Stay, safety top concerns for DU’s outstation applicants

able to visit the campus or have access to relevant information clear doubts.

Some parents, however, added that the university’s reputation and the opportunities their kids will be afforded trumps such concerns.

“DU has an international reputation, and my aim is to provide my daughter with the best education. I have explained to her how she needs to take care of herself and how she will be responsible for her own safety. She needs to be aware of where she is going, with whom and at what time,” said Riju (name changed on request) from Kerala, whose daughter is seeking admission to an Economics programme at a DU college.

“Finding an accommodation was the most difficult task I faced. Hostels didn’t have enough beds and finding a paying guest (PG) accommodation that was safe was an exhausting job for my parents,” said Lolakshi Rajlakshmi, a Daulat Ram College student hailing from Mumbai.

“DU has maximum 8,000-9,000 hostel seats; fewer for girls,” said a DU official.

So, a lot of these outstation students rely on privately rented and sometimes expensive, PG facilities. In the South Campus, students may be able to find places that charge anywhere between ₹6,000 and ₹20,000 a month, based on whether they are provided an A/C, meals, and the number of people sharing the room. In the North Campus, it can cost between ₹4,000 and ₹30,000 a month.

Many students fret over how they will adapt to a new city, the changed food habits, and meeting new people.

A DU official said Delhi has many outlets serving delicacies from most states, and some even have tiffin services.

“I was unaware about the areas when I first came to Delhi and got lost many times. Auto drivers sensed I am an outsider and tried charging more,” said Kamal Arora, a St Stephen’s student.

However, DU officials said these questions can be laid to rest. “It takes at least a month for even students coming from the city to adjust to a new college. People in Delhi can be very welcoming. Students adapt well and soon,” said a DU official who works with student welfare.

BA (Prog), BA (Hon) in English, Hindi, History, Punjabi, Psychology, Philosophy, Political Science and Sanskrit; BCom (Prog) and BCom (Hon); and BSc (Hon) in Mathematics. The college also offers 4-year B.EL.Ed course. It offers vocational courses in computer applications, textile designing, tours & travel management, foreign languages and sun foundation. 156

1,263

50% seats are reserved for Sikh minority and 3% for physically challenged

Not available

The placement cell is well connected with the corporate sector. Interview sessions held in the college to ensure motivation for students.

‘Sarang’ and ‘Mata Sundri Day’ are organised every year. ‘Guru Nanak Jayanti’ is celebrated with a great zeal.

Facilities for aerobics, volleyball, chess, karate, taekwondo, yoga, judo, weight-lifting, power-lifting, kho-kho, athletics, swimming, archery and indoor games

Well-equipped computer labs.

The College has a well furnished cafeteria that serves a variety of quality food items.

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827

5%; SC/ST: 22.5%; OBC: 27%; Physically Handicapped: 3%.

Not available. Placement desk prepares a database of final year students and alumni, and facilitates campus recruitments. Career counselling is provided. The Dramatics Society produces an annual theatre play.

A well-laid cricket pitch, and facilities for playing volleyball, table tennis, athletics, badminton, gymnastics, kabaddi, wrestling, body building, chess, judo, power-lifting, boxing and kho-kho are provided. The college has set a benchmark for excellence in judo, weight-lifting.

Campus is Wi-Fi enabled. It has a multi-utility block and two computer labs with 80 computers.

Available.