LAHORE: The Government College University`s (GCU) Fine Arts Department, to celebrate its 153rd Founders Day, unveiled on Friday handmade pencil portraits of all 25 principals who have headed the varsity from Jan 1, 1864, to 2002.

According to a handout, Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Hassan Amir Shah inaugurated the exhibition titled Founders` Day Exhibition at Minhas Art Gallery.

He said these academicians had made the GCU a citadel of academic excellence where ideals of tolerance and co-existence had also flourished with commitment. He said traditions set up by these academic leaders were like lampposts, which guided them in their journey to a peaceful and prosperous future.

He lauded the skills and hard worl< of Fine Arts Department in-charge Erfanullah Babr in making these sketches, saying `these portraits also reflect love and affection of the artist with GCU`.

The portraits of GCU`s founder-principal Prof Dr G.W. Leitner, first Indian principal Prof G.D. Sondhi, first Muslim principal Prof A.S. Bukhari and last principal Prof Dr Khalid Aftab remained centre of attraction at the exhibition.

Speaking on the occasion, Babr said drawingpencil portraits from references of old and small pictures was a difficult task and took him several months to complete.

The exhibition will remain open till Jan 20.

Earlier, a cake-cutting ceremony in connection with GCU Founders Day was held, which was attended by all academic and administrative heads.