In a first, Delhi govt mulls renaming schools after local war heroes

Indian Express

26-07-2025

As Delhi marked Kargil Vijay Diwas on Saturday with tributes to martyrs, Education Minister Ashish Sood announced that the government is considering renaming government schools after local martyrs to 'inspire students and citizens' and instil 'patriotism'.
'This will help inspire students and citizens alike, and instil a sense of duty and patriotism among the younger generation,' the minister's office said in a statement on Saturday.
The proposal is under consideration and will involve identifying suitable 'prominent government schools' across Delhi.
Currently, Delhi government schools are largely named through centrally or state-run schemes, often in honour of national figures rather than individual local heroes. For instance, schools under the Centre's flagship scheme carry the prefix 'PM SHRI'. In the 2025–26 state budget, the Delhi government announced the rollout of 'CM SHRI Schools' as part of its own model school initiative.
In April 2022, the then AAP-led government renamed all Rajkiya Pratibha Vikas Vidyalayas (RPVVs) as Dr B R Ambedkar Schools of Specialized Excellence. This year, the Education Department also announced plans to set up at least 100 language labs named after Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.
So far, the renaming of educational institutions has mostly taken place in central universities. In 2016, Jawaharlal Nehru University renamed its central library after Dr B R Ambedkar following a student-backed proposal. While some seminar halls and centres have been renamed in other universities, similar initiatives have not been seen in Delhi government schools until now.
Saturday's announcement was made during a commemorative event at Shivaji College, University of Delhi, where Sood served as the chief guest. He paid tributes to three alumni of the college, including Captain Sumit Roy, Captain Hanif-ud-Din and Captain Anuj Nayyar, who were killed in the 1999 Kargil War.
'The lives of these young warriors are a timeless source of inspiration. Their supreme sacrifice in the prime of youth was extraordinary. I genuinely believe that there is something exceptional in those who willingly lay down their lives for the nation,' Sood said.
The education minister also spoke of civic responsibility as a form of service. 'Serving the nation also means fulfilling our civic duties, keeping our surroundings clean, following traffic rules, protecting public property, and living as responsible citizens. These are also acts of patriotism, equally vital for the progress of the country,' he said.
The event was attended by Swapna Roy, the mother of Captain Sumit Roy. The ceremony was organised by the college's National Cadet Corps and National Service Scheme units and saw participation by faculty members, college officials, and students.