Freshers timidly walk into colleges on their orientation days not knowing what to expect. They’re afraid or seniors and do not know anybody. So here is what your seniors from several colleges, experienced during their orientations:
Kirorimal College
“It was in room 18. After our teachers introduced us to the staff officially, had done explaining to us the course structure and had handed out the routine that our seniors came. What we feared to be ragging turned out to be something fun in the end. After the introduction, we were asked to sing. Some were made to dance. Someone rapped something. The highlight was the dance to “Oh La La” where the roles got reversed and the guy played Vidya Balan and the girl Naseeruddin Shah and the spoken essay on “tatti” in shudh Hindi. Though a few of the freshers did look uncomfortable, most took it lightly as it was meant to be like. At the end of the day, our seniors became our friends.” – Pallab Deb
Gargi College
“First day at college seems like a big fat tangle of emotions. As I entered the quad, I had no idea how the experience would be, but the college orientation gave me a feeling that this is place where I can spend 3 years of my life and emerge as an all rounder. The day was jam-packed with performances by cultural societies like Enliven, Kshitij, etc. Orientation acquaints students with the various facilities available at the campus and the college societies. The college orientation was followed by departmental orientations where students were acquainted with their courses and respective teachers. In other words, one could call it as a halftone of the coming years.” – Shaily Sharma
Shri Ram College of Commerce
“My college orientation isn’t exactly something I recall frequently, but once I do it all comes back to me like a movie. Just a year back on this day I explored my college for the first time and came to know facts which both surprised and scared me. I remember sitting in our not-so-huge auditorium listening intently to everything the teachers had to say, my hands shaky and mind anxious. The fact that I was sitting in that grossly overcrowded hall among thousands of outstanding young students each one better than the other was weirdly reassuring. I knew that my dream has come true when the principal on the podium said that three years from now you’ll be proud of the person you’ve become.” – Aishwarya Chaurasia
Indraprastha College for Women
“We were asked to assemble in the studio, that’s where the college tour started. Then we were addressed by our principle as to what to expect from this course and college and who are faculty members would be. Later the seniors took over. Each person has to sit on a chair under the spotlight. We had to give our introductions along with the craziest thing that we have done in our life. It was a fun exercise and we all enjoyed a lot.” – Pinakita Gupta
Lady Shri Ram College for Women
As I entered Lady Shri Ram College for the first time, it was the sheer grandeur around it that amazed me. From the lush green lawns to the mighty red building, everything about LSR is inspiring on your orientation day. Walking in to the auditorium was like entering another universe. To be introduced to all major societies, see them perform, listen to teachers and students speak about how the red bricks and the magic they guard accommodate changed their lives is overwhelming. But it’s nothing close to the how one feels when Dr Gopinath takes over the podium. She’s articulate, inspiring and instils all new students with a sense of confidence. The final tree planting tradition is great way to end an orientation at LSR and makes everyone feel like they’re going to be leaving their mark on the institution forever. – Bani Bains
There is nothing to be intimidated by, not even the seniors. So enter your respective colleges with your heads held high and expect nothing but great times! All the best freshers, welcome aboard!
Lady Shri Ram College is one of the first colleges in DU to hold its college elections, and this year, the elections began in a hurry as the date for the college day was declared late. The department elections began on Monday, 1st April with the candidates submitting their nomination forms. Elections for some departments were held on 2nd; whereas other departments had their election on 3rd. Strict rules for elections were laid down. According to the rules, any candidate found campaigning through internet or SMS would be immediately disqualified from the elections.
On the 2nd History Department held their elections, whereas other departments like Political Science, Statistics, Philosophy, Economics, etc. held their elections the next day. All candidates needed a third year and a second year to nominate them, and one could see frantic first years running around asking seniors to nominate them and read their agenda. According to a first year candidate running for the post of Department Treasurer, ‘contesting the elections has been a whole new experience for me altogether. I have learnt through my research about so many problems that the students are facing, especially when it comes to accounts, and I hope I can create a more transparent accounts system for my department in case I get elected.’
The following candidates were declared Presidents of their respective department Unions:
Amanjit Kaur: Sociology
Vaishnavi Singh: History
Srujana Yadav: Political Science
Prerna Kannan: Statistics
Charvi Kain: Economics
Gurman Bhatia: Journalism
Image: Sapna Mathur (
While reckoning the grandeur displayed by lustrous posters donning the NSIT campus, I seldom pondered upon the impact that a debating fest might have on me. Colloquium, the first ever debating festival organized by NSIT College, kick started its first day with a stimulating panel discussion with eminent guests who had the faith to write the scripts of their own lives. The luminaries included renowned authors, Ashwin Sanghi and Ira Trivedi, the versatile dancer and activist Mallika Sarabhai and the erudite social scientist and political ecologist, Dunu Roy.
The event was host to immense motivation that stirred through the air, as each panelist unraveled the story of their dreams and destiny. As rightly worded by the host college, the life stories of these luminaries fit the saying, “square pegs in round holes” as copiously as it could. Each one of the panelists inspired the audience to carve out the best in themselves and have the fortitude and courage to pursue their passion. The panel discussion addressed many questions in the students’ best interest, like whether the Indian education system cripples or enables the youth to follow their dreams, what the role of a mentor is in every individual’s life, why reasoning is essentially important, and how one needs to balance the weights of societal pressure and one’s true passion. It evoked statements like, “Even the greatest equations have unknown variables”, by Ashwin Sanghi, which inspired each in his audience.
The next event was a conventional debate on the motion ‘This house is a frozen fire’, exposed to interpretation by the participants. There were in all twelve participating teams which included colleges like Hansraj, LSR, SSTB Khalsa and more. Worthy arguments sprung up during the course of this debate, battling to justify their interpretation of the topic. Some of them drew analogy of this motion to patriarchy and critiqued polarisation of sorts, others drew parallel to human emotions. The best team was awarded to LSR represented by Vanshika and Mayanka. The Best speakers were Parash from Hansraj and Isha from DTU. The best interjector was awarded to Divya from Venkateshwar International School.
Poornima Kharbanda
