NEW DELHI: Department of Political Science of the University of Delhi marked its Diamond Jubilee with a commemorative program at Vande Mataram Hall in the Faculty of Arts, celebrating 75 years since its inception. The event brought together university officials, faculty, alumni, scholars and guests for academic sessions, a magazine launch and a cultural programme.The proceedings opened with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp and the surrender of Kulgeet University. The head of the Department and coordinator, Professor Rekha Saxena, welcomed the gathering and reflected on the journey of the department from its early years to its current position as a reference center for Political Science studies in the country.The Department monitors their academic progressSpeaking at the event, Professor Rekha Saxena described the department as “my intellectual home” as she recalled her journey from being a student to serving as its head. He said the department had grown from a small cohort in 1952 to the nation’s largest center for political science studies and now reaches more than a million students each year. He also spoke of his academic culture of critical inquiry, intellectual humility and respect for different perspectives.The department also launched its new academic journal during the inaugural session.Speakers discuss higher education and knowledge systemsGuest of Honor Professor Rakesh Sinha, former Rajya Sabha MP, referred to the academic legacy of the department across generations and welcomed the launch of the journal. He spoke of the “decolonization of knowledge”, the role of “Indian knowledge systems” and the need to develop “critical minds capable of contributing to a New India in the coming decades”.Delhi University Vice-Chancellor Prof Yogesh Singh, who attended as the chief guest, congratulated the department for completing “75 glorious years” and said it had produced more than 1,200 PhD graduates. He added that the department had helped “prove skeptics wrong about India’s democratic future” and highlighted the role of the country’s cultural traditions in promoting unity. Vote of thanks was delivered by co-convenor Bipin K. Tiwari.Academic sessions and cultural programThe second session, chaired by Prof. MP Singh, had lectures by the dean of universities, Prof. Balaram Pani, Prof. Rajni Abbi and Prof. Sushma Yadav. Professor Charles Hankla of Georgia State University in the United States delivered the keynote address, drawing on his long relationship with the department.Former professors, college principals and alumni including Professor Neera Chandhoke and Professor MP Singh were felicitated during the programme. The final cultural session, chaired by Sh. Anup Lather, included a performance by a delegation from the Ministry of Culture, Government of NCT of Delhi. The event was coordinated by Dr. Sitaram Kumbhar and Dr. Nihar R. Nayak.