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Indian Express
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Patriotism a unifying force': Jamia joins hands with Association of Indian Universities for a nationwide youth pledge
In a display of collective resolve and patriotic fervour, Jamia Hamdard University in Delhi on Tuesday joined hands with the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) to take part in a nationwide youth pledge under the banner 'Yuva Shakti, Bharat Ki Shakti – One Youth, One Nation, One Resolve' at an event. Held simultaneously across five regions of India, the event was marked with what the university described as 'a powerful expression of the resolve and aspirations of India's youth.' At Jamia Hamdard, the pledge ceremony brought together a large gathering of students, including National Cadet Corps cadets and National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers, who reaffirmed their commitment to national unity, civic responsibility, and the vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat, a self-reliant India. 'This event transcended a mere ceremonial gesture,' the university said in a statement Thursday. 'It underscored the belief that patriotism is a unifying force, shared equally across regions, institutions, and communities, and that the future of Bharat lies in the hands of its empowered youth.' The proceedings at Jamia Hamdard began with a recitation from the Quran, the Islamic holy book , followed by a welcome address by Prof. Reshma Nasreen, Dean of Students' Welfare. The ceremony was presided over by Vice Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) M. Afshar Alam, and featured a cultural invocation and the singing of the National Anthem before the formal pledge was taken. Prominent dignitaries in attendance included Dr Pankaj Mittal, Secretary General of AIU; Prof. Himani Sood, Pro-Chancellor of Chandigarh University, and Chandan Choudhary, MLA from Sangam Vihar. The university hosted the event under the theme 'Rashtra Pratham.' Alam, in his address, hailed the national push toward Viksit Bharat by 2047 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He called on students to embody the spirit of unity and empowerment, highlighting the crucial role of youth and women in nation-building. He drew attention to the courage of women officers in the armed forces, specifically lauding 'exemplary women leaders such as Col. Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh for their valiant roles in Operation Sindoor.' Reaffirming the university's commitment to inclusive values, Prof. Alam said, 'We are proud to stand with AIU in shaping our nation's youth as the conscience-keepers of Bharat.' The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Sarfaraz Ahsan, Registrar (Officiating), who underscored the university's message and mission — 'to empower our youth, to strengthen Bharat and to stand united in purpose and spirit.'
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
IIT-K pays tribute to armed forces for valour exhibited during Op Sindoor
Lucknow: Amidst surge in nationalist sentiment across the country following Operation Sindoor , IIT-Kanpur on Tuesday hosted the 'Rashtra Pratham' programme to salute the valour of the armed forces. Reaffirming the institute's deep-rooted commitment to the ideals of 'Nation First', the event brought together students, faculty and defence personnel to pay tribute to strengthen the spirit of national service. Prof Braj Bhushan, deputy director, IIT-K, highlighted the institute's leadership not only in academic excellence but also in fostering social responsibility. He also referenced Operation Sindoor, a recent mission symbolising technological and strategic collaboration, and expressed immense pride in the soldiers and the institute's contribution to the nation's defence ecosystem. Chief guest Brigadier Shabbarul Hasan, Station Commander of Army & Kanpur Cantonment Board, appreciated the partnership between the armed forces and IIT-Kanpur. He spoke about India's military history, referencing operations such as Cactus, the Indo-Pak wars, and Operation Sindoor, reiterating India's readiness to defend its sovereignty. He also noted the strategic relevance of the Defence Corridor in Kanpur and how it reflects the Army's role in national development. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Undo The event urged all citizens to remain vigilant, stay updated via official channels, avoid sharing unverified content, and report suspicious activities promptly—underscoring the collective responsibility in upholding the spirit of 'Rashtra Pratham'. Prof Manindra Agrawal, director of IIT-Kanpur, emphasised the institute's pivotal role in advancing India's development. He stated, "As an institute, it is our responsibility to drive the nation's progress. He underscored IIT-K's active collaboration with the armed forces in strategically important areas such as cybersecurity, drones and Unmanned Aerial Vigyan Manthan showcases young scientific minds Former director general of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Prof Ashutosh Sharma, emphasised the importance of inculcating self-confidence, self-respect and sense of humour along with scientific inquisitiveness.
The Print
19-05-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Central govt depts in race to hail Op Sindoor. From e-tickets to prabhat pheris & word of caution
In the immediate aftermath of Operation Sindoor, BJP leaders had fanned out across the country to sensitize the people about the success of India's operation against Pakistan. Operation Sindoor was a precision strike carried out 7 May by the Indian armed forces in response to the 22 April Pahalgam attack in which 26 civilians were killed by terrorists. New Delhi: From holding 'prabhat pheris' (morning procession) at railway stations and issuing e-tickets with picture of PM Modi saluting, illuminating platforms with tricolour lights to urging educational institutions to undertake Rashtra Pratham campaign, the different wings of central government ministries are going all out to celebrate the success of Operation Sindoor. Among the central government ministries, while railways has roped in teams of scout and guides of National Cadet Corps (NCC), railways' associations and passenger associations to hold prabhat pheris and tiranga yatras in railway stations, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has issued guidelines to all its affiliated institutions urging them to extend unwavering support to the armed forces, the government, and national security agencies. It's not just prabhat pheris and tiranga yatras. All e-tickets issued by the railways in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor now carries a picture of Prime Minister Narendra Modi saluting, along with a quote from his address to the nation: 'Operation Sindoor ne atank ke khilaf ladai me ek nayi lakeer kheench di hai…. Ek naya paimana, new normal tai kar diya hai (Operation Sindoor has drawn a new line against war on terror… it is the new normal against terrorism).' A Tiranga Yatra was held at Pune Railway Station by Pune Division, Central Railway, showing solidarity with our brave soldiers. Railway staff participated in this event to honour the armed forces.#TirangaYatra #OperationSindoor#PuneDivision — DRM Pune (@drmpune) May 15, 2025 A senior railway ministry official told ThePrint the initiatives were voluntary. 'Different railway and passenger associations have come together to hold prabhat pheris in the morning and tiranga yatra in the evening at select railway stations. We also decided that in the evening we will light up the tricolour lights at 200 select stations for three days,' the official said. Also Read: Cow dung smears, slogans & saffron—students, faculty members say DU's on an ideological tilt AICTE kickstarts Rashtra Pratham campaign The AICTE, the national regulator for technical education, issued a circular 16 May addressing its over 5,000 affiliated institutions, sharing a set of guidelines under the campaign titled 'Rashtra Pratham: A Campaign in Support of Nation First.' 'The higher education institutions may help the nation by creating positive opinions, countering rumors and orienting the communities in and around campuses to respond confidently to any national disaster and crisis,' the guidelines state. The advisory also cautions against internal discord: 'Avoid internal blame games and divisive discussions. The enemy may attempt to create internal chaos, incite riots, or stoke communal tensions. Do NOT engage in communal debates or allow divisive narratives to fester. In case of any local disturbance, prioritize safety and immediately inform authorities.' Institutions have also been advised to report any suspicious activity, unidentified objects, or potential threats to local law enforcement. 'Your timely action can save lives,' the guidelines state. The Council has advised higher education institutions to make both students and staff aware of the risks of disinformation, urging them to stay informed only through official channels of the local administration, state, or the central government. 'Avoid adding noise to the information ecosystem by speculating or spreading unverified updates. Do not forward, share, or believe any unverified content circulating on social media and messaging platforms,' the guidelines state. (With inputs from Moushumi Das Gupta) (Edited by Tony Rai) Also Read: After JNU, Jamia & Hyderabad's MANUU suspend ties with institutions in Turkey over support to Pakistan
Hindustan Times
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
DU college staff, students asked to follow VC's X handle, stirring debate
Shaheed Bhagat Singh College in Delhi University (DU) has issued a notification urging students, faculty, and staff to follow and amplify vice-chancellor Yogesh Singh's posts on X to express 'unwavering support' for India's armed forces. The notice, dated May 9 and seen by HT, states: 'All teachers, staff members, and students… are hereby requested to follow the vice chancellor prof. Yogesh Singh's official Twitter (now X) account… In addition, you are encouraged to retweet the posts shared through the platform. This collective effort is aimed at expressing our unwavering support and gratitude towards the valiant members of our defence forces.' Despite multiple attempts by HT, vice chancellor Singh remained unavailable for comment. The circular adds that amplifying the VC's messages would foster 'national pride and unity' within the college community. College principal Arun Kumar Atree said the notice was based on a communication from DU's deputy registrar regarding the 'Rashtra Pratham (Nation First)' campaign, which outlines ways higher education institutions can show support for the armed forces, including through a social media campaign. 'To take a united stand, we asked students and staff to share the VC's posts,' he told HT. However, the move has sparked a mixed response. A student from the college, requesting anonymity, said, 'I respect and support our armed forces, but it feels odd that we're being told to retweet the VC's posts specifically. That's not how solidarity should be shown.' Vice-chancellor Singh created his official X account earlier this month and has since shared several posts referencing Operation Sindoor. At DU's Academic Council meeting on May 10, a resolution was passed to extend the university's support to the central government 'in this hour of crisis,' a proposal reportedly introduced by Singh himself. Some faculty members expressed discomfort with the college's approach. 'It is one thing to support our armed forces—we all do—but another to be instructed to follow and retweet administrative posts. That creates a different kind of atmosphere,' said a professor from Shaheed Bhagat Singh College. Another professor echoed the concern: 'It feels like there's no space to question or dissent. Everything now revolves around administration directives, and that makes us uneasy.' Both professors asked not to be identified in this report. Some students also questioned the method. 'We're often told to reduce social media use because it 'influences us,' but then we're instructed to promote a specific account? It would've made more sense if teachers had encouraged us informally,' said another student. While the move has drawn criticism, it has also found support among DU college heads. Kirori Mal College principal Dinesh Khattar said, 'Encouraging students and staff to engage with the VC's posts is a meaningful step toward promoting respect for our defence forces. I fully support this initiative.' Ramjas College principal Ajay Kumar Arora added, 'In times like these, everyone has a right to express solidarity. Every college may do this differently. Our NCC unit is also working on its own ways to show support.' But some academics see the directive as misplaced. Rajesh Jha, professor at Rajdhani College and former Executive Council member, said, 'This notification is an overenthusiastic move... Asking everyone to follow a specific account goes against the spirit of academic freedom.'
