PU was close to my father’s heart: Ex-PM’s daughter

There was no better platform, except Panjab University campus, for noted author Daman Singh to share the life of her father and the former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh. Daman today unveiled a memorial plaque at the Arts Block-3, which is now named as Dr Manmohan Singh Hall, of Panjab University. The ceremony was held in the presence of PU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Renu Vig, along with Raghav Tankha, the grandson of Dr Manmohan Singh, Dean of University Instruction Professor Yojna Rawat, and other dignitaries.

As a tribute to the memory of Dr. Manmohan Singh, a sapling was planted, symbolising growth, legacy, and remembrance. While delivering Panjab University Colloquium Lecture on ‘Dr Manmohan Singh: The Quintessential Scholar’, Daman shared Singh’s love for education, knowledge and his struggle to impart the wisdom of economics with the youngsters. In her detailed one-hour lecture, Daman reflected on the remarkable journey of Dr Manmohan Singh as a young, promising student and as a faculty member at Panjab University and shared how his time spent at the university campus was one of the best times of his life. She highlighted Singh’s modest upbringing in Gah, a village in present-day Pakistan, before the Partition and the role played by his teachers and guides in his academic journey. Despite economic hardships, Dr Singh’s relentless pursuit of education led him to Cambridge and later Oxford, where he honed his skills as an economist. She beautifully chronicled his rise from academia to policymaking, showcasing how his work ethic and dedication shaped his life and career.

“He delivered so many lectures, he was into public speaking for about three decades, taught at this very place and other prestigious institution…yet he was tagged ‘silent’,” smiled Daman, while explaining Singh’s love for teaching and how the university stopped him from surrendering the job at the campus. “His attachment with the campus was full of excitement. Chandigarh is the city, where my parents wanted to settle. We have so many friends here, so many memories and so much to cherish. My mother is still in contact with her friends during her stay in the campus,” she explained. She further emphasised that university was not only an academic starting point for Dr Singh but, various scholarships he received from time to time were instrumental in his journey, making higher education accessible despite his modest background. She shared personal anecdotes and cherished memories, offering a heartfelt glimpse into the private world of one of India’s most respected statesmen. The public lecture provided a rare and intimate perspective on Dr Singh’s life, legacy, and values.

Later in the evening, Daman and Tankha visited the Department of Economics, the alma mater of Dr Singh and interacted with faculty members, research scholars and students of the department. She spent a considerable amount of time in the official room of Dr Singh, which displayed several of his books and photographs, offering a glimpse into his academic life and lasting legacy at the university. Grover, the former Vice -hancellor of the university, also requested Daman if some of the work (books, studies, researches) of Dr Singh can be donated to the university to pass on the legacy to young generation.

Chandigarh