CHANDIGARH, 20.05.25-Mehr Chand Mahajan DAV College for Women, Chandigarh, hosted its Annual Convocation here today wherein 819 graduates and postgraduates received their degrees, marking a significant milestone in their lives. Shri Gulab Chand Kataria, Hon’ble Governor of Punjab and Administrator, UT Chandigarh made the occasion even more memorable for the degree holders with his presence as the Chief Guest. Justice (Retd.) Pritam Pal, Vice President, DAV College Managing Committee, New Delhi, graced the event as the Guest of Honour. The function commenced with Saraswati Vandana followed by the presentation of Annual Report by the Officiating Principal of the college, Ms. Neena Sharma. The report provided glimpses of the commendable achievements of the college during the academic year 2024-25, in academic, sports and cultural areas.

Tracing the glorious history of the college, Shri Kataria paid tribute to the great visionary Justice Mehr Chand Mahajan, and endorsed the efforts of all the stakeholders who have contributed in taking the institution to the pinnacle of glory, thereby creating a legacy that lives up to the name of Justice Mehr Chand Mahajan. He acknowledged and generously appreciated the college’s efforts in championing the cause of women education, and contributing significantly to Panjab University accomplishments. Highlighting PM Narendra Modi’s assertion that there is no difference between men and women, Shri Kataria pointed out the varied challenging roles, like that of fighter pilots and combat officers, that women are essaying with great efficiency. Shri Kataria affirmed that he proudly identifies himself as a teacher because this role shaped him as a person with integrity whose most valuable earning is the respect that he commands from his students. Referring to teacher as a sculptor, he highlighted the immensely significant responsibility of shaping the nation’s future that a teacher shoulders. Shri Kataria, citing the example of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, asserted that education is the greatest weapon to change the world, and added that the most crucial task, as envisioned in NEP 2020, is to connect education with values and skills. He further impressed upon ability being useless if one is not useful to the society, and beseeched everyone present to work earnestly for the society and the nation. Motivating the degree holders, he said that determination and dedication are the differentiators that lead to success and accolades. In his address, Justice Pritam Pal said that the bright confident faces of the degree holders is a reminder of the transformative power of education that awakens mind, and strengthens character. As a word of advice to the students, he said that as they step out into the world full of challenges, they must step out with confidence, and create waves of change. Reminding the students of their immense potential, Justice Pritam Pal urged them to be torchbearers of equity and justice. Stating that empowerment is a call to action, he added that the role of educated women is more critical today than ever. Imploring the students to let integrity and perseverance be their guiding values, he called upon them to let their actions reflect the ethos of their alma mater. He ended his inspirational speech with a message of the vedas i.e. ‘manur bhav’, reinforcing to cover the gap between being human and to be human.

The Victory Against Drug Abuse (VADA) Club Report was unveiled by the dignitaries on this occasion. Besides awarding the degrees, university toppers were awarded scholarships, and achievers were awarded Special Prizes. The faculty members who completed their PhD degrees during this session, and alumnae achievers were also felicitated on this occasion

Congratulating the students for keeping alive the college’s inimitable tradition of excellence through their awe-inspiring achievements, Principal Ms. Neena Sharma advised the students to never rest on their laurels, She exhorted them to work towards their goals with focused determination and wished them luck for their future endeavours.