"College Is About Responsibility, Not Just Degrees": Delhi Education Minister at ARSD’s 66th Foundation Day
Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma (ARSD) College’s 66th Foundation Day turned into more than just a celebratory gathering when Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood, an alumnus of the institution, urged students to rethink the purpose of higher education. Delivering a powerful address, Sood emphasized that college is not just for earning degrees, but for preparing for real-life responsibilities.
Returning to the campus where he studied commerce in the 1980s, Sood reflected on his student years and called his homecoming as Chief Guest a “deeply emotional moment.” Yet his speech looked firmly toward the future, centered on the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
“College years bring freedom—but what follows is responsibility,” Sood said. “Ask yourself: How will you contribute to your college, your society, your country?”
NEP 2020: A Generational Shift in Education
Calling NEP 2020 a “generational shift”, the minister outlined how the policy aims to transform not just what students learn, but how they learn. He highlighted its features—from interdisciplinary learning and credit flexibility to skill-based training and internships—and stressed that the policy seeks to create thinkers, communicators, and innovators, not just exam-passers.
“We are no longer in a world where just having a degree is enough,” Sood said. “We need students who can think critically and act responsibly.”
Delhi’s Push for NEP Implementation
The minister shared that Delhi has already begun implementing NEP at the grassroots level through pilot projects integrating internships into academic credits and the establishment of school-level skill labs. He also noted that mental health services are under review, as post-pandemic challenges continue to affect students.
Referencing ARSD’s founding values, Sood said ‘Sanatan Dharma’ stands for eternal truths and social responsibility, not just religion.
“When some talk of ending Sanatan, it is our duty to uphold and be the torchbearers of timeless values,” he said.
Policy Reform Beyond Campuses
In a brief shift to broader education policy, Sood also spoke about an upcoming bill to regulate private school fees in Delhi. The legislation, set to be tabled in the Assembly tomorrow, aims to curb arbitrary fee hikes and mandates refund timelines, financial penalties, and structured oversight through a three-tier regulatory framework.
The bill proposes penalties ranging from ₹1 lakh to ₹10 lakh, with escalating consequences for repeated violations. While some parents have welcomed the bill’s intent, others call for more public dialogue before implementation.
A Call for Purpose-Driven Education
For students in attendance, the minister’s emphasis on education as a vehicle for social responsibility struck a chord.
“Finally, someone’s talking about how we study—not just what we study,” said a second-year student. “We’re tired of the placement rat race. If NEP can help us discover our real interests, that’s real reform.”
Sood concluded his address by quoting Acharya Chanakya:
“A teacher is never ordinary; both destruction and creation lie in their lap.”
He thanked ARSD’s faculty for shaping minds since 1959 and reiterated that true reform lies in students becoming active participants in their education.
“If we get NEP right,” he said, “Delhi’s students won’t just pass exams, they’ll shape the future.”
As the event wrapped up, it was clear that the message was less about nostalgia and more about ownership. With NEP implementation and the private school fee regulation bill on the horizon, the coming weeks will reveal whether these reforms translate into meaningful change—or remain aspirational rhetoric for students facing real-world challenges.
