JAMMU: Government P.G College for Women, Gandhi Nagar was today renamed as Padma Shri Padma Sachdev Government P.G College for Women, Gandhi Nagar, here at a renaming ceremony organised in collaboration with District Administration.

The Chief Guest on the occasion was Dr Ashutosh Sharma and the Guest of Honour was Chander Mohan Gupta, Mayor, Jammu Municipal Corporation.

Prof (Dr) Sangita Nagari honoured the guests with the presentation of Bouquets and Momentos.

The ceremony started with the lighting of the traditional lamp and invoking the Goddess Maa Bawe Wali through the mesmerizing “KARAK” Mata Bawe Wali Ki presented by the students of the Music Department.

Prof (Dr) Sangita Nagari, the Principal of the College, in her welcome address spoke about the achievements of Padma Sachdev right from her childhood towards her becoming a legend through her literary ramble. She added that her name will become a motivational factor for the girl students of this College and inspire them to follow their passion to create treasures with thoughts and words. She further added that this day will be written in the golden words in the history of this Institution.

The Chief Guest, Dr Ashutosh Sharma, brother of Late Smt. Padma Sachdev, spoke about the bond he shared with his sister. “She was the real source of inspiration in the family, especially for the young women” he said. In his concluding lines, he thanked the District Administration and lauded the efforts of Principal of the College Prof (Dr.) Sangita Nagari for organizing such an event in the honour of his late sister.

During the event, a video message of her husband Sh. Surinder Singh Sachdev Ji and Miss Meeta was played where they were extremely emotional and expressed their gratitude towards the Government of J&K U.T for honouring Padma Shri Padma Sachdev-the Dogri legend.

Dr Lalit Mangotra, President, Dogri Sanstha, Rtd. Professor and Former HOD, Department of Physics, University of Jammu described Padma Sachdev as a great Dogra woman scholar-Doyen of Dogri Literature. She was a real Uttarvahini who carved a niche for herself in the male dominated literary world. He added that Dogri is considered as a language of Padma Sachdev which made her an icon in Dogri literature. The programme was followed by cultural and literary tribute to Padma Sachdev by singing and reciting her compositions by the students of Music and Dogri Department of the College.

The programme was attended by the Principals of the Constituent Colleges of Cluster University of Jammu including Dr Ravinder Kumar Tikoo, Dr Kulvinder Kour and Prof Ranjeet Singh Jamwal. Officers of the District Administration Abhishek Abrol, Harjit Singh and Saima were also present in the ceremony. Close Family Members of Padma Sachdev Ji were also a part of this historical event. Among the guests few prominent dignitaries were present along with the staff of the College. The Programme concluded with the formal vote of thanks by Dr Sheetal Sharma, Department of Dogri