Chandigarh, September 6, 2025 – Panjab University Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Renu Vig, today flagged off a consignment of essential relief material for the flood-affected areas of Amritsar in Punjab. The initiative was organised under the aegis of the Centre for Human Rights and Duties (CHRD) in collaboration with the Vatrukh Foundation.

Addressing the volunteers, faculty, staff and students, Prof. Vig announced the launch of the PU Relief Fund, enabling alumni and the Panjab University fraternity to extend monetary contributions. She also highlighted the role of the Department of Alumni Relations, which has set up a Collection Centre for essential items, while affiliated colleges of the University are stepping forward with their own relief measures.

Commending the efforts of faculty, staff, students, and alumni in mobilising resources, Prof. Vig also shared that a team from the Centre for Social Work left this morning for Fazilka and Ferozepur in the University bus. The team carried cattle feed to support flood-affected families.

Prof. Y.P. Verma, Registrar, Panjab University, expressed deep concern over the flood crisis, assuring that the University would render all possible assistance to affected areas. He welcomed suggestions from faculty, staff, and students to strengthen relief efforts.

Dr. Upneet Kaur Mangat, Chairperson, CHRD, apprised that the Collection Drive,2 initiated on August 28, 2025, had witnessed overwhelming participation. Contributions included dry rations, medicines, sanitary items, tarpaulins, mosquito nets, and water, generously donated by faculty (serving and retired), students, non-teaching staff, alumni, and Chandigarh residents.

Students, research scholars, and volunteers from across the University played a pivotal role in collecting, sorting, and packing relief material, working selflessly even during University holidays. The Vatrukh Foundation, led by its Founder Ms. Samita Kaur, partnered in ensuring that the material reaches the most affected families. The relief supplies were formally handed over to the Foundation, which will deliver them to Ramdass (Amritsar), accompanied by a student team from Panjab University.

Prof. Namita Gupta, Dean Student Welfare, presented the vote of thanks.

University officials and faculty present on the occasion included Prof. Anil Monga (NEP Coordinator), Prof. Simrit Kahlon (Chief Vigilance Officer), Prof. Monica Munjial (Chairperson, Centre for Social Work), Prof. Rajat Sandhir, Dr. Praveen Goyal (NSS Programme Coordinator), Dr. Khushpreet Singh Brar and Shri Vikram Singh (Chief Security Officer).