GD Goenka University honours Architect Raj Rewal at Chintan 2019

GD Goenka University hosted a Special Convocation Ceremony on Friday, 29^th March 2019 at the Stein auditorium, India Habitat Center, Lodi Road, New Delhi. The ceremonies were marked by the presence of esteemed guests including Mrs. Kajaria and Nipun Goenka, M.D, GD Goenka Group. Suku Bhaskaran, President, Dr.S.Shantha Kumar, Pro Vice Chancellor, Dr. Nitesh Bansal, Registrar and Prof. Nirmal Kulkarni, Director School of Architecture & Planning graced the occasion. The august gathering included deans of colleges, eminent architects and students of architecture.

In recognition of Raj Rewal’s exemplary contribution to the architecture of post independence India, his extraordinary passion to juxtapose traditional concepts and contemporary syntax reflective of his fascination for weaving expressions of heritage and history into a modern vocabulary, as well as experimenting with a wide repertoire of residential and institutional buildings which display a concern for climatic sensitivity, humane architecture and craftsmanship integrated with technology, GD Goenka University awarded him with a honorary doctorate.

The Indian Institute of Architects also felicitate Raj Rewal on the occasion as one of the oldest members while the acting President of the Council of Architecture Vijay Garg shared his thoughts on the contribution of Raj Rewal to architecture.

In his acceptance speech, Raj Rewal expressed his gratitude towards G.D. Goenka University for bestowing the honour of a doctorate on him. He highlighted the role of architecture in society in general and in India in particular.  

As Raj Rewal is the architect for the Hall of Nations in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi which was demolished, the School of Architecture and Planning, G.D.Goenka University decided to host a panel discussion titled Chintan 2019 – Contemplating Built Environment” after the Special Convocation where the focus of the discussion was “Contemporary Heritage – Is the meaning lost in translation”. Panellists from all over India, who are experts in the field, debated over the status of the contemporary heritage in two panels. The first was titled “Listings,Policy & Challenges and featured Durganand Balsavar as the moderator while Raj Rewal, Kiran Joshi, Vikas Dilawari and Navin Piplani formed the panel. The second panel on Philosophy, History & Identity was composed of Narendra Dengle, Vinod Gupta, Sarover Zaidi, Biju Kuriakose, Rajeev Lochan with Nirmal Kulkarni as the moderator.

The highlights of the event were the students of the School of Architecture and Planning, G.D.Goenka University who conducted themselves with grace and professionalism to ensure that the aesthetically planned event was conducted smoothly.