How the inexpensive readings market of DU becomes a student’s saviour, from course textbooks to previous years’ papers.
After watching hundreds of videos on “a day in the Life of a Delhi University Student”, when the freshers finally enter the campus, realizing the necessity to survive such an academically rigorous structure takes its most miniature form – the study material. Kamala Nagar, Delhi School of Economics, Patel Chest, Satya Niketan, or Tilak Nagar – something that they all share in common apart from their bustling food corners and hundreds of students crowding in lines is that all of these places and many more, provide the much-needed gear up for every student panic-stricken with approaching exams. We are talking about the readings!
Notes, readings and study materials form the crux of studying in an institution like DU, where the curriculum prescribes textbooks and references of numerous national and international writers. This is where such complexes step in and act as the “friend indeed” to thousands of students, providing all reading material at heavily slashed prices. Some of these work factorially and produce appropriate study material, handpicking readings from various authors and bringing statistics, factual information, research papers, archives, essays, and even photocopied versions of expensive branded textbooks – all into a thick bound spiral.
Opting for History as a Generic Elective means reading essays from about ten historians in a single unit. Instead of looking for them all over the internet, it is extremely comfortable to purchase the readings from DSE (Delhi School of Economics) at a price much more affordable than what costs for actually buying the prescribed textbooks.
said Janhavi, a second-year student from Ramjas College.
Delhi School of Economics has transformed into a hub catering to all the students completely dependent on notes and reading material because of their low attendance in classes due to ECA or internships. From Commerce to Economics and from History to Political Science, you can get neatly catalogued readings for every course at the cheapest possible rate. The photocopy lane at Patel Chest consists of dedicated stores providing readings specific to colleges like SRCC or St. Stephen’s, as well as course-specific bindings.
Another such place that has garnered a monopoly over students’ textbooks, reference books, as well as competitive manuals, is Bookland – now a major textbooks brand in the Kamala Nagar market. The bookshop has a partnership with Shivdas and Worldview, two leading publishing companies dominating the market of textbooks prescribed under the University of Delhi’s curriculum as well as the previous years’ question papers for the majority of the courses the varsity offers, supporting a large DU-centric audience. Worldview publishers have entirely monopolized the varsity’s English literature syllabi and keep publishing texts with supportive critical essays authored by academic scholars and professors proficient in the area, along with detailed background information about each of them. Be it William Shakespeare’s Macbeth or Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, they have got you covered. With hawk eyes on any changes in the curriculum, the company makes sure to provide the amended material from the subsequent academic session. Shivdas’ previous years’ question papers cater to nearly all the courses and are bought by students preparing for their exams looking for glimpses of expected questions along with their solutions.
While the offline readings market makes everything affordable and readily available, the Undergraduate study material of the varsity’s School of Open Learning is a priced possession not just for the students enrolled at the SOL, but also those pursuing the offered courses from other regular colleges. Prepared by qualified academicians of the SOL, online notes have proved to be a boon for students of Commerce, Political Science, BA Programme, Economics and English, spanning and serving everything the students need to study in just one PDF file. Clearly, it is a thesaurus since it is available to access free of cost and has become so reliable amongst the students that a day when the SOL website went dysfunctional sent chills down the spines of the stakeholders.
Thus, a discussion of DU’s reading market leads us to a common ground of similarity to its quarters – the affordability that it dispenses which makes it easier for students to manage their academic expenses along with their usual budget. While we get readings and question papers at a cheaper price, it is evident and rather important to interrogate the ethical immorality that much of this market substrates upon. Neglecting copyright regulations and editing out research credits from the material highlights that quality education gained from the readings of renowned authors is sold at the stake of honesty and ethical obligations. This leads us to juggle with the idea of how much plagiarism and research denouncement are negotiable for the sake of affordable learning. What becomes important for university education – is it the benefit of the student body for cheaper resources or crediting the work of academics, critics, and scholars who have prepared it after years of assessment?
Image credits: So City
Read also: Five Tips to Sneak in Extra Time for Reading
Aryan Vats
Isn’t Maggi just the ideal snack to gorge on? It’s “finger licking good”, easily available and doesn’t stab too hard on your pocket. For your information, it’s Maggi or simply FYI as it is commonly known as among students, is the latest addition to the scores of popular Maggi points situated in North Campus, Delhi University.
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South Campus is often looked upon as North Campus’ poor cousin; the cousin with few ‘cool’ colleges and not much to offer. But this is only a common misconception. There’s no doubting the fact that South can give North a run for its money any day. Not only does it have some of the best colleges but also some of the coolest hangout zones.
Satya Niketan is a shining example of exactly that. It’s South Campus’ answer to their Kamla Nagar, or KNags, as they prefer to call it. It is inarguably the most preferred hangout spot for the South Campus folks. There is nothing else that could possibly explain why students from Venky, JMC, DCAC, Maitreyi, RLA etc. flock to it every day.
Known for its hookah parlours, Satya Niketan is also famous for its amazing food. And the variety is mind boggling! 34 Chowringhee Lane needs absolutely no introduction for there is no greater sin for a South Campus student than missing out on their rolls, a sin that can never be atoned. Missing out on the mouth watering rolls which are a specialty of the market is just an added disadvantage.
The tandoori momos from QD’s, the yummy milk shakes and Maggi from Keventers, the burgers from Bake Day… the list of the delicious food available is endless. The folks here are also open to experimenting with different cuisines as is proven by the newly opened Naga eatery, Essence of the East. But for those who like to play it safe, there’s also Pizza Hut and CCD.
Another major attraction here is the string of pool parlours and gaming arcades. Not only does it prove to be a stress buster for most students, it also serves as a convenient place for them to hang out when they want to bunk classes but don’t know where to go.
The only drawback, the market has limited options for shopping. However, a few boutiques have recently opened up here but whether or not they get good business is something that only time will tell. And even if it doesn’t, Sarojini Nagar will always remain a stone’s throw away.
Surya Rajappan