A swarm of wide-eyed youth – breaking into “ethnic-chic” from their everyday, boring school uniforms – filled up the streets on the very first August morning of 2025.
As chaos made its way to the corridors of Delhi University Colleges, a sense of new beginnings was once again reignited in the minds of experience-laden seniors. Most colleges welcomed freshers with fourth-year undergraduates for their first day. All classes remained suspended except for Kirori Mal College, whose orientation was held on Wednesday. The decorated campuses came alive with the chatter of students wanting to have the full college-life experience, from making new friends to joining new societies and following their DU dreams.
“I could not sleep last night. I kept thinking about the friends I am going to make, the societies I am going to join, the food I am going to explore,” Rashmi Taneja told HT as she stepped into the college for the first time – in a light pink chikankari salwar suit and heavy jhumkas.
Many colleges followed a different scheme – breaking up the orientation programmes into slots or days to accommodate the huge cohort of students joining in. Like CVS will be holding its full-body orientation on Monday, following the departmental orientations held on Friday. On the other hand, Hansraj College held a havan ceremony to mark the start of a new academic year. Several early morning sports activities, performances by the college music society and an anti-ragging rally led by the NCC and anti-ragging committee were arranged by the college.
The vibrant helpdesks and over-enthusiastic club leaders made the whole experience feel even more fulfilling. “I was honestly terrified of ragging,” admitted Diksha to the Newsdrum. “But the moment I stepped in, all that fear vanished. Everyone has been so kind. Seniors are like older siblings – funny and helpful,” she commented.
Shri Ram College of Commerce, the most sought-after DU college, held its orientation ceremony on Thursday. Principal Professor Smriti Kaur told PTI that preparations are in order, as this entire year will be celebrated as the ‘centenary year’. Meanwhile, students from ABVP, AISA, and SFI set up colorful stalls outside colleges, distributing pamphlets, bookmarks, and bags to woo freshers. Some welcomed newcomers with tilak and flowers.
As reported by Times of India, for Prachi, the first day at DU was not just stepping into college – but stepping into her power. “Disability does not define me,” she said with quiet strength, standing outside Miranda House, where she secured admission under the PwD category. It was her dream college, and she got in. Born with a short limb, Prachi never let her condition set the limits of her ambition. “Some people see it as a barrier, but I have always chosen to see it as just one part of my story,” she said.
That said, the day concluded with solemn satisfaction. As the red brick walls felt the new set of gaze set upon them, the coveted halls were filled with pride. “All programmes ran smoothly” said Vice Chancellor Yogesh Singh.
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Image Credits: Hindu College
Shreya Bhushan
