SHIMLA: Alumni of the Himachal Pradesh university, who gathered in its camps for its ‘Alumni Meet-2022’ today has brought a spotlight on a “cult of mediocrity and overt politics” that has come to overshadow university’s other “academic pursuits and academic excellence in recent times”.
This university, no doubt, has produced alumni of the likes of Padam Shri Dr Randeep Guleria, who did his MBBS from IGMC Shimla, Bollywood Star and Padam Bhushan, Anupam Kher, leaders like BJP National president Jagat Prakash Nadda, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, Anand Sharma, Rakesh Singha, Sukhvinder Sukhu and others, Judges and academicians over the years.
Alumni Meet-22 brought all its "political hues" on a single 'Manch' in the green and serene Summerhill Campus for promoting "co-existence, which is significant for the growth of democracy in the seat of learning".
In its 53 years of existence, HP university should have emerged as a "mentor institute" for its colleges and other institutes, but it instead has been hogging the headlines for the wrong reasons rather than for academic excellence.
HPU's "overt political" character must serve as a "food for thought" for its alumni, academia and those who want to see university as a "Centre of Learning and Academic Excellence that people of Himachal earnestly look for".
The campus has been generating rows after rows over recruitments and admissions. The merit and academic excellence that once Founder of Himachal Pradesh Dr Y S Parmar had dreamt of, is going "downhill of Summerhill".
Those who make rounds of corridors of power get preference over those who work sincerely for the benefit of university and students community. It is a common perception among all shads of students and academicians in the campus.
The university has failed to come out with new attractive programmes for the students. It has failed to generate its own resources and depends mainly on doles from the state government.
The protests and street fights among the students of different political wings have also become concern among a section of alumni who bat for academic excellence rather than for politics, which is the case now.
So much so that alumni meet-2022 gave more weight to the “Raj netas (politicians) rather than to the "Gurus or academicians on the Manch.
The fact that All India Institute of Advanced Studies, a gift from true Guru of India, Dr S Radhakrishnan, Philosopher-President of India to people of Himachal in particular and academia of India in general, is just at a stone throw away from HPU campus, but the latter has yet to learn a good thing or two from this "learned neighbour".
This atmosphere, in turn, speak volumes that HP university is "now known more as a “hotbed of politics” rather than an epicenter of academic excellence, studying problems of people of the hill state and finding solutions for them”.
No doubt HP university alumni rub shoulders with those from other institutions in north, but HPU struggles to be counted among institutes which falls in average category ranking in 170 to 200 best in the country in NIRF or NAAC rankings.
Even its achiever alumnus, MP- BJP National President Jagat Prakash Nadda in his address repeatedly sensed some kind of a "guilt that Alumni Manch-2022 could not give justice to all those who deserve it in equal measure", as Manch presented more a "galaxy of successful Netas", barring notable two exceptions".
But then all alumni meets anywhere in India revel more in giving edge to the Netas, talking and sharing "light moments and memories in lighter veins down the lane- a time away from the rough and tumble of their life".
But Nadda, who rose to head the India’s major and one of largest political parties, in his address said, “alumni of any institution are the source of inspiration to new students as their achievements and accomplishments set an example for everyone to imitate”.
There could have been alumni who have achieved academic excellence, breaking the ice in research that benefit people of the state. But no such alumni shared his/her experiences, said the students.
Nadda further said the alumni meet is an exceptional occasion to reinforce the bonds of alumni with their alma mater, where they can share their memories, experiences and accomplishments.
He traced University’s 53 years long journey saying that it started its journey with 11 departments. Today HPU has 44 departments spreading in over 245 bigha land.
This university is today considered as one of the best Universities of the country, he added.
He rightly said this University is the “pulse of State politics and her shared his experiences as students” leader with Rakesh Singha, who is a CPIM MLA from Theog.
Nadda said the University taught him that self-existence is only possible with co-existence. He got an opportunity to work in several Universities, but the Himachal Pradesh University has its unique feature and character, he added.
Environment of Himachal Pradesh University is very conducive for studies. “Other than studies, the University also offered a lot of opportunities in the field of sports, theatre, politics”, Nadda said.
He said that dedication, honesty and perseverance were the main components for achieving success. It becomes our duty to learn in the University and give back to society, he said.
Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur in his address the student days are the best days in one's life. He started his political career from Vallabh Degree College Mandi, and now he was representing his area for the fifth time.
He said that the Alumni Bhawan, foundation stone of which was laid today, must be constructed in a befitting manner so as it not only becomes a facility for the old students but also a treasure house of old memories of University days.
Jai Ram Thakur said that the University has been accredited as an ‘A’ grade university. “This University is now committed to achieve the target of A+ grade".
The biggest challenge before the University is to effectively implement National Education Policy, he said.
He said that the University is also striving hard to achieve and excel in the field of sports and other co-curricular activities.
Nadda and Thakur laid foundation stone of Alumni Building to be constructed at a cost of Rs 8.95 crore. They also released a Souvenir ‘Summerhill Panorama’ and ‘Alumni Web portal’ on the occasion.
Vice-Chancellor Himachal Pradesh University Prof. Sat Prakash Bansal said that this is an historic decision not only for the alumni but also for the University to honour its old students who have excelled in different fields.
Padam Bhushan awardee noted film actor Anupam Kher said that this small-town Shimla taught him to dream and dream big. While nostalgically remembering his college days, he said one who can dream can achieve and the only thing required is faith in self and respect towards parents and the nation.
Jagat Prakash Nadda, Anupam Kher and Padam Shree Director AIIMS Dr Randeep Guleria, were honoured with ‘Alumni of the Year’ award.
Padam Shree awardee Director AIIMS Dr. Randeep Guleria thanked the University Authorities for honouring him with this distinguished award. He also shared his days spent in the Indira Gandhi Medical College thirty years back.
MLA Rakesh Singha and MLA Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu also shared their experiences of their student days, particularly their days spent in the University.
President Alumni Association Prof. P.K. Ahluwalia presented a vote of thanks.
The University presented ‘Distinguished Alumni Award’ to Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, Speaker State Vidhan Sabha Vipin Singh Parmar, Urban Development Minister Suresh Bhardwaj, MLAs Rakesh Singha and Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Judges of HP High Court Vivek Singh Thakur, C. B. Barowalia and Susheel Kukreja, academicians, professors, former judges, Lawyers, several MLAs and some media persons.
At the end of day university is a center of learning and alumni must introspect over its long 53 years journey for making HPU as a "mentor institute for its colleges and affiliates" so that it stands with new entrants like IIT Mandi, NIT Hamirpur and the like.
