Chandigarh, 17 October 2025 – The Sixteenth Annual Oration-cum-Awards-Giving Function of the First Friday Forum (FFF)—an institution founded in 1999 by Dr. S.S. Bhatti, Founder-Teacher and Former Principal of Chandigarh College of Architecture (CCA)—was held this afternoon at Anjuman, the newly renovated auditorium of CCA, in the PEC Campus, Sector 12, Chandigarh. The event, marked by intellectual fervour and emotional resonance, celebrated interdisciplinary creativity, academic excellence, and the enduring teacher-student bond that defines Dr. Bhatti’s life and legacy.
Dr. S.S Bhatti
Dr. SS Bhatti (b.1938) is a former Principal of the Chandigarh College of Architecture and a very versatile professional. He holds three PhDs and M Arch from The Queensland University, Australia. Apart from being an inspired academician and architect, Dr. Bhatti is a painter, sculptor, graphic designer, Urdu and English poet par excellence. He has authored more than 30 books on diverse fields like art, architecture, pedagogy, religion, poetry in both Urdu and English, besides other fields of human endeavor.
He recently received a letter of appreciation from Fondation Le Corbusier for his book ‘Chandigarh and the Context of Le Corbusier’s ” Statute of Land” A Study of Plan, Action & Reality’.
The programme commenced with the National Anthem, followed by a warm welcome by Prof Sujay Sengupta, who highlighted Dr. Bhatti’s extraordinary contribution as India’s most versatile professional—an architect, theologian, artist, and educationist with three PhDs from Panjab University and a Master’s from The University of Queensland, Australia. He paid glowing tributes to Mrs. Rita Bhatti, calling her “the inspiration behind Dr. Bhatti’s incredible versatile creativity and untiring engagement in socially-beneficent activities.”
Mrs. Rita Bhatti
Dr. Niyati Jigyasu, Professor at the University Institute of Architecture, Chandigarh University, introduced the history and purpose of the First Friday Forum—a movement born in 1999 to break the barriers of specialization and promote interdisciplinary dialogue. She described it as “a beacon of holistic reflection in an age of narrow expertise,” embodying Dr. Bhatti’s credo of Holistic Humanism.
Dr. Niyati Jigyasu
The highlight of the afternoon was Dr. S.S. Bhatti’s Annual Oration on the visionary theme “Van-Urbanisation: From Manifesto to Mandate — Re-Greening India for a Breath of Eternal Life.” His eloquent and prophetic address emphasized the urgency of integrating ecological consciousness into urban planning, asserting that “Architecture, the matrix of civilisation, must rediscover its covenant with Nature.” The oration, interlacing scientific insight with spiritual depth, drew prolonged applause from a capacity audience of professionals, students, and media.
Dr S.S Bhatti addressing the audience
The Honours-Conferment Ceremony followed, conducted by Mrs. Rita Bhatti and Dr. S.S. Bhatti. The First Friday Forum Lifetime Achievement Awards were conferred on:
- Prof. Veena Garella (New Delhi) – for distinguished contributions to architectural education and urban planning;
- Ar. Dipika Tuteja (New Delhi) – for pioneering work in sustainability and her online magazine In AWE;
- Artist Saswati Chaudhuri (New Delhi) – for her multifaceted excellence in art and museology (represented by a video message); and
- Artist-Designer Dharam Vir (Chandigarh) – for four decades of excellence in graphic design and visual communication.
Award Acceptance Speech Ar Dipika Tuteja
In addition, the First Friday Forum Award for Creative Excellence (FFFACE) was presented to Ar. Inder Gulati (Chandigarh) for his aesthetic and sustainable architectural work at Panjab University.
The Award Winners—all former or associated students of Dr. Bhatti—delivered acceptance speeches that reflected humility, gratitude, and renewed commitment to creativity as service to society.
Ar. Surinder Bahga
The Prime Guest, Ar. Surinder Bahga, eminent architect, author, and civic leader, in his address, supported Dr. Bhatti’s proposal and urged the BJP Central and state governments to launch the Haryana’s New Capital Project. This will display their creative powers as the most formidable independent political Bharat has so far seen, he added.
Dr Sangeeta Bagga Mehta
Dr. Sangeeta Bagga Mehta, Principal, CCA, presided over the function and in her Presidential Address described the event as “a homecoming of excellence.” She extolled her mentor Dr. Bhatti’s lifelong mission to blend spirituality, pedagogy, and design, reaffirming CCA’s commitment to “carry forward the torch of creative humanism he lit decades ago.”
Principal Ar Sangeeta Bagga, Ar Vijay Tuteja & Ar Dipika Tuteja
Prof. Ar. Swati Behl Uppal
The event was anchored with poise and grace by Prof. Swati Behl Uppal, Principal, University Institute of Architecture, Chandigarh University, serving as Commère. Ar. Shilpa Das proposed the Vote of Thanks, expressing gratitude to dignitaries, awardees, media, and the student body led by CASA President Ms. Nandini Nath, whose team ensured the programme’s flawless execution.
The function concluded with a group photograph and refreshments in the CCA Foyer. The afternoon stood out as a heartwarming reunion of teacher and disciples—bound by architecture, art, and affection—affirming that the spirit of Guru Nanak’s holistic vision continues to animate Dr. Bhatti’s enduring legacy through the First Friday Forum.
