“A part of our heart is left behind in the educational institution, which always draws us back”- Minister Anil Vij
Baakat Panjabi
Ambala, 24 May
Haryana Energy, Transport and Labor Minister Anil Vij said that when we complete our education in an educational institution and move on, a part of our heart is left behind which keeps pulling us back from time to time, no matter where we are. This is why the clock seems to turn back when events like alumni reunions happen.
Minister Vij was speaking at the “SDians Yaaden” Alumni Reunion 2026 at Sanatan Dharma College in Ambala Cantonment late last evening. He announced a donation of Rs 10 lakh from his discretionary fund to the Alumni Association, a registered body separate from the college.
The Energy Minister recalled his days spent in the college and said that this college is the market of dreams. When a child comes for admission there are many considerations in his mind. Some want to be doctors, some engineers, some good teachers. Some children become what they are expected to be with the support of their teachers while others fail. Yet it is a place where everyone emerges as something special.
Energy Minister Anil Vij said that he too was a student here. Passed 10th standard in 1968, his parents sent him to SD College. He was an average student but never failed. He came to this college with an empty mind. He had no desire either. He recalled his mathematics professor Gopal Krishna who connected him to the RSS and he served as the general secretary of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad in college. After leaving college, he got an opportunity to work in various branches of the organization. Sushma Swaraj became a Rajya Sabha member in 1990, that was the era of the Green Brigade. Contesting elections was a challenge at that time. He was ordered to resign from his state bank job and contest the elections. He resigned, contested and won. But he didn’t want to join the line. Vij recite a couplet
“निकले थे कहाँ जाने के लिए, पहुँचे हैं कहाँ मालूम नहीं,
अब अपने भटकते क़दमों को, मंज़िल का निशाँ मालूम नहीं”।
He said that whatever the circumstances, he never turned his back. He was born in this city, breathed its air, studied here and he owes this city a debt that he cannot repay even if he takes a hundred births.
The Energy Minister said that the development work done in Ambala Cantonment is the result of people’s support. He has won elections from here seven times and people have full faith in him. With this belief, he has faced big challenges. He said that the students studying in this college are now occupying high positions in many places. The association should organize a grand meet.
The programme reached its climax when on the demand of all Minister Anil Vij sang a song ‘Kasamen Vaade Pyaar Wafa Sab Baaten Hain Baaton Ka Kiya’ in a beautiful style. The hall echoed with applause till late.
On this occasion, four outstanding old students were honored by the association.The octogenarian Madhu Sudan Tandon was conferred life time achievement award. Dr. Hemant Verma, now Vice Chancellor, Guru Gobind Singh Tricentenary University, Gurgaon, noted Hindi writer and former Deputy News Editor of Daily Danik Tribune were both given the Distinguished Alumni Award while the fourth honor was given to Bhavana Bhanot, the newly appointed Principal of SD Vidya School.
The programme was well organized with the efforts of association president Dr. Desh Bandhu, and Vice President Dr. Vinay Malhotra while General Secretary Dr. Vijay Sharma conducted the programme meticulously. On this occasion, the college principal Dr. Alka Sharma, Dinesh Sethi, Harinder Singh, Secretary Dr. Aarti Arora, Managing Committee Member Dr. R.C Sharma, Prof. Gurdev Singh Dev, Patwinder Singh, Pritpal Singh etc. were present.
