Chandigarh’s Indian Modernists

75 years of making of Chandigarh – Honouring Indian professionals who contributed in the making of Chandigarh; legendary administrators, architects and engineers, by Shri Gulab Chand Kataria, Hon’ble Governor Punjab and Administrator Chandigarh

In a significant and solemn ceremony held on 24th March 2026 at the Government Museum & Art Gallery, Chandigarh, Shri Gulab Chand Kataria, Hon’ble Governor of Punjab and Administrator, UT Chandigarh, honoured twelve distinguished Indian professionals who played a pivotal role in the making of Chandigarh.

The event was organised by the Chandigarh Administration in association with Chandigarh Citizens Foundation (CCF) as part of the commemoration of 75 years of the making of Chandigarh.

The eminent personalities honoured include:

M.S. Randhawa, P.N. Thapar, A.L. Fletcher, Aditya Prakash, A.R. Prabhawalkar, Jeet Malhotra, B.P. Mathur, J.K. Chowdhury, M.N. Sharma, U.E. Chowdhury, S.D. Sharma, and P.L. Varma.

These administrators, architects, and engineers were instrumental in translating the vision of Chandigarh into a living reality and establishing it as one of the finest examples of planned urban development in the world.

Addressing the gathering, the Hon’ble Governor emphasised that the exceptional liveability and urban character of Chandigarh are a direct outcome of the vision and contributions of these pioneers. He underlined the need to preserve the fundamental character of the city while steering it towards sustainable and future-ready development.

He further highlighted that the year 2026 marks the beginning of the 75-year commemoration of Chandigarh’s making, and called upon institutions, citizens, and organisations to actively participate in a series of programmes over the next three years (2026–2028).

The event also forms part of the ongoing exhibition “Chandigarh’s Indian Modernists”, curated by Chandigarh Citizens Foundation, which aims to recognise and celebrate the invaluable contributions of Indian professionals in shaping the city’s legacy.

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