“We believe because we have created it, we can also control it.” This was Professor Romila Thapar at her erudite best when she held forth on the Interpretation of Early Indian History as the central premise of the Foundation Day lecture delivered by her this morning at Panjab University. She termed it a rare privilege to come back to her almamater and share a knowledge that was partly gained within this University itself. She focused her talk on the incarnations that Indian history has gone through over the years contoured as it has been by two substantial views of the past - the colonial representation of Indian society and the European perception of it. Professor Thapar said that identities are neither timeless and unchanging nor are they singular and homogenous. Prof. Thapar said that historians cannot pick one identity as primary for all times and occasions. In fact knowledge is not chrona-free and historical studies are often complicated by the fact that reality does not move in a linear fashion. She ended her lecture by cautioning that, “when we invoke the past, we need to ask what are we invoking and why.”

Prof Romila Thapar, an alumna of Panjab University is currently Professor Emirata of Ancient Indian History at Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi. Prof Thapar also unveiled a plaque commemorating the occasion that signifies 1947 as lying at the hinge of the University’s history bisecting it at 65 years before and after Independence. This plaque will be embedded in the Panjab University Foundation Memorial conceptualized by the office of the University Architect, Harpreet Singh and the Advisor Architect, P.R Luthra. The monument will have three white marble pedestals on a black granite hexagon. Two of these would represent the Panjab University’s journey before and after independence through an undulating surface having 65 grooves at an inclination of 65 degrees. An element of flowing water along the inclined surface of the grooves has been added to give serenity to the Monument. These pedestals would also accommodate the emblems adopted by the University before and after independence. The third pedestal would signify the growing status of the University through a graceful arch. The plaque unveiled by Prof Thapar would be embedded into this pedestal.

Prof. R.P Bambah, former Vice Chancellor of Panjab University presided over the lecture and in his address complimented the University authorities on instituting the practice of an Annual Foundation Day lecture.

Post- lunch a Panel Discussion was held on the Panjab University Vision 2020 Document moderated by Prof Bambah. The panelists were all PU alumni drawn from different disciplines. Dr. B.S. Brar, Professor of Political Science and former Dean University Instruction focused on giving social sciences their due, particularly in light of the fact that globalization and new economic policies, regionalization of politics, urbanization and an expanding vocal middle class had necessitated such a primacy.

Dr R.K. Kohli, Professor of Botany and Dean University Instruction focused his viewpoint on the biological sciences as a thrust area. He stressed upon the need for cultivating creative instincts and a scientific temperament prompted by a deep concern for society. Towards this he called for a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approach and the inception of scholarships to attract students to the science stream.

Dr. G. Munjal, CEO and MD, Ind-Swift Limited enjoined the gathering to work together to take the University to the top 200 league in the world. According to him this goal required the establishment of innovation centers, greater industry-academia interaction, skill enhancement projects, attraction and retention of talented faculty and above all a reaffirmation of the missionary role that the University should play.

Dr. Jaspal Kaur Kaang, Professor and Chairperson, Department of Guru Nanak Sikh Studies and former President PUTA made a passionate plea for due respect to be accorded to Punjabi Language and culture, while Dr. M.M. Gupta, Professor of Physics and former Co-ordinator Centre of Advanced Study in Physics spoke of taking the University to the next level which was to have a formal Post Doctoral programme and fellowships on the lines of those offered by foreign Universities. According to Prof Gupta this would help in a seamless transition of a research scholar to a teaching position. He also called for the institution of a Centre of Theoretical Studies where any person with any idea could pursue it in a multidisciplinary environment.

Dr. Satpal Singh, Professor, School of Medicine and Bio Medical Sciences, State University of New York, Buffalo, U.S.A. spoke of the intersection of science, religion and philosophy and the need to break boundaries in order to arrive at the core of knowledge.

Members from the audience too put in their viewpoints ranging from the need to have a cordial work environment, a clean and green campus, residential accommodation, greater student-faculty interaction, and a greater say to students in the functioning of the University.

A vibrant cultural program rounded off the Panjab University Foundation Day celebrations. An eclectic mix of classical and folk music, folk dances kept the audience entranced for over an hour. Particular reference needs to be made to talented performances by Mitika, Onkar Singh and Garja Singh.