Aung San Suu Kyi, Freedom Fighter, Winner of the Nobel Peace Prize 1992

For the past many years Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has become a byword for the efficacy of silent, powerful protest against oppressive regimes. The Mynamar military junta's unjust stranglehold over the lives and opinions of millions of disempowered Burmese citizens has come into world focus largely through the efforts of one seemingly frail and cloistered academician. Indeed , the ideological struggle between one woman's unquenchable belief in the freedom of thought and expression and a claustrophobic, repressive regime has commanded world wide sympathy and admiration.

We at Lady Shri Ram College are proud to acknowledge our special ties with this remarkable personality. Aung San Suu Kyi, better known as "Suu:" to her college compatriots , was a student of Political Science at Lady Shri Ram -class of '64. Her grounding in the complexities of political thought via classroom teaching , coupled with her recognition of the vital living quality of the Indian democracy - a system characterized by it's multivoicedness - contributed greatly towards crafting Suu Kyi into the political entity she is today. Her husband Dr. Michael Aris , said, "She always viewed her education in Delhi and oxford as a preparation for serving her own country "

Naina Lal Kidwai, Vice Chairperson, JM Morgan Stanley

"I remember my three eventful years in LSR with joy. LSR gave me a firm grounding in Economics which has stood me in good stead till date. An active involvement with debates and plays and inter college events, Student council activities as Secretary and then President of the LSR Students' Union and the friends and relationships cemented through those years comprise the invaluable memories i carry with me. It is great to see the college improve its rankings and position."

Radhika Kaul Batra, Media Person

"LSR was not just about acquiring a good academic degree, it was the place that allowed me the opportunity to explore different facets of my personality - to find that I had more to me than I had previously known. College was the catalyst, the facilitator, it was the place where ideas could be translated into action, where a little initiative was all that was required for the right guidance to be made available. My faculty helped me to select my career, and have been a reference point for me even in my later years. Today when I look back, I know that the three years that I spent in college helped make me that I am. Most of all, LSR is a place that exudes tremendous warmth, a place where I can walk in, fourteen years after I graduated to find smiling, familiar faces, a place where I feel vibrant and at home. Thank you, LSR."

Madhavi Kuckreja, Social Activist, Vanangana

"My three years in Lady Shri Ram College for Women were the most significant in my life. Memorable as years of learning, exploration, friendships, freedom and fun - but most important they were the pivotal years that shaped what I was going to do for the rest of my life. Today after ten years of working with a Women's NGO Vanangana, in Chitrakoot District of Bundelkhand in one of the most backward areas of rural Uttar Pradesh, as I look back, I know that it was my time in LSR that were the deciding years. LSR provided me with a perspective on feminist issues and instilled in me, at the young age of 20, the confidence to pursue an 'alternative' career, anti sexual harassment campaign launched on DTC busses, riot relief work during the 1984 riots, organizing various events as President of the Students' Union - this was the world of opportunities at LSR that shaped the activist in me."

Malvika Karlekar, Writer and Senior Fellow, Center for Women's Development Studies, New Delhi

"Emerging from the confining portals of a convent, I viewed going to college as an exciting rite de passage. That of course, was eons ago, when as sixteen year olds innocents, we found wearing sarees and salwar kurtas almost as challenging as being asked to think and feel for ourselves. Soon enough we reveled in the exciting knowledge that there was an intellectual world beyond class notes and text books. And we responded, tentatively at first, to our dedicated teacher's encouragement and subtle guidance. As tutorials flowed and friendships grew, so did incipient talent on stage, debating for, and budding awareness among fellow students. College fomented the need for individual self-expression. LSR helped create a sense of well being and self confidence, and a work ethic which has , over the years, sustained me in various situations."

Sadhana Rana Ramachandran, Advocate , Supreme Court of India, Consultant SOS Children's Villages.

"Having studied in a co-ed school for eleven years, I must admit, I walked into LSR, as a fresher, wary at the thought of having purely female company for full three years.. but the fear soon gave way to the most cherished memories and fondest associations. LSR truly prepared me to take on the challenge of life with courage, confidence and compassion. The courage to practice law as a career, the confidence to be professional, wife and mother - all full time, and the compassion to go beyond all that, to also belong to the SOS family. LSR was hope … in whoever I met, LSR was pride in whatever I did, LSR was love….all its queer ways culminating in one single moment that I will never forget --- the most outstanding student award 1974-75. Thank you LSR for everything."

Anamika Haksar, Theatre Director

"I think LSR molded me personally but not professionally. I was actively involved in theatre within the college, but did not think I would specialize in it one day. In my time the exposure was very good - the wake-up forum and the film society were formed - but I was more involved outside. But the one true outstanding feature of LSR was its teachers. We had excellent teachers and that is the reason why I was so enthusiastic about my three years academically. I particularly remember teachers like Meera Baijal and A. Singh."

Sabina Sehgal , Editor, Delhi Times

"I think the three years in college were in many ways the most important in my life. College for me was a turning point because it suddenly opened a whole new world for me - be it SPIC MACAY, the dram society ., issues in the environment, the student's union and even history, the subject I did my honours in. but most of all it shaped me into the individual I am today. As a journalist I believe, I got my sense of ethics, confidence, fairness, and objectivity through the years I spent at LSR."

Harmala Gupta, Pioneer in Cancer Support, Winner of the Times of India Fellowship Award-1995

"Looking back, my years at Lady Shri Ram college for women 1970-73 were a turning point in my life. I had till then spent a relatively cloistered existence in a small town that came with the convent I studied in. LSR was part of Delhi university and suddenly a whole new world opened up ; there were young people from all walks of life to meet and exchange ideas with. I was encouraged by my friends and by the college authorities to participate in a host of extracurricular activities, while my teachers gave me not only the benefit of their accumulated experience and knowledge but also a great deal of time, affection and understanding. I left LSR armed not only with a degree, but with a new found confidence that I could face the future no matter what it had to offer me."

Abha Sood Adams, Educationist, Principal, Shri Ram School

"My eleven years at LSR as a student and member of faculty have been of great significance. College gave me enormous opportunities to grow, take initiative and responsibility whilst being guided by staff who inspired, encouraged and enabled. My inherent belief that everything is possible - stems from the freedom and trust I received. In all of the above, I'm not alone."

Geeta Chandran, Bharatnatyam Dance Exponent

"I owe the ability to connect the contemporary aspects of my personality with a traditional art form largely because my education in LSR taught me the importance of being rooted in one's tradition even while soaring high on new wings. The college enabled me to reach personhood. I return to work with students in the college since the college is like a womb into which I can crawl back whenever I need some placid creative space. Another passion of mine linked to the college is arguing with my spouse on the merits of LSR. After all, he unfortunately could not go to LSR."

Vinita Bali (1972 - 1975), Business Strategy

We proudly welcome Vinita Bali to the Distinguished Alumna roll of Lady Shri Ram College. We take deep pride in recognising her outstanding contribution to the field of business and industry. For her courage in taking up the most challenging ventures and scripting success stories; For her energizing innovativeness in changing business models; For her dynamic leadership that has transformed the culture of organizations; For her pioneering spirit that refused to accept the existence of any glass ceiling.

Neera Chandoke (1966), Academics & Education

Neera was a distinguished academician in the Department of Political Science and Director Developing Countries Research Centre in Delhi University. She was a Political Science Faculty member at LSR from  1968 to 1985.  We take immense pride in recognizing her outstanding contribution to academics and education.  Her intellectual vigour combines academic excellence with a formidable scholarship and administrative acumen. We admire her constant endeavour to expand the contours of learning and her intense commitment to the link between academics and creative citizenship.

Usha Thorat (1969), Banking & Finance

After a brilliant academic career she post-graduated from the Delhi School of Economics. With vast experience in banking and finance her proficiency has been internationally acknowledged. She took over as Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India in November last year and is in charge of Department of currency management, Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation, inspection department, premises department, rural planning and credit department and urban banks department. We proudly welcome Usha Thorat to the Honour Roll of LSR and take great pride in recognizing her exceptional contributions to the world of banking and finance, her dynamic leadership and pioneering spirit in initiating new ventures and for energising and equipping the Indian banking system to stand on its own in a global economy.

Vanashree Rao (1974), Classical Indian Dance - Kuchipudi

Vanashree is an outstanding exponent of the Kuchipudi style of dance. She completed MA in Political Science from LSR and MPhil from Delhi University. After having acquired individual acclaim with her mastery of the classical dance form, she combined with her husband Jayaram Rao to redefine and extend the repertoire of Kuchipudi. Their performances are marked by a harmonious balance and highlight the flowing beauty of a style characterised by grace and virtuosity. For her outstanding performances she has been awarded the Sangeet Natak Academy Award, Sahitya Kala Parishad Samman and Natya Ratna Award among several others. She runs the Kuchipudi Dance Academy in Delhi and we welcome her to our Honour Roll to applaud a dedicated teacher, an inspiring dancer and a committed professional.

Aparna Caur (1975), Art & Culture - Painting

Aparna is one of India's most gifted artists who has highlighted the plight of the girl child, condition of women and growing violence against women in India through her paintings. Her creative sensibility is inspired by Punjabi folk literature, her mother's writings, the Pahari miniature tradition and India's folk art. Her hallmark has been her ability to sensitize audiences to contemporary social issues highlighting the futility of war and violence. She was commissioned by the Hiroshima Museum to make a large painting on the sixtieth anniversary of the nuclear Holocaust. Her works adorn the walls in museums around the world including London, Delhi, Amsterdam, Stockholm, Singapore and in Germany and Japan. We proudly welcome her to our Honour Roll in recognition of her outstanding contribution to art and culture. Her creative talent has produced a new spiritual language of painting depicting contemporary issues in art.

Gita Mittal (1978), Law and Jurisprudence

Gita Mittal is a sitting Judge of the Delhi High Court. A student of Economics she was also the President of the College Sports Union. She combined a distinguished academic career with sports and organisational work. Her multitasking ability and acceptance of responsibility with confidence has been her hallmark in an illustrious legal career. Her landmark judgement in the 1984 Sikh Riots case won her much acclaim from Human Rights organisations around the world and is a true testimony of her courage and legal acumen. Her assertion that, ".....it is the responsibility of the State to safeguard the life and liberty of an individual from mob violence", resulted in several persons injured during the riots getting compensation. We proudly welcome Gita Mittal to the LSR Honour Roll for the courage of her convictions, her indomitable spirit and her visionary tenacity in upholding the basic rights of human dignity.