DU CAMPUS TO REOPEN
The moment for which Delhi University students had been eagerly waiting, is here! Colleges have started conducting mock drills to help students return to campus, albeit in a phased manner. As part of phase one, only final-year students with lab work have been allowed to enter college, and students are keen to get a feel of campus life amid the pandemic.
“It was so reassuring to see the arrangements my college made,” says Ashu Chaurasia, a final-year Hindi (Hons) student at PGDAV (Evening) College, who recently visited her college library for a mock drill. “There was thermal checking before entering, sanitisers were placed everywhere in the premises, social distancing was maintained. But the best part was to be back in college and see a few of our teachers in front of us, and not virtually,” she adds.
Students of colleges that are yet to announce reopening dates or mock drills are battling #FOMO as they hear from friends in other colleges. “We’ll get a chance to enjoy college life once again, for whatever time we have before saying goodbye,” says Akshay Panwar, a final-year Chemistry (Hons) student at Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma College.
But switching from online to offline for her last few months is a difficult decision for Pooja Santosh, a final-year Chemistry (Hons) student at Hindu College. She rues, “It’s not going to be easy for me to reach Delhi from Kerala and arrange accommodation. Also, due to the pandemic, most hostels aren’t reopening.”
There is a fear of guidelines not being followed once colleges reopen, but students feel everyone must be responsible. “PhD students had been going to the lab even before December. All this while, we have been following all protocols. We’ve had a successful run, everything will be smooth henceforth as well, provided each one behaves responsibly,” opines Hitesh Sehrawat, a PhD student of Department of Chemistry, DU.
I must admit the idea of being back on campus is too exciting.
AMRUTHA DEVAN, Student of Hindu College
The truth is campus is going never to be the That’s same. the for saddest fact final-year students like me!
POOJA SANTOSH, of Student Hindu College
There is no fear to be back on campus, but we should remember corona has not gone completely.
AKSHAY PANWAR, Student of Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma College
We had been going to the lab even before December. All this while, we have been following all protocols.
HITESH SEHRAWAT, PhD student