Ludhiana: From rural villages to the top echelons of global bureaucracy, the journey of the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) Class of 1976 was celebrated with laughter and nostalgia at a massive Golden Jubilee alumni meet this week.The event saw a “constellation” of graduates from the 1966, 1976, and 1986 batches returning to campus. For many, like Mewa Singh Panag, the reunion was a reminder of humble beginnings. Holding his original student card from 1972, Panag recalled how the university acted as a social catapult. “I and many of my batchmates had only ever worn pajamas before entering these gates,” Panag said. “Coming from the villages, many wore pants for the first time only after joining the university. This place propelled us to high ranks across the world.”
The Randhawa LegacyA recurring theme of the evening was the legendary compassion of former Vice-Chancellor Dr. MS Randhawa. Alumni shared fond anecdotes of his “forgiving attitude” toward student mischief. Panag recounted how students once caused a power cut to delay an exam. “Dr Randhawa told us he knew exactly who did it, but because we had come to him with a request, he postponed the exam anyway,” he said. He even recalled how Randhawa, noticing students taking shortcuts across lawns, chose to build new pathways along their tracks rather than punish them for trespassing.Global HomecomingThe meet drew alumni from across the globe, including Paramjit Singh Dosanjh, who flew in from California. Others, like the husband-and-wife duo Jasvir Singh Mangat and Balwinder Kaur Mangat, noted that the varsity was a family tradition, with multiple generations of their relatives having studied at PAU. Notable Attendees included Col Jasjit Singh Gill, renowned environmentalist, Kahan Singh Pannu, former IAS officer, Dr Kirpal Singh Aulakh, former vice-chancellor, and Dr Jasbir Singh Bains, former agriculture director (2016-2019).A Call for Policy ReformThe nostalgia was balanced with a call to action. Dr Jasbir Singh Bains argued that India’s agricultural policies, such as diversification, often fail because they are designed by bureaucrats without rural backgrounds. “Nobody understands agriculture better than those from an agricultural background,” Bains said. “Alumni must support excellent students to ensure those with dirt under their fingernails are the ones making the decisions in politics and bureaucracy.“Commemorating 60 YearsCurrent vice-chancellor Satbir Singh Gosal announced that the association would be strengthened monetarily to support current students. To mark the university’s 60-year bond with farmers, a four-volume set of coffee table books titled PAU’s Colossal Feat was released, chronicling the institution’s role in the Green Revolution and skill development.
