Chhole chawal, chicken items rule this canteen

Surrounded by basketball court on one side and main playground area on the other, the canteen at Khalsa College is always bustling with students. And why not, students after finishing their sports matches or classes, prefer to sit in that huge college canteen to relax and satisfy their palate.

Ask them what is their favourite food item and the common reply on everyone’s mind is Rajma chawal.  “It tastes like a typical Punjabi food and is very spicy,” says Kritanjali Singh, Ist year student of BA (Punjabi). “It had been almost a week, my friends and I had been eating Rajma chawal everyday. Today, for the first time I am tasting Paav bhaaji and it is amazing,” she says.

Meanwhile, comparing the food with other canteens, Ist year (Punjabi) student Simran Kaur Bedi, says, “In other colleges, students enjoy eating pizzas and pastas but here it seems students don’t want to taste anything other than typical Indian food like Kachori, Chhole bhature and Rajma, which is the USP of our college.”

It’s not only newcomers who are getting fond of their college canteen food but seniors too relish snacks and meals here. “Everything is good here from bread omelette to Paav bhaaji, cChole bhature, fried rice and also chicken items,” says Hitesh Kumar, IIIrd year student of B.Sc Physics (Hons).  

“Since the quality is so good, we don’t mind paying extra money which is revised each year.  Until last year one plate of Rajma rice was Rs 20. This year it is Rs 25,” says Aakash Malik, Hitesh’s classmate. “Even the normal and special thalis are worth tasting and also sufficient for one person,” says he.  Notably, cost of one normal thali is Rs 35 and special thali is Rs 50.

The best part of the canteen is that one can have non-vegetarian items like chicken roll, chicken fried rice and chicken noodles. Manager of the canteen, Naveen says, “Owing to religious reasons, we are not cooking chicken these days but as soon as Mahashivratri is over, we will once again start with non-vegetarian items.”

On the other hand, to provide quality food to students, Sahil Narang, IIIrd year student of Economics, who will stand for college president post this year, says, “In last three years we have changed three contractors. Our seniors have always ensured good and quality food is provided to students.”