Dr. S.Marriya, retired today after an eventful six years of Principalship of the prestigious DAV College, Chandigarh. The college touched the highest point of glory during his time. It was during his tenure the college was awarded A+ grade by NAAC. It was during his time the college broke free from CBSE (+2) classes and came to be known as a postgraduate multifaculty institution running Eleven Master’s Degree courses. New courses like Bio informatics, Biotechnology and B.P.Ed at undergraduate level and some evening courses were also introduced by Dr. Marriya. A man of initiative, vision and adventurous spirit that Dr. Marriya is, he left no stone unturned to see that this college grew faster than any other institution in the region. Opening the portals of the college to girls helped the institution in more ways than one. It brought not only academically bright students to the college it also brought highly talented girls who won laurels for the college in the Youth Festivals at the national and international levels. For the first time in history Panjab University won the National Trophy at the All India Youth Festival in 2005-2006 because two of DAV College students won the Classical Music (Vocal) and Quiz competitions at the National Level. Every year the tally of medals rose. College won 32 prizes in
2004-2005, 44 in 2005-2006, 31 in 2006-2007 and 48 in 2007-2008. This year the college students won third place in music competitions held in Moscow (Russia). The Panjab University results of the last few years show an amazing difference from previous years. College won 8 university positions in 2004-2005, 13 in 2005-06 and an unbelievable 57 in 2006-2007. The success rate in 25 different courses during 2006-2007 was 100%. In M.Sc Zoology alone 6 positions out of top ten were bagged by DAV College, Chandigarh last year. India Today conducted a survey of 18064 college last year and published a report in its 4 June, 2007 issue according to which the college ranks no. 21 in Arts, 29 in Science and 46 in Commerce at the National Level. At the regional level the college in No. 1 in Arts. Research Activity received a big boost during Principal Marriya’s time. Projects worth Rs. 15 lakh have been allotted to the college teachers. Teachers are guiding M.Phil students and the college also brings out a research journal in humanities and social sciences.
In sports also the college has achieved an enviable position because of the vision of Dr. Marriya. The college spends a staggering Rs. 30 lakh per year for promotion of sports and the result is that it has left every one gaping with 694 points at the PU games.
Financial health of the college is very sound when he is leaving the college. It has crores of rupees in FDs. Principal Marriya, however, feels that lot more needs to be done to raise college to the status of a Deemed University. He hopes his successor will one day fulfil his dream.
Principal Marriya has always been daring. He has never hesitated walking into the highest office with ease and élan. Warm hearted and winsome that he has always been he knows how to make friends and win their hearts. He truly believed in the saying “make new friends but remember old”. He remembered his friends of lawn tennis days and used his connections at Secretary CLTA that he once was to move thing in the administration.
His friends and colleagues gave him a warm send off at the Chandigarh Club. Earlier several student bodies of the college presented a cultural programme for him and wished him a long, Cheerful and active retired life.