“I was once at a party in New York and met a fellow alumnus from Delhi University (DU), who had studied at a college in North campus. Having attended a college in South campus myself, we immediately started arguing as my new friend opined that I had actually not studied at DU because I had not studied in the North campus,” says Rupesh Nair, who graduated in 2003.
The argument over which campus is better has been going on for decades and may seem strange to those who have not gone to DU, but those who have attended the university are quite passionate about the issue even decades after they graduate.
Big names
Students of North campus argue that there is no debate since the colleges of South campus are spread across the city and can hardly be called a campus as it has no student life.
However, with student-friendly hubs like Satya Niketan and Amar Colony transforming into cocoons that can offer K Nags (Kamla Nagar in North campus) a run for their money, students of South campus have been given new ammunition to carry on the debate.
When it comes to quality of colleges, the North has a reputation for being more difficult to get in. Besides Venkateshwara College, only women colleges in the South boast of a strong name and alumni.
The North has the big wigs like SRCC, Hindu, St. Stephens and Miranda House. But there should be more to a college than just its name.
Campus life
The North has its iconic red bricks, early twentieth-century architecture and can boast of housing historically prominent institutions of learning.
The South has relatively new and modern architecture, but scores with its proximity to various cultural centers of the city.
One of the biggest advantages for North campus is that it is consolidated and has a vibrant campus life.
The south campus has colleges scattered all over South Delhi, except the ones on Benito Juarez Marg. The campus atmosphere is not as great since students end up interacting only with those that attend their college.
Connectivity
The Vishwa Vidyalaya Metro Station on the Yellow Line had made life easy for students going to colleges in North campus.
Aastha Kumar, pursuing English Honours from Hindu College, said: “Initially, it was difficult because I had already assumed that the commute will take a lot of time. I thought I would miss most of my morning classes because I won’t be able to get up. However, after a few months, it got better as there’s a direct line from Gurgaon to North campus, and it is against the traffic, so it is not crowded at all.”
The going is tougher for students attending colleges in South campus.
But, once the Pink Line begins operation, the South Campus Metro Station is going to make their commute much easier.
Till then, students living in south Delhi will have to car-pool or take University Special buses.
Housing
Of the 2,50,000 applications received this year, 1,24,000 are from students residing in Delhi.
This means that nearly 50 per cent of the students, who will get admission, will need a place to stay.
And with cases of harassment, intrusive moral policing, safety and rent inflation plaguing Paying Guest (PG) accommodations, finding the right place to stay is going to be a major issue.
Subhasini, a Pinjar Tod activist, said: “As far as rates are concerned, they are similar in both campuses. But, since North campus has more students living in a concentrated area, it has a wider range of PGs — in terms of rent. Cheap accommodation is harder to come by in the South. There is not much difference in moral policing — curfews, clothes etc. South campus has more working women living there.”
(Writer is an intern with The Hindu)
North campus, thanks to its consolidated layout, still has a better campus life compared to South
