2-week UK Generation Study India Programme begins at Panjab University

Chandigarh, July 18, 2016: The two-week UK Generation Study India Programme started today at the Seminar Hall of the Department cum Centre for Women’s Studies & Development, Panjab University(PU), Chandigarh.
As many as 29 girl participants from UK are participating in the programme on ‘Gender and Gender Relations in India’, which is being organised by The British Council, U.K and PU.
British Deputy High Commissioner David Lelliott and PU Vice Chancellor(VC) Prof. Arun Kumar Grover inaugurated the programme. Dean- International Students Prof. Deepti Gupta welcomed the participants from U.K at PU Campus. During the programme, the participants would also get a field view as they would visit women in adjoining rural areas of Chandigarh, border areas of Punjab like Amritsar, Short- Stay Homes and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO).
Earlier, the PU VC Prof. Arun Kumar Grover welcomed the guests and expressed that such educational programmes can lead to strengthening of long-term relationship between India and U.K. He described the history of Panjab University since its inception in Lahore in the year 1882. He compared the educational scenario in India and U.K. from eighteenth century onwards. The emergence of Chandigarh as a sophisticated urban area was also elaborated upon. He highlighted the contribution of Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret and two other architects in the planning and construction of the city. He also announced that the International Hostel will be named after an internationally acclaimed mathematician and a child prodigy Sh.Sarvadaman Chowla. He concluded by emphasising that the pioneers of education in India have been young people and encouraged the young participants of the course to
do well.
British Deputy High Commissioner David Lelliott opined that the two-week programme would further strengthen the UK-India relations. He congratulated the residents of the city as Capitol Complex has recently made it to World Heritage site. He exhorted the participants to learn about the gender issues and get under the skin of local culture as India is going to be one of the major players in future.
Director, British Council, India Alan Gemmell OBE, addressed the dignitaries present and the students through the Skype. He exhorted the students to learn about the rich Indian tradition and understand the gender issues in the society.
Chairperson, Department cum Centre for Women’s Studies & Development Dr.Ameer Sultana gave an overview of the two-weeks programme. The nature of the programme is inter-disciplinary as eminent resource persons from diverse disciplines like Prof. Pam Rajput, Prof. Deepti Gupta, Prof. Indu Banga, Prof. Shalina Mehta, etc would interact with the students. The programme also comprises of field visits and sharing of experiences.
Prof. Ramanjit Johal, one of the main forces behind the programme explained that how the success of this programme can lead to more such programmes in the disciplines of economics, inclusive development and sports. She recounted that the planning and conceptualisation of the programme has begun in the year 2014. She also proposed a vote of thanks to all dignitaries present, participants of the U.K. Study India Programme, buddies, students and staff, without whose efforts, the programme would not have been possible. The inaugural session was followed by a high tea.