About the Book

A 100-YEAR LEGACY OF RESILIENCE THAT HAS SHAPED A NATION.
For over a century, the University of Delhi (DU) has persevered against all the odds. From its founding in the early 1900s to its present-day status as a world-renowned institution of excellence, DU has evolved into a battleground of ideas and ideals, a hotbed of political movements and a cradle of eminent figures. The establishment of this university was a landmark moment for higher education in India, and today, the allure of its immense prestige is a clarion call too hard to resist. Lakhs of students flock to DU every year, and many more dream of attending.
But how did this come to pass?
In this vivid narration, authors (and DU alumni) Seema Gupta and Neelesh Kulkarni dig up untold stories of the university s evolution its decades-long battle for survival and its rise, like the phoenix, only to reach greater heights. Through detailed interviews with vice-chancellors, professors, non-teaching staff, alumni, street vendors and service providers, they uncover anecdotes about how DU has balanced heritage with innovation in order to offer its students a truly holistic learning environment. Together, these wonderful stories paint a living, breathing portrait of the institution, and are a formidable reminder of the capacity of education to change the world.
Come forth, step into the heart of DU.

About the Authors

Neelesh Kulkarni is a management graduate, an entrepreneur, poet, theatre actor, voiceover artist, and a coach in public speaking and creative writing. He has also been a cricket commentator. He is the author of the non-fiction work In the Footsteps of Rama (HarperCollins India), which has been adapted into a web series. His second book, Uprising: The Liberation of Dadra and Nagar Haveli (Westland) is being adapted into a movie. His latest work is Akashvani: A Century of Stories for All India Radio. Kulkarni has also contributed an essay, Vithoba of Pandharpur , to the anthology Where the Gods Dwell: Thirteen Templ