Mr. Pranjal Srivastava, the College President 2014-15 of Hans Raj College, believes that college unions must fill in the scope for improvement that each college has in terms of infrastructure and matters of student welfare. Pranjal who is a final year commerce student at Hans Raj College, wishes to restore the lost brand name of college.
Presenting to you, Pranjal Srivastava in conversation with our correspondent Iresh Gupta.
Iresh: What was your reaction when you got to know the election results? Was it expected?
Pranjal: The victory came as a relief for me. The burden of my entire team rested on my shoulders and I had to justify that. The victory vindicated our decision to contest in these elections after losing for the last two years. Honestly, I expected the decision to be in our favour seeing the work put in by my team in the days leading to the election. So I’d say yes, it was on expected lines.
Iresh: Why do you think you were chosen?
Pranjal: I talked about trust and faith everywhere I went for canvassing. I trusted my fellow students to take the right decision and in return they trusted me. Quid Pro Quo!
Iresh: What are the areas where Hans Raj needs massive improvement according to you?
Pranjal: Hans Raj stands above the rest when it comes to academics. It has to grow in terms of getting a brand name for itself in terms of the events it organizes and the image it has in students’ minds. I, as President aim to initiate this process and hope that future post holders continue on my path.
Iresh: Tell us about your biggest agenda. Is it the annual cultural fest?
Pranjal: Popular perception of a student is that organizing the annual cultural fest is the only thing a union does in a college. As President, I wholly reject this opinion. On the other hand, as a student, I want the biggest fest Hans Raj has ever seen.
Iresh: As a President, what all has been done till now, and tell us the planned activity too.
Pranjal: With Wifi working, one thing can be crossed off students’ list. Basic cleanliness of college campus and renovation of Girls’ Common Room will follow. The preparations for Confluence, the annual college festival will also start simultaneously.
Iresh: Why were you interested in Student Politics? Any plans to go ahead in country’s politics?
Pranjal: Hans Raj Hostel gave me reasons to believe why student politics is necessary in terms of initiating changes at the grass-root level but going ahead in country’s politics requires family backing and sadly I do not enjoy such support.
Iresh: College President often means skipping classes, doing all the work and being specifically responsible. Do you think it’s a big sacrifice in terms of academics?
Pranjal: Honestly, being President is a big burden on one’s academics. That effect is less seen on me since B.Com(H) is not that tough a course to handle. I contested in the elections knowing that this will have an effect on my academics but I also knew that I can manage both with a little extra effort.
Iresh: Lastly, sum up the characteristics that a successful college union should possess?
Pranjal: A successful College Union is one which can raise issues faced by students, a place where students’ voices are heard. College life is a transitional phase and utmost care must be taken to do the same, successfully. Hans Raj is a really good college but there’s always scope for improvement and that scope exists for Hans Raj too. Union should focus on activities that must trigger all round development of the student and not only academics.
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