Chandigarh, November 2 — At Panjab University’s 6th Global Alumni Meet on Saturday, Vice-Chancellor Renu Vig called on the university’s alumni to help strengthen its innovation and start-up ecosystem through mentorship and financial support, even as student protests unfolded outside the venue.
In her inaugural address, Vig urged graduates to “fuel the next wave of changemakers” by investing their time, expertise and resources in the university’s evolving innovation network. “Alumni have played a pivotal role in supporting scholarships, mentorship programmes, placement drives, expert lectures and research opportunities. Their contributions have provided students with real-world exposure and guidance,” she noted.
The event, held at the Law Auditorium, brought together generations of PU alumni from across India and abroad. Among the speakers were Supreme Court’s former judge Justice Swatanter Kumar, UT DGP Sagar Preet Hooda, NCERT joint director Amarendra P Behera, IAS officer Rajiv Kumar Gupta, and scientist-entrepreneur Manish Jindal.
Justice Kumar evoked laughter with anecdotes from his university days. “I was always on the football field, and my professors used to tell me to study at least once in a while,” he quipped, recalling the warmth of hostel staff who, he said, were “as caring and wise as our teachers.”
DGP Hooda shared his willingness to support the university in developing a vehicle-free pedestrian corridor. “We can bring back the calm, walkable spaces that defined PU’s charm,” he said.
A video segment featured greetings from alumni who could not attend, including Lord Raminder Ranger, UPSC chairman Preeti Sudan, and PU’s oldest alumnus Sahil Ram Bishnoi. Actor Ayushmann Khurrana’s recorded message drew smiles as he fondly remembered “StuC samosas and chai at Hut No. 14.”
UK-based Acharya Krishan Kant Attri filled the hall with Sanskrit couplets and reflections on global learning, while Colonel R.D. Singh (retd) and Group Captain Vijay K. Sharma (retd) recalled how PU had shaped their discipline and camaraderie. “The spirit of PU is unchanged,” said Sharma, a Vayu Sena Medal awardee marking the golden jubilee of his graduation.
However, outside the auditorium, protests echoed through the campus. A group of students led by PUCSC general secretary Abhishek Dagar demanded the withdrawal of the university’s affidavit against protests. They were stopped near the venue by police and campus security, leading to a brief confrontation.
“We only wanted to meet the V-C and discuss our concerns. The affidavit is an attempt to silence student representation,” said Dagar. PUCSC vice-president Ashmeet Singh and joint secretary Mohit Manderana later joined the sit-in, questioning why elected student representatives had not been invited to the alumni event.
The demonstration continued for nearly an hour before shifting back to the V-C office area. Later in the evening, actor Amtoj Maan and activist Lakha Sidhana visited the protesting students, expressing solidarity with their demands.
Despite the protests, the reunion continued indoors — a celebration of memories, mentorship and the enduring PU spirit that alumni said “still binds generations together.”
