Dr Jaskaran Singh Waraich, Chairperson, Department of Defence and National Security Studies welcomed the Speakers, guests as well as faculty members, research scholars and students present for the event. He also introduced the esteemed speakers to the audience. Inaugural session was convened by Prof Simrat Kahlon, Dean Student Welfare (W). Prof. Renu Vig, Vice Chancellor, Panjab University, delivered the Inaugural address. Citing the experience of her family at the times of partition, she presented the human angle of this remembrance day.
In introductory remarks, Dr Subash Sharma delved into the roots of the partition of British India and pain it inflicted on the millions of the people. He urged people not to fall prey to communal hatred and divisive forces and to stay united for the bright collective future of our land.
Prof I D Gaur in his keynote address, spoke about the horror of the partition 1947 from the perspective of history, literature and culture. His emphasis was on the historically evolved Panjabiat beyond the communitarian borders and boundaries, and we should take an intelligent view of the history rather than taking a linear view.
Sh Sunil Jakhar, former member of parliament, delivered a presidential address, pointing to the primordial instincts of human beings to retort to violence in the matters of we vs they, of which the British took advantage for the division of British India. He stressed that empathy and compassion are qualities needed to imbibe in the hearts and minds of the people to check the hatred spreading in the society.
In the post lunch session, a panel discussion was organised, which was moderated by Prof. Paru Bal Sidhu. The First panellist, Prof. Sukhmani Bal Riar spoke extensively on the variety of historical records available to understand the phenomenon of partition. Another Panellists Sh R K Kaushik, IAS and Prof Kumool Abbi also expressed their views on how this situation arrived on the unfateful day and how events unfolded afterwards. Prof. Paru Bal Sidhu gave closing remarks on the remembrance day. The seminar was attended by the faculty, research scholars, students of the University and also serving and retired military personnel attended the event.
