The Punjab Engineering College Old Students Association (PECOSA) of Punjab Engineering College (Deemed to be University), Chandigarh, organized the most awaited and special annual cultural evening, “Remembering The Legends,” dedicated to honor the life achievements of three world‑renowned alumni. The ceremony commenced with the Inaugural Ceremony of unveiling of busts of esteemed alumni, inclusive of "Padma Vibhushan Satish Chandra Dhawan (Batch of 1945, Mechanical); Padma Bhushan Er. Jaspal Singh Bhatti (Batch of 1978, Electrical); and Aerospace Pioneer Er. Kalpana Chawla, recipient of the NASA Distinguished Service Medal 2003 (Batch of 1982, Aerospace)."
The ceremony was graced by Ms. Prerna Puri, IAS, Secretary Education, Chandigarh Administration, as Chief Guest. Along with Dr. Satish Kumar Padma Shri (PEC Aerospace Batch of 1980)—former Director General of DRDO, ex‑Director of NIT Kurukshetra and Chairman of DRDO’s Armament Research Board—and Mrs. Savita Bhatti, wife of the late Padma Bhushan Jaspal Singh Bhatti, both as Guest of Honor. Prof. (Dr.) Rajesh Kumar Bhatia, Director of PEC, presided over the cultural evening. Prof. Rajesh Kanda (Head, Alumni, Corporate and International Relations) along with Prof. Jimmy Karloopia (Professor-In-Charge, Alumni, Corporate and International Relations) also graced this occasion.
Under the administration of Er. Manish Gupta (President, PECOSA) and Er. H.S. Oberoi (General Secretary, PECOSA), with enthusiastic support from Er. Sanjiv Moudgil, Er. P.D.S. Sandhu and Er. Jorawer Singh, the evening’s programme promises a rich tapestry of cultural experiences.
Initially Er. Manish Gupta (President, PECOSA), welcomed the dignitaries and alumni members at the portals of PEC. He expressed deep admiration and heartfelt respect towards three of the amazing and celebrated alumni of the institute. He provided insights into the working and activities of the PECOSA team. He also mentioned the achievements of the alumni, who had received all of this due to PEC. A special video message for PEC remembering Er. Kalpana Chawla by Jean Francois Clervoy, an ESA/NASA Astronaut, who was an instructor and coach of our beloved Kalpana Chawla, was also presented. In the same lead, a special video message from Ms. Jyotsana Dhawan, (Indian Cell and Developmental Biologist, Emeritus Scientist at Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology) daughter of noted alumni, EX-Chairman, ISRO was also showcased.
Afterwards, a short film showcasing the life history of Dr. Satish Chandra Dhawan, Er. Kalpana Chawla, and Er. Jaspal Singh Bhatti was also present.
Prof. Rajesh Kumar Bhatia, Director of PEC, expressed his gratitude to all dignitaries and the PECOSA team for organizing such a meaningful and moving event. In his address, he extended special thanks to Ms. Prerna Puri and Dr. Satish Kumar for taking time from their demanding schedules to be part of the ceremony. Speaking humbly, he remarked that the alumni being honored were towering personalities who have taken PEC’s name to unmatched heights, and in comparison, “we stand small before their greatness.
In an emotionally charged address, Mrs. Savita Bhatti reminisced about her late husband, Er. Jaspal Singh Bhatti, with affection and pride. She expressed heartfelt gratitude to the institute for immortalizing him through the inauguration of the busts, calling it a lasting milestone for future generations. She reflected on his unique brand of satire, which, while humorous on the surface, always carried deep societal messages. She spoke of the intelligence, kindness, and quiet strength that defined him, and urged the audience to look beyond stereotypes and appreciate the depth behind his comedic genius.
Following her, Dr. Satish Kumar delivered an insightful keynote address, urging everyone to draw inspiration from the lives of the three legends. He spoke of Dr. Dhawan’s visionary leadership, his ability to embrace failure as a learning opportunity, his integrity, and his unique talent for recognizing and nurturing potential. Remembering his time with Jaspal Bhatti, he mentioned that satire and comedy seemed to run in his blood, often visible even during their college cultural events. Speaking about his batchmate Kalpana Chawla, he said she was always driven by her passion for space and science. He concluded his address by emphasizing the importance of staying agile in today’s digitally disruptive world and highlighted emerging fields such as additive manufacturing, life sciences, robotics, AI, IoT, and quantum materials. He encouraged the audience to contribute actively to intellectual property, adding, “The challenge is not to create new ideas, the challenge is to escape the old ones.”
Chief Guest Ms. Prerna Puri spoke with admiration and sincerity, calling the evening a moving and inspirational experience. She said that the legacy of Dr. S.C. Dhawan exemplifies visionary leadership, character, and unwavering integrity. Reflecting on the life of Jaspal Bhatti, she praised his ability to combine humor with critical thinking and creativity, using satire as a tool for social change. She described Kalpana Chawla as a trailblazer who inspired generations, especially young girls across India, to dream beyond the skies. Ms. Puri remarked that institutions like PEC are not just academic spaces, but cradles of brilliance, shaping future leaders, visionaries, and pioneers. She emphasized that returning to one's roots is rare, and today’s event beautifully reflected the nurturing power of educators and institutions.
Afterwards, General Secretary of PECOSA Er. Harpreet Oberoi commenced the award giving ceremony in which 23+ students was awarded with scholarship for excellence in academics across various disciplines. In addition to this, various alumni members were also being awarded for their numerous contributions.
The highlights also included a soul‑stirring qawwali, a humorous and insightful skit celebrating the lives of legends, a vibrant Bhangra performance by PEC’s Bhangra team, and personal anecdotes from friends and colleagues of our legends.
Friends, fellow alumni and the current student body attended this much‑anticipated evening. Lastly, a vote of thanks was provided by Er. HS Oberoi (General Secretary of PECOSA). The ceremony ended on a high note. The event was enthusiastically supported by our student conveners Mr. Shivansh and Ms. Harshita.
