PU hosts Festschrift launch honouring Professor Dahiya

Speakers highlight Dahiya’s contributions to literature and higher education

Chandigarh, September 16

A Festschrift honouring academician and former Kurukshetra University Vice-Chancellor Professor Bhim S Dahiya was launched at the ICSSR Seminar Hall, Panjab University, Chandigarh, celebrating his contributions to literary scholarship, academic leadership and mentorship.

Titled Festschrift: A Tribute to the Academic Leadership and Mentorship of Prof. Bhim S. Dahiya, the volume has been edited by Dr Sushma Arya and Professor S P S Dahiya. The ceremony brought together former students, faculty colleagues, family members and academics.

Professor Shelley Walia, retired Professor of English at Panjab University, attended as the chief guest, while Dr Abhai Maurya, former Vice-Chancellor of EFLU, Hyderabad, was the guest of honour. Dr R C Kuhad, former Vice-Chancellor of Central University, Narnaul, chaired the proceedings.

Professor K K Gautam, Professor Akshay, Professor Pankaj Sharma and Dr Ujjwal Sharma delivered speeches and shared reflections on Professor Dahiya’s influence on higher education and literary scholarship.

Professor Dahiya expressed gratitude to his colleagues, students and the editorial team for compiling the volume. He reflected on his academic journey and emphasised the importance of critical thinking, mentorship and ethical leadership in modern education.

The editors said the publication was a collective tribute to Professor Dahiya’s lifelong dedication to literary scholarship, academic leadership and mentorship.

Professor Dahiya served as the Vice-Chancellor of Kurukshetra University from 1993 to 1996 and as its Pro-Vice-Chancellor from 1992 to 1993. He also served as Chairman of the Department of English at the university and Registrar of Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak.

A scholar of Ernest Hemingway, Prof Dahiya completed his PhD at the University of Cincinnati in the US as a Taft Fellow. Since 2008, he served as the President of The Shakespeare Association (India).

His son, Tribhuwan Dahiya, and his daughters, Dr Divya and Dr Hema, were among those present at the ceremony.