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‘Ancient trade route can become highway of cultural interaction’

Chandigarh: Vice-President Mohammad Hamid Ansari on Wednesday expressed hope that the “ancient trade route beyond our land borders in the west which proceeds to Lahore, Kabul, Balkh, Bokhara and beyond could once again become a highway of trade, cultural interaction and regional cooperation”.

Delivering the Presidential Address at the 57th Annual Convocation of Panjab University here, Mr. Ansari, who is the Chancellor of the University, said Punjab “abuts our western neighbour and is the nearest point in India to our extended neighbourhood in a region with which India has a deep-rooted people-to-people relationship”.

“The possibilities are endless, bound only by our collective imagination and our commitment to regional cooperation to mutual benefit. It is in the detached precincts of a university that these exercises in futurology can be undertaken,” he added. Mr. Ansari said the University of Panjab was born at Simla in 1882 and prospered in Lahore. However, Panjab University took shape in difficult times in 1947 and had made a name for itself through the grit and excellence of students, researchers and teachers.

In her Convocation Address, Professor (Ms.) Isher Judge Ahluwalia, Chairperson of the Board of Governors of the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations, New Delhi, exhorted the graduating students to draw upon the education and the value system imbibed through the years and to nurture it as an asset to take up the challenges of the future.

Vice-Chancellor R. C. Sobti outlined the achievements of the University over the years.

Honorary D.Litt degrees were conferred upon Dr. Pritam Singh, film maker Yash Chopra, former JNU Vice-Chancellor G. K. Chadha while an honorary degree of Doctor of Science was conferred in absentia on Rajinder K. Pachauri, Director-General of TERI and joint winner of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize.

A total of 563 students received their degrees, medals and prizes.

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