Degrees alone won't make students self-reliant, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta says at Daulat Ram College
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday inaugurated a new Centenary Academic Building, a Computer Centre and a Skill Development Centre at Daulat Ram College, University of Delhi, and said formal education must be paired with technical knowledge and practical skills to make students self-reliant.
Addressing students and faculty at the women's college, Ms. Gupta said the purpose of education is not merely to earn a degree but to equip young people to face life's challenges and stand on their own feet. She emphasised that classroom learning alone is not enough, and that students need hands-on training if they are to be prepared for the demands of work and everyday life.
The inauguration comes amid a wider emphasis in higher education policy on vocational and skill-based training, with universities and colleges being encouraged to set up dedicated centres alongside conventional academic departments.
Recalling her own association with the college, Ms. Gupta, a former student, said her journey in public life began when she was elected general secretary of the college students' union. She said it was a matter of satisfaction that she now has the opportunity to address, on a larger scale, the issues concerning students' welfare that she had once raised as a student representative.
During the visit, she inspected the Faculty Reading Room, a seminar room, the Shri Ramalaya section in the library, and the recycling and bakery units on the campus. She also discussed the need to renovate the college auditorium and assured the institution of her support.
Women's safety
Speaking on women's safety, the Chief Minister said work is under way to install one lakh smart LED streetlights across Delhi and connect them to a Control and Command Centre. The system, she said, would help identify faulty lights and ensure repairs within a stipulated timeframe, reducing dark spots and improving public safety. A plan to install 50,000 new CCTV cameras to strengthen surveillance is also in progress, she added. According to Ms. Gupta, both projects were announced in the Budget presented in March this year.
She said women's safety should not rest solely on women and called for a change in societal attitudes. Instead of imposing restrictions on girls, she said, boys and men should be taught to respect women.
The Chief Minister urged students to speak up against harassment and intimidation, to trust their own judgement, to make their own decisions and to pursue their chosen paths without fear.
At the event, she launched the 'Miss DRC Talent Hunt' to encourage students to showcase their abilities and take part in extracurricular activities. Students of the Mahila Vikas Samiti demonstrated self-defence techniques during the programme. Appreciating their efforts, Ms. Gupta said such training helps girls prepare for difficult situations while building confidence and courage.
(With inputs from PTI)
