CHANDIGARH: Panjab University (PU) Vice Chancellor Prof. Renu Vig today felicitated PU Alumnus Ajaypal Singh Dhaliwal, who recently scripted history by successfully scaling Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak.
Dhaliwal called on the Vice Chancellor in her office to share his experiences from the highly challenging expedition. Former Vice Chancellor Prof. Arun Kumar Grover and former Dean of Alumni Relations Prof. Anil Monga were also present during the meeting to honor his achievement.
From Punjab to the Top of the World
Originally belonging to Village Kasam Bhatti in the Faridkot district of Punjab, and currently based in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, Dhaliwal reached the 8,848.86-meter summit of Mount Everest on May 20, 2026.
A barrister by profession, Dhaliwal began his rigorous Everest expedition on April 30, 2026, and successfully completed his mission despite facing some of the most grueling environmental conditions on the mountain. He shared details of the extensive physical training, endurance-building exercises, and intense mental preparation required to survive the demanding climb.
Inspired by Panjab University
During his interaction, Mr. Dhaliwal fondly spoke about the deep inspiration and motivation he derived from his foundational years at the university.
“The courage to scale Mount Everest came from PU as I studied Law at Panjab University,” Dhaliwal stated. “We were also doing regular hiking under the banner of the PU Alumni Hiking Club in Canada.”
He also disclosed that he had previously attempted to scale Everest in 2025, which prompted him to significantly enhance his preparations and resilience for this year’s successful summit.
A Motivation for the Youth
Prof. Renu Vig warmly congratulated Dhaliwal on his extraordinary feat, lauding his immense courage, perseverance, and unwavering determination. She remarked that his historic accomplishment perfectly reflects the inherent spirit of excellence, resilience, and global leadership associated with Panjab University alumni.
The Vice Chancellor expressed absolute confidence that Dhaliwal’s milestone would deeply motivate current students and young people nationwide to dream big and relentlessly pursue excellence in every sphere of life.
