K K Birla receiving the Hindu Centenary Year Distinguished Alumni Award from National Human Rights Commission Chairman J S Verma in the Capital on Thursday. Photo: Arvind Yadav
AS PART of the centenary celebrations of Hindu College, the Centenary Year Distinguished Alumni Awards, instituted by the Hindu Education Trust, were presented today to eight distinguished alumni of the college including leading industrialist and Chairman of The Hindustan Times group Dr K.K. Birla and prominent film personality Mr. Manoj Kumar.
The awards, which were also instituted by the Old Students Association of Hindu College, were presented by the Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission Justice J.S. Verma.
Those present on the occasion included Mr Bharat Ram, chairman of Governing Body of Hindu College, Mr S.N. Gupta, chairman of Hindu Education Trust and Dr Kavita Sharma, Principal of Hindu College.
The alumni were chosen on the basis of their outstanding achievements in various fields. They included Dr K.K. Birla, industrialist, Justice Y.K. Sabharwal (for law), Mr Manoj Kumar (for art and culture), Dr J.S. Bajaj (for medicine), Prof J.N. Kapur (for academics), Mr Khub Chand, Diplomat, Mr H.K. Dua (for journalism) and Mr J.L. Seth who was conferred a special award.
Speaking on behalf of the recipients, Dr Birla said that the recipients were extremely happy to receive the Distinguished Alumni Award. Describing Hindu College as an excellent institution of learning, Dr Birla said that it is known for its high academic standards. He felt that educational institutions should inculcate discipline in the students so that they are able to excel and provide leadership.
The leading industrialist also urged the Old Students Association to work closely with Hindu College in compiling a list of the alumni of the college and their contributions. These can be brought out in a magazine, he stated. Dr Birla felt that this close association would be a great binding force between the alumni and the college. Incidentally, Dr Birla had completed his Intermediate Science from Hindu College in 1937. Reflecting on his student days, he said that even then in the 1930s, the teachers of Hindu were second to none in academic excellence.
In a lighter vein, he also recalled the "rivalry" between Hindu College And St. Stephen's College even in the 1930s as they were the two most prestigious colleges in the city even then. I decided to join Hindu College and never regretted my decision. I feel privileged to have been a student of this college, he said.
Speaking in a lighter vein was actor Manoj Kumar. I was always a back-bencher and am therefore especially delighted to receive the award, said Manoj, well-known for his role in several patriotic films such as Upkar and Kranti. Another award winner Mr Seth also donated a cheque for Rs 1.5 lakh today for instituting a scholarship for students in Mathematics.
