New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to lay the foundation stone of the University of Delhi’s upcoming college on Friday, named after Veer Savarkar. It was in 2021 that the institution in Najafgarh was given a green signal by the executive council of the university. PM Modi will also be inaugurating the foundation stones for two campuses in East and West Delhi.
DU vice chancellor Yogesh Singh was quoted as saying by PTI: “It is a matter of great pride for us that Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation for three new Delhi University projects tomorrow. The first project is the East Delhi campus, followed by the West Delhi campus and Veer Savarkar College in Najafgarh.”
Singh also said that these additional infrastructure projects are aimed to create more seats and new opportunities, which will be ready within 1.5 to two years. He also expressed gratitude to the government for investing in the projects.
But, the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), which is the Congress-affiliated students’ wing, has shot off a letter to PM Modi, requesting him to name the upcoming college after former prime minister Manmohan Singh rather than after Savarkar.
A PTI report said that in his letter, NSUI president Varun Choudhary outlined Singh’s contributions to education and governance.
What the NSUI letter said
The letter said: “Honourable Prime Minister, you are set to inaugurate a college named after Veer Savarkar under the University of Delhi. NSUI strongly demands that this institution be named after former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Ji. His recent passing has left a deep void, and the most fitting tribute to his legacy would be to dedicate premier educational institutions in his name.”
NSUI also advocated for incorporating Singh’s life journey, from a post-Partition student to a global icon, into academic curricula. They underlined that Manmohan Singh’s legacy as a scholar, economist, and public servant embodied resilience, merit, and a commitment to public welfare.
The NSUI letter said that Singh set up a number of institutions like IITs, IIMs, AIIMS and introduced the Central Universities Act. “Naming institutions after him will inspire generations and honour his transformative vision. The government must act immediately to recognise his unparalleled contributions to India,” it pointed out.
(with inputs from PTI)
