PM Modi at Delhi University centenary celebrations: ‘DU not just a university but a movement’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the Delhi University is not just an educational institution but a movement. PM Modi was speaking at the valedictory session of Delhi University's centenary celebrations. “Delhi University has completed 100 years when the nation celebrates 75 years of independence... Delhi University is not just a university, but a movement. This university has lived every movement and has brought life to every movement,” PM Modi said.

PM Modi, who is the chief guest at the ceremony, will also release a set of coffee table books and lay the foundation stone of three buildings virtually. Union Minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan will be the guest of honour for the closing ceremony. 

The PM has also tweeted about his visit to the event. He wrote, “Looking forward to joining the University of Delhi’s centenary celebrations at 11 AM tomorrow, 30th June. As a premier centre of learning, DU has been nurturing talent and fostering intellectual growth for a century. Congratulations to the DU fraternity on this milestone.”

Prominent DU colleges have set guidelines for the live telecast of the varsity's centenary celebrations, which will witness PM Modi’s participation.

The guidelines include compulsory attendance for students and teachers, no black dresses and suspension of classes between 10 am to 12 noon.

Prestigious institutions like Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar College, Hansraj College and Zakir Husain Delhi College have made it compulsory for students and faculty to attend the live telecast of the event.

Delhi University’s rich history

Delhi University was established on May 1, 1922. DU, which started with only three colleges, has today expanded to include 86 departments and 90 colleges. DU has emerged as one of the most coveted centre of learning for lakhs of students from across the country.  Over four lakh students applied for DU’s 70,000 seats in this academic year.

DU’s first vice-chancellor

Then viceroy Lord Reading served as its first Chancellor and Hari Sigh Gour was the first vice chancellor. 

Notable Delhi University alumni

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan is perhaps the most famous alumni of Delhi University. SRK studied Economic at Hansraj College in 1988. Other notable alumni of DU include Amitabh Bachchan, Shashi Tharoor, Vikram Seth, Amitav Ghosh, Aung San Suu Kyi, General Zia ul Haq and former Chief Economist of IMF Gita Gopinath.