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New centre set up at IGNOU

NEW DELHI: Indira Gandhi National Open University has set up “Indira Gandhi Centre for Freedom Struggle Studies” tracing different aspects of the freedom struggle, including the revolts, movements and the role of revolutionaries.

The new centre was inaugurated by Union Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh on Thursday. The university has also constituted a Chair on Bahadur Shah Zafar. The centre will take forward the activities of the new Chair.

A memorandum of understanding will be signed between IGNOU and the Institute for Socialist Education to implement the various activities to be undertaken by the new centre, said Vice-Chancellor V. N. Rajasekharan Pillai at the function.

The centre will compile a national register of martyrs of the freedom struggle; collect contemporaneous posters, handbills, periodicals; conduct an in-depth study and research in cooperation with living freedom fighters; identify those movements and campaigns in which Indian women, tribal leaders and students participated and study the role of Indian revolutionaries in Europe.

The centre will also identify places where martyr memorials may be raised, provide inputs for a National Museum of Freedom Movement in Delhi, publish the famous trials that were held during the freedom struggle and study the contribution of foreigners to the national movement.

Addressing the gathering – comprising over 150 freedom fighters – Mr. Singh said: “I think this is the only centre of its kind in India. Indira Gandhi was a multifaceted personality. Not a lot of things are known about her. That is why there are a lot of myths about her. Every aspect of Indira Gandhi’s life should be highlighted and I think the centre will do that.”

The centre will publish books and booklets for students and general public to make them aware of the freedom struggle and the ideas and principles that the revolutionaries lived and died for.

“We are aiming at compiling a repository of activities in connection with the national movement, which will be available to everyone through EDUSAT and Gyanvani. There will be networking between academia and freedom fighters. Initially we will conduct research on various themes related to the freedom struggle and later we will offer courses and diplomas,” said Prof. Pillai.

Haryana Governor A. R. Kidwai and former Member of Parliament Shashi Bhushan were among those present on the occasion.

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