*Delhi CM Atishi, in her Alma Mater address at St. Stephen’s Founder’s Day, calls youth to action by engaging in politics and democracy to shape for India's future*
*When educated, well-meaning young people stay away from politics, we are responsible for leaving most important decisions of our lives to ‘worst kind of people’: CM Atishi*
*In 2015, Delhi Govt schools were in deplorable state—no glass panes on windows, no desks, no clean drinking water, today they outperform private schools; 2,000 students from Govt schools cleared JEE & NEET: CM Atishi*
*Today, 11 lakh women in Delhi step out of their homes daily, accessing education and jobs, thanks to free bus rides AAP Govt provides: CM Atishi*
*When we came into power in 2015, we wanted to bring change, but we were amazed by vested interests and obstructions; my colleagues spent time in custody because of our fight against these forces: CM Atishi*
NEW DELHI:07.12.24-Delhi Chief Minister Atishi delivered a powerful alma mater address at the St. Stephen’s College Founder’s Day celebration, issuing a clarion call to the youth to actively engage in politics, warning against leaving critical decisions in the hands of “the worst kind of people” due to educated and well-meaning individuals shunning public life.
The Delhi Chief Minister highlighted the transformative impact of the AAP government’s policies, including free bus rides empowering 11 lakh women daily, while reflecting on the struggles and sacrifices her team faced since 2015 in combating vested interests to bring change.
During this, Right Reverend Dr. Paul Swarup, the Chairman of the College and the Bishop of Derry, Professor John Burgess, Principal of St. Stephen's College were also present.
Speaking to a hall filled with bright-eyed students, Delhi CM Atishi called on the youth to take an active role in shaping India’s future by engaging with politics and democracy. The Delhi CM said, “It is an honor and a privilege to be here at the Founder’s Day of St. Stephen’s College, an institution that shaped me in many ways and brought me to where I am today. It was more than two decades ago that I was a student here.”
The Delhi Chief Minister recounted how, as a student, the idea of effecting change was limited to working with charitable organizations, teaching underprivileged children, or donating to good causes. However, politics was never considered a viable avenue. “I'm sure there are many young people who are sitting here today who want to make a difference. At that time, one never thought of politics as a means for change. We saw it as dirty business, dominated by criminals and individuals from a different world—people wearing white starch kurta-pyjamas, not someone from a middle-class family like mine.”
CM Atishi recounted how, during her college days, there were no clear pathways into politics for young people. “If I wanted to teach at St. Stephen’s, I knew I’d have to do my bachelor’s, master’s, and probably get a foreign degree. If I wanted to become a bureaucrat, I’d start preparing for exams. But how does one even enter politics? There was no roadmap.”
She shared a realization: disengaging from politics meant leaving the most critical decisions about education, healthcare, safety, and opportunities in the hands of others. “When educated, well-meaning young people stay away from politics, we are responsible for leaving the most important decisions of our lives to the worst kind of people,” she said.
Reflecting on her political journey, CM Atishi admitted it had been far more challenging than anticipated. “When we came into power in 2015, we wanted to bring change, but we were amazed by the vested interests and obstructions we faced. Many of my colleagues even spent time in custody because of our fight against these forces. But despite these challenges, the journey has been worthwhile because of the impact we’ve made.”
The Delhi Chief Minister cited the transformation of Delhi’s government schools as a prime example. “In 2015, government schools were in a deplorable state—no glass panes on windows, no desks, no clean drinking water. Today, they outperform private schools. Last year, 2,000 students from Delhi government schools cleared JEE and NEET exams. This change gives hope that if the right people are in decision-making positions, India can change.”
CM Atishi also highlighted initiatives like free primary healthcare through Mohalla Clinics and free bus rides for women, which have expanded educational and economic opportunities for underserved communities. “Today, 11 lakh women step out of their homes daily, accessing education and jobs, thanks to policies that prioritized their needs,” she said.
The Chief Minister urged the youth to rethink their perception of politics, emphasizing that meaningful change is only possible through active engagement. “India is not destined to stay the same. It can change, and we are the ones who can bring that change. But for that, we must engage with politics and democracy.”
CM Atishi compared democracy to a market where demand shapes supply, stressing the importance of citizen engagement. “If every household demands better schools, healthcare, and opportunities, politicians will deliver. But if we disengage, we leave those demands in the hands of others. As a politician, I know I have to face my constituents every five years. That accountability is the strength of democracy.”
Looking back at her time in St. Stephen’s, the Chief Minister reminisced about being part of the Social Service League, organizing blood donation camps, and holding evening classes for children of the college’s non-teaching staff. “This college instilled in us an ethos of service. Today, I urge all of you to carry that ethos forward. Yes, be successful in your careers, but remember that your actions shape the society and country you live in.”
She concluded with a powerful call to action: “India’s future is not in anyone else’s hands—it is in ours. If we want change, we must engage with politics and democracy. If we leave decision-making in the hands of others, we cannot blame anyone but ourselves.”
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*BJP-led Central Govt has completely broken down law and order in Delhi: CM Atishi*
*Centre has only one responsibility in Delhi—to ensure safety of its people—but BJP has failed miserably at even that: CM Atishi*
*Delhiites are distressed by deteriorating law and order situation; People no longer feel safe stepping out of their homes: CM Atishi*
*Criminals are roaming fearlessly across city, unafraid of Police: CM Atishi*
*BJP-led Central Govt must fulfill its duty of ensuring safety for Delhiites, or people of Delhi will unite to teach them lesson: CM Atishi*
*CM Atishi visits AIIMS Trauma Centre to meet family of Govindpuri stabbing victim*
NEW DELHI:07.12.24-‘Delhi has become a crime capital under BJP rule’, declares Delhi Chief Minister Atishi as she meets the family of the victims of the Govindpuri stabbing at AIIMS. One member of the family has died and another is seriously injured due to the stabbing. Lambasting the BJP central government, the Delhi Chief Minister asserts, “Criminals roam fearlessly, and if law and order aren’t restored, Delhiites will teach them a lesson.”
During a media interaction, Delhi CM Atishi said, “One person lost their life in a stabbing incident in Govindpuri this morning, while another is critically injured and has been undergoing surgery for several hours. This is the same area where an on-duty beat constable was shot dead just two weeks ago, barely 100-200 meters away. And today, this morning, in the Shahdara area, a person on a morning walk was shot at. I want to know, what is the Central Government doing?”
The Delhi Chief Minister called out the BJP-led Central Government for neglecting its sole responsibility in the capital: maintaining law and order. “The BJP-led central government has only one responsibility in Delhi, and that is to ensure law and order, to provide safety and security to the people of Delhi. They have completely failed in this responsibility. Every day, someone is either being murdered, or there are incidents of shootings, kidnapping threats, or extortion calls. Under the BJP-led central government, Delhi is witnessing a total breakdown of law and order,” she stated.
Expressing grave concern, CM Atishi highlighted the growing fearlessness among criminals. “Today, I want to appeal to the BJP-led Central Government—Delhiites are troubled, deeply frustrated with your law-and-order situation. Today, no one feels safe stepping out of their homes, no one feels safe going to restaurants, where shootings are taking place. Gunshots are being fired at car showrooms, during morning walks, and even inside homes. Incidents of stabbings are happening. Today, no one is afraid anymore; there is no fear of the police, no fear that if someone commits a crime, they will be caught.”
In her concluding remarks, CM Atishi appealed to the central government: “You have only one job—to provide safety and security to the people of Delhi. Do your job properly, or else the people of Delhi will have no choice but to come together and show you your rightful place.”