Shaheed Bhagat Singh College, one of the oldest and most prestigious colleges of Delhi University, has completed 50 years of its existence and has embarked on a year-long golden jubilee celebrations.
Najeeb Jung, Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, inaugurated the celebrations earlier this month at the India Habitat Centre. It was followed by honouring teachers and faculty members who joined the college in 1967 (year of establishment), and a cultural programme by the students.
The college authorities have plans to organise several functions throughout the year. “Ek Sham Bhagat Singh Ke Naam”, a prominent programme, has been planned for December this year, where teachers and students of the college would recall the history of Bhagat Singh with music, dance, drama and lectures, while the Golden Jubilee Mela would be held in February next year.
“The golden jubilee of the college is a defining moment in its long journey on the path of growth and service to society. It is a moment of happiness for all of us at the Shaheed Bhagat Singh College to be a part of the celebrations and we look forward to developing our college as a premier educational institution with a strong brand image, offering world-class facilities for the development of excellence in academics, sports, cultural activities and other student empowering activities.” Prof P.K. Khurana, principal of the college, said.
The college, established on 16 July 1967, will inaugurate the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Research and Study Centre for the promotion of research and study among students, along with another Centre for Entrepreneurial Development in the college premises. The college has also built a new herbal garden
Dr Anil Sardana, who has been associated with the college for the past 43 years, has also been an alumnus. Dr Sardana, who is also the organising secretary of the golden jubilee programme, said, “This is a moment to celebrate, to look back and also plan for the future. It is also a platform for the alumni to connect and contribute in ways to develop the college. Our alumni have reached great heights in their professions.”
The college, which started with just 134 students in a small government school building in Govindpuri, currently has around 3,000 students from across the country and is one of the most sought after colleges for commerce studies. As the number of students grew, the college was moved to its present building at Sheikh Sarai in 1990. The college had started its evening section in 1973 and today it has become a full-fledged evening college, even offering various honours courses.
Professor Sydney Rebeiro, one of the first teachers of the college and the present Dean of Alumni Affairs, DU, said: “The college has a long history and we started from a small building with a handful of students, but today we have become one of the best colleges in Delhi University. We had faced several problems, but had always stood up strong.”