New Delhi, November 8
Speaking at the third ‘Distinguished Alumni Award’ function of the ‘Old Students Association of Hindu College’, at Hotel Grand Inter Continental here last evening, chief guest Justice Y. K. Sabharwal stressed on the importance of social commitment by giving back to society.
Justice Sabharwal, himself an alumni, talked about the bonds that are created between students and the college. While acknowledging that students of Hindu College had excelled in every field, he also exhorted the alumni association to exploit the collective power of the gathered old students to do more for society.
The Union Minister of State for External Affairs, Mr Vinod Khanna, appeared particularly impressed with the rich history of the college. “While reading about Hindu College,
I learnt that several leaders of our freedom struggle have spoken at the college, taking the nationalist education movement further, of which the college was a part as well as an outcome. In fact, students of the college had “presented Rs 800 to Mahatma Gandhi in 1929 when he had visited the college”, he said.
The principal of the college, Dr Kavita Sharma, also an old student of the college, emphasised on the importance of the event and said that it is during college that we make lifelong and lasting friends. “In business and profession, we find acquaintances and associates”, she added. She was of the view that in such events while the institution honours its students for doing good in the service of society, nation and humanity, it is also an honour for the alma mater that sees a reunion of its children.
After a brief welcome address by the president of the ‘Old Students Association’, Mr Lalit Bhasin, eminent lawyer, the evening progressed with the presentation of awards. Each presentation was preceded by a special citation.
Introducing the ‘Young Achiever’s Award’ for the first time, Mr Bhasin made a cheerful remark that these awards have been started so that the excelling youngsters don’t have to wait till they get old and their contribution is recognised. The aim of this award, he said, is to enthuse the youngsters for doing even better in future. The same young achievers can again share the glory after 30-40 years as they re-join to receive the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’, he added.
