From judges to Chandigarh top cop, alumni take walk down memory at PU meet

Panjab University hosted its sixth Global Alumni Meet to bring together distinguished alumni including former Supreme Court Justice Swatanter Kumar, Chandigarh DGP Dr Sagar Preet Hooda, Padma Shri awardee Neelam Mansingh Chaudhary and Acharya Krishan Kant Attri, MBE, The Hindu Chaplain with HM Forces, UK.

The daylong meet brought together around 1,000 alumni, faculty and students to relived their student days.

Addressing the alumni, in her inaugural address Vice Chancellor Renu Vig referred to various contributions made by PU’s global alumni network to advance innovation, academic excellence, and comprehensive student development across all departments. Justice Swatanter Kumar, former Judge at Supreme Court and Former Chairperson, National Green Tribunal, lauded PU as a place “where generations meet and character is carved.” Speaking of the Department of Laws, he reflected that education here has always been a force that could “either make a man or destroy a man,” depending on how sincerely it is embraced.

Sagar Preet Hooda, Director General of Police, Chandigarh, and alumnus of the Department of Sociology, shared his heartfelt gratitude to the University that shaped both his intellect and spirit.

Acharya Krishan Kant Attri, MBE, The Hindu Chaplain with HM Forces, UK, emphasised the strong presence of women on stage, remarking that “where women are honoured, success follows; where they are not, failure does.” Pro Emeritus, Dr Neelam Mansingh Chaudhary, Padma Shri awardee theatre artist took the audience through her journey from Amritsar to the Department of Indian Theatre and to Hostel No. 3 Sarojini Hall, where she learned not only art but awareness as well.

Alumni, Anirudh Saraswat, Dr Amarendra Behera, Jasmine Rana, Manish Jindal and Tarun Jain also spoke on the occasion and announced various initiatives in education, mentorship, innovation and mental health.

In a video message, Ayushmann Khurrana fondly remembered “countless hours at StuC, the best samosa in Arts Block 1, and friendships that last a lifetime”.