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The Right to Vote is imperative, but exercising the same is not easy, given the technicalities associated with it. This piece brings you the procedure, of how an outstation student can exercise their Right to Vote in the Capital, where they study.

On 11th January, the last date for registering as a voter in Delhi, the students of St. Stephen’s College organized a drive to aid the outstation students in including their names in the electoral list, this piece is in respect to the drive, formulated a guide for outstation students to vote in Delhi.

1. You can cast your vote once you have a voter ID card and your name enrolled in the electoral roll. In case you do not have a voter ID card, register on the national voter’s service portal (www.nvsp.in).

2. For an outstation student, Form 6 (which is available on the National Voters’ Service Petrol (NSVP) website) needs to be filled online.

3. The most important part is the address proof, which depends on the student’s place of residence. For students residing in college hostels, Annexure IV needs to be scanned and uploaded. The Annexure IV is a declaration for students living in hostels, which is to be ratified by the Dean or the Principal, depending upon

the type of institution. For students living elsewhere, a copy of rental agreement passes muster.

4. The documents involved in the process are imperative as well. An Aadhar card or any equivalent document is required to ascertain the age of the applicant. The address of a student is important as well, and Annexure IV or rental agreement are the two ways to go about it.

5. After registering your name, address, proof of age and residence, you will be given an application number. A text message on the contact number provided by you will confirm the registration.

6. On the day of voting, go to the nearest polling booth of your constituency. The voting time is usually from 7 am to 5 pm.

7. Once inside the booth, a polling officer will check if your name is present in the list and verify your details with your votercard.

8. You will be inked by another polling booth officer and handed a slip. Then you will be asked to sign against your name in a register, which is the Form 17A.

9. A third officer will check if you have been inked on either of your index fingers. He or she will then forward you towards the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM).

10. Once you stand across the EVM, you will find buttons against candidates and the party that they represent, listed. NOTA or none of the above will also be one of the options available.

Evita Rodrigues, one of the organisers of the drive at St. Stephen’s College said, “Sometimes it’s easy to underestimate the value of single registration and thereby a single vote. The entire process of and the effort it entails can often be discouraging. We were able to help nearly a hundred students fill the online form on extremely short notices and help around thirty non-teaching staff apply fresh or for corrections in existing cards.”

But why is this important at all? The answer lies in the policies created by the

Delhi Government. These students, like others, must have the power to elect a government that shall frame policies for their betterment. It is important for every student to exercise their political rights, which benefits both the students and the state.

In a state like Delhi, where the students are a major stakeholder, it is important to aid them in exercising their political rights. Students across Delhi and elsewhere should make endeavours to do what Evita and others did in St. Stephen’s College. Students, therefore, have the onus of extending political rights among themselves, as well as others in our society.

Feature Image Credits: Evita Rodrigues

Kuber Bathla

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Moving from high school to college may be an exciting transition, but it is also a very tough and stressful one. It is a challenge that the student will struggle with initially, but eventually adjust to overtime.

Being a college student exposes us to a lot of freedom, but at the same time, it requires a lot of responsibility. A lot more than what is required in high school, especially for outstation students who come from regions located far away, and live by themselves in hostels, rented accommodations or as paying guests.

Initially there is a honeymoon stage that new students go through, as the newfound freedom takes on their minds as they can get up and out of bed when they please, and eat whatever they want, whenever they want. However, at the same time, the huge burden of responsibilities is also forced on their shoulders. Hence, it would be apt here to modify the popular Spiderman movie quote and say, “With great freedom, comes great responsibility.”

The responsibilities outstation students may confront range from financial ones, like utilizing money efficiently and controlling one’s desires or temptations, to daily responsibilities, like laundry, ironing clothes and arranging clothes, as well as academic responsibilities.

Most students would have already experienced financial or academic duties in school and would be used to handling them, but the daily responsibilities like cooking, laundry, ironing, etc, which were usually taken care of by their families, would appear to be a daunting task as now there would be no one to depend on.

“After shifting to a hostel, you won’t be asking, “Mom, where is my….” You will have to manage things on your own,” says Amit, an outstation second-year student from Bengal, pursuing History Honors at Hansraj College. Hence, it will be beneficial to new students if they quickly learn and get accustomed to such situations.

Learning from seniors is a great way for students to face the rapid challenges they see occurring around them during the transitionary period between school and college as well as getting a hold of the responsibilities they have been burdened with. And the advent of the internet and social media has further made it easier for outstation students to adapt.

“As an outstation student, accepting the very fact that I won’t live anymore with my parents is quite difficult. Before moving out, I didn’t know a single thing that would help me to survive on my own. But eventually, I learned almost everything with the help of my fellow seniors. Although, cooking remains something in which I’m a rookie!” opined Kuber Batla, an outstation first-year student from Rajasthan, pursuing BA Programme at St. Stephen’s College.

These responsibilities may seem to be unnerving or intimidating, but they do teach one many things like taking independent decisions and being responsible for their outcomes, managing funds, etc which end up being great memories one cherishes after leaving college.

“Looking back at the time I was in college, I realized that dealing with the challenges that resulted in my responsibilities was actually fun and I always remember them as some of my best times! There were times when I and my hostel mates ran short on funds and, hence, shared food, soaps, dresses, and many other things,” says Sushmit, a former History Honors student from Ramjas College.

Hence, although students coming from far away, may face a tough time initially, but ultimately it’s a part of their growing up and learning life lessons in a campus which prepare them for facing their futures and confronting any roadblocks which they might face during this journey called life!

 

Featured Image Credits: DU Beat

Abhinandan Kaul

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Mid-semester break basically means a little escape from our ‘adulting’ responsibilities, a trip home, and catching up with academics. It is a short relief from the hectic college life and a welcome return to our homes.

Here is what mid-semester break means to outstation students:

Sudden and constant pampering

During this short trip back home, your family wants to make the most of whatever little time you have with them. Living away from your parents is deemed cool, but nothing substitutes the love they shower upon you. Consequently, this tiny set of holidays turns out to be the time when you have the spotlight at home. Everything happens for you and according to you. Your parents barely leave your side, food gets cooked according to your preferences, and you get to change the channels at home. At the same time, you try to be around your parents as much as you can, get all the love and care from them, and let them know how much you have missed them. Hence, the mid-semester break is often times, highly emotional.

Catching up with old buddies

You left your school, house, city, and a host of different memories to come to the big city and chase your dreams in college. But most importantly, you left your friends behind. These first friendships are special simply by virtue that they are the oldest and stood the  test of time. College can make you feel like life is going a bit too fast, but the mid-semester break and catching up with friends does help reduce the pace.  They, besides your family, seem to add meaning to your connection with your own home town. A simple lunch or catch-up with your old pals at your favourite local hang out spot coupled with heart to heart talks about each other’s new lives not only makes new memories but also allows you to relive the old ones.

Bidding adieu to budget blues

Going home basically means an end to all your money problems. You no longer have a budget to live by. Being home means you have your family to take care of you and they usually don’t say no because they want you to be happy around them. It also means no more bad, bland, tasteless food since your mother puts her heart and soul in all the dishes she has made because she can see how “Delhi is not suiting you,” and how “you are losing weight!”

Hello, Privacy!

Be it a hostel or a paying guest accommodation, one thing that makes life difficult is that you are living in an overcrowded place, sharing your room and washroom with at least three other people. It is a constant struggle accommodating everyone and having your private space respected. But all these troubles come to a standstill in the break. During the mid-semester break, you can go home, stay in your own room, sleep on your own bed, adjust the room temperature according to your will, and have the washroom all to yourself. After all, there is no place like home anywhere else in this world.

But the mid semester break is like a sweet dream. It seemingly gets over as soon as it starts. It is advisable not to get used to these benefits too fast and too soon. So enjoy the little time you have, go ahead, let your family spoil you, catch up with old friends, and enjoy your time at home.

 

Feature Image Credits: Sirfnews

Bhavika Behal

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Outstation students are said to be the ones who enjoy freedom at its best—people who don’t have to travel too much to reach their accommodation and those who have all their time to themselves. However, there is struggle involved in living a life away from home. It isn’t easy to be your own friend, your own family, your own helper and your sole support.

There are innumerable challenges that come along with being an outstation student. Trivial or serious, here they are:

1. Food

Image credits: Indian Express
Image credits: Indian Express

It is a truth, universally acknowledged, that a hostel resident with lots of wishes and no money is hungry.

If you live in a PG hostel, a government hostel, or in your own flat you know the struggle. Food in hostels range from extremely soupy to extremely burnt. There are times when you look at a dish, and wonder, “Wait, are these potatoes?” Even if you are put up in a fancy accommodation, you will still complain about food. There are times when you awaken your inner chef to cook food for yourself and use all your time to create a master piece. You promise yourself to continue cooking on your own only to break the promise later. Instagram, Facebook, Game of Thrones and sometimes assignments come in the way of being a master chef. And then there are times when you break down and complain about how you miss chicken.

2. School/Old Friends

Image credits: clipartpanda.com
Image credits: clipartpanda.com

College is usually welcoming to most of us. This is particularly true in Delhi University, where people from all walks of life and places come together. However, there are moments where you end up missing your school friends. Not many outstation students are lucky enough to be able to spare a day and meet their friends. Friends are far away in most cases. You might not be able to reach them. They are not a few blocks away. However, you have WhatsApp and WhatsApp emojis to convey your feelings to those who understand.

3. Family

Image credits: lgrc.us
Image credits: lgrc.us

Yes, outstation people are cool and so they have a lot of friends. However, the huge circle is also because they have too much of their emotional space to fill and offer. Living away from family leaves a big void in you. You crave company. Time is miserably long without family. Yes, outstation students have a lot of time to enjoy. But there is always a lack of people even if they have hundreds around.

4. Exams

Image credits: contextualfeed.com
Image credits: contextualfeed.com

Outstation kids don’t have to travel from Gurgaon or Noida during the exams. They also get extra time to study on the morning of an exam. But they have to manage everything on their own. Food seems worse when you have exam fever. So you have a choice of either remaining hungry or ordering something for yourself, or even cooking on your own. There are times during summers when you get up for a glass of water and realise that there is no water. It is at times like these that you wish you had the comfort of your home.

5. Money

Image credits: cashthechecks.com
Image credits: cashthechecks.com

You can be rich back home but when you are not home, you are not rich. You will always thank god for the money you have at the beginning of the month. It seems enough till the last days of the month strike. Remember those days in school when a coin would fall off your pocket and you wouldn’t want to pick it up as you thought that would be embarrassing? Well, that isn’t happening here. At the end of the month, coins are gold. They can buy you a packet of bread, some samosas and hopefully a plate of momos too.

All in all, life isn’t easy for an outstation student. There is every reason they should be proud of themselves. Yes, there are moments when they slack off or break down, and times when they feel that they are too tired to pursue their dreams. If you are one, give yourself that necessary appreciation. You are doing good because you are doing it all on your own!

Image credits: theodysseyonline.com

Tooba Towfiq

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Delhi University has a vast majority of outstation students and we see a lot of them doing exceedingly well in various fields and making the best of their college lives. Of course, not being a local surely does have some drawbacks such as missing home-cooked food but once the homesickness subsides and university life becomes more exciting, many obvious perks of being an outstation kid begin to surface:

1. Living on Campus

The most obvious perk is being given the opportunity to apply to college and university hostels even if you don’t live in them (most students prefer apartments and PGs in close proximity to their respective colleges). Not only do they not have to waste their time in a metro to reach college, but staying on campus ensures a more wholesome university experience. As the years pass on, they become experts on university hotspots, whether it be knowing the best golgappa waala in the area or the cheapest bookstore around.

2. Journey back home is no less than a holiday

The beautiful train journeys across lush green agricultural fields, morning faces of industrial towns with workers returning from night shifts, hopeful faces at every crossing- your journey back home is an exclusive holiday experience that you enjoy at least twice every year.

3. Getting to be a part of regional societies in college

Most colleges have regional societies which consist of all the students of your home state under a single roof. Joining them gives you exclusive access to seniors and even teachers who are from your region. Be it a hunt for your regional delicacy in the capital, celebration of regional festivals or gossip about local politics back home, these friends are always like your second family in college. Visiting a state bhavan with them to munch on your favourite dishes is a must.

4. Studying/ Vacationing

For many outstation students, coming to Delhi for college also means a chance to explore a buzzing metropolis. With numerous monuments, shopping malls, restaurants and nightclubs, most weekends are usually always packed with plans. Whether it’s trying ice-paan in Connaught Place or shopping in Dilli Haat, there is always something new to try and some new place to visit. This is refreshing, as hometown sights have begun to grow on you over the years, and your eyes have wanted more.

5. Your First Hand experience enriches classroom discussions

Every time a topic related to your state pops up, you are always there to offer a realistic and regional opinion which would enrich the discussions as well. It is also a nice means of letting others know how people of your state think and what they believe in. No doubt whenever someone from your class or PG travels to your state for the first time, he/she comes to you for expert advice before the trip.

6. Being independent

Setting off to a new place to study obviously means taking charge of your own life. Starting small by learning how to cook or do your laundry, you also have to take charge of your finances and use them judiciously. For every scared parent with their “Delhi isn’t safe, beta” views, you also have to ensure your safety while trying to enjoy responsibly. Being independent brings forth your maturity and at the end of your DU tenure, most of you will definitely be Life Smart!
All in all, at the end of three years, you end up having two homes. Albeit only a three year stop for most outstation kids, Delhi will always feel like a welcoming abode filled with college memories.

Featured Image Credits: mhhmagazine.wordpress.com

Srivedant Kar

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Swareena Gurung

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The definition of college life is almost different for all out-stationed students. While the unfamiliar path seems challenging and exciting, at the same time, a feeling of constant anxiety paves the way for confusion. Amidst the tiresome admission process, there’s a sudden realization that a completely distinct world awaits us for good. Thus, given below is a guide to help you step effectively out of your comfort zone, while preparing you for the same: 

1. Prepare yourself mentally

Not only school is over, but so is the ease and comfort of staying at home, pampered by the affection of your family members. Prepare your mind to accept the fact that life’s going to be different, in both good ways and bad. While you’ll no longer get to see your family everyday or get organized facilities exactly on time, you’ll get a chance to explore your being. Remember not to expect much out of the upcoming stage, yet be open enough to try, learn and develop new things.

2. Find a suitable accommodation

While you’re away from your loved ones, your new and temporary accommodation becomes your second home. Eventually, the roommates or new friends that you make prove to be your new family away from home. Be it a hostel, PG accommodation or rented flat, remember to choose wisely. Atmosphere matters more than space. The ambience should be secure, positive and welcoming, so that you don’t feel out of place at any point of time.

3. Pack wisely

One of the most important steps is to efficiently choose the most apt resources. Frequently used fancy stuff may lure you to an extent, but remember to carry only the important clothes, gadgets, utensils and equipment. Be extremely selective while analyzing your necessities. This will help reduce the weight of the luggage carried and also make your room seem less crowded. Casual clothing, basic gadgets and equipment should work well in this case.

4. Explore and Interact

This new life brings along with it a lot of freedom. It’s imperative to use it in a way that helps you develop. While you’re in a completely new place, free from old mistakes and judgments, give yourself another chance to do everything you wanted to. College is a perfect platform for showcasing and enhancing your skills. Initiate conversations with new friends and participate in the activities that interest you, as it will only help you achieve more confidence. Also, explore the places around and keep essential and day to day contacts handy. You’ll have ample time to discover places of necessity as well as those of enjoyment. Utilize it to the fullest.

5. Learn to adjust

The most important step is of learning how to settle and get used to the unfamiliar environment. Staying alone may seem to be hard at times, but is essential for your progress. There might be days when you would want to run back home, but it won’t last long. Be prepared for few penniless days, unexpected adventures and lifelong lessons. Patience and adjustment is the key to make these three years of your graduation the best ones in life!

Image Credits: www.thehindu.in

Lovleen Kaur

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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 

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Now that the Board exams are done, have you already started day-dreaming about your dream college in India’s top university? At the same time, are you apprehensive about moving to a new city altogether? Here’s a little something for all would-be outstation students wishing to be a part of the University of Delhi in the upcoming academic year- a survival recipe exclusively for outstation students, by an outstation student.

 (Author’s note: ‘survival’ is just used for a dramatic effect; you’ll sail through college here!)

All about Delhi

First things first- Delhi is NOT the rape capital of India. It’s as safe and as unsafe as any other city in the country. There are people on the road that will help you; there are shopkeepers and auto-waalas who won’t rob you of your money, so clear your head of all these clichés about Delhi.

 The plus points? Easy access to all landmarks across the vast city via the city’s lifeline- the Delhi Metro. Delhi-ites swear by the efficiency of Delhi’s metro system. Other than this, exceptional food joints with as much variety as you wish to have on your plate along with being a shopper’s paradise, an art-lover’s heaven and an observer’s utopia., just when you start thinking you’ve got to know it all, the city throws something majestic at you to ponder upon!

Essentials for an outstation kid

Find good accommodation

Finding good accommodation is one of the most essential aspects you need to focus on once you get into the college of your choice. Many colleges across DU don’t have adequate hostel seats and hence alternative accommodations such as flats and PG (Paying Guest) accommodations are popular. Confused about what to choose? Here’s something to make your life a little easier-

Hostel– While many colleges have inadequate hostel seats, it’s still considered the first choice for most outstation students. The safety of the accommodation and lesser rent in comparison to flats and PGs are the main benefits hostels have to offer.

With this, hostels do come with certain guidelines and regulations to comply with. These maybe in the form of curfew deadlines and leave regulations. Food is also an issue in certain cases since all of us spoiled, in-love-with-home-made-food kids might find it a little difficult to adjust to the hostel mess’ food. It is a myth though that hostels are all about regulations. The mid-night parties, studying and staying together, sharing food (the list goes on till where your wishes can take you) will bring you a lifetime of friendships and irreplaceable memories.

PG Accommodation– One of the fastest growing businesses in Delhi (it’s not IT!) is of the Paying Guest Accommodations. You will have hundreds of PGs to choose from as per your own preferences. PGs in Delhi come with both rigid and flexible curfew deadlines. The food issue one might face in hostels is a rarity in cases of PGs given that you have the option of demanding the food of your own choice.

However, higher rent, difficulty in adjustment with fellow PG-mates (yes, that’s a term!), curfew deadline issues and safety concerns at times are a few negatives tagging along.

Flats –  As rosy as the thought of owning your own flat may sound, it’s a mammoth task. Unless you’re willing to bargain with the subzi-waalas and relying on the wishes of a maid to turn up and get you some food, flats is not a good idea.

But, you surely cannot ignore the benefits of having a house party or calling your friends over whenever you wish to. Your parents will certainly have a lesser control over your activities since there’s no deadline issue and they’re often cheaper than PG accommodations.

The only advice is to think thoroughly before choosing your accommodation and consider all pros, cons and worst case scenarios for all options. Ultimately, your comfort (and survival!) overrules all other factors.

Wish you could be home…

Homesickness is something every outstation kid feels at some point of time. We understand how close you are to home but always think of the time you were earnestly waiting to get out of your home and explore. Well, the independence a new city gives you is your perfect chance to live your dreams. While doing all your work yourself might seem to be a burden initially, it’ll eventually become something you’ll be thankful for and proud of.

There are ways to get over the feeling of homesickness, of course! Take an early morning walk, go on a shopping spree, explore historical places in and around the city with your new found friends- the more you try to get your mind off the thought of home, the more at-home you’ll feel!

Adjustment issues often crop up when you come across unfamiliar people. The key is to see this unfamiliarity as a part and parcel of growing up and becoming your own person. It’s also important to understand that every kid in your hostel/PG is in the same boat as you are, and is facing similar issues.

The best part about Delhi is the fact that you will never run out of ‘things to do’. With its historical and cultural importance, the city in itself has a lot to offer. You might feel a little lost initially but embrace the change with open arms. Within no time, you’d be a part of this cross-cultural hub making a mark of your own. (Too much philosophy? Well, you’re getting the first hand experience of an outstation kid!)

Feature Image Credits: thedisneyden.com

Arushi Pathak
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Lying on a vividly-hued hammock in your backyard, on a breezy day (those not blessed with the expanse of a backyard and hence with a hammock can replace the imagery with a couch or what-please-you), poring over one of your favoured leisure reads, calling out for the mother whenever the glass of lemonade needed to be refilled…aah! THIS constitutes the paraphernalia of a perfect break, unlike the “break” the university had planned for us which, as I put, and most of my other fellow university slaves would agree to, was a blatant misnomer for one!

How would you exactly describe a break? Well, a period of time when there is complete detachment from anything paperback, hardcover, spiral-bound, containing the writings of a wasted someone (resemblance to “books” is purely intentional, yes). It does NOT entail being buried into a plethora of reading material, with eyes glued to the computer screen (for research purposes of course), counting the number of hours before we could finally shove that assignment away and take a breather!

Being an outstationer, a break is something I start looking forward to since the moment I set foot on the New Delhi Railway Station after coming back from one! This time I took more books and fewer clothes, owing to a string of tests after the college re-opens.

Also, the one thing that really upset hosteliers and day-scholars alike was the short span of the holidays. “Before the semester-system was put into practice, the break used to stretch for a minimum of ten days. These were over in a jiffy. Before I could raise my head from the ten thousand assignments that I had to complete, it was time to bid-adieu,” said an outraged Divya Mehrotra, a Pol. Science student of IP College, who also happens to be a hostelier.

The time of the month the break came about also did not go down too well with most students. “The break should have been clubbed with the Dushhehra holidays. This time of the year means more to us than just the festival. Now, I’ll have to miss classes to accommodate the festival,” quoted Nishita Banerjee, a student of History from LSR and a hurt Bengali.

So, the break which stands for a refreshing change from the mundane and routine life of attending classes, commuting, meeting deadlines, bunking classes (yes, that’s part of the routine, isn’t it?), didn’t really fulfill its promise. And, with the examination datesheet being declared JUST before the break began, it couldn’t get worse. Kudos to the VC!

 

Vatsala Gaur
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