Indian youth has potential to achieve Bhagat Singh's dream: Prof Pramod Mehra
New Delhi : Martyrs' day was celebrated at University of Delhi's Shaheed Bhagat Singh Evening College, by holding its annual "Shaheed Bhagat Singh Memorial Lecture" on virtual mode. This year's eminent speaker was Professor Parmod Kumar Mehra, an eminent educationist who delivered this year’s lecture on the topic "Understanding of Shaheed-E-Azam Bhagat Singh in the Contemporary Times".
While welcoming the speaker to the college, the Principal Professor Sudhir Kumar Sinha spoke about the institution of such a unique memorial lecture series at the college. He also described how the college has had a history of sustained commitment to the noble cause of patriotism and nationalism by inviting eminent personages almost four decades. The past speakers include Durga Bhabhi, Manmath Nath Gupta, Shiv Verma, Kartar Singh, Late Sh. Vishwanath Mathur, Sheel Bhadra Yaji, Sh. Kuldeep Nayyar, Prof. Chaman Lal, Major General (Dr.) G.D. Bakshi, SM, VSM (Retd.), Padma Shri Ram Bahadur Rai, Prof. Sucheta Mahajan, Prof. Bidyut Chakrabarty among others, who have delivered the prestigious, one of its kind Shaheed Bhagat Singh Memorial Lecture at the College and have illuminated the glorious path of patriotic fervour and enthralled audiences with their respective understandings of the legacy of Shaheed-e-azam Bhagat Singh. Professor Sudhir Kumar Sinha shared his own vision of the enduring spirit of Bhagat Singh, and thereafter introduced the guest speaker.
Professor Parmod Kumar Mehra is currently Professor at the Department of English, Department of Humanities, Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi. He spoke about the need to revisit and dig into the real life story and principles of Bhagat Singh by directly reading his own literature. He dwelt at length upon the educational background of the Prince of Martyrs, and presented his awe-inspiring life story. Detailing the journey of Bhagat Singh from being a revolutionary to the Shaheed-e-Azam, Prof. Mehra also brought to fore his literature, his pamphlets, his wide reading and his creativity in the language of the common people. He talked about the true legacy of Bhagat Singh, the evolution of his thought process, and his revolutionary potential, the importance of integrating patriotism with the daily lives of students via a dynamic curriculum, leading to both: an enduring patriotic zeal, nationalistic spirit flowing seamlessly into global citizenship.
Senior most faculty of the college and eminent historian Sh. Sheo Dutt also addressed the gathering by shedding light at Bhagat Singh’s journey, his writings, his associates, and his revolutionary spirit amply aided by his roles of also being a public intellectual, a philosopher, thinker and activist.
Prof. V. S. Negi, Member Executive Council DU also applauded the event and shared his experience of visiting the jail where Bhagat Singh had been held during his trial. Sh. Sunil Kumar, Secretary Staff Council of the college also shared his thoughts on the occasion before delivering the vote of thanks: talking about the pressing need to inculcate and nurture the spirit of patriotism in different aspects of an individual’s life. Stressing upon the necessities of the new normal in the post pandemic world, Sunil Kumar spoke about the need to become better and dedicated students, better professionals, shift the perspective from merely earning money, to contributing meaningfully towards the betterment of the society and the country in everyone’s individual capacities.
Sangharsh-- The Dramatics Society of the college also staged a vivid play on the life and struggles of Shaheed-e-Aazam and brought to life the memories of the days of the National Struggle for Independence, while Malhar- The Music Society of the College contributed by giving voice to powerful invocations such as "Ae watan watan mere aabaad rahe tu". The coordinators of the event were Dr. Anshu Jain, Ms. Khushboo Gupta and Ms. Geeta Devi. The students and the faculty members in the audience felt enthused and energized with a greater zeal of patriotic service and bringing glory to the nation; an essential requirement in contemporary times of uncertainty prevailing world over.
