Four Living Partition-Era Alumni Honored in Special Assembly at YPS Patiala
In a poignant and historically significant event, four living alumni of the prestigious Aitchison College, Lahore, were honored during a Special Assembly held at Yadavindra Public School (YPS) in Patiala on Tuesday evening. This ceremony beautifully bridged the legacy of two iconic educational institutions separated by the tumultuous events of the 1947 Partition.
Alumni Who Witnessed History: From Lahore to Patiala
The four distinguished alumni felicitated were Simran Singh Bhadaur, Colonel (retired) Harinder Singh Attari, Group Captain Jitinder Singh Chimni, and Malinder Singh Sodhi. These individuals studied at Aitchison College in Lahore, which is now located in Pakistan, until 1947. Following the Partition, they were among the many who had to migrate to India, carrying with them memories of their alma mater.
Their presence at YPS Patiala was particularly meaningful, as this school was established in 1948 by the then Maharaja of Patiala, Yadavindra Singh, specifically for students like them who were displaced due to the Partition. Interestingly, Maharaja Yadavindra Singh himself was an alumnus of Aitchison College, adding a personal touch to this philanthropic endeavor.
Historical Ties and Royal Contributions
Tarunjit Singh Butalia, the honorary envoy of Aitchison College, Lahore, who attended the ceremony, shed light on the deep historical connections between the two institutions. He revealed that at the time of Partition, approximately 160 out of 265 boys at Aitchison College were Sikhs and Hindus, most of whom ended up in India.
In a generous act, Maharaja Yadavindra Singh donated his stadium to ensure these boys could continue their education. He appointed Dhani Ram Kapila, the Principal of Aitchison College, as the Headmaster of YPS, and hired Harnam Singh Bal, an Aitchison teacher and hockey coach, as the Assistant Headmaster. This ensured a seamless transition and maintained the educational standards the students were accustomed to.
Butalia further highlighted that Aitchison College, founded in 1886, had received significant support from the Patiala royal family. The Maharaja of Patiala had donated Rs 50,000 towards the college building fund. Both Maharaja Bhupinder Singh and his son Maharaja Yadavindra Singh, along with about twenty other boys from the Patiala royal family, studied at Aitchison, cementing a long-standing relationship.
Celebrating Milestones and Shared Heritage
The event also marked the celebration of important milestones for both schools. Aitchison College is currently commemorating its 140th anniversary, while YPS has turned 78. A flex displayed at the assembly named six living joint alumni of both institutions, symbolizing the enduring bond forged through history.
The ceremony was conducted in the presence of Naveen Dixit, the headmaster of YPS, who played a key role in organizing this memorable gathering. As Aitchison College prepares to celebrate its 140th Foundation Day from February 13 to 15 in Lahore, this event in Patiala served as a heartfelt tribute to the shared heritage and resilience of those affected by Partition.
This honor not only recognizes the individual journeys of these four alumni but also underscores the broader narrative of migration, adaptation, and the preservation of educational legacies across borders. It stands as a testament to how institutions like YPS Patiala have played a crucial role in providing continuity and hope in the face of historical upheavals.
