Panjab University (PU) has finalized plans to rename Arts Block 3, home to its Department of Economics, in memory of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The renaming ceremony is set to take place at the end of April, on either April 25 or April 26. His daughter, Upinder Singh, a renowned historian and faculty dean at Ashoka University, will be present for the occasion and will also deliver a colloquium lecture.
PU Vice-Chancellor Renu Vig confirmed that while the exact date is yet to be decided, the university is making arrangements based on the suggested dates. This initiative is part of PU’s tradition of honoring its distinguished alumni. In 2023, the university renamed its Fine Arts Museum after historian B.N. Goswamy following his passing. After Singh’s demise on December 26, 2024, a special committee was formed to determine an appropriate tribute, leading to the decision to rename Arts Block 3 after him.
Beyond the Department of Economics, the building also houses the University Business School and the Department of Public Administration. As part of the tribute, PU will install a commemorative plaque detailing Singh’s life and contributions, which will be unveiled alongside the new name of the building.
Singh had a deep connection with PU, earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics in the early 1950s. He later returned as a faculty member, serving in various roles from 1957 to 1965. Recognizing his impact, PU awarded him honorary doctorates in 1983 and 2009. Even in his later years, he remained engaged with his alma mater, delivering a memorial lecture on campus in 2018 at the age of 85—his last visit to PU.
