
Cheistha Kochhar Award Presented at Ashoka University Convocation, Honoring a Lasting Legacy
Cheistha Kochhar Award Presented at Ashoka University Convocation
The convocation was preceded by a tree plantation ceremony and a visit to the HDFC Library, where attendees were shown the dedicated Cheistha Kochhar Corner-featuring a collection of her books, graciously donated by her family. Pramath Sinha and Karan Bhola were recognized for their thoughtful invitation and meticulous organization of the event, which underscored the enduring impact of Cheistha's legacy.
Events like these, instituted voluntarily, bring warmth and hope to all who knew Cheistha, ensuring her legacy continues to inspire future generations.
Late Cheistha Kochhar was a young and dynamic student who was doing her Philosophy (PhD) at the prestigious London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), who lost her life in London in a tragic accident on March 19th, 2024.
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Cheistha Kochhar Award Presented at Ashoka University Convocation, Honoring a Lasting Legacy
The spirit of Cheistha Kochhar's compassion and kindness was celebrated at the Young India Fellowship 2025 Convocation, where Pushpinder, this year's recipient, remarked, 'Cheistha's compassion and kindness still echo in the campus.' The annual Cheistha Kochhar Award, now in its second year, was presented in a moving ceremony attended by Cheistha's parents, who were invited on stage to confer the honor. Cheistha Kochhar Award Presented at Ashoka University Convocation The convocation was preceded by a tree plantation ceremony and a visit to the HDFC Library, where attendees were shown the dedicated Cheistha Kochhar Corner-featuring a collection of her books, graciously donated by her family. Pramath Sinha and Karan Bhola were recognized for their thoughtful invitation and meticulous organization of the event, which underscored the enduring impact of Cheistha's legacy. Events like these, instituted voluntarily, bring warmth and hope to all who knew Cheistha, ensuring her legacy continues to inspire future generations. Late Cheistha Kochhar was a young and dynamic student who was doing her Philosophy (PhD) at the prestigious London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), who lost her life in London in a tragic accident on March 19th, 2024.


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'You're A Grown-Up Adult': Ashoka Co-Founder Slams Mahmudabad In Letter To Alumnus
Last Updated: Sanjeev Bikhchandani said since the professor 'did not seek Ashoka's consent before posting on social media, you cannot now present Ashoka with a fait accompli and expect support' 'You are a grown-up adult… responsible for your actions" is how Sanjeev Bikhchandani, trustee and co-founder of Ashoka University summed up the recent controversy around the institution, calling out its professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad whose views on India's Operation Sindoor opened up a Pandora's Box on free speech. Mahmudabad hit headlines on May 9 when he trained guns on Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh—the two women who emerged as India's face at a press briefing during Operation Sindoor—in a social media post, saying he was 'very happy to see so many right-wing commentators applauding" the Indian Army officers, but 'perhaps they can equally loudly demand that victims of mob lynchings, arbitrary bulldozing… are protected as Indian citizens". He added: 'The optics of two women soldiers presenting their findings is important, but optics must translate to reality on the ground, otherwise it's just hypocrisy." The posts triggered a massive row, with many calling out Mahmudabad for disrespecting the women. As the professor was arrested, and subsequently granted interim bail, his university found itself struggling to defend its stand on the issue. Now, in an internal e-mail to a former student, Bikhchandani said it is 'important to understand what is and what is not academic scholarship". 'You are a grown-up adult. You are responsible for your actions and any consequences thereof. Ashoka is not obliged to support you for political opinions you express in your personal capacity. You did not seek Ashoka's consent before posting on social media, you cannot now present Ashoka with a fait accompli and expect support. Cruel as it may sound, you make your choices—and you live with the outcome." First Published: June 04, 2025, 10:14 IST


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