As the Commonwealth Games draw closer, universities such as Jamia Millia Islamia are being spruced up, and addition of new infrastructure and upgrading of the old is taking place in the Capital at a rapid pace.
Students in particular will have an important role to play during the Games as volunteers providing a support system. Jamia has sent the names of 1,000 student volunteers through the National Service Scheme and another 1,300 through the Dean of Students' Welfare.
The sports facilities at Jamia, too, are getting a facelift. The Bhopal Ground on the campus, which has a jogging track, field and gallery, will be getting additional infrastructure. Courts for rugby, lawn tennis and table tennis are coming up, the jogging track is being improved upon, and open-air and closed galleries with air-conditioning are being constructed at the Bhopal Ground. There would also be modern locker and changing rooms.
Host to guests
Jamia plans to host 700 guests for the Games. The guests would be lodged at the seven boys' hostels and four girls' hostels. A sum of Rs.20,000 has been allotted for providing facilities to the guests. The sum would be used in improving toilet fixtures and facilities as well as upholstery and furnishings.
Two more hostels, one each for boys and girls, are also coming up. Jamia media coordinator Simi Malhotra said: “The first phase of the new hostels was to be completed by March 2011. However, keeping in mind the upcoming Games we are making efforts so that at least part of the hostels is available for use during the Games.”
Jamia traditionally has never had an autumn break. This time round, there would be a break from October 1 to 15 for the Games. The winter vacation would be truncated so that the academic calendar is not affected.
Asked if hostellers would be affected by the renovation work of the hostels, Dr. Malhotra said: “After the examinations finish, students will go home and return when the session resumes on July 16. Work on the hostels would be done at this time. Also the capacity of the hostels is much more than 700. Final-year students would be leaving too. Besides, we are pushing for the new hostels to be constructed this year. In case there is a space crunch, the university would make alternative arrangements.”
The new infrastructure which is being created would become a permanent infrastructure of the university.
