Must remember agony of Partition while celebrating independence: DU vice chancellor

Delhi University Vice-Chancellor Prof Yogesh Singh on Saturday said nations become great not merely by remembering their glory but also by remembering the pain they have endured to ensure that such tragedies are never repeated. Singh made the remarks after hoisting the national flag at the university on the occasion of the 80th Independence Day. DU's NCC cadets also presented a salute to the national flag. Recalling the Partition, Singh said the tragedy remains one of the most saddest events in modern history, resulting in the deaths of lakhs of people and forcing around 1.5 crore people to leave their homes and ancestral lands.

"Along with celebrating India's independence, we must also remember the agony of Partition," he said, stressing the need to preserve historical memory so that such an event does not happen again. Singh also paid tribute to the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for the country, saying they were guided by national interest rather than self-interest. He emphasised the importance of fulfilling one's duties, saying that when individuals perform their duties, the rights of others are automatically protected.

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Calling upon DU teachers, officials, staff and students to contribute towards the goal of a 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047, Singh also said the university should work towards securing a place among the world's top 200 universities. The celebrations were attended by Dean of Colleges Balaram Pani, Director of South Campus Rajni Abbi, Registrar Vikas Gupta, Dean of Academic Activities K Ratnabali and NCC Coordinator Major Sanjay Kumar, among others. Hindu College also celebrated Independence Day with flag hoisting, the singing of 'Vande Mataram' and the national anthem.

Faculty members, students, non-teaching staff, frontline workers, NSS volunteers and NCC cadets from the Navy and Army wings participated in the celebrations. "A grand Tiranga Rally was organised on the campus, led by teachers and joined enthusiastically by students, staff and volunteers. The rally resonated with patriotic slogans and the colours of the tricolour, symbolising unity, diversity and national pride," the college said in a statement. As part of the Independence Day events, teachers and NSS volunteers of Hindu College also participated in the commemorating Partition Horrors Remembrance Day at Delhi University's Multipurpose Hall on Friday.