Students are the foundation of the future of New India: Arjun Munda

Union Minister along with Olympic Gold Medalist Neeraj Chopra addressed on the occasion of Centenary Run in University of Delhi

Union Minister Arjun Munda said that the students are the foundation of that future New India, which we are pledging to build with our new ideas and dreams. Munda was speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of a Centenary Run organized by University of Delhi on Friday, November 18 under the "Run for DU" slogan. The run was organized by the University to mark the completion of its 100 years. Arjun Munda, Union Cabinet Minister for Tribal Affairs, was the chief guest and Vivek Thakur, Chairman, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, was present as the special guest on the occasion. The inauguration ceremony was presided over by the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Yogesh Singh. The chief guest along with youth icon, Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra flagged off the centenary run from the University Sports Complex ground.
In his address on the occasion, Union Minister Arjun Munda said that I come from the soil of that corner of India, where leaders of the world of Indian sports are born- Mahendra Singh Dhoni who leads the country's cricket and Deepika is shining on the world stage in archery. He said that all these achievements belong to India. We have to spread this fragrance to the world and that is the aim of this century run. He urged that let us all move ahead together with such a resolve that we feel proud to hand over the country to our new generation in 2047.
Presiding over the program, Vice Chancellor of University of Delhi, Prof. Yogesh Singh welcomed all the guests. Addressing the gathering, he said that when this university was formed 100 years ago, no one would have thought that after 100 years, on this day, such a big program would be held here in which all of you would participate. He said that when the name of someone who has done some great work is mentioned, then everyone feels happy. Neeraj Chopra is an example of that. He said that to be like Neeraj Chopra it is necessary to be fit. That's why the Government of India started the Fit India Movement in 2019. The Vice Chancellor asked the students to stay fit, happy, healthy and have fun and this illuminate the name of yourself and your family. He said that the university is now also starting value added courses under the Fit India programme. According to the Education Policy 2020, it will also be a part of the curriculum.
The special guest of the program Vivek Thakur said that the present also belongs to India and the future also belongs to India. They are getting to see this change taking shape in this beautiful stadium of DU. India hosting the next G-20 meeting is not an ordinary thing. He said that there is no such field where the University of Delhi has not excelled. One after the other, the prominent names who have given direction to this country have been the product of this university. Addressing the students, he said that you are the pioneers in re-establishing the old history of India. Its rope lies in the hands of the youth participating in today's race. Extending his best wishes, he called upon the students to move forward together and restore India to its old glory and grandeur.
Addressing the gathering, Youth Icon Olympic Gold Medalist Neeraj Chopra said that University of Delhi has produced very good sportspersons and very good students in other fields as well. Congratulating the students for the Run for DU, he said that do not take it for a day only, but add it to your life. In the context of the circumstances during the last two years of the covid epidemic, he said that those two years have taught us a lot. We have come to know how important it is to stay fit. He exhorted everyone to keep this workout regime regular and achieve their goals in life.
In the beginning of the program, Director of Delhi University South Campus, Prof. Shri Prakash Singh gave detailed information about the centenary run. In his address, he said that this run is not a competition, but a celebration of 100 years of glorious journey of DU. At the end of the inauguration ceremony, Dean Students Welfare Prof. Pankaj Arora proposed vote of thanks.
A large number of Delhi University students, research scholars, teachers, non-teaching staff and alumni took part in the nearly 4.3 kilometer run organized in collaboration with the Athletics Federation of India under the Fit India Movement, a nationwide movement launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. About 50 disabled students also participated in this race.
Certificates and T-shirts were also awarded to the registered participants who participated in the programme. On this occasion, Chief Guest Union Minister Arjun Munda, Special Guest Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education Vivek Thakur, DU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Yogesh Singh, Olympic Gold Medalist Neeraj Chopra, DU Alumnus Prachi Talhan, Captain of the Indian Netball Team, South Campus Director Prof. Shri Prakash Singh, Dean of Colleges Prof. Balaram Pani, DU Registrar Dr. Vikas Gupta, Convener of Centenary Celebrations Committee Prof. Neera Agnimitra, Dean Students Welfare Prof. Pankaj Arora, PRO Anoop Lather and Dr. Abhishek Tandon including many teaching, non-teaching staff and alumni and thousands of students were present.