Ex-PM Gujral remembered on 101st birth anniversary

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, December 4

The 101st birthday of country’s 12th Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral was celebrated at IK Gujral Punjab Technical University (IKGPTU) by holding an e-interaction.

In the live address as the keynote speaker, his son and Rajya Sabha member Naresh Gujral remembered him saying: “When there was an Emergency in the country and brotherhood was at stake, no one was speaking openly. In such a situation, it was only Inder Kumar Gujral, who spoke openly in respect to brotherhood. Patriotism ran in his blood. When Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh was being hanged, the Gujral family was at the forefront of protests outside the jail. Gujral family faced jail in Quit India Movement and during many other freedom moments. Due to Covid-19, the event was held at a limited level in the university, in which thousands of people joined through various e-platforms such as Zoom, Facebook Live etc.

Naresh Kumar Gujral shared his views in context of women education and its promotion, gender equality and scientific temperament. He said politicians from southern countries were always eager to meet and hear the ex-PM. He was a supporter of a series of historically-rich relationship eras, in which neighbouring countries or riyasats were asked to live in a favourable and better relationship with their neighbours, as this policy gave them more progress.

Vice Chancellor IKGPTU Prof Ajay Kumar Sharma said subjects such as science and communication revolution had always been the thrust areas for Inder Kumar Gujral and the university was constantly moving in the same direction. He said: “It had always been that when an institution is named after a visionary person, it helps to make that institute its ideal direction and that institution, its employees feel blessed.”

University Registrar Sandeep Kumar Kazal shared his views on the ‘Gujral Doctrine’ associated with the foreign policy of IK Gujral. He said it was a matter of pride that all five principles mentioned in Gujral Doctrine were still relevant. He also talked about the vision of IK Gujral Punjab Technical University towards the betterment of society and technical education at global level. He touched the events related to the life of IK Gujral, which were associated and relevant to Jalandhar city. The vote of thanks was delivered by Rajneesh Sharma, Public Relations Officer. During the event senior officers Dr Balkar Singh, Director, and Dr RPS Bedi, Joint Registrar, were present.