Walk down memory lane for PM, old colleagues

Chandigarh, Nov 3 : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to his alma mater Panjab University Tuesday was full of emotions and nostalgic feelings for both him as well as for those who had spent days together with him then in the campus.

Right at the onset of his speech, the prime minister said: "Please forgive me if I become a little bit emotional as I am amidst those people with whom I had interacted and remained in contact both as a teacher and as a student."

Citing his old friends present at the occasion, he added: "Mr. Bhamba, Mr. Shergil, Mr. Harnam Singh, Mr. Puri... all are in front of me and I am down the memory lane, remembering the beautiful period that I spent here."

Manmohan Singh was here Tuesday to lay the foundation stone of a multi-purpose auditorium at the PU and to receive the degree of Doctors of Laws (honorary).

His Former students and colleagues were also enthusiastic about his visit.

"Last time I had met him in New Delhi, around three to four years back. Today's brief meeting was very emotional and yes, at the same time very refreshing. I just shook hands and wished him good luck as he is holding the most responsible position in the country," H.S. Shergil, a student of Manmohan Singh in the PU's Economics department, told IANS.

"I always remained very close to him as I was the topper of my class. Moreover, I was a part of the last batch that was taught by him in 1966," added Shergil, who retired as teaher from the same department.

Madan Mohan Puri, a colleague of Manmohan Singh, told IANS: "I just wished him and did not try to talk to him much keeping in mind his busy schedule. He was my neighbour while living in the PU campus and our families still share a very close bond."

"As a human being, he is still the same man; very affectionate, sincere and concerned, but as a statesman he has touched heights. He used to call me Madan Babu and today also he addressed me like this," he added.

Manmohan Singh studied in the PU till the post-graduate level. He got his bachelor's degree in Economics (honours) in 1952 and Master's degree in the same subject in 1954, securing the first position in the university in each examination.

From 1957 to 1965, Manmohan Singh taught here at the PU's economics department and rose to position of professor at a young age of 32.

R.P. Bhamba, a former faculty member of the university, said: "I had seen Manmohan very closely. When he was studying in PU, he enjoyed very cordial relations with some young teachers of that time. He was one of the most talented and best student a teacher can have."

"We had celebrated various festivals and occasions together. Today he was very busy, so I did not interact with him very freely," he added.