Punjab Agricultural University
Ludhiana (Punjab) India
Reminisces about PAU
by
Gems of PAU Botany
Dr Deep Saini, President & VC Dalhousie University: Sohan, Satish... before that Joginder and Ravi: I thoroughly enjoyed reading your stories, which are not only remarkable and inspiring in their own right but also representative of a much wider phenomenon: PAU alumni—not just PAU Botany alumni—of all generations have gone on to succeed in a diverse array of spheres, in India and around the world. I’ve met many of them, especially in Canada and Australia — two countries with large concentrations of ex-PAUites. Satish and others have highlighted some key features of the PAU-experience that spawn the skills and zeal behind this success. In my view, among Indian institutions, only IITs have produced alumni with comparable impact, especially when normalized to the size of their student bodies. We have good reasons to be both grateful to and proud of our alma mater.
Dr Gurinder Randhawa, Head, National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resourses, ICAR: Dr. Deep you have very rightly pointed out, can I add one more dimension to it. Punjab Di mitti inspires every one. PAU is one of the Premier Institute of Punjab so there is double effect. I feel that mehaak of appnaa Punjab which transforms everyone around. So along with appnaa PAU, I give credit to appnaa Punjab.
Dr Ashok Dhawan: It is absolutely right that PAU graduates are way ahead in overall success in life compared to graduates from any other university. I can’t answer why. I have discussed this many times earlier, but never got a satisfactory answer of Why. Gurinder is right, but what about a dozen other universities on Punjab di mitti. Believe me none is anywhere near PAU, when we measure “graduates outcome".
Satish Kalra: I think the USP of PAU was its Trimester with teachers authorised to conduct internal examination and evaluate themselves. The teachers were authorised to evaluate students in a number of ways: regular tests, library assignments, seminars etc. In some cases teachers were bold enough to give open book examinations/ tests. But it appears much has changed now. The Trimester system changed to Semester and I gather that now the teachers donot enjoy that liberty. In addition the other USP's were 5 days a week devoted to classroom teaching/ labs and Saturday devoted to Practical Field Trainings. Association of students with an Adviser right from undergraduate level helped students solve their issues with expert guidance. In addition PAU had a vast campus with ample scope for Extra Curricular activities & games. It also had an atmosphere where excellence in various fields was encouraged and there were many excellent teachers, students and players to emulate. Of course the foundation of PAU was laid by visionaries like Dr Thapar, Dr Randhawa. Contribution of Prithipal Singh a former Olympian as DSW. Library of course was unique
Dr Gurinder Randhawa: Another reason which comes to my mind is the main architecture and foundation was laid by Visionary of this century Dr. M.S. Randhawa. If we all recollect Library of PAU at that time in 70s was very nicely designed and well stocked with latest journals and books. While writing this message my memories went to each and every corner of the library and of course to the please librarian who were always ready to help the students in every one.
Another beautiful memories of the University goes to the beautiful plantation of flowering trees on different roads of the University. On one road there were lines of Jacrandaa trees, on another amaltas trees and still on another gulmohar trees. My most beautiful memories are that one road lit with lilac colour flowers on the trees as well as on the ground. On another yellow flowers like jhumkas on the trees and on the ground as well and oh gosh another road used to turn completely red with gulmohar flowers on the trees and on the road. It used to be completely mesimering. Dr.M S Randhawa himself designed this horticultural feast for his students.
The students were very happy, relaxed and inspired by the enabling environment.Of course the university and botany department had one of the best Faculty in the world.There was so much freedom to the students no pressure of any kind.All these parameters really add to the creativity of the young minds.
Dr Mahinder Kaur: BUT ABOUT ROSE BEDS GURINDER AND JASMINE AS WELL. EXPLAIN THAT !
Dr Gurinder Randhawa: Oh! Yes Mohinder I used to go with you to get the beautiful inhalation of them and used to say chal phir sutta (like addidct inhale their drugs) leh kai ayyiaa. It was dreamland👌☘️
Dr Mahinder Kaur: Gurinder I composed that poem while sitting amongst flowers for which I was declared Best Poetess! Can't forget that creative environment and friends like you above all the teachers who used to force us to achieve more and more ....
Dr Gurinder Randhawa: The passion flower in my dp first time I saw it as a climber on the railing of the pathway going towards Thapar Hall from Basic Sciences. I always remembered of this beautiful flowers for years and now it's blooming my home. So that's how we have imbibed so much which we all may not even aware of.
Dr Ashok Dhawan: -Yes, “freedom” at PAU is one major factor.
-The quality of teachers also contributed significantly.
-Also, PAU has very few seats and hence, quality is students.
-Students have a lot of fellow feeling and try to help each other.
But if you believe me, PAU graduates are so much more successful in life that all these and other factors mentioned above, put together don’t adequately explain this.
“Waheguru de Mehr” is the only explanation!
And so on and so forth......
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