NEW DELHI: Outstation students who have managed to get themselves a seat in Delhi University despite high admission cut-offs have another hurdle to cross -- finding accommodation.
Most colleges in DU have a limited number of seats available in their hostels, and this is proving to be a bigger impediment to students and their parents already unnerved by the admission procedure.
“I stood four hours in the line just to give in my application form, only to be told that some teacher hadn't signed my form properly,” said Nirmal, a student from Amritsar who has been camping along with her mother at a nearby gurdwara for the past two days. Her 90 per cent has ensured her a seat in the Maths (Honours) in Miranda House, but not in the hostel with only two seats from each course available in the general category.
“I have no hopes of getting in but am trying anyway,” she added, while her mother collected pamphlets for paying guest accommodation being handed out by boys milling around the campus. Many admission seekers have been too nervous to eat anything all day and the confusion regarding admission procedures has added to their woes.
“I really don't know what to do, hostel seats are few and the PGs are too expensive,” said a visibly harassed parent from Lucknow, accompanying his daughter Sowmya, who has been admitted to the B.A. English course. “I just cannot afford to spend so much money every month, it seems pointless scoring 90 per cent and paying through your nose for a decent accommodation in Delhi,” he added, considering his daughter's alternatives in Lucknow.
Shweta from Assam has scored almost 95 per cent, but prefers to place her bets on Lady Shri Ram College. She has also been running from pillar to post with the confusing paperwork forming part of admission procedure. “I liked the idea of studying in the North Campus but I don't care anymore. Any decent college in Delhi along with accommodation will do,” she said, moving almost gleefully to a waiting rickshaw, glad to finally leave the college campus. If the situation is bleak for girls, boys aren't better off. Hindu College, which has hostel accommodation only for boys, can also admit just two students from each course in the general category.
Although PG accommodation is an alternative, the steep prices and less than attractive rooms on offer is a big deterrent to students from different backgrounds. PG accommodation on the North Campus can cost anywhere between Rs.4,000 and Rs.12,000 a month.
While some people have opened their well maintained homes to accommodate students, some PGs are being run like businesses.