25 November 2025 was not just another date on the calendar for us, but it felt like a full-fledged festival across the University of Lucknow. It was the Foundation Day of one of the oldest and the most historic universities of Uttar Pradesh. A day that holds a precious place in the hearts of all the LU family, and I mean everyone. Not just the professors, not just the staff, not just the students, but the entire academic community that has grown around LU over generations. Every year, this day draws people back to the campus and everyone appreciates it by adding their own presence, stories and pride to the celebration.
From Canning College to the University of Lucknow, this institution has travelled a long road. 105 years is not just a number; it is a timeline full of ideas, reforms, peoples and moments that shaped not only the university but the city’s cultural and intellectual identity.
For someone like me, a student who is still learning the language of this place, the sight felt like a big celebration, but for those who have seen LU evolve over the decades, the day seemed to hold a deeper, almost indescribable meaning. It looked like a moment that belonged to them. To the professors who have seen generations of students come and go, to the staff who have cared for the campus for years and to the alumni who still carry LU in their hearts. The campus felt like a living diary being opened again.
Yesterday, Lucknow University carried a glow that was impossible to ignore. Police convoys moved steadily through the campus roads, VIP cars lined the entrances, security stood at attention, and every historic building wore strings of warm lights as if honouring a homecoming. The university looked different; it was festive, proud and fully alive.
Students from every faculty were moving with excitement. Teachers exchanged greetings that came with the comfort of long familiarity. Alumni paused to look at old corridors and gardens, as if finding their younger selves in those quiet corners. And perhaps the most heartwarming sight was the participation of international students. Their performances: dancing, singing, playing music, were not just entertaining; they were symbolic. They showed how naturally LU has become a home for people from different countries, cultures and languages. Watching them on stage, laughing, celebrating and blending into the crowd made it clear that this university is not just an institution; it is a family that keeps growing.
The formal programme began with traditional welcomes and the lok geet of the University. Senior administrators, former vice chancellors, respected faculty members and distinguished guests from across the state were present, lending the occasion a sense of dignity and continuity. Their presence also served as a reminder that the story of the University of Lucknow is not just institutional; it is deeply personal to many who have spent their lives shaping it.
Speaker after speaker reflected on the university’s journey from Canning College to a multi-faculty institution that now stands as one of the most respected in Uttar Pradesh. They highlighted its historical role in shaping thoughts, cultures, literature and public life.
One of the most vibrant highlights of the day was the cultural programme curated by the students. From classical music and kathak performances to folk song ensembles, dramatic recitations and contemporary acts, the event captured the diversity and creativity of LU’s student body.
Each performance brought something different. Grace, energy, nostalgia and humour, made the audience shift between applause, admiration and warm smiles. International students stood out with their enthusiasm and ease on stage. Their dances, musical pieces and collaborative acts reflected a blend of cultures that felt perfectly at home within the university setting. Their involvement sent a simple message: LU is for everyone.
Even as the celebrations filled the campus with pride, the day also quietly reminded everyone of the responsibilities that come with being an institution this old. While the campus looked breathtaking on Foundation Day with fresh decorations, gleaming lights and carefully placed flower-pots and floral setups, many students could not help but wish that this beauty was not limited to such special occasions. The university has an old charm that deserves to shine every day, not only when VIPs visit or when the major events are held.
As a student, I felt proud seeing LU dressed up like that, but I also felt a small pinch of truth: our campus can look this warm and inviting every day, and maybe it should. Clean, well-maintained pathways, greenery and beautiful elements that reflect our heritage should not be temporary. These are not complaints; they are expectations, rooted with hope. People critique what they care about. This kind of celebration comes with the hope that the university will match its legacy with steady improvements in daily student life.
For the elders of LU, the day was a moment of pride. For students like me, it was a moment of discovery. And for everyone gathered, teachers, staff, alumni, international visitors and young students, it was a moment that joined the past with the present, shaping a hopeful vision for the future.
The University of Lucknow, now 105 years strong, continues to stand tall as a symbol of learning, culture and unity. And on this Foundation Day, it did not just celebrate its history; the university lived it.