Jalandhar:  D.A.V. College, Jalandhar, held its 88th Convocation on March 22, 2026. Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, IAS, Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Government of India and a proud alumnus of the college, graced the occasion as Chief Guest, while Prof. Subhash Chander attended as Guest of Honour. More than 400 graduates and postgraduates from the batch of 2024–25 were awarded degrees at the convocation ceremony. The occasion brought together a distinguished gathering of academics Prof Vipin Jhanji and local management committee members Dr. Vijay Kumar Mahajan, CMD, Tagore Hospital, Jalandhar, Engineer Sh. S. P. Sehdev and Principal Sh. Inderjit Talwar.

The day began with the Chief Guest, the Guest of Honour and other esteemed dignitaries visiting the prestigious Hall of Fame. The convocation ceremony commenced with the grand Academic Procession, followed by the ceremonial lighting of the lamp and the rendition of the D.A.V. GAAN. Principal Dr. Anoop Kumar, Vice-Principals Prof. Kunwer Rajeev and Prof. Sonika Dania, Registrar Prof. Ashok Kapoor, Deputy Registrar Prof. Manish Khanna, Secretary of the Staff Council Dr. Punit Puri, and Dr. Naveen Sood, Member, LMC accorded a warm welcome to the Chief Guest and the Guest of Honour by presenting them with the College Insignia and a token of gratitude. All faculty members, along with the Deans and Heads of all departments graced the occasion. Prof. Sharad Manocha served as the master of ceremonies.

Principal Dr. Anoop Kumar, in his welcome address, praised Chief Guest Dr. Abhilash Likhi, whose own journey had begun at DAV College, Jalandhar before rising to the highest echelons of his field. He described the convocation as a defining milestone — the last and most lasting lesson the institution imparts to its students. Reflecting on the college’s 108-year legacy, he noted that while DAV has continuously evolved through new courses, infrastructure, and up skilling programmes, it has never lost sight of its foundational mission of building a holistic society. Invoking Viksit Bharat@2047 and NEP 2020, he emphasised that skill, scale, and speed are essential for success, and reaffirmed DAV’s commitment as a pioneer in education. He also celebrated the college’s rich global alumni network and pledged that the institution would serve as a bridge between its past and present students.

The convocation was then formally declared open by Principal Dr. Anoop Kumar upon the ceremonious request of Registrar Prof. Ashok Kapoor. The convocation address was thereafter delivered by the Chief Guest, Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, who expressed his honour at presiding over the ceremony.

In his convocation address, Chief Guest Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, described DAV, College , Jalandhar as a sanctuary of excellence — a perfect blend of antiquity and novelty, convention and modernity. He reminded students that true education is not merely about degrees or employment, but about the development of character, responsibility, and the ability to bring meaningful change to society. He urged them to let honesty be their guiding principle, to cultivate empathy and tolerance, and to pursue careers that reflect their deepest aspirations. Sharing fond memories of his own time at the college, he credited it with instilling in him punctuality, discipline, and the invaluable ability to disagree without being disagreeable. He paid special tribute to two mentors who shaped him — Prof. Sunil Sachdeva and the late Prof. V. K. Tiwari. He offered students a three-part mantra for success: lend a patient ear to the downtrodden, make decisions with calm deliberation, and nurture a creative and artistic mindset.

He concluded his address with a timeless thought: ‘Knowledge gives humility, humility gives worthiness, worthiness brings wealth, wealth allows for righteous deeds, and righteous deeds bring happiness.’

Following the address of the Chief Guest, faculty members who had completed their doctoral degrees were felicitated at the ceremony. Among those felicitated were Dr. Amit Kumar Jain, Associate Professor, Department of Commerce, who earned his PhD from GNA University, Phagwara, Dr. Meenakshi Mohan, Head, Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, who received her doctorate from Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, and Dr. Pankaj Bagga, Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology, who completed his PhD from Lovely Professional University, Phagwara. Dr. Punit Puri, Head, Department of Zoology, and Dr. Pankaj Bagga also had their book titled Beekeeping Methods and Techniques, Walnut Publications, formally released on the occasion.

Guest of Honour Prof. Subhash Chander, who has spent more than a quarter of a century at DAV  College, Jalandhar, affirmed that the institution is synonymous with excellence. Drawing from his own experience abroad, he urged students to channel their talents within India rather than seeking opportunities overseas and reminded them that their contribution to the nation is what will truly make it great. He expressed pride at sharing the dais with Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, whom he fondly recalled as one of his brightest students. Describing the convocation as a commencement rather than a conclusion, he reminded students that they were embarking on the most important journey of their lives, and wished them the very best ahead.

Prof. Kunwer Rajeev and Prof. Sonika Dania presented the postgraduates and graduates respectively. The ceremony was enriched by a captivating cultural performance by the Department of Music, led by Dr. Rajan Sharma, Professor-in-Charge, and talented students of the department.

As the ceremony drew to a close, Prof. Ashok Kapoor formally requested the Principal to declare the convocation closed. The Vote of Thanks was extended by Dr. Punit Puri who expressed heartiest gratitude to the Chief Guest, the Guest of Honour, other distinguished guests, and the entire faculty for their contribution to the success of the event. The convocation concluded with a rendition of the National Anthem.