What Khalsa means to me

Some excerpts from what some of our ex-students from different batches wrote about their experiences in the College:

A Turning point: Mohinder Amarnath, Test Cricketer and Arjun Award winner

When I think of my informative years, I find there were several influences, which helped to shape my career and my attitude towards life. I can never forget the kindness and care of my amiable mother, the guidance and advice of my late father, the legendry cricketer of yore, Lala Amarnath. But, when I think of institutions, I can never forget the role of SGTB Khalsa College in shaping my career. I joined the College in September 1972, when it was in Dev Nagar. My first impression of the College was as a homely institution, Being a Punjabi myself, I felt comfortable in the ambience and environment of the College.

Looking back over the passing years, I realise that Khalsa College did a lot for my studies and cricket career. I got the help and opportunities to improve here. When I missed classes due to my involvement in cricket matches for the College, Delhi University and Delhi in the Ranji Trophy, my teachers went out of their way to give me special help in the form of extra classes or private guidance. S.Daljit Singh Claire and S.Bir Inder Singh guided me in Political Science and S. Lakhmir Singh looked after all my problems in English. Above all, Khalsa College taught me that there are no short cuts in life. It inculcated in me the values of hard work, honesty, commitment and discipline. It was at the College I realised that the road to success was a long and winding one which could only be achieved through hard work. This helped in my cricket career, because whenever I had set backs I did not get depress but struggled on gamely.

I will always remember my Principal, S.G.S Randhawa , a benevolent, warm-hearted and cultured person. He always enquired about my cricket career. In later years, whenever there was a test match in Delhi, he wished me all success.

It is because of such incidents that I have fond memories of SGTB Khalsa College and wish the institution all success in years to come. My association with Khalsa College is still active, as I have instituted a scholarship in the memory of father Lala Amarnath for the best Sportsman of College.

Home Like Atmosphere: Kiran Sandhu, International Basketball Player

I had my schooling in Punjab. When I came to Delhi, Khalsa looked a familiar place and more family like. When I came to join this College, no body bothered about my marks. Only my sporting credentials mattered. I did not even have to pay my fees. I think Khalsa has this real cult to promote sportspersons. Durind my three years stay in the College, I played for Delhi University. I was in the Indian probable and I captained Delhi University in Basketball. But, the pride that I had playing for the College exceeded anything else.

Everyday in Khalsa at Dev Nagar was exciting and a special day for me – for all the three years. The atmosphere was lively, a strong sense of fellow feeling existed among all. And the teachers – what wonderful human beings, we had at Khalsa. It was here at Khalsa that I learnt that being the best means a lot. But also. That one should continue to strive hard till the goal is achieved. I am proud to be a Khalsaite.

Symbiotic Relationship: Prof. Ravinder Gargesh, Professor in Linguistics, Samarkand State University, Uzbekistan

My relationship with SGTB Khalsa started way back in 1967 in the old building in Dev Nagar. I completed my B A (Hons) in English in 1970 and M A in 1972. Those were the glorious days. Looking back now, I find how significant they were. The College had shaped my future. We had so many teachers who were devoted and committed. It was Prof. Gurbhagat Singh and Prof. Raj Nath who had initially thrown the beauties and the secrets of creative activity. I can never forget the kindness of Prof G S Randhawa and the human approach of the Library Staff and more precisely Giani Gian Singh and Giani Dhian Singh who let me borrow as many as 30 books at a time from the Library. What an academically satisfying time that was.

I had joined Khalsa primarily for its hockey team which I continuously represented for five years. I represented the chess team also. For a year, I was also the student-editor of The Tegh and to cap it all I was declared the best all-round organiser of the College in 1970.

My relationship with the College has been a symbiotic one. The College not only sharpened my academic skills but also helped me in my overall development. I, on my part, too tried to give my best. True, I took to teaching in some other College but my relations with the College have continued. After joining the teaching profession. I have had a steady relationship with the staff of this wonderful institution, particularly with my teacher and friend Mr. Lakhmir Singh.

A Centre for excellence in Sports: Ashok Diwan, International Hockey Player

I was at the College on 1973-75, when the College had shifted to North Campus. Khalsa, as usual, had a strong Hockey team. So, it was all but natural that I should join the College.

In those days there was a great interest in Hockey. It was more popular than Cricket. My elder brother was a fine football player, but he insisted that I should play Hockey and insisted that I should join Khalsa College. How happy I am today that I made the right decision to join this College and it made such a difference to my life,

In 1973, while the sports infrastructure was being developed in the new premises, the hockey ground had already been prepared. No longer did the players have to go to other places to practice. Our practice sessions lasted for hours.

I was a student at Khalsa College when I was selected to play for India in the 1975 World Cup in Kuala Lumpur. India emerged as World Champions. That is the only time India won the World Cup. And a Khalsa player was a part of the team. And the welcome I got on my return at Khalsa is still fresh in my memory.

I am so happy that my College today has such beautiful Sports infrastructure- the best in this University.

Those beautiful years: Maninder Singh, Test Cricketer

I am so proud for having been a Khalsa student. I love my institution and the institution loves me. What more can one expect in life. I am happy that I joined the College. I got help from good hearted and supportive people who boosted me a lot.

We had in 1982-85 a strong Cricket team. Five or six of my teammates such as Ashwani Kapoor. Bhupinder Singh, Shrish Srivastva and Amrinder Singh played Ranji regularly. Since most of the time was spent in playing cricket, I could prepare for the examinations only in the month of March. The teachers would take care of my studies.

SGTB Khalsa College had been inviting me in a number of functions.

The world of discipline: Harendra Singh. Hockey Inetrnational

What I am in my life today, I owe to this great College. It shaped my career. When I joined this College I was not a known player. The College emphasized on practice and discipline. It brought about a transformation in my playing abilities. Within six months, I played for Delhi University and the Combined Universities in 1984. Less than a year later I represented India at the Junior level. I played for the Combined Universities for all the three years. When I left the College, I was totally a changed player. But I must admit that my playing skills were sharpened on the Khalsa Grounds.

This College taught me Hockey. But more than that , I learnt that a man could achieve much in life provided he has devotion and determination.