Chandigarh: Panjab University (PU) on Thursday paid tribute to its alumnus and Canada-based dental surgeon Dr Harvansh Singh Judge, whose donation of over Rs 2 crore led to the establishment of the Dr Harvansh Singh Judge Institute of Dental Sciences and Hospital on campus.Judge, who had also bequeathed all his movable and immovable properties to the university, recently passed away in Canada. University officials, faculty members, staff, and students gathered for a condolence meeting and observed a two-minute silence in his memory.Remembering him, PU vice-chancellor Meenakshi Goyal said Dr Judge’s generosity and commitment to education had left a lasting legacy at the university. She noted that his contribution extended beyond financial aid, reflecting his vision of creating opportunities for quality dental education.Registrar YP Verma said the university would always remember Judge for his contribution to his alma mater, while finance and development officer Dr Vikram Nayyar described him as a rare and pious soul.Dental college director-principal Deepak Gupta acknowledged Judge’s support and noted that the institution has played an important role in serving society through dental education and healthcare.Judge’s association with the project began in 2004 when he pledged over Rs 2 crore for the proposed dental college after learning the university was seeking financial assistance. He also committed to leaving his movable and immovable assets—then estimated at around Rs 8 crore—to PU through his will.In a 2004 interview with TOI, Judge recalled contacting the university registrar and subsequently meeting the then VC, KN Pathak, to discuss his contribution. In recognition of his support, the PU Syndicate decided to name the institute after him.Established in April 2006, the Dr Harvansh Singh Judge Institute of Dental Sciences and Hospital now offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses alongside public dental healthcare services.An alumnus of PU, Judge graduated from Govt Medical College, Amritsar, in 1966 when it was affiliated with the university, before moving to Canada to establish his career as a dental surgeon in Toronto.
