VIVEK SHUKLA , SR. JOURNALIST, COLUMNIST
The Delhi connection of two Sri Lankan Prime Ministers The new Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Harini Amarasuriya, has joined the distinguished list of Delhi University (DU) alumnus who have risen to become presidents or prime ministers of India or other countries. She studied at Hindu College from 1991 to 1994, graduating with a degree in Sociology.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s first female Prime Minister, Sirimavo Bandaranaike, has a unique connection with Delhi. A peepal tree in Buddha Jayanti Park is believed to be related to Lord Buddha. A sapling from the original tree, under which Buddha attained enlightenment, was planted in Sri Lanka by Emperor Ashoka’s son. Sirimavo Bandaranaike gifted a sapling from this tree to India’s then Prime Minister, Lal Bahadur Shastri, in 1964. Shastri planted this sapling on October 25, 1964, and it has grown into a fully-fledged, vibrant tree.
Before Harini Amarasuriya, many other DU students became presidents or prime ministers of India and other nations. Dr. Manmohan Singh, a former DU faculty member, taught at the Delhi School of Economics from 1969 to 1971. He served as Prime Minister of India for ten years.
first president from DU
India’s fifth president, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, was a student at St. Stephen’s College. When Ahmed was studying at St. Stephen’s, the college was located in Kashmiri Gate. He was a native of Old Delhi, born in Hauz Qazi. Dr. Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed served as the country’s president from 1974 to 1977. He was the second Muslim president of India and the second president to die in office.
Which Pakistani president was a DU alumnus?
Former Pakistani President Zia-ul-Haq also studied at St. Stephen’s College. Zia-ul-Haq studied at St. Stephen’s from 1941 to 1945. David Rajaram was the college principal during his time at DU. Zia-ul-Haq visited his alma mater during his visit to the capital for the Non-Aligned Summit in 1983. Professor Mohammed Amin, who taught history at St. Stephen’s College for many decades, once said that Zia became emotional while visiting the college. Zia, who had created a fearsome image by hanging former Pakistani Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto just a few years prior, interacted with everyone at St. Stephen’s as if he had found a long-lost friend. He even visited the Principal’s office and found “Sukhia,” the lemon soda vendor. Zia used to drink lemon soda from Sukhia. He gave Sukhia an envelope as he was leaving. It was said that he had given Sukhia his old debt. Zia also saw his hostel room at Rudra North. Hostels at St. Stephen’s College are called “residences.” Father Solomon George, a member of the Delhi Brotherhood Society, says that Gandhiji stayed at St. Stephen’s College in 1915 at the invitation of Sushil Kumar Rudra. The Delhi Brotherhood Society founded St. Stephen’s College. It was earlier known as the Brotherhood of the Ascended Christ.
Koirala at Kirori Mal College
Girija Prasad Koirala, who served as Prime Minister of Nepal five times, studied at Kirori Mal College, DU. He was the president of the Nepali Congress. Mahatma Gandhi’s principles of truth and non-violence had a profound impact on Koirala’s life. He remained a staunch advocate for good relations with India throughout his life. He was an accomplished orator. Nepal’s 35th Prime Minister, Baburam Bhattarai, did not study at DU. He completed his postgraduate studies at the School of Planning and Architecture. He earned his PhD from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in 1986. Bhattarai believes that JNU first introduced him to communism.
Aung San Suu Kyi at LSR college
Nobel Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar’s leading politician and former State Counsellor (equivalent to the Prime Minister), graduated from Lady Shri Ram College (LSR) in 1964. Manu Bhaskar, a two-time Paris Olympic medalist, also studied at the same college. Aung San Suu Kyi lived with her mother at 24 Akbar Road, the official residence of the Burmese ambassador to India, while studying at LSR. The residence was also known as “Burma House.” Rashid Kidwai, in his book “24 Akbar Road,” wrote that 24 Akbar Road was called Burma House on the instructions of then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. Daw Khin Kyi, the Burmese ambassador, and Pandit Nehru had a close and friendly relationship. India-Burma relations were steadily strengthening during that period. Daw Khin Kyi’s daughter is Aung San Suu Kyi.
Which African President was a DU alumnus?
Bingu wa Mutharika, president of Malawi from 2004 to 2012, who graduated from Sri Ram College of Commerce and holds a postgraduate degree from the Delhi School of Economics, studied at DU from 1961 to 1966. He was a very promising student. Mutharika visited Delhi in 2010 and was honored at Delhi University. He passed away in 2012.
Finally, India’s current Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, also has a connection to DU. He graduated with a degree in Arts from Delhi University in 1978.
Kalinga Chronicle and Punjab Times
