Only three days are left for the new academic year to start in Delhi University. The excitement is not only at its peak amongst newcomers but seniors as well. Ready to welcome the fresh batch, students of Hindu College unlike other colleges have a certain set of plans for freshers.
The ‘Jazbaa-Youth Ki Awaaz’ group instituted by the II and III year students will hold an orientation programme and will begin an anti-ragging signature campaign come day one. In addition, they are ready to provide 24x7 helpline numbers and legal aid to students in case ragging occurs.
For the group, though, this is the first time that they will be dealing with such issues. But since they have already decided to assist newcomers, the members seem quite confident. “We started the group in February with an aim to address student related issues,” says Shobhit Soni, a IInd year History (Hons) student, and one of the founder members of Jazbaa. “Since our inception, we have been providing aid to students. We have also staged a protest against limited hostel facilities and had put up a help desk at the time of admission.”
When Metrolife team visited the college at the time of admission, boys wearing Jazbaa T-shirts and badges were seen guiding youngsters to different rooms, calrifying doubts of parents with regard to the cut-off lists and helping students fill up their forms or generally answering queries.
“Everything was well-planned. Since I am a student of Political Science, I was there with the students who were keen to take admission in this subject. Similarly, other members of the group who belong to different courses were present in the respective classes. A few students were also sitting at the college gate to guide both parents and students,” says Ayush Mal, IInd year, Political Science (Hons).
This effort turned out well. “Many parents praised our work and said that we are the only college who have made the admission process a smooth ride for their children,” shares Shobhit.
Today the group may boast of 60 students (and counting) but it initially began with just four including Vikas Gautam (who graduates this year), Vishal Yadav, a III year, BA Prog student, Ayush Mal and Shobhit Soni.
The group took up pollution in Yamuna as their first issue and campaigned on cycles in North Campus. Subsequently, they protested against English being made mandatory in Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exams and then pitched in with collecting funds for flood-hit Uttarakhand relief.
“We are excited as many students are becoming a part of Jazbaa. Even MA students have joined us. Soon we will be starting with debates in the colleges on country related issues and make newcomers a part of the exercise, ” informs Ayush.