Delhi to be made education hub: CM

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday outlined her government’s goal of making Delhi a leading education hub. She said that although the city faced limitations in becoming an industrial centre due to restrictions on heavy industries, it had the capacity to emerge as a centre of excellence in education and innovation.

“The biggest sector we can work on in Delhi is to make the city an education hub. Students searching for the best place to get education should think of Delhi first. We have to make our system so strong that our children do not need to go abroad,” Gupta said.

She added, “Our students are not just dreaming about Delhi’s future — they are building it. From artificial intelligence for smart governance to sustainable nutrition and urban farming solutions and revitalising traditional crafts for inclusive growth — every idea reflects the vision of a stronger, smarter and more self-reliant Delhi. This is the spirit that will take Delhi towards 2047. And with such brilliant ideas coming from our youth, I have no doubt that the dream of a Viksit Delhi will surely be realised.”

Prof Anu Singh Lather, Vice-Chancellor, highlighted the recent National Inter-University Research Ideation Festival organised on the theme ‘Viksit Delhi @2047’, saying, “What inspired us most was the energy and creativity of our young minds. Their vision and innovative thinking assure us that Delhi’s future will be defined by resilience, inclusivity and innovation.”

Chief Minister Gupta also inaugurated the newly-built four-storey Swami Vivekanand Bhawan at the university’s Karampura campus. The new facility features 18 smart classrooms, two seminar halls and five labs.

Varsity’s growth reflects nation’s faith, says DU V-C

Despite funding constraints, the University of Delhi has steadily expanded its scope and impact, Vice-Chancellor Professor Yogesh Singh said today at the launch of the book “The University of Delhi - A Comprehensive Account of Its Reliance, Knowledge, Leadership, and Growth” authored by Professor Manisha Chaudhary of the Department of History.

Chaudhary talked about the motivation behind writing the book and the challenges of assembling and interpreting archival material.

She highlighted the critical role of both academic and administrative leadership in shaping the university’s identity. She traced the university’s journey from its first Vice-Chancellor, Hari Singh Gour (1922–1926), to the present V-C, Professor Yogesh Singh, underscoring how successive leaderships have navigated constraints and opportunities.

Professor Singh noted, “The annual government grant to the university, which was only Rs 25,000 in 1922, has grown to more than Rs 1,000 crore in the current fiscal. This symbolises the university’s growth and the faith the nation places in it.”

He congratulated Chaudhary for her work and reflected on the themes of the book, highlighting the university’s contributions beyond academics, including its role in the Freedom Struggle and in promoting patriotic values in post-independence India.

A panel discussion accompanied the launch, bringing together scholars, administrators, writers and students.

Professor Ashok Jain highlighted the university’s strong emphasis on science and experimentation since its inception.