The 140-years old Panjab University (PU), one of the oldest universities in India established in 1882 (initiated in Lahore in Pakistan and now functioning from Chandigarh in India), has added a glorious milestone by announcing the much absent The Panjab University Chandigarh Alumni Association (PUCAA).
The association was announced on July 29 in New Delhi. PUCAA will provide a dedicated forum for university alumni to network and coordinate efforts for the betterment of their alma mater in the perceivable future. The website and a dedicated directory of PUCAA were also launched during the event.
PUCAA is the brain child of former union minister and MP Rajeev Pratap Rudy, who is an alumnus of Government College Chandigarh and Department of law, Panjab University. The alumni association intends to give back to society and our alma mater in particular. The alumni association marked its first election proceedings, followed by the announcement and felicitation of all its office bearers. Dr. Anmol Rattan Singh Siddhu, former Advocate General, Panjab, was elected as the Chairman, Rajeev Pratap Rudy, Honourable Member of Parliament, as the Co-Chairman, Ravinder Singh Sheoran as the President, Surender Deswal as the Vice President, Vineet Nanda as the Treasurer; Dharamveer Singh as the Joint Secretary; and Parull Mahaajan as the Secretary.
The PUCAA launch event was graced by Chief Guest, Dr. Anmol Rattan Singh Siddhu, former Advocate General, Panjab, and Guests of Honour, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Member of Parliament, and Vineet Nanda, Chairman, Regional Urban Infra Committee at FICCI . Vikramjeet Singh Sahani, Member of Parliament; Maninder Bains, Additional Chief Secretary to the Government of Assam; and Sheel Vardhan Singh, Director General, CISF, were other notable dignitaries present on the occasion.
“Recognising the hurdles, some bright students may face, the Alumni Association’s core mission is to give wings to the dreams of such bright students whom destiny hasn’t supported,” said Vineet Nanda, Director Sales & Marketing, Krisumi Corporation.
Rajiv Pratap Rudy said, “The one unique and best thing about Panjab University and the state of Panjab is that it welcomes and accepts everyone with open arms. When I look back, I think that it was such an extraordinary thing that a boy from Bihar who came to study at Panjab University got elected in the university’s elections as the President. That is the power of the university. Let us all unite and take this alumni association forward and also take our university ahead. Let us come forward and support the students of Panjab University who are in need and shape their future”
Anmol Rattan Singh Siddhu in his remarks said: “I congratulate all the office bearers today, thanks to everyone for taking out time and joining us for the inaugural meet of PUCCA. There is nothing greater than education, it is the education given by our university that has changed our lives. Let us all come forward to help the students of our university and contribute our bit for the welfare of this alumni association and our university”
The President elect, Ravinder Singh, announced that the core objective of the association is to support the students of Panjab University who are in need. He also mentioned that the next meet is being planned in Chandigarh.
