Vigil held in remembrance of Purdue student

Purdue faculty, staff and students and others gathered at the France A. Córdova Recreational Sports Center on Wednesday evening (Oct. 12) for a vigil in remembrance of Varun Manish Chheda, a senior in the College of Science and Honors College.

The vigil included remarks by President Mitch Daniels; Andrew Jensen, PSG president; Dr. Manish Chheda, Varun’s father, and two of Varun’s friends. The vigil began with a performance from the Purduettes.

Purdue Student Government organized the vigil in partnership with the Purdue Student Union Board, Residence Hall Association, Honors College, Asian American and Asian Resource and Cultural Center, the Bharatiya Temple and Cultural Center of Greater Lafayette, and others.

“Grief can bring people together,” Daniels said as he addressed the Boilermaker community. “Sometimes entire communities, like ours tonight.”

Purdue’s Counseling and Psychological Services and the Center for Healthy Living have clinicians available for those seeking care.