Friendships sans frontiers: Lahore alma mater unveils classroom for Punjab ex-CM

TOI Today's ePaper Live Friendships sans frontiers: Lahore alma mater unveils classroom for Punjab ex-CM Neel Kamal / Jun 06, 2026, 23:45 IST Comments Share AA Text Size - Small - Medium - Large - Bathinda: In a rare cross-border tribute, Lahore's prestigious Aitchison College will dedicate a classroom to former Punjab chief minister Harcharan Singh Brar, nearly 16 years after his death, in honour of one of its distinguished alumni and a friendship that survived Partition.The classroom, to be named after Brar, will be unveiled on June 10 at the initiative of Pakistani industrialist and philanthropist Syed Babar Ali, Brar's schoolmate and lifelong friend at the institution, then known as Punjab Chiefs' College.Brar studied at Aitchison from 1936 to 1943 and shared a classroom with Babar Ali, who turns 100 later this month. The former Punjab chief minister, who died in 2009, had remained closely associated with his alma mater and his friend across the border.Tarunjit Singh Butalia, honorary envoy at Aitchison College, said the gesture symbolised bonds that transcended the Partition of 1947. "The room dedication in honour of Harcharan Singh Brar exemplifies a lifelong friendship that survived difficult times and political boundaries," he said.The tribute also revives memories of Brar's visit to Lahore in 1989, when he inaugurated a library dedicated to Babar Ali at Aitchison College. Calling it a matter of pride for both the family and Punjab, former MLA Karan Kaur Brar, Brar's daughter-in-law, said the honour reflected the deep bond shared by the two. "They were more like brothers than friends," she said.Brar's daughter, Babli Brar, has travelled to Pakistan to attend the ceremony.Founded in 1886, Aitchison College is among Pakistan's most prestigious educational institutions. Before Partition, it educated generations of leaders from undivided Punjab. Brar was a school prefect and recipient of the Rivaz Gold Medal during his years at the institution. He later served as Punjab chief minister and governor of Haryana and Odisha. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Chandigarh | Silver Rate in Chandigarh | Bank Holidays in Chandigarh | Public Holidays in Chandigarh | Chandigarh AQI | Weather in Chandigarh | Petrol Price in Chandigarh | Diesel Price in Chandigarh | CNG Price in Chandigarh | LPG Price in Chandigarh End of Article Follow Us On Social Media Videos ‘Untrue’: Sourav Ganguly Denies Asking Yusuf Pathan To Resign On Behalf Of Mamata Banerjee ‘TMC Fooled Muslims, Suvendu Is Secular’: Ajmal Siddiqui Resigns From Post, Slams Abhishek Banerjee Abhishek Banerjee's Role Reworked As Mamata Banerjee Reshuffles TMC Leadership Tamil Nadu BJP Faces Resignation Wave as Annamalai's New Movement Draws Volunteers Six Detained As CJP's Jantar Mantar Protest Over NEET Leak Concludes Without Major Clashes Ashwini Vaishnaw Unveils Bengal Bullet Train Plan, Targets Faster Northeast Connectivity ‘Khan Sir Won't Surrender In Patna Court, To File Anticipatory Bail Plea On 8 June’: Lawyer PM Modi Chairs Economic Advisory Council Meet Amid West Asia Crisis Students, Senior Citizens, Parents Join CJP Protest Against NEET Paper Leak Controversy | Watch Bengal STF Recovers Arms Cache From TMC Leader's Pond In Sandeshkhali, CM Suvendu Adhikari Reacts - Photostories Gopika Gopi to Aneesh: Here's a look at the commoner contestants of Bigg Boss Malayalam 5 silent signs your body may be missing key nutrients, according to a neurologist Why you should ‘marry for money’, according to a top divorce lawyer Princess Diana’s most iconic fashion moments: 5 designers behind her legendary style 12 must-follow emergency rules for modern apartments and gated real estate communities 5 effective money habits that protect you from going broke How to respond to difficult people without getting triggered: 10 practical ways From Kedarnath to Kamakhya: 5 iconic hill temples in India to visit at least once in lifetime Inside Sunil Grover’s stunning two-storey dream home: A massive living room, artistic interiors and more Can Jamun help control blood sugar? Expert explains its benefits for people with diabetes - Hot Picks Top Trending

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