Thousands of students took part in a massive rally and convention in Kolkata as the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) celebrated its Foundation Day. The event also commemorated National Students’ Day, the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram and the 125th birth anniversary of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee. Organisers said the programme focused on creating a healthy educational atmosphere and encouraging students to contribute to national development.
The rally witnessed participation from students representing colleges and universities across Kolkata, with College Street emerging as the focal point of the celebrations.
ABVP Foundation Day rally draws thousands of students
The ABVP Foundation Day programme featured two separate rallies beginning from Sealdah and Shyambazar before converging near Swami Vivekananda’s Ancestral House. The combined procession then moved towards College Street, where the students’ convention was organised.
The event was led by ABVP National General Secretary Dr Virendra Singh Solanki along with senior office bearers including Shubhabrata Adhikary, Neelkantha Bhattacharya, Sunita Mondal and Swadhin Haldar.
Throughout the ABVP Foundation Day rally, participants raised slogans supporting quality education, transparent governance in educational institutions and greater student participation in nation-building.
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ABVP Foundation Day focuses on education and nationalism
Addressing the gathering, Dr Virendra Singh Solanki said recent political developments in West Bengal had created an opportunity to strengthen the state’s education sector. He stated that ABVP would continue working towards transforming educational institutions into centres of academic excellence and ensuring campuses remain safe and student-friendly.
Speaking during the ABVP Foundation Day event, he described Vande Mataram as a symbol of India’s freedom movement and national unity rather than merely a patriotic song.
Dr Solanki also criticised incidents of anti-national slogans and alleged disrespect towards India’s cultural heritage in some educational institutions, asserting that campuses should promote nationalism, cultural values and character-building alongside academic learning.
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ABVP Foundation Day highlights vision for Viksit Bengal
The student convention concluded with a call for stronger educational institutions as the foundation for national progress. ABVP leaders argued that Bengal’s development would play a vital role in achieving the broader vision of a developed India.
According to the organisation, the ABVP Foundation Day programme was intended to inspire students to actively participate in social and educational reforms while preserving India’s cultural identity.
Leaders reiterated that ABVP would continue organising student-centric initiatives across the state to promote academic excellence, campus safety and constructive student engagement. They maintained that educational institutions must become centres of knowledge, leadership and national consciousness to help realise the vision of a Viksit Bharat.
