AMRITSAR: A 16-member high level delegation, comprising of teachers, research scholars and students from Lueven University, Belgium today visited historic Khalsa College campus. They were mesmerized by the heritage building structure of the 1892-built Khalsa College, artifacts at Sikh History Research Centre before a brief interaction with the faculties and students of College.
The delegation which was led by Dr Bert Broeckaert, Professor World Religion at Lueven, near Brussels was received by Khalsa College Governing Council honourary secretary Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina and Principal Dr.Atam Randhawa on arrival at the campus. The European team, said they, were on a visit to Punjab to know the rich cultural heritage of Punjab and wanted to explore the Sikh architect and history.
KCGC Member and College’s Global Alumni Convener, Dr Davinder Singh Chhina who was instrumental in bringing the delegation to the campus said they saw the century old historical archive at Sikh History Research Centre. They saw the artifacts, rare books, journals and museum and took the tour to vast 300 acres campus and majestic building, renowned for its Indo-Sarcenic architecture.
Dr. Chhina, along with Dr.Rajbir Singh, told delegation members that the College’s heritage structure symbolizes cultural synthesis and secular traditions as campus features have been meticulously preserved and restored, maintaining heritage aesthetics while serving modern academic needs. While welcoming delegation, RMS Chhina said it was an honour and pleasure to welcome Belgian academicians at College as institution stand at the intersection of education, heritage, and cultural memory.
The campus, he said was a living archive. “Its architecture - an elegant blend of Sikh, Mughal, and Indo-Saracenic styles - reflects the cultural plurality of Punjab and symbolizes dialogue rather than division. Over more than a century, this institution has witnessed colonial rule, reform movements, independence, Partition, and the evolution of modern India - remaining, throughout, a centre of learning and service”, said he.
Dr.Atam Randhawa said within this historic setting, the Sikh History Research Centre holds special significance. Established in the early twentieth century, it is one of the earliest institutions dedicated to the systematic study of Sikh history. Its rich collections of manuscripts, archival records, newspapers, art, and material culture provide scholars with rare primary sources that illuminate not only Sikh religious history, but also the broader social and political history of South Asia.
He added that the visit from Leuven University, one of Europe’s oldest and most respected universities, is especially meaningful to them as it reminds about pursuit of knowledge transcending borders, languages, and cultures. He further said there are strong possibilities for academic dialogue between Lueven University and the College in the areas of archival studies, religious history, colonial and post-colonial scholarship, and digital preservation of historical sources. Nele Armand M., Jonathan, Christian, Dagmar Eulalie R., Johan, Jennifer, Karel Filip Louis, Merie Agnes I., Neter-Jan Hendrik L, Axel Roger J.J., Grisja Gino C, Mallys Christine H., Kate, Rik others.