What’s to love: The campus of Sri Venkateswara in the South Campus, popularly known as ‘Venky’, lives up to its reputation of being one of the best there. The students have discovered some interesting hangout spots like a passage which connects the cafeteria to the main building. It’s a cool place for friends to catch up with each other in between classes. Being open from the sides, there’s always a cool breeze blowing across, while the roof provides protection from the rains and the harsh sun.
“There is always activity in this part of the college since it connects the canteen to the main building. It is the best place to find someone or check out the crowd,” says Arantxa Anthony, a first year student of Maths (Hons). The place seems to be pulsating with energy and it is even called the ‘Girls’ Common Room’ (GCR) by some as it is a hot favourite with the girl students of the college.
Just across the corridor is a stage where the dramatics and dance society of the college holds rehearsals, providing onlookers enough entertainment. Right in front is a small garden with a huge tree and a few benches. Usually referred to as the lovers’ point, it is quite peaceful and isolated from the humdrum around.
Another hotspot amongst Venky-ites, as they like to call themselves, is the foyer or the college lobby. It is a spacious hall with cemented benches lining the walls for students to sit on. The notice boards on the walls keep you posted on the college festivals and latest happenings. There is also a small temple near the entrance which witnesses long queues for ‘darshan’ during examinations.
What’s not to love? “The width of the corridor is quite small, making it quite congested at times,” says Ishita, who is pursuing Statistics (Hons). “Being quite close to the classrooms, we can easily be caught by our professors if we are bunking,” her friend chips in.
Alternatives
There is the recently renovated canteen with indoor and outdoor seating arrangement. “It serves great South Indian food,” says Chitwan, a first year. However, if they get bored there is always the newly opened ‘Comesum’ just across the road offering a variety of cuisines. The lip-smacking kathi rolls of ‘34 Chowringhee Lane’ and milkshakes by Keventer’s in Satya Niketan are other all-time favourites.
