On the first day of the New Year 2010, the famous Government College University (GCU) Lahore turned 146. My family have a long association with this prestigious educational institution of not only Pakistan but of international acclaim as well. My late father (Abdul Hameed Bhatti, President’s Police Medal, the founder figure of Interpol in Pakistan) studied here in the early 1930s (pictured left). Three of us five brothers, including Gul Hameed Bhatti are also proud Ravians (the graduates of the GCU are called so because of closeness of the famous River Ravi that skirts Lahore).
GCU has many a celebrity associated. Some of which include Maulana Mohammad Hussain Azad (Taught 1872-84), Dr Sir Allam Muhammad Iqbal (Studied 1893-99, Taught 1900-05, 1910-11), Dr Hargobind Khurana, Nobel Laureate (Studied 1941-45), Dr Abdus Salam, Nobel Laureate (Studied 1942-46, Taught 1951-54) and many others.
The college was established on 1st January 1864 in the ZillaSchool in a portion of Raja Dhyan Singh's Haveli. In April 1871 the college moved to a large Bungalow near Anarkali. In 1873 its location was changed to another house called Rahim Khans Kothi. The college moved to its present massive infrastructure in 1876. The construction had started almost in mid 1872 and was completed in 1877. Situated in the heart of the city, the site is surrounded by main business and administrative areas, schools, colleges and PunjabUniversity old Campus. Presently raised to the status of university, Government College University (GCU) site is located at the junction of the Mall and the Lower Mall and occupies a focal point. However, it is still popularly called GC.
Ravian, as the are called, have played a great (and visible) role in this country. But these days, that spirit is no more there. Go there and you will find yet another crowded, commercial university...
Do others have the same character, if I may so ask? Over the years, many things have deteriorated. Are other things the same as we once knew. Ayub Khan's government started trembling when price of sugar was raised by 2 anas (from 12 to 14 anas). Now price of sugar jumps from 38 to 60-70 and still rising and no one seems to be concerned. Do you still want GCU to be the same?
On the first day of the New Year 2010, the famous Government College University (GCU) 
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Ravian, as the are called, have played a great (and visible) role in this country. But these days, that spirit is no more there. Go there and you will find yet another crowded, commercial university...
You sound jealous, SAJS
I am,sort of. But I do wish that GCU should have same old character that is famous for.
Do others have the same character, if I may so ask? Over the years, many things have deteriorated. Are other things the same as we once knew. Ayub Khan's government started trembling when price of sugar was raised by 2 anas (from 12 to 14 anas). Now price of sugar jumps from 38 to 60-70 and still rising and no one seems to be concerned.
Do you still want GCU to be the same?
Others also don't have the same character. That is precisely the reason I wish GC University to hold on to its old position.
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