Chandigarh: Panjab University released its anthem during an academic function here on Tuesday.

Vice Chancellor R.C. Sobti released the anthem, which is written by Bollywood lyricist Irshad Kamil.

Kamil, an alumnus of this varsity, had especially come from Mumbai to attend the function.

"I am feeling really honored and I would like to express my deep gratitude towards the university authorities for giving me an opportunity to contribute to my alma mater," said Kamil.

The music for the anthem has been composed by Sandesh Shandilye and it is sung by Sukhwinder Singh.

Kamil was also awarded a cash prize of Rs. 50,000 and a memento by the university. However, he donated the prize money to buy literary books and movies for the Hindi department.

The university, one of the oldest in the country, is the alma mater of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and many senior politicians and bureaucrats.

Over 10,000 students, over 70 percent of them girls, study in around 65 research and teaching departments. The university is spread over 550 acres covering Sectors 14 and 25. IANS