Patna College celebrates its 151st foundation day

Updated on: Thursday, January 10, 2013

Patna College, one of the oldest institutions of higher education in the country's eastern region, celebrated its 151st foundation day with gaiety and fervour on Wednesday.

As many as 151 balloons symbolizing as many years of the college were released by governor-cum-chancellor Devanand Konwar, who was the chief guest on the occasion. He also unveiled a plaque. This was followed by a march past by the NCC cadets of the college.

Addressing the faculty members, students and alumni of the college on the occasion, the governor described the college as India's "brain capital" which had been making a profound impact on the academic life of the country. Recalling its glorious past, he said the rich heritage of this institution must be preserved. "The college must continue with its glorious tradition of imparting quality education and igniting the minds of the youth," he said.

Konwar, however, regretted that despite serving as "lighthouses" in the ancient "darker world", Nalanda and Vikramshila universities had not been included in the list of world heritage sites by UNESCO. He appealed to the political leaders and intellectuals of the state to take up this matter in the right earnest and get them included in the world heritage sites. He also released a souvenir edited by Birendra Jha and a research journal titled 'Current Studies' brought out by the college on the occasion.

Patna University vice-chancellor Shambhu Nath Singh, in his presidential remarks, said even though the college has had a glorious past, its "present" needed improvement. Efforts are being made to prepare the college to face the modern challenges and compete globally. The teachers and students of the college, who do not lag behind their counterparts in any other institution of the country, must strive hard to help the college regain its leadership role in the academic world.

To mark the sesquicentennial year of the college, Patna University has decided to introduce three new modern courses in the college, disaster management, information technology and econometrics, from the next academic session. The undergraduate course in econometrics would be introduced in the college for the first time in the country, the VC said. He also gave away prizes to the winners of various competitions organized during the year-long sesquicentennial celebrations.

Former chief justice of Punjab and Haryana high court Binod Kumar Roy, who was the guest of honour, recalled how three generations of his family studied in this college. All its alumni have made significant contributions to the socio-economic development of the country. He appealed to the present generation to maintain the glorious tradition of the college.

Earlier, college principal Ras Bihari Singh welcomed the guests. English teacher Ila Sinha conducted the programme. An alumni meet was also held in which several prominent academics and administrators participated. A cultural programme was organized in the evening.

Patna College celebrates its 151st foundation day

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