Kolkata, Jan 20 (IANS): President Pranab Mukherjee Sunday said he was "overwhelmed by nostalgia" and "past memories" during his visit to Vidyanagar College in West Bengal's South 24-Parganas district, where he was once a professor.

Mukherjee laid the foundation stone of a new building as a part of the college's golden jubilee celebrations, and interacted with his former college colleagues and students.

"I am really very happy to relive past memories and overwhelmed by nostalgia. However, nostalgia can be hindrance to the future and we must always look ahead. I wish and hope the college continues to flourish," Mukherjee said during his address.

Mukherjee had taught at the college, located some 30 km from Kolkata in Amtala in South 24-Parganas district, between 1963 and 1968, as a professor of political science.

He became its vice principal in 1966, and also discharged responsibilities of the principal for some time. He left the college in 1968 to become a full-time politician.

"Mukherjee interacted with his former colleagues and students during the programme. He said he was completely overwhelmed by nostalgia and felt as if the clock has turned by 45 years back when he was a teacher here," said college's present principal Arabindo Ghosh.

The new building will host a gymnasium, science laboratories as well as new classrooms, said Ghosh.

"The president told us to always look forward and it is all his effort that we got this new building. He has assured us further help and wished good luck to the students. It was a memorable time for all of us," added Ghosh.