CAMPUS
Hygiene is a rotten word in JNU hostels
Smriti Kak

Leftovers of the food prepared for JNU hostellers.

Rotten vegetables, spoilt meat, sauces that have crossed the permissible shelf life, this was the menu at the Mandavi and Mahi hostels in Jawahar Lal Nehru University until a few days ago.

The mess run by a private contractor appointed by the administration was unsanitary to say the least, vouch the residents of these hostels. “ The manager of the mess purchased rotten vegetables and meat and we were given that to eat. He even bought expired sauces from the Army canteen and served them to us”, claimed the hostellers.

Since the UGC has refused to give grants for hiring of staff for the newly constructed Mandavi and Mahi the students have to make do with the private contractors that have been appointed by the university. These private contractors not only charge more, but also fail to deliver.

“At Mahi we are paying Rs 850 per month, the highest monthly charge, but are getting the worst. There is no accountability, the mess warden has never cared to step into the mess. The administration has refused to file a case against the caterer even when we have proof of his misdoing”, said Ravi Singh, a resident of Mahi.

Students point out that cases of chicken pox, jaundice and other endemic diseases have been reported from these hostels. “We have the highest number of such cases. There is no hygienic food and water”, claimed another resident.

The students have been protesting against the university’s failure to provide them with food. “Since the university has failed to get sanctions from the UGC, they can at least think of alternatives. We have asked them to provide us an initial sum for starting a co-operative mess that will also include student representatives apart from the mess wardens but the university is reluctant to shell out even the basic money”, said Vivekanand Upadhyay, a resident of the Mandavi hostel.

The hostels, Mahi and Mandavi, were constructed with the funds from non-UGC sources. Since they are not approved by the UGC, these hostels do not receive any funds for paying the wages of the workers. However, the students allege that the university has enough grants to shell out a small portion for the mess initiative. “They can always mobilise the funds. A small portion can be deducted from the rest of the funds to help start the co-operative mess”, he added.

While the university authorities claim that the UGC has put a ban on recruitment and that there are no funds to spare, the students are not convinced. “By the year 2006 more than 50 per cent of the total mess staff will retire. If there are no fresh recruitments how will they run the mess in all hostels? The entire mess system will collapse because there will be no one to run them”, said Parimal, the vice-president of the student’s union.

While the authorities and the students continue to debate over the possible solutions, the residents of Mandavi and Mahi have to walk a considerable distance to get a proper meal. “We are eating in other hostels. It is a problem walking across kilometres in this heat, but there is no other alternative”, said another resident.

Digital film-making

SAE Technology College has opened its fifth centre in Delhi. The college was set up by Tom Misner, a leading audio engineer from Sydney, and Access Atlantech, a Chennai-based company in India in 1999.

The college offers an international diploma and other degree courses in audio engineering, media technology and digital filmmaking. The courses, including audio engineering, digital film-making and a dual diploma in both, have been developed keeping in line with international delivery and learning curve methodology.

Towards the completion of the course students have a professional portfolio and an internship certificate validating their work in production studios.

Prize distribution

Bharatiya Vidya Peeth organised their annual prize distribution ceremony. Dr Ashok Chandra, Project Director, Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, was the chief guest.

The programme began with lighting of the traditional lamp followed by the Director’s address. In his address, the chief guest advised the students to emulate and follow the road trod by corporate leaders.

Prizes were given to meritorious students for academics and sporting activities.

Helpline for IIT aspirants

Pie Education has started a helpline for students appearing for the screening test of IIT JEE 2003. The helpline will cater to the doubts and questions that students face before facing an examination. The helpline is available on the website.

US recognition for IELTS

The International English Language Test System (IELTS) has been recognised by the American organisation responsible for accrediting foreign nurses who wish to work in the United States. The US Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools has announced that it will accept the IELTS test as an English language proficiency requirement for the US-bound nurses and health care workers.

The IELTS is a test for English language proficiency and managed by the British Council, IDP, IELTS Australia and Cambridge ESOL. 

IMT convocation

Mr Kumaramangalam Birla lighting the lamp at the convocation of IMT, Ghaziabad.

The Institute of Management Technology (IMT), Ghaziabad, organised its annual convocation ceremony. More than 350 students from full-time PGDBM, PGDCA, PGDEM and part-time PGDBM programmes received their diplomas.

The Chairman of the Aditya Birla group, Mr Kumaramangalam Birla, who was the chief guest on the occasion, addressed the students. The ceremony was presided over by the President of IMT and MP, Mr Kamal Nath. In his speech, Mr Nath reiterated the institutes’ commitment to providing globally relevant management education.

On this occasion, the Director, Mr Ashok Ghosh, announced the launch of new programmes, including E-MBA, PGD in Human Resources Management and Global MBA.