Guardian of Knowledge, Beacon in Turmoil

 

Guardian of Knowledge, Beacon in Turmoil

Professor R. P. Bambah

(Picture taken from Chandigarh Tribune)

This morning, the world lost a towering figure in academia and public service. Professor R. P. Bambah, a globally respected mathematician, longtime Chairman of the Department of Mathematics, and former Vice Chancellor of Punjab University, has passed away.

To call him brilliant is not enough. Professor Bambah was a scholar of international repute, but also a man of immense courage and unshakable principles. He led Punjab University through one of the darkest and most dangerous chapters in its history, the era of militancy in Punjab, serving as Vice Chancellor for nine years. In that volatile time, when violence and fear threatened the very fabric of academic life, he stood firm. His life was under threat from terrorists, but he never bowed, never compromised the values of education, inquiry, and institutional integrity.

I had the privilege of being educated at Punjab University while he was Chairman of the Mathematics Department. That proximity gave me a firsthand view of his leadership, intellect, and quiet dignity. He wasn’t just a scholar or an administrator; he was a force of stability, wisdom, and fairness. I still remember my admission interview vividly: I attempted a problem I hadn’t formally learned yet. It wasn’t the right solution, but Professor Bambah saw potential and gave me a chance. That single decision shaped my life in ways I’m still grateful for.

He was a teacher who empowered, a leader who protected, and a man who made everyone around him better. Even in a classroom setting, he never let status define interaction. Today, his passing feels personal not just to those who knew him but to anyone who believes in the power of education to transform lives. His legacy is etched not only in academic papers or institutional records but in the lives of thousands he influenced as a mentor, as a protector, and as an example of what integrity in leadership truly looks like.

A giant has left us. But the echo of his impact remains in lecture halls, in minds he opened, and in the university, he helped safeguard during its most fragile hour.

Rest in peace, Professor Bambah. You will not be forgotten.

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