Ludhiana, March 12
Satish Chandra Dhawan Government College, Ludhiana, witnessed a day of immense academic pride as it hosted the Convocation Ceremony for the graduates of the 2023-24 batch on 12th March 2026. Students, faculty, alumni, and distinguished guests gathered to honour academic achievements and institutional milestones. The event commenced with a soulful rendition of the Shabad “Deh Shiva Var Mohe,” which set a solemn and inspiring tone for the proceedings.
The ceremony was graced by the presence of the Chief Guest, Prof. Dr. Pardeep Singh Walia, Vice Chancellor of Maharaja Agarsen University, Himachal Pradesh. A distinguished academician of national repute, Prof. Walia has authored more than eight books, contributed to hundreds of national and international publications and seminars, and served as Former Deputy Director of Higher Education, Government of Punjab. He has also served as Principal of SCD Government College, Ludhiana, and BZS Government College, Raikot — making his presence at this convocation all the more meaningful. He was warmly welcomed by Principal Prof (Dr.) Gursharn Jit Singh Sandhu and the College Council.
In his annual report, Principal Dr. Sandhu highlighted the college’s continued excellence. Founded in 1920 and affiliated with Panjab University, SCD Government College serves approx 5,000 students across 16 courses. Students secured top university positions in Hindi, Chemistry, English, and Physics, and several cleared the UGC-NET. The college won the overall trophy at the Zonal Youth Festival and excelled in basketball, wrestling, athletics, volleyball, and hockey at university, national, and international levels. In a proud moment for the institution, NSS volunteer Anisha Rai Chauhan and NCC Air Wing cadet Rahul Singh represented the college at the Republic Day Parade in New Delhi in 2026.
Principal Dr. Sandhu also paid tribute to the college’s rich legacy by celebrating its distinguished alumni who have made significant contributions across various fields. He mentioned with great pride N.N. Vohra, former Governor of Jammu and Kashmir; General T.N. Raina; Major General Himmat Singh Gill; Dr. M.S. Gill, former Chief Election Commissioner of India and Member of Parliament; Keki N. Daruwala, IPS and renowned poet; Shri Gurbaksh Lal, former DIG (CID); Joginder Singh, former Director of the CBI; K.P.S. Gill, former DGP of Punjab; Mohan Singh, former IAS officer and Secretary to the Government of India; Jagpal Singh Sidhu, former Director of Information and Public Relations, Punjab and Sohan Singh Chhina, noted author.
Dr. Sandhu also expressed special pride in the fact that former Rajya Sabha MP and current Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora holding portfolios of Industry and Commerce, Investment Promotion, and NRI Affairs, is a distinguished alumnus of this very institution. Addressing the graduating students, Principal Dr. Sandhu appealed to them to draw inspiration from these illustrious names, follow in their footsteps, and make meaningful contributions to society — so that one day, they too may stand as shining examples for the generations that follow.
Delivering the convocation address, Prof. Dr. Pardeep Singh Walia spoke passionately about the transformative power of education, urging graduates to pursue excellence with integrity and discipline. Drawing from his vast experience as a scholar and administrator, and reflecting on his own deep association with SCD College as its former Principal, he encouraged students to set clear goals, stand firmly against drug abuse and female foeticide, and give back to society with compassion and a sense of service.
A total of 501 degrees were conferred — 218 postgraduate and 283 undergraduate — as students walked across the stage to receive their academic robes, medals, and degrees, marking the culmination of years of hard work and dedication. Dr. Devina Ghai, Registrar of the college, delivered the vote of thanks and expressed heartfelt appreciation for the dedicated efforts of the examination branch, including Prof. Piyush, Prof. Charanjeet Kaur, Dr. Sundeep, Dr. Arsi Sandhu, Prof. Simriti Khullar, Prof. Sheenu, Snehpreet and Gurdeep Singh, whose collective effort made the convocation a memorable success. The stage proceedings were conducted by Prof. Gitanjali, Prof. Satnam Singh, and Prof. Jaswinder. The ceremony concluded on a patriotic note with the singing of the National Anthem.
