Prominent graduates of Delhi University came together on Saturday evening for a journey back in time, sharing vivid memories of a campus that once felt boundless. The Delhi University Alumni Leaders Meet, 2025, held at the India International Centre, saw a distinguished gathering of former students reflecting on how their alma mater has transformed alongside the sprawling city that surrounds it.
A Gathering of Eminence and Shared History
The event brought together a notable assembly of ministers, senior bureaucrats, judges, lawyers, and other eminent personalities. The Vice-Chancellor of Delhi University, Yogesh Singh, was also in attendance. For many, the evening provided a rare chance to reconnect with old classmates after decades, turning the venue into a hub of warm greetings, photographs, and conversations that seamlessly blended recollections of student life with updates on current professional roles.
Organised by the University Foundation, the university's fundraising body, the meet had a clear objective: to strengthen alumni engagement and mobilise support for the institution's development. The event enjoyed sponsorship from major organisations like the Indian Railway Finance Corporation, NTPC, and BSES.
Games, Laughter, and Echoes of Student Days
The programme was designed to rekindle the spirit of university days through interactive activities. In a moment that sparked instant recognition and joy, the anchor asked the crowd to name a popular North Campus market famous for its food and culture. A chorus of "Majnu ka Tila" rang out, followed by laughter and cheers. A Fastest Finger First quiz and a lucky draw further engaged the alumni, with questions centred around iconic campus landmarks and student culture.
SD Sanjay, the Additional Solicitor-General of India, expressed his gratitude for the reunion. "I see a few of my friends here. I am not a local Delhiite. I am from Patna, Bihar, but those days were the best time of my life," he said, capturing the sentiment of many who found a home away from home at the university.
Memories of an Open University and a Changing City
The conversations naturally drifted towards the tangible changes in the campus landscape. Senior advocate Monica Arora recalled the informal atmosphere that defined her student years. "We used to hold classes in the lawns and go to bhelpuri shops," she said, emphasising that the DU experience was always about more than just academics.
This reflection on a more accessible campus was powerfully echoed by former Supreme Court judge Arjan Kumar Sikri. He shared a poignant memory: "I still remember when the campus was so open that even the vice-chancellor's office had no barriers." He then contrasted that past with the present, noting, "Today, there are more obstructions, not just in Delhi University but across Delhi, and the rush has increased." His observation highlighted a shared narrative of growth and the inevitable trade-offs that come with it, both for the institution and the national capital.
The Delhi University Alumni Leaders Meet 2025 successfully served as a bridge between the university's cherished past and its future aspirations, reminding everyone that while walls may have gone up, the bonds forged on its open lawns remain as strong as ever.
