New Delhi, 27 October (H.S.): Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday inaugurated the Centenary Academic Building, Computer Centre and Skill Development Centre at Daulat Ram College, University of Delhi, encouraging students to pursue their aspirations with confidence, courage and determination.

Interacting with students, CM Gupta urged young women to believe in their abilities and remain undaunted by challenging circumstances. She assured them that the Delhi Government stood firmly with them in safeguarding their security, dignity and rights.

During her visit to the college, the Chief Minister inspected the faculty reading room, seminar room, Shri Ramalaya in the library, recycling unit and bakery unit to learn about the institution’s academic facilities, practical training initiatives and co-curricular activities. She also discussed the need to renovate the auditorium and assured the college of her support.

CM Gupta launched the ‘Miss DRC Talent Hunt’, encouraging students to showcase their abilities, explore their potential and step onto the stage with confidence.

The programme was attended by Delhi University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Yogesh Singh, Daulat Ram College Principal Prof. Savita Roy, the college’s Governing Body Chairman Mukul Gupta, Vijay Shankar Tiwari, faculty members and students.

As a former student of Daulat Ram College, the occasion held special significance for CM Gupta. During her visit, she recalled her college days and shared memories of the early stages of her public life.

She said her journey into public service began when she became the general secretary of the college students’ union. The responsibilities she undertook during her student years inspired her to understand people’s concerns and work towards resolving them.

CM Gupta said it was particularly fulfilling to have the opportunity to address, on a wider scale, issues concerning students that she had raised during her college years.

The Chief Minister said work was underway to install one lakh smart streetlights across Delhi and connect them to a central control and command centre. The government was also working on a plan to install 50,000 additional CCTV cameras.

She said these initiatives were aimed at strengthening surveillance and improving safety for all citizens, particularly women.

Emphasising that the responsibility for women’s safety should not be placed solely on girls and women, CM Gupta called for a change in societal attitudes. Instead of imposing restrictions on girls, she said, society must teach boys and men to respect women.

During the programme, students from the college’s Women’s Development Committee presented a self-defence demonstration.

CM Gupta praised their courage, confidence and readiness, noting that self-defence training not only prepares girls to protect themselves in threatening situations but also instils confidence and fearlessness.

Encouraging the students to stand up for themselves, she said that if anyone misbehaved with them or attempted to intimidate them, they should speak out and take appropriate steps to protect their safety.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar