University was about to be a huge step for me. Since, childhood I had been fortunate enough to have cruised through my kindergarten, middle school, high school from one school. The environment and dynamics had never changed. The world felt minuscule yet at that time, there was no other image of the world that a 16 year old could envision other than the same lawns, the same buildings and the same auditorium every single day.
A week after my board exams, it was conveyed to me that I had to take the next train to the national capital. My dad been working there for close to 3 years and it was time for me to take my admission in the University of Delhi. After scoring an 85% in my ISC exams, I had lost hope. However, I took admission at Sri Aurobindo College (evening) in my favourite course Economics Honours.
The environment in the college was entirely opposite. I had to meet people from different sections of the society with completely heterogeneous qualities within each and every student. There were some people who had extreme faith in social taboos, while there were others who had extremely progressive views. I stood in the middle. I soon found out that this was not specific. Delhi was the city which accommodated people from all sections of the society and from different parts of the country. The vibrancy in the discussions intrigued me and made me appreciate this new city.
Classes were frequent and knowledgeable. Yet, my college lacked initiative in forming societies which could have enabled kids like us to focus on more research based activities. Coming from a traditionally leftist hegemonic society, which was both progressive yet adaptive to some extent – Kolkata, I was determined to contrive and implode against the administration. It paid off. A society was formed however, the organizational backing was lacking (which later changed after my departure).
To seek better opportunities I migrated to Motilal Nehru College in second year. Here I was successful in opening the Enactus chapter with fellow like minded students. And then went on to assist in opening the leadership cell as well. Although, the administration was a bit more accommodative, the environment in the college was the same. A potpourri of students with poles apart views yet, studying together – peacefully.
University life has been a great boon in my personality. As I leave my college and say my goodbyes to the University, it gives me great pleasure to reminisce about the changes in my personality. As an outstation student it gives me great happiness to see the maturity in my thoughts and the adaptivity of new ideas which were earlier never realized when I was in school.
Perhaps the best thing about my stay in Delhi is the opportunity that I had of meeting new people and understanding the essence of the real society.
Image credits: www.hiteshkumar.com
Ishaan Sengupta