Excitement, anticipation, space crunch: DU welcomes new batch

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 31

The sprawling campuses of Delhi University (DU) have been alive with energy and anticipation as the new academic session for first-year students began on Thursday. The air was thick with excitement and a tinge of nervousness as students from diverse corners of the country took their first steps into university life, ready to embark on a journey that will shape their future.

Welcome gesture

Upon entering the campus, seniors greeted us with a ‘tikka’ on our foreheads. It was a small gesture, but it made me feel instantly at home. — Adwit, Ramjas College

Magical experience

My experience here has been magical. This college feels tailormade for me. It’s disciplined, but not rigid — there’s a sense of freedom within the structure. — Bhavna, Lady Shri Ram College

The start of the session saw colleges across DU holding orientation programmes aimed at familiarising freshers with the campus, the syllabus, and the myriad of societies and committees they can join. The first two days were a whirlwind of activity, with students and faculty alike engaged in setting the tone for the academic year ahead.

For many students, the beginning of their university journey was a moment of pride and joy, albeit with a few initial jitters. Kinshuk, a newly admitted student in BA Economics (Honours) at Ramjas College, reflected this mix of emotions. Accompanied by his parents, he said, “I am very excited to have gotten admission in Ramjas. While it wasn’t my first-choice college, I’m not disappointed. The campus is beautiful, and the faculty seemed very approachable today.” His parents, beaming with pride, echoed his sentiments, confident that their son would thrive in this new environment.

Similarly, Adwit, who enrolled in History (Honours), shared his positive experience, recalling the warm welcome he received.

“Upon entering the campus, seniors greeted us with a ‘tikka’ on our foreheads. It was a small gesture, but it made me feel instantly at home. The orientation was informative, and the faculty was very kind,” he said.

For students like Niharika, who has come from Kolkata to pursue psychology (honours) at Lady Shri Ram College, the excitement was tempered by the reality of being far from home. “The teachers here are very supportive, and it’s empowering to see a faculty largely composed of women professors. We’ve been told to expect a heavy workload, which isn’t surprising given the reputation of the college. It feels much like school, with mandatory attendance,” she noted.

However, the distance from home weighed heavily on Niharika’s mother, Ambili. “My daughter will be alone here, and none of our relatives are nearby. I’m worried about how she will manage over the next four years, but I know this is important for her future,” she shared with a touch of concern.

Bhavna, another first-year student at Lady Shri Ram College, contrasted her experience at DU with her brief time at St. Xavier’s in Kolkata. “My experience here has been magical. College feels tailormade for me. It’s disciplined, but not rigid—there’s a sense of freedom within the structure,” she explained, clearly relieved to have found her place.

Her mother, Renuka, added, “While she disliked the rigidity of St. Xavier’s in Kolkata where she was enrolled earlier for a month , she has had nothing but praise for Lady Shri Ram.”

However, not all is smooth sailing. The surge in admissions this year has led to a noticeable space crunch across several colleges, raising concerns among students and parents alike. Harshika, who enrolled at Miranda House, described the orientation as a mix of excitement and apprehension. “The orientation was good, but when the department sessions started, it became clear that there just wasn’t enough space for everyone,” she said.

Sanvi, another student from Rohtak, voiced a similar concern. “There are a couple of classes where there aren’t enough seats for all the students. It’s a bit worrying, especially since we’re just starting out,” she remarked.

This space crunch has its roots in the university’s decision to admit more students than the colleges can comfortably accommodate. According to university data, a total of 75,083 students have been admitted across DU’s various colleges, against an available 71,600 seats. While most colleges have accepted the additional admissions, St. Stephen’s has only accepted five percent extra students, with 22 students still waiting for admission.

The situation has led to logistical challenges that the university and the colleges will need to address promptly. DU has made significant efforts to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for its new students. Anti-ragging measures were prominently highlighted during the orientation programmes, with posters and billboards across campuses declaring, “We do not tolerate ragging,” alongside helpline numbers for reporting any incidents. Aprajita Thakur, Secretary of the Delhi University Student Union (DUSU), emphasised the university’s commitment to student safety. “The campuses are filled with anti-ragging billboards and posters, and we’ve conducted anti-ragging seminars in several colleges,” she said.

The presence of police vans outside colleges further underscored the administration’s dedication to maintaining a secure environment. These measures were welcomed by both students and parents, who appreciated the university’s proactive stance against ragging.