It was a day of remembering the great legacy of Major Jiwan Tewari- a doyen of distance education, a crusader at heart and a true Karam Yogi. The nostalgic occasion was hosted by the University School of Open Learning-the brainchild of Major Tewari, opened to the public in the year 1972.
The event began with a documentary showcasing the life of the true philanthropist who was a rare combination of the selflessness and the self-reliance. A mathematician and an educationist, he nurtured a passion to help the society and was made Advisor, N.S.S. for the North Zone. Mr. G.K. Chathrath, Eminent Lawyer and Syndic lauded the administrative achievements of Major Tewari who remained a member of the Panjab University Senate and Syndicate. Professor Lalit K Bansal, Chairman USOL, emphasized that USOL would remain committed to the path breaking version of Major Tewari. Professor R.C. Sobti, Vice-Chancellor, Panjab University said he felt deeply honoured in stating that university has instituted this inaugural lecture series to crystallize the gratitude for the unparallel work done by Major Tewari. He appreciated the efforts made by USOL for introducing market driven multi-disciplinary courses and adhering to the concept of inclusive education. Professor Aslam, a world renowned Distance Educationist and author of 15 books and presently the Vice-Chancellor of IGNOU deliberated upon the theme “ Open and Distance Learning: The Road Ahead.” Paying a rich tribute to the Legendary figure, Professor Aslam wished that India had may more visionaries like Major Tewari. Professor Aslam gave a historic overview of the evolution of Distance Education and stressed that IGNOU presently offered four hundred programmes, had its presence in forty three countries of the world and had on its rolls almost 46,134 counselors. Even its e-learning programmes had around nine thousand students. He further suggested that the policy of our country should consider the introduction of cross-cultural and multinational curricula of and more provisions for collaboration at the national and international levels.
The function was attended by many luminaries of education, syndics, senators and administrative heads, Professor Rupinder Tewari, son of Professor Tewari, thanked the distinguished guests and reiterated his determination to carry his father’s legacy forward.