A new chapter in the recognition of glorious history of Panjab University (PU), 
Chandigarh was added today when the Postal Stamp on Prof. Ruchi Ram Sahni got released 
at PU. 

The Five Rupees Postal Stamp was released in the august presence of Punjab Education 
Minister Sardar Sikander Singh Maluka, Chandigarh MP Mr. Pawan Kumar Bansal, Former UGC 
Chairperson Mr. Yashpal, PU Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof. Arun K Grover and Chief Post 
Master General Mr. Kuldeep Singh during the inauguration ceremony of National Seminar on 
the “Making of Modern Punjab: Education, Science and Social Change in Punjab”, at Panjab 
University (PU) today. 

4.1 Lac Postal Stamps have been printed by the Indian Security Press for the India Post. 
A brief brochure highlighting the contribution, work and life history was also released 
on the occasion. 

The Punjab Education Minister Mr. Maluka congratulated the University for topping the 
country in the Times Higher Education survey. He said that the PU has a big name in the 
field of education. It is doing great national service by producing scientists, 
statesman and agriculturist. He requested PU VC to organize a bigger function to 
celebrate the Top Ranking of PU in the country by inviting leaders like Chief Ministers 
of Haryana and Punjab. 

Chandigarh MP Mr. Bansal congratulated the PU VC and the University for bringing to 
light the life and works of RR Sahni, who was indeed a heroic figure in popularizing 
education in vernacular language. He also recalled the pioneering work of Prof. Sahni in 
Science and Technology. He also credited Prof. Grover for his initiatives.   
Addressing the inaugural function, former UGC Chairperson Prof Yashpal’s emphasized that 
scientists need to have dialogue with grass root realities, emphasizing on the 
importance of listening and dialogue between scientists, teachers and common people. 
In a video message Vice Chancellor of Lahore Government College University, Pakistan, 
Khaleeq ur Rahman Muhammad addressed the audience and described the association of 
Lahore with Prof. Ruchi Ram Sahni. 

A  souvenir of the seminar was also released which contained messages from Vice 
President of India cum Chancellor of PU, Governor of Punjab  and VC of PU. It also 
contained articles by Rajesh Kochhar, Muhammad Khaleeq-ur-Rahman and Tim Allender, to 
name a few. 

In the inaugural session, PU VC welcomed all the distinguished guests like MP, Senator 
PU and Patron of Organizing Committee Mr Pawan Kumar Bansal, Education Minister and 
Fellow, PU Sardar Sikander Singh Maluka, President, South Asian University and former VC 
JNU Prof. G. K. Chadha and Former Chairman, UGC Prof. Yash Pal. 

Prof. Arun Grover introduced the vision, objective and the significance of the seminar 
by introducing the audience to life and achievements of Ruchi Ram Sahni who remained an 
unsung hero in the history of Indian Education and there was a need to increase 
awareness about Sahni’s impact on education in North of India. The University initiated 
a Foundation Day Lecture series with Romila Thapar in 2012 and will continue it by 
inviting eminent speakers every year. 

Press Release No.730 
VP/SK