[ToI] Grand welcome awaits fuchchas

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NEW DELHI: Delhi University (DU) colleges are gearing up to welcome the freshers with the new session slated to start from July 16.

Ramjas College is busy giving a makeover to its corridors, fixing up LCD projectors and painting the classrooms with vibrant colours. Besides the facelift to the campus, the college will also hold an interactive session between the faculty and the newcomers, a discussion about the syllabi, examination pattern and attendance requirements. "We will also make the students aware about the anti-ragging law and DU ordinance about sexual harassment against women," said B N Ray, convener, admissions, of the college.

Stating that it will be a "free and frank discussion" session, he added: "It is going to be a candid session where students can discuss all problems, personal or career-related. It will be followed by a cultural programme and an exotic lunch, exclusively for the freshers." The class for the second and third year, however, will start two days later, to avoid ragging.

At Gargi College, a short-film on the college documented by the students themselves will be shown to freshers. Being a women's college, informing the students about the safety on roads is the top priority. District police officers will address the students. "We have also asked students staying in PG accommodations to give us the address so that we can have it checked by the police," said principal Meera Ramachandran.

SRCC has gone all high-tech to welcome its freshers with power-point presentation about the college. It will also distribute booklets, which will contain information regarding the college, including extracurricular societies, results and alumni. The college has also decided to advance its orientation by a day so that regular classes can commence from the first day itself.

"We are also planning to invite a business tycoon to interact with freshers, who would share his experience on how to become the best in the business and trade," said college principal PC Jain.

Besides an interaction with the freshers, some colleges feel that an informal discussion with parents is equally important. Said Manaswini Yogi, media coordinator of IP College: "The idea of holding an orientation session for parents on July 13 is meant to explain new concepts like internal assessment, new restructured courses and facilities available in the college and also the new stringent anti-ragging measures suggested by the RK Raghavan committee."

She added: "The next day, we have invited two alumnus - Ashum Gupta of DU's department of psychology and Odissi exponent Madhumita Raut - for an informal interaction with the girls. Students' union will bring out posters on ragging and the seniors will also be a part of the orientation programme."

LSR will continue with its two decade-old tradition of freshers planting saplings on the campus. Kirori Mal College will also hold an orientation programme.

sonia.sarkar@timesgroup.com