Clean Washrooms and Classrooms in Deshbandhu College, please!

At a time when the Delhi University plans to upgrade to global standards through semester and credit systems, a college affiliated to it is unable to provide its students with even the most basic amenities such as drinking water, clean toilets and security.

When this reporter visited the campus, girl students complained of lewd comments and indecent gestures from men on campus (we couldn't verify if these men were students or outsiders). "We don't use the loos in the college. They stink, have no water or latches.

Things are so bad that we are compelled to run to washrooms in restaurants near the college," says a student.

Shifting attention to academics one finds that the science department has swanky classrooms and laboratories. Other departments, however, hold classes in rooms with crumbling blackboards and layers of dust on the furniture. Sometimes, students have to attend lectures under the blazing sun.

Despite repeated requests, the principal Dr AP Raste was unavailable for comment.

Faculty: There are close to 120 faculty and administrative staff in the college.

Programmes offered: Biochemistry, botany, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, commerce, economics and English are some of the courses offered.

IT quotient: The college website has information on programmes offered along with details of the previous year's cut-offs.

Infrastructure: It's the second largest campus next to Hansraj, but does not have an auditorium. Work on the girls' hostel is in its sixth year - a long wait indeed.

Hangout joints: To grab a quick bite, students can choose from authentic food from all around the country at various restaurants in and around Kalkaji and CR Park.

Studentspeak: "The administration needs to play a proactive role. At present, all I can say is that our demands go unnoticed," says a first-year student.

Clubs and societies: In February this year, some students of the dramatics society presented a play at the Shri Ram Centre. "We used to practice atop an underground water tank behind the college which is in the middle of nowhere. It feels great to have been able to perform without any support," informs a student who had acted in the play.

Noticeboard

Taaza Khabar

Exams are round the corner so the student community will be busy preparing for their annual examination

Timepass

Students congregate in large numbers at the ‘majnu ka tila'. Even the sweltering summers don't deter youngsters from sitting out in the open. One can catch some gripping graffiti right outside the boys common room

College Ke Baad
"The only positive of studying in this college was the faculty. The English department was the only department that held regular classes. Otherwise the college needs serious intervention in terms of infrastructure and the administration needs to buck up, says an ex-student."

Factfile

Deshbandhu College was established in the year 1952 by the Ministry of Rehabilitation, in the memory of the late Deshbandhu Gupta, a veteran freedom fighter. The college made a humble beginning with just 72 students and courses like prep (arts), prep (Science) and pre-medical. The college was transferred to the Ministry of Education and later taken over by University of Delhi.

 

Author: Garima Upadhyay (HT Horizons)

Date: 28th April 2011