Sahitya Akademi Fellow Prof Tejwant Singh Gill Revisits Alma Mater After 55 Years, Donates Books to SCD Govt College Ludhiana Library
Babushahi Bureau
Ludhiana, July 24, 2025 —
Renowned Sahitya Akademi Fellow Prof Tejwant Singh Gill, who primarily resides in the USA and has been a lifetime fellow of the Indian Sahitya Akademi since 2021, made an emotional return to his alma mater, SCD Government College Ludhiana, after a gap of 55 years. Gill, an alumnus from the 1950s who briefly taught at the college before joining Guru Nanak Dev University, presented books authored by himself and his late wife Manjipal Kaur—also an alumna—to the college library's Alumni Authored Books Shelves.
The visit was marked by a warm gathering of Gill's former students who traveled specially to meet him. Principal Gursharan Singh Sandhu honored Gill in the presence of faculty members, including Prof Amita Thaman, Head of the English Department. Among the attendees were Prof P K Sharma from Barnala and Prof P D Gupta, both former students of Gill.
Prof Sharma shared, “A visit to one's alma mater in the fond company of one’s teacher and friends fills the heart with leaping pleasure, especially when a learner, after delving deep, scatters his fragrance of erudition in the soil, surroundings, and atmosphere as a teacher and guide.”
Gill expressed his joy at the reunion and indicated he would like to visit again if the opportunity arises. Reflecting on his time at the college, he fondly recalled his student days more than his teaching period, noting his role as editor of the English section of the college magazine in 1959.
The event was facilitated by Brij Bhushan Goyal, Organising Secretary of the Alumni Association, who has maintained contact with Gill to secure his books for the library. During the occasion, Goyal presented a valuable volume of MA English notes on various English writers, prepared by the late Prof NK Kalia in the 1980s and provided by his wife Prof Kamlesh Kalia. Prof Thaman highlighted the enduring usefulness of these notes for current students and teachers.
This visit not only celebrated Gill's literary contributions but also strengthened the bonds between the college and its distinguished alumni.