AMRITSAR: The 133rd ‘Foundation Day’ of the historic Khalsa College Amritsar (KCA) was celebrated with devotion and deliberations at the campus here today. An Ardas (prayer) was held at the College Gurdwara Sahib which was followed by a day-long seminar where experts delved deep into the contributions of the great educational institution to the society in the last over a century.
Former Principal and Khalsa University vice chancellor Dr.Mehal Singh said that 133 years ago the foundation stone of the College was laid by the then Lieutenant Governor of Punjab, Sir James Broadwood Lyell, on March 5, 1892. He said that during its initial period, the College was under the University of Calcutta (now known as Kolkata) and then came under Punjab University, Lahore and now it is taking strides under the Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar.
Acting Principal Dr. Arvinder Kaur Kahlon welcomed the guest speakers including USA based historian Gurinderjit Singh Josan and Sikh history expert and Principal of Khalsa College Senior Secondary School Dr. Inderjit Singh Gogoani. Earlier Principal, teachers and staff took part in the Ardas where the students from Gurmat Study Center recited Gurbani Kirtan and delighted the audience.
Dr. Gogoani said that following British occupation of Punjab, the influence of Western education and religion emerged as a major challenge which resulted in ‘Singh Sabha Movement’ which encapsulated the need of modern knowledge for society and KCA was born.
He said that at this time a Governing Council of about 100 members was formed and an Executive Committee was constituted including Dr. William H. Rattigan as President, Attar Singh as Vice President and Jawahar Singh as first Honorary Secretary of the Council.
Josan said that the KCA building is an iconic architectural marvel which is famous not only in Punjab and India alone but around the world. He said that in March 1892, this building was built in Indo-Greek and Gothic architectural styles, in which a special glimpse of ancient Indian and Mughals and Sikh schools of architecture is vibrant.
He said that the building impresses the tourists from home and abroad. Honorary Secretary of the Khalsa College Governing Council, and pro-chancellor KU Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina, while congratulating the principal, teachers and staff and alumni of the College worldwide said the KCA is the beacon of light for all of us and its contribution in the education are unparalleled in the rich chapters of history.