Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) commemorated the birth anniversary of the legendary administrator and visionary Dr Mohinder Singh Randhawa by organizing the “MS Randhawa Utsav” on February 02, 2026. The event was hosted by the Directorate of Students’ Welfare, under the aegis of Director Student Welfare, Dr Nirmal Jaura, at the Students’ Home, PAU and served as a vibrant tribute to Dr Randhawa, whose contributions profoundly shaped Punjab’s agricultural and cultural landscape.
The festival featured a captivating Art Exhibition where student artists featured compelling artworks in watercolours, acrylics, pencil sketches, charcoal drawings, and mixed-media compositions, drawing inspiration from Punjab’s agrarian ethos and ecological concerns, reflecting Dr MS Randhawa’s lifelong commitment to harmonizing agriculture, art, and environmental stewardship. A Spot Painting Competition, against the backdrop of the intellectually rich and serene ambience of the MS Randhawa Library at PAU, offered an inspiring space for students to translate their spontaneous ideas into compelling visual narratives.
A noteworthy aspect of the MS Randhawa Utsav was the vibrant intellectual dialogue initiated by students, which added depth and academic richness to the celebrations. Student orators actively exchanged ideas on the interconnection between art, agriculture, environment, and society, reflecting a thoughtful understanding of Dr Randhawa’s holistic vision, which seamlessly integrated scientific progress with cultural and ecological sensitivity.
Dr Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice-Chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University, and Chief Guest of the event, inaugurated the exhibition and reviewed the students’ artworks, along with a galaxy of Deans and Directors of the university. Dr Gosal applauded the participants for their insightful creative expressions despite the rigorous academic demands of a premier agricultural institution. He emphasized that artistic expression plays a crucial role in nurturing innovation, an ethos strongly championed by Dr MS Randhawa throughout his life.
In a resonant call to the youth, Dr. Nirmal Jaura, Director Students’ Welfare at Punjab Agricultural University, extended a warm welcome to the gathered dignitaries before delivering a stirring address to the student body. He urged the students to draw inspiration from the legendary Dr. M.S. Randhawa, a visionary whose contributions to agriculture, art, and Punjabi culture remain unparalleled. Highlighting Dr. Randhawa’s tireless dedication and multidisciplinary brilliance, Dr. Jaura motivated the students to “follow in his footprints,” encouraging them to blend academic excellence with a deep-rooted commitment to social and cultural advancement.
The event was further enriched by the presence of Dr Kote Veeranjaneyulu, former Librarian and Head of the Central Library, NIT Warangal, as Special Guest. He commended the students for their impressive artworks and highlighted their ability to harmoniously balance technical education with creative pursuits. Drawing from his extensive academic experience, he remarked that such multidisciplinary excellence was a befitting homage to the versatile legacy of Dr Randhawa.
As Guest of Honour, Dr Rishi Pal Singh (IAS), Registrar, PAU, paid a glowing tribute to Dr Randhawa, describing his life as a testament to unparalleled dedication and visionary leadership. Dr Singh underscored that Dr Randhawa’s relentless efforts not only transformed Punjab’s agricultural framework, but also enriched its cultural identity. He noted that PAU’s stature as a world-class institution rests firmly on Dr Randhawa’s administrative acumen and his pivotal role in steering the Green Revolution.
Dr Manav Indra Singh Gill, Dean Postgraduate Studies, PAU, proposed the vote of thanks, expressing sincere gratitude to the Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, distinguished guests, dignitaries, organizers, participants, and members of the PAU fraternity for their wholehearted support and enthusiastic participation.
The programme witnessed the presence of Deans, Directors, Officers, faculty, staff, and a large number of students, reflecting strong institutional engagement. Among those present were the judgement panel comprising Dr AP Singh, Dr (Mrs.) Dhatt and S. Manmohan Singh, besides faculty – Dr Yogita Sharma, Dr Kamaljeet Singh Suri, Dr Rupinder Kaur, Dr Abhishek, Dr Buta Singh Dhillon, Dr Bikranjit Singh, Dr Jagwinder Jodha, Dr Mandeep Kaur Aulakh, S Gurpreet Singh Toor, S. TPS Sandhu, S. Harpal Singh Mangat, Dr Gurcharan Kaur Kochar, Dr Gurveer Kaur, and Sh. Satvir Singh.
The stage proceedings were seamlessly conducted by Dr Ashoo Toor and student Raghav Duggal. The event evolved beyond a cultural celebration into a meaningful academic discourse, reaffirming Dr Randhawa’s belief that universities must serve as vibrant centres of ideas, creativity, and transformative thought.