New Delhi, 15 August (H.S.): Delhi University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Yogesh Singh hoisted the national flag at the university on the occasion of the 80th Independence Day. NCC cadets present at the ceremony saluted the national flag.

Addressing the gathering, Prof. Yogesh Singh said nations do not become great merely by remembering their glory; it is equally important to remember their suffering so that such tragic episodes of history are never repeated.

Prof. Singh said that alongside celebrating Independence, the nation must also remember the pain of the Partition of India. Describing Partition as one of the greatest tragedies of modern history, he said millions of people were killed and around 15 million were forced to leave their ancestral homes and lands. He said it was a partition and mass displacement for which there had been no prior preparation. The gravity of the situation, he said, could be gauged from the fact that even on August 15, Lahore itself did not know whether it was in India or Pakistan.

The Vice-Chancellor said remembering history was essential to ensure that such a painful episode never happens again to India or its children. He said Independence Day provides an opportunity to pay tribute, with gratitude and moist eyes, to the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for the nation. Their lives were guided by a commitment to the national interest above personal interests, he added.

Prof. Singh said Indian civilisation had traditionally been rooted in a sense of duty, but over time, people had increasingly begun to speak only in terms of their rights. He said when an individual performs his or her duties, the rights of others are automatically protected. Conflicts arise when duties are not fulfilled, he added. He asked whether India could have achieved independence had the freedom fighters failed to perform their duties.

The Vice-Chancellor called upon all teachers, officers, employees and students of Delhi University to discharge their responsibilities with sincerity. He said the university community has an important role to play in fulfilling the vision of a developed India by 2047. He also urged everyone to work collectively towards the goal of placing Delhi University among the world's top 200 universities.

Dean of Colleges Prof. Balaram Pani, Director of the South Campus Prof. Rajni Abbi, Registrar Dr. Vikas Gupta, Dean of Academic Affairs Prof. K. Ratnabali, NCC Coordinator Major Prof. Sanjay Kumar, along with several deans, heads of departments, principals, teachers, officers, employees and thousands of students, attended the ceremony.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar