Students will certainly be provided Metro passes: CM at DU’s Swayamsiddha

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday assured students of the Delhi University that the government would soon provide concession passes for the Delhi Metro and expand facilities such as University Special buses. She was addressing the Swayamsiddha Women Students’ Felicitation Ceremony organised by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) at the Faculty of Arts, University of Delhi.

Addressing the gathering, Gupta said, “Being present here brings back memories of my college days. This journey feels natural, it feels simple, and it feels nurtured by ABVP. I never undertook any management course or specialised degree; whatever I have achieved is owed to the Vidyarthi Parishad. The vision I have today is its gift. It was the ABVP that first ignited in me the flame of patriotism and taught me how to contribute to my nation.”

The CM said that education went beyond books, nurturing self-confidence, self-reliance and responsibility towards society. She said university students were pivotal for the nation’s future and urged girl students to move forward with courage, adding that within every impossible lies ‘I am possible’.”

As many as 500 women students were felicitated by the CM with certificates and mementoes for outstanding achievements in sports, academics and other fields.

ABVP leaders also highlighted the significance of Swayamsiddha. Manu Sharma Kataria, national girls’ working in-charge of ABVP, said, “Today is a moment of joy for all women students of the university as through ‘Swayamsiddha’ they are being recognised and celebrated. This initiative of the ABVP is aimed at fostering self-reliance. ABVP is the only student organisation that works throughout the year to uphold women’s dignity and empowerment.”

ABVP national secretary Shivangi Kharwal said, “Since its inception in 2014, the journey of ‘Swayamsiddha’ has been an idea, a resolve, reminding us that women are second to none and can achieve anything they aspire to. For lakhs of women like me, ‘Swayamsiddha’ has been a source of inspiration and a platform for leadership.”

DUSU secretary Mitravinda Karanwal added,“I extend my gratitude to the CM for initiating ‘U-Special’ buses for students and for her positive assurance regarding Metro passes. ‘Swayamsiddha’ began in 2014 with 200 women students, and today, with 2,500 women in attendance, the growth of influence is clearly visible.”