DHARAMSHALA — Emphasizing that alumni are the true brand ambassadors of their alma mater, senior leader Anurag Thakur on Friday called upon former students to actively contribute to the development and modernization of Government College Dharamshala as the institution celebrated its historic centenary.
Addressing the grand centenary celebrations organized by the Old Students Association (OSA) to mark 100 glorious years of the prestigious college, Thakur urged the alumni to leverage their professional expertise—particularly in Artificial Intelligence—to transform the college's vast library, housing over 62,000 books, into a modern digital knowledge ecosystem.
Citing the inspiring example of the late Arun Jaitaly, who successfully mobilized alumni funding to upgrade facilities at Delhi’s Shri Ram College of Commerce, Thakur encouraged the college administration to actively involve former students in resource mobilization, career counseling, professional networking, and student placements.
Tracing the institution's rich legacy, Thakur noted that while the college was formally established in 1926, its foundational roots trace back 114 years to May 4, 1912, with the formation of the Dharamshala Education Board Trust.
He highlighted the institution's pioneering academic milestones, including becoming the region's first college to introduce a Bachelor's degree in Geology in the 1950s and the first in Himachal Pradesh to offer postgraduate courses in 1977.
Beyond academics, Thakur paid glowing tributes to the college's distinguished military and sporting heritage.
He honored legendary alumni such as Mahavir Chakra recipient Brigadier Sher Jung Thapa (the Hero of Skardu) and Captain Chandar Narayan Singh for their exceptional valor, alongside notable athletes including international kabaddi players Jyoti Thakur and Pooja Thakur, and triple jump record holder Vikram Chaudhary.
The event also witnessed the release of a centenary souvenir and an alumni directory as part of the association's "100 Initiatives in 100 Years" program.
Prominent dignitaries present on the occasion included OSA President Sanjeev Gandhi, Founding President Ashok Sharma, General Secretary Dr. Ashwani Kaul, along with several other distinguished guests, former legislators, and community leaders.
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