PU Alumni, PU Fellows, Former VCs, Dignitories from the City, Chairpersons, PU Officials, Faculty and students were present on the occasion. Mr. Arora made a courtesy visit at the residence of Mr. R.S.Bawa, former Principal of Government College, Hoshiarpur who was teacher of his elder brother and brother in law.