Chandigarh, May 23 -- Sahi Ram Bishnoi, the oldest former legislator from undivided Punjab and also the oldest surviving alumnus of both East and West Panjab University, died at 104.

Earlier this January, Panjab University made an unprecedented departure from its long-standing practice of conferring honours only at the global alumni meet on campus, instead travelling to Bishnoi's residence in Sakta Khera village near Dabwali to present him a citation of honour - a recognition of a life that had outlasted institutions and borders alike.

In 1947, still a law student, he led a caravan of Bishnoi families through the chaos of Partition, steering them from Bahawalpur to safety in India. The journey would later see him reshape their lives on ...