Anthology of poems released at SCD Government College

SCD Government College here released an anthology of poems, titled “Sallies of Surreal Shades”, officials said, adding that it has been penned by Ashok Kapoor, a former professor and an alumnus of the college.

Now in his 80s, Kapoor studied at the college in early 1960s. For the release, Kapoor also invited his then classmates and his students from the college, where he taught for 30 years.

Highlighting that poetry is the voice of being, officials said the book launch was aimed at encouraging literary pursuits

While releasing the book, Gursharanjit Singh Sandhu, principal, said the college always needs inspiration for its students from alumni like Kapoor. Alumni Sagar Chand Jain, Harish Kaura, Manjula Jain, Rajinder Jain, Navdeep Singh, OP Verma, Manpreet Singh, Vijay Asdhir and Brij Bhushan Goyal, Organising secretary, alumni association; were in attendance at the event.

Amita Thamman, head, Postgraduate English Department, and other teachers, including Harmit Kaur, Preeti Khanna , Gurjit, Atinder Pandey, Suraj Kumar, Sarika and Geetanjli Pabreja, also attended the ceremony. Satish K Kapoor, former British Council Scholar, has written the forward for the book. He said,” Kapoor’s poetry is infused with energy, and his words dance and soar to greater heights, connecting us with nature with a call to the inner awakening.”

Kapoor also read out his poem, titled “Memories of College Days”. He donated Rs 20,000 for purchase of competition books for college students. Goyal said there was much to learn for students from Kapoor’s poetry. PK Sharma said the new generation and old one should mingle with each other in such celebrations of creative pursuits. OP Verma thanked the college management for honouring the alumni’s pursuits.