Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) at Delhi University on Saturday, 5 September, marking his first return to the institution in nearly 13 years, according to an official statement. The visit coincides with SRCC's centenary celebrations, commemorating 100 years since the college's founding in 1926.

The 2013 Visit and the 'Third Perspective' Speech

Modi last addressed SRCC in 2013, when he was serving as Chief Minister of Gujarat — a full year before he became Prime Minister. That address is now remembered for what has come to be called his 'third perspective' speech, in which he used a glass of water to articulate a leadership philosophy distinct from conventional optimism or pessimism.

'There are different perspectives of looking at things. Suppose I were to show this to you: The optimists among you would say the glass is half full, while the pessimists would say it is half empty. Friends, I take a different path, one distinct from both those views. I have a third perspective: This glass is full — half with water and half with air,' he had said at the time.

The speech, delivered as one of his first major public addresses in New Delhi, offered an early window into the communication style that would define his national political ascent.

What Saturday's Event Involves

The centenary event is scheduled to begin at approximately 7 pm on the SRCC campus. Modi is expected to address the gathering and speak on the significance of the institution's century-long journey in shaping scholars, professionals, administrators, and policymakers. The programme is part of a broader series of commemorative activities marking the college's milestone year.

SRCC: A Century of Commerce Education

Founded by eminent industrialist and philanthropist Sir Shri Ram in 1926, SRCC is regarded as one of India's premier institutions in the fields of Commerce, Economics, and Management. Over a hundred years, the college has produced generations of entrepreneurs, civil servants, and business leaders, cementing its reputation as a distinguished centre of learning within Delhi University.

The Youth Outreach Context

Modi's return to SRCC comes at a moment when political parties across the spectrum are intensifying their engagement with younger voters — particularly Gen Z — and recalibrating their communication strategies to align with the evolving expectations of this demographic. Notably, campus addresses by senior political figures have grown more frequent in recent election cycles, reflecting the increasing electoral weight of first-time voters. Saturday's visit fits squarely into that pattern, even as the occasion itself is institutional rather than overtly political.