THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, DELHI

• VC, JNU, Mrs. Santishree D. Pandit Ji,

• Dean, JNU, Amitabh Mattoo,

• Associate Dean, SIS, Prof. Sharad Soni,

• Convenor, Prof. Priti Singh,

• Distinguished faculty members, guests and some of my classmates and dear students

A good morning to all of you,

    Returning to Jawaharlal Nehru University, is always a deeply personal experience. This is not just, an academic space.

        It is a place, where ideas were shaped, where perspectives were challenged, and where some of the most formative years, of my life, unfolded. Many of the questions, we are discussing today, about cities, governance, identity, and the future, were first encountered, and debated, in spaces like this.

        As India redefines, its place in the world, it is equally important, to think about, the future of its capital.

       Delhi is not merely a city. It is a living civilisational narrative.

       From the grandeur of Indraprastha, to the cultural richness of Shah-Jahanabad, from the vision of         Lut-yens' Delhi, to the aspirations of a modern global capital, Delhi has continuously, reinvented itself, across centuries.

       And today, we stand at, yet another defining moment, in that journey.

As Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji has said, “Indian cities are turning into engines of growth. The more modern, convenient, and better connected Delhi becomes, the more strongly India’s self-confidence will be visible to the world.” This vision reminds us that Delhi’s transformation is not just about infrastructure, but about projecting India’s confidence and leadership globally.

     As India moves with confidence, towards becoming a leading global power, Delhi too must evolve — not only as the political capital, of the nation, but as a model, of sustainable urban development, inclusive growth, cultural leadership, innovation, and quality of life.

    Reimagining Delhi, therefore, is not simply, about infrastructure, but about reimagining, the very experience of urban living.

       I believe the Delhi of the future, must be built, on five essential pillars.

       The first pillar is, sustainability. No city can aspire to global leadership, without addressing environmental challenges, with urgency and sincerity.

    Cleaner air, rejuvenated water bodies, enhanced green cover, effective waste management, the adoption of renewable energy, and sustainable mobility, must become central, to Delhi's urban vision.

      We must move, beyond reactive measures, and commit ourselves, to long-term ecological planning.

   The Yamuna must, not only be cleaned; it must be restored, as a vibrant ecological, and cultural lifeline, of this city.

    At the same time, stronger public transport systems, electric mobility, pedestrian-friendly streets, cycling infrastructure, and integrated urban planning, will define, the next phase of Delhi's transformation.

       The second pillar is, inclusion. A truly global city, is one where growth is shared, and opportunities are, accessible to all.

      Delhi's future must belong, equally to women, senior citizens, youth, differently-abled, migrant workers, entrepreneurs, artists, students, and vulnerable communities.

       Urban development, cannot be limited, to physical infrastructure alone. It must also strengthen, social infrastructure — healthcare, education, safety, accessibility, and dignity.

      Technology and governance, must work together, to create systems, that are transparent, efficient, and citizen-friendly.

       The objective should be simple: governance, that is responsive, accessible, and humane.

       The third pillar is, culture. Delhi possesses, one of the richest cultural identities, anywhere in the world.

       Its monuments, literature, food traditions, music, crafts, languages, museums, festivals, and artistic communities together, form the soul of this city.

     As we modernise Delhi, we must ensure, that we do not lose, its cultural memory. Instead, we must strengthen, Delhi's position as a, global cultural capital.

     Investment in museums, public art, creative industries, cultural tourism, heritage restoration, and community spaces, can help create a city, where culture is, not preserved passively, but lived actively.

        Because culture connects communities, strengthens identity, and creates, new economic opportunities.

       The fourth pillar is, innovation and economic growth. Delhi has the potential to emerge, not only as an administrative capital, but also as a leading centre, for knowledge, startups, tourism, hospitality, the creative economy, and the wider service sector.

     The future belongs to cities, that encourage innovation, entrepreneurship, digital ecosystems, skilling, and collaboration.

       We must create an environment, where young minds can dream, innovate, and contribute meaningfully, to nation-building. And to realise that vision, partnerships between government, academia, industry, and civil society, are essential.

       The fifth, and perhaps the most important pillar, is compassion. A city cannot truly progress, if it loses its humanity.

    Reimagining Delhi, means creating a city, that is empathetic to the elderly, accessible to persons with disabilities, safe for women, supportive of children, respectful towards workers, and caring towards the underprivileged.

       The measure of a great city, is not only found, in its skylines, or infrastructure.

        It is found, in how it treats, its most vulnerable citizens.

       Delhi has always represented, the spirit of India — diverse, resilient, dynamic, and aspirational.

       The task before us, is not easy.

      Urbanisation, environmental pressures, population growth, mobility challenges, and resource management, demand coordinated action, and long-term vision.

       But every challenge, also presents, an opportunity.

    If we work collectively — government institutions, the private sector, urban planners, environmentalists, cultural leaders, and citizens — Delhi can emerge, as one of the most admired, and future-ready capitals, in the world.

       Reimagining Delhi, is not the responsibility, of one institution alone.

    It is a shared responsibility. A shared vision. And above all, a shared commitment.

       A commitment, to creating a city, that future generations will be, proud to inherit.

      Let us work together, to build a Delhi, that is environmentally conscious, culturally vibrant, economically dynamic, technologically progressive, and deeply humane.

Thank you

JAI HIND