Momos To AI: 9 Things You Missed About PM Modi’s DU@100 Speech

On Friday, June 30, 2023, Delhi University (DU) celebrated completing 100 years, and PM Narendra Modi graced the occasion. PM Modi, whose photos and videos of taking the Delhi metro to reach DU surfaced online, also gave a speech. He talked about his ‘vidyarthi’ (student) days, the recent deal on the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) with the US, and common topics of conversation between DU alumni, among other things. 

Delhi University recently ranked 407 in the QS world rankings 2024, rising significantly from its past year’s position (521-530). Founded in 1922, the university today has 91 constituent colleges - forming one of the largest university systems in the world. DU has 16 faculties and 86 departments distributed across the North and South campuses. 

No speech about DU or Delhi is complete without momos and the North and South campuses. And PM Modi’s speech was no different. Read ahead about the major highlights and important points from his speech that you may have missed.  

PM Modi’s DU@100 Speech: Major Highlights

PM Modi was the chief guest during DU’s centenary celebrations, while education minister Dharmendra Pradhan served as the Guest of Honor. As part of his visit, PM Modi laid the foundation of three buildings - the Delhi University Computer Centre, the Faculty of Technology, and an academic block. 

PM Modi also gave a speech at the event, discussing DU alumni’s favourite topics, India’s former “temples of education”, and the university’s notable achievements. Here are the major highlights from his speech: 

Slavery destroyed India’s growth

PM Modi talked about how DU is not “merely a university but a movement” while recounting India’s ancient universities like Nalanda and Takshila. He highlighted the role that slavery played in stalling India’s growth. 

“India was at the peak of happiness and prosperity when the universities like Nalanda existed here. When India had institutions like Takshila, the country's science guided the world - during that time India had a big share in the global GDP…but 100s of years of slavery destroyed its education centers and stalled the country's growth.”

From 3 to 90: More colleges, more female students

PM Modi also highlighted DU’s growth over the years, throwing a spotlight on the increase in the number of colleges as well as female students. 

“Delhi University earlier had just three colleges. Today there are over 90 colleges that are part of the institution, (and) more girls study at DU than boys.”

Improvement in QS World University Rankings 

The QS world university rankings for 2024 were released recently, and PM Modi mentioned the same - talking about how Indian education institutes are making a mark in the world.

“In 2014, there were only 12 Indian Universities in the QS World Ranking…. now that number is 45….the education institutes of India are making a mark in the world."

IIT, IIM, NIT, AIIMS: Building Blocks of New India

PM Modi also talked about the growth in educational institutions in India. India currently has 20 IIMs and 23 IITs.

“In the last few years, the number of educational institutions like IIT, IIM, NIT, AIIMS has continuously grown…. they will form the building blocks of New India.”

Placements: No longer the sole priority of youth

He also highlighted the changing priorities of the youth who enroll in educational institutions. 

“There was a time when students prioritized placements before enrolling in an educational institution. But today, the youth does not want to confine themselves solely to that path…they want to do something new and set their limits.”

India-US deal on iCET

Recently, India concluded a deal with the US to expand the strategic technology partnership and defense industrial cooperation between the governments, businesses, and academic institutions of the two countries. PM Modi talked about how the deal would create new opportunities. 

“India and the US have finalized a deal on the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology i.e. iCET…it will create new opportunities from land to space and semiconductor to AI for the youth.”

Demand increasing for Indian youth

He also talked about how India’s garnering worldwide attention - from its yoga to science, literature to history, and traditions to cuisine, and how this will lead to an increase in the demand for Indian youth.  

“Our yoga, our science, our culture, our festivals, our literature, our history, our heritage, our traditions, our cuisine - today, everyone is discussing them, and they are getting attention. Thus, the demand is increasing for Indian youth who can showcase India to the world."

Don’t change everything

PM Modi even mentioned the famous food joints that haunt the corners of DU, eliciting rousing applause from the audience. 

“Don't change everything completely. Leave some things like they are. The tea and noodles served at Patel Chest in North Campus, momos of Chanakya in South Campus – you have to ensure that their taste should not change”

From Israel to the Moon

He also talked about the topics that make up for gossip and conversation among colleagues and students at DU. 

“The pleasure of coming to the campus is only when you come with your colleagues. Two friends go on gossiping, will talk about the world, and will not leave anything from Israel to the Moon. Which film did you see…that series is good on OTT…did you see that reel or not…there is a vast sea of talks.”

Delhi University: A Brief History & Notable Alumni

Delhi University was established in 1922. In the last 100 years, the university has grown to become one of the world’s largest university systems. It ranked in the 11th position on NIRF 2023 among Indian universities. 

At the time of its establishment, the following four colleges existed in Delhi: 

• Zakir Husain Delhi College
• St. Stephen’s College
• Hindu College
• Ramjas College

Today, it has 91 constituent colleges. Since 2022, DU introduced the Central Universities Common Entrance Test (CUET). Students are admitted based on their performance in CUET. 

Among the college’s notable alumni are writer and politician Shashi Tharoor, former Minister of Finance Arun Jaitley, former Delhi CM Sheila Dixit, film directors Anurag Kashyap, Vishal Bhardwaj and Imtiaz Ali, actors Shah Rukh Khan, Manoj Bajpayee, Konkona Sen Sharma, writers Vikram Seth, Anita Desai, and many others. 

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