Khalsa College alumni recall good old days

Amritsar, March 5

The heritage campus of Khalsa College was abuzz with stories and lots more as the alumni of the college got together to recall their days in the sun. Amid pleasantries and warm hugs, the Global Alumni meet of the college hosted alumni from across the world, former students who in their own way have been doing the college proud with their achievements.

Dedicated to 127th foundation anniversary of the college which was founded in 1892, the meet began with a ritualistic cultural programme during which the students enthralled the audience with folk songs, traditional orchestra and Jhoomer dance. Khalsa College Governing Council (KCGC) president Satyajit Singh Majithia in his address said that alumni of the college were spread across the world. He called them shining stars of the institution.

Majithia, accompanied by KCGC secretary Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina and Principal Dr Mehal Singh, honoured senior most alumni including renowned Punjabi writer Jasbir Singh Bhullar who has penned 42 books, sports star and retired Indian Railway official Manjit Singh Bhullar, noted Punjabi film maker and director Karaj Singh Gill and social worker Prof Mohan Singh.

Earlier, Chhina in his welcome address said the college was proud of its rich resource of the alumni. He said specifically mentioned how US based NRI Bakshish Singh Sandhu, one the alumni, donated Rs1.15 crore for stipends to economically weaker students and other, Rs 5.49 crore for infrastructure development. He also coaxed the alumni to help the alma mater through their guidance and expertise to improve the educational standards further in line with global needs.

A special documentary depicting the history of the Khalsa College Charitable Society its growth and progress was also presented. Global Khalsa Alumni head Davinder Singh Chhina also spoke about the international outreach programme of the alumni chapters.

Box: Just when Punjabi film industry was in danger of falling into the abyss of meaningless, storyless rom-coms, came movies like Angrej, Love Punjab and Ashke that raised hopes of cine goers who wanted content to rule Punjabi films. The man behind the films, Karaj Singh Gill, says there is still more to come. An alumnus of Khalsa College, Gill was among the honoured alumni of the college. “I was in the bhaghra team of the college and at the time, the folk dance form was re-inventing itself as a competitive genre. I take inspiration from my own life as a student and as a budding artist to make films that are close to real life,” said Karaj. Karaj’s successful pairing with fellow Khalsa College alumnus singer actor Amrinder Gill has proved a turning point in Punjabi film industry. — TNS