Seven youths come together to bring relief to those afflicted by Varsity's decision to withdraw hostel facilities during the Commonwealth Games
Seven youths come together to bring relief to those afflicted by Varsity's decision to withdraw hostel facilities during the Commonwealth Games
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The initiative named "Helping Hands" is the first of its kind, started by a bunch of present and former students of Delhi University residing in north campus. Currently the group is busy assisting students with the admission process but their main objective is to help them find accommodation for three months at a nominal rate.
Anuj Srivastava, founder member, who is working with an MNC in Noida said, "Most of the students who scored well and were confident of getting a hostel were in a fix. Neither is it possible to stay at someone's place for three months nor is it easy to find a rented accommodation for that period. So we took the initiative and formed some tie-ups with landlords in Hudson Lane, Gupta Colony, Vijay Nagar, Kamla Nagar etc."
"We have been distributing pamphlets in north campus so that maximum students can avail our services. We are not charging a single penny from anyone. We faced a similar situation when we came to Delhi. So we thought of helping out others this year," added Srivastava.
While four students - Rajeev Singh, Manish Kumar, Anuj Srivastava and Rohan - are pass outs of different DU colleges, the other three are still studying in second year. Nearly 2,000 students will be forced to look for lodging elsewhere in this 3-month period. The only consolation for such students is that on returning to their rooms in the second half of October, they will find the accommodation swanky and far more comfortable than at present.
Prateek Anand is one such student, who got in touch with the group and managed to find an accommodation at a cheaper rate and only for three months. "I have secured 94 per cent marks in class 12 and was eyeing admission in north campus along with hostel facilities. However, hostels will be available only by October. So I contacted this group. They have helped me in getting a one-room set in Roop Nagar. Now I am much relieved," he said.
Hostels of DU and Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) will be used to accommodate guests during the Games. As many as six DU colleges have asked students to vacate the hostels. JMI has decided to make alternative arrangements for its students staying before hosting 700 guests during the upcoming CWG. Incidentally, living in a paying guest (PG) accommodation in north campus has also got costlier by more than Rs 3,000-Rs 4,000 per month due to the Games.
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