Face2News /Chandigarh
Panjab University (PU) today organised condolence meetings to pay homage to its distinguished alumnus and former Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh.
The morning meeting, held in the Senate Hall, was attended by PU Vice Chancellor Prof. Renu Vig, Registrar Prof. Y.P. Verma, DUI Prof. Rumina Sethi, Director RDC Prof. Yojna Rawat, Controller of Examinations Prof. Jagat Bhushan, DCDC Prof. Sanjay Kaushik, former Vice Chancellor Prof. Arun Grover, Dr. S.S. Bari, DSW (Women) Prof. Simrat Kahlon, Dean Alumni Prof. Latika Sharma, PUTA president Prof Amarjit Singh Naura along with a large number of faculty members, hostel wardens, and staff members.
(SUBHEAD)Addressing the gathering, Prof. Renu Vig expressed profound grief over Dr. Singh’s demise, stating that his legacy as an academician, economist, and leader will remain forever etched in the history of Panjab University and the nation. She highlighted his academic excellence, including his Bachelor’s degree in Economics (1952) and Master’s degree in Economics (1954), both achieved with distinction, as well as his tenure as Senior Lecturer, Reader, and Professor of Economics at PU from 1957 to 1965.
Prof Vig mentioned that as Finance Minister, Dr. Singh was instrumental in securing a special grant of ₹70 crore for Panjab University, a testament to his enduring commitment to his alma mater.
Prof. Vig also reflected on the honours conferred upon Dr. Singh by Panjab University, including the honorary Doctor of Literature (D.Litt.) in 1983 and the honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) in 2009. She recalled his inaugural Prof. S.B. Rangnekar Memorial Oration delivered in 2018, which underscored his lasting association with the university.
In the afternoon, the Department of Economics and the Panjab University Alumni Association (PUAA) jointly organised a hybrid-mode condolence meeting, with the offline session held in the Seminar Room of the Department of Economics. Faculty members, including Prof. H.S. Shergill, Prof. Pampa Mukherjee, Prof. Khalid Mohd, Prof. Swarnjit Kaur, Dr. Amrinder, Prof. Nandita Singh, Dr. Jivesh Bansal, Prof. Harsh Gandhar, Chairperson of the Department of Economics Dr. Smita Sharma, and Dean Alumni Relations Prof. Latika Sharma, shared heartfelt tributes to Dr. Singh, reflecting on his extraordinary contributions to academia, public service, and economic reforms.
In both meetings, students, scholars, and faculty members observed two minutes of silence to pay their respects and offer prayers for Dr. Singh, who served as India’s 13th Prime Minister (2004–2014) and spearheaded transformative economic reforms as Finance Minister (1991–1996).
