• Abstract and Figures
• Public Full-text

Media Coverage – Panel Discussion Fuccha- Voice Of YOUth! Hindu College Delhi: A People’s Movement New Delhi: The Old Students’ Association (OSA), Hindu College of Delhi University organized a panel discussion on the book Hindu College Delhi: A People’s Movement at the India International Centre, New Delhi. This book was released on 26th April by Justice A. K. Sikri at a very solemn program at The Lalit. The book is written by Dr Kavita A. Sharma, former Principal, Hindu College and currently Director, India International Centre, and W. D. Mathur, former Bureau Chief, The Indian Express. This book is the first-ever illustrated history of Hindu College, Delhi. The book deals with the establishment of Hindu College as a nationalist institution in the post 1857 Walled City of Delhi, its growth and evolution as one of the pre-eminent institutions of higher learning in Delhi University and the country. The panel discussion on this book was chaired by Dr Kapila Vatsyayan, the founder director, Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts. The panelists were Shri Yashovardhan Azad, Central Information Commissioner; Prof. Dinesh Singh, Vice Chancellor, University of Delhi; Justice Manmohan, Judge, Delhi High Court, Dr. Lalit Bhasin, noted legal luminary and President, OSA; Shri K C Mehra, Resident Director, Shapoorji Pallonji Group and Vice President, OSA; Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Former Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations; Shri M K Venu, noted journalist, writer and executive director, Amar Ujala Group and Prof. Aparna Basu, former Professor of History, University of Delhi and author of several books including one on History of Delhi University. In the opening remarks, Dr Kavita A.Sharma welcomed everyone and threw light on the journey of writing the book. In her speech recalled how people from Hindu College and Stephen’s College contributed towards the development for one another’s college. Justice Manmohan remarked that before this book, there was no authentic document on the history of the college in spite of it being more than 100 year old. He said the book was extremely well-researched and would act as a motivation for next generations attending the Hindu College. He observed that the college focused on realization of universal truths and values like tolerance, equality and magnanimity. He also praised the use of RTI to obtain information from various agencies to write the book. Prof. Dinesh Singh called the book ‘a fascinating one’. He observed that the book complemented and supplemented his notions and perceptions about history of the college, university and India. He stated that in the course of the history, the contribution of Ramjas College also can not be forgotten. He remarked that the institutions generally had been in decline and there was resurgence in India propagated by students from rural and semi-rural areas. He stressed on the practical and skill-based education observing that what you do with your hands enters your heart. Shri Hardeep Singh Puri said that the book filled the information gap. Recalling nostalgically his years at the College, he remarked the institutions are assessed by what has gone into their establishment and Hindu College stood for values of nationalism, becoming synonymous with national Indian history. Dr Kapila Vatsyayan in her remarks said that the book wonderfully captured the history of India and the college. He suggested that book could be made a compulsory reading for all the students of the college. She also stressed on the systemic changes in the funding and accountability and use of Western models of alumni funding. Shri M K Venu suggested that the book could be adapted into a movie and shown to the students of the college when they gained admission. He delved into the history of India and recalled different educational traditions prevalent in various cities. He threw light on how various people came together to fund the establishment of the college and took forward the nationalist cause through education. Shri Yashovardhan Azad praised the book saying it came late but it was a great piece of scholarship. He recalled many incidents from his days and history of the college. He talked about Chandrashekhar Azad seeking refuge in the hostel, rivalry between Hindu College and the college across the road, and various teachers who taught at the College. He also underscored the contribution of the alumni in terms of advice and inputs, funding and in other ways. He suggested that in addition to a movie, a gallery should also be established at the College so that the coming generations know about the college in a better way. Prof. Aparna Basu talked about the enormous amount of research which went into the book. She appreciated the authors for such an apt title as the college was indeed a people’s movement. She recalled the financial difficulties the college faced and how bhikhshuk mandali was formed to collect funds from the people. Shri K C Mehra wholeheartedly praised the book and thanked the authors profusely for bringing it out. He reminisced some wonderful moments spent with the teachers and friends at the College. In the end, Dr Kavita A. She thanked the panelists, the readers and the publisher who had “produced the book form his heart.” She also thanked Shri Ravi Burman, Secretary, OSA for successfully coordinated the grand event. On this occasion Shri Praduman Kumar, Current Principal, Hindu college; Shri Vikram Bahri, Treasure, OSA; Shri Raj Kumar Oberoi, Former Secretary OSA, and many esteemed alumni and faculty of the college and the University of Delhi were present. Mint --- Delhi’s Belly | The Hindu way Hindu College, with its nationalist past, offers insights into how ideas of secularism and patriotism are being understood today. Hindu college. Photo: Pradeep Gaur/Mint It appears to be a new dawn for the “lotus”. No, we are not cheering the election victory of Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP’s) Narendra Modi, who led the campaign with a plastic lotus, his party’s symbol, pinned to his jacket. We mean the logo of Delhi University’s (DU’s) Hindu College, which shows a rising sun above a lotus-like flower. On closer examination, though, it turns out to be a water lily. News anchor Arnab Goswami is perhaps the college’s most famous alumnus. Earlier this month, while being feted by the college alumni association at The LaLit hotel, Goswami, who studied sociology, said: “This award means more to me than any award in my life, and let me share with you that when I entered Hindu College, the gates of St Stephen’s were closed, …(and) when I appeared before the interview panel for Oxford University, I only said, ‘You should select me only because I am not from St Stephen’s.’” Known for aggressive encounters with politicians on his TV show, Goswami added: “Debating was something I learnt from this college. During my postgraduation days, I used to say I don’t belong to St Stephen’s, and that’s why I debate like this.” If there is ever a debate on these two DU colleges on his news programme, Goswami, who gets volatile on matters he deems patriotic, can always argue that unlike the gated St Stephen’s, Hindu, which freely permits entry, was not set up by British missionaries. The grandfather of Hindu College’s founder was, in fact, hanged by the British for collaborating with the last Mughal emperor. On other points, Hindu’s positioning is not as potent. Sharma and Mathur in the college corridor. Photo: Pradeep Gaur/Mint Unlike St Stephen’s just across the street, Hindu has a lacklustre E-shaped building with no majestic arches or chattris. The lawns are scarred with brown patches. The canteen doesn’t serve mince cutlets. And while a 262-page tome, A History Of St Stephen’s College, Delhi, was published a decade before independence, the 115-year-old Hindu College never had a similar book—until now. Illustrated with dozens of rare old photos and authored by Kavita A. Sharma and W.D. Mathur, both alumni, the solidly researched Hindu College Delhi—A People’s Movement, released last month, is a must-read not only for those interested in the Capital, but also for those fascinated by the most polarizing issue of our time, secularism. A society by the name of Hindu College Delhi, registered to establish the college in 1899, aimed to “give a sound English education, upto the highest University standards, primarily to Hindus, and so far as it may not be inconsistent with this object, to students of other creeds.” Further, the college memorandum continued, “in the case of Hindus, to combine secular education with thorough religious instruction according to the teachings of Sanatana Dharma, on non-Sectarian principles”. To be sure, Hindu College may not be the country’s top-most institution of learning. It is, however, an apt laboratory to dissect how ideas of secularism and patriotism are being understood by the new generation, especially following the elevation of Modi as prime minister. Hindu College’s inauguration ceremony was performed in an Old Delhi dharamshala (rest house) on Basant Panchami by Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya, a leader of the Congress party who founded the Banaras Hindu University, which now lies in Modi’s parliamentary constituency. The principal’s bungalow in the early days. Photo: Courtesy Niyog Books Perhaps sensitive to the politically charged debates on the subject, the authors ofHindu College Delhi emphasize: “Although this memorandum may sound chauvinistic in today’s ethos in its mention of Hinduism, the institution that was established was essentially secular. Muslims were not prevented from joining and those who did, were not compelled to study Hinduism.” Indeed, the new college hired a pandit to teach Sanskrit and a maulvi, Persian.

Load more

  15

Copy Link