The great learning curve

Mona

Mirza Ghalib enjoyed a significant space in the growing up years of Taniya Moudgil, a final-year English (honours) student. On Wednesday morning as she attended a national seminar celebrating 220 years of the famed poet and philosopher, she could only be grateful to be part of the illustrious institution called MCM DAV College for Women!

This year, MCM DAV College for Women, Sector 36, is celebrating its golden jubilee and a series of events have been planned throughout the year.

Established in 1968 to commemorate Justice Mehr Chand Mahajan’s contribution in spearheading the DAV movement, this post-graduate college is one of the top educational institutes of the country. 

Back in time

The college, which was started from four rooms in the DAV School at Sector 15, is now spread across the 16-acre campus in Sector 36. It houses eight postgraduate departments and caters to 5,000 plus students. 

The story goes how the teachers went door-to-door seeking women students, literally building with their own hands this historical institution under its first principal S. Roy. Sneh Mahajan, daughter of Justice Mahajan, held the office of the principal from 1986 to 2000, nurturing the college with much discipline and focus.  Following the lead was Puneet Bedi, who established the reputation of the college as an invincible force that blended tradition and modernity.

Bright vision 

The college is celebrating its golden jubilee under the current principal, Nisha Bhargava, whose focus is on holistic development of the students. She emphasises on life-skills, along with physical, mental, emotional and spiritual development. Keeping pace with modern life, they aim at giving an environment that has best of both the worlds. While students are free to wear what they like, except for Celebration Zone nowhere can students use their mobile phones. “There is freedom and there is responsibility; that’s how we prepare our young girls for the tough world that awaits them post college,” shares the principal.

Suman Mahajan, currently Dean, Examinations, stepped into this remarkable institution fresh out of university and it’s been 28 glorious years since that. “Together along with the students and the colleagues, we have adapted to changing times. I am rather proud to share that we haven’t lost touch with our roots and kept our rich traditions alive,” she adds. 

Overall grooming

While the campus boasts of international standard rock climbing wall, there’s been an environment that prepares young girls to be physically as well as mentally resilient. “Spirituality in times of stress can help one survive. Through Arya Yuvti Samaj, we try to make it part and parcel of our young girls’ lives,” shares Seema Kanwar, assistant professor, Sanskrit. 

Havan at the beginning of every month is their unique feature. “Our Vedic sanskriti is scientific and western universities are increasingly adopting to our ways; we are trying to inculcate cultural principles that have been missed out in childhood,” she adds. 

Being part of the rich culture that the institution has set up over the last five decades, students take the lead to add on to the excellent academic environment. 

Student speak

Gursahiba Gill, from day one, loved her teachers. “By the end of our first year, we established Mukhtalif — a poetry club. While keeping the rules and regulations intact, this place offers us freedom to explore our potential and that’s what I love the most,” she shares.

“Unlike many colleges, this is one institution where actually classroom teaching happens. Teachers are ready to put in more efforts if the students are demanding,” says Avleen Kaur Lamba. “My mother has been an alumnus of the college and my role model. When she says that my years in MCM have transformed my persona, I cannot help but be imbued in a spirit of pride to be part of this rich tradition,” is what Aneesha Pental adds.

The focus in not on academics alone; Aperture is a group in which girls discuss various topics and so is the Captain Keating's Book and Movie Club. Overall development sure is their mantra!

Full support

MCM is one establishment that believes in letting students take command and lead the way with ample support from the faculty. - Avleen Kaur Lamba, student

Top shot

Last year at Fen-Fest, an inter college competition, we won nine out of total 13 trophies. The exposure we get is immense. – Aneesha Pental, student

Positive traits

Discipline, ethics and punctuality are some of the qualities that I have imbibed during my days in MCM.  — Renuka Salwan, director, public relations, Panjab University, alumna, MCM

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