Anxiety in the neighbourhood

It was a call from her parents that got Niang Tuie, a first year student of Gargi college really scared. Niang was on her way to college when her parents told her about a bomb scare outside the college. "My father told me that the news of the bomb outside our college was all over and I should not panic and concentrate on my examination," said Niang.

Bad day! Gargi College in New Delhi. PIC/Imtiyaz Khan

A bag containing some powder, pencil batteries and wires was found at a bus stand near the college on Monday morning, creating panic among the students. To make matters worse, the college had an external examination going on.

"My parents were scared to allow me to go to the college on my own. I had to convince them that I could manage on my own but they insisted that they would escort me back once my exam was over," said Anjana Basau, a first year B Com (Prog) student at Gargi college.

Anxious parents were seen waiting for their children outside the college. "My daughter is in the college taking her Business Organisation and Management examination. The news of the bomb has scared us. I will wait outside the college to take her back home," said Deepak Kumar, one of the several parents standing at the college gate.

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The SDA market opposite the college missed out on its usual crowd due to the incident. "It's a vulnerable place but ironically these days we take bomb scares so lightly. It's so easy to create panic at such a place during
the day," said Bhuvan, a freelance corporate trainer who hangs around the place. Gargi college principal Meera Ramachandran felt the incident called for more vigilance in the area. "It can happen in any part of the city. But I am proud of my students who spotted the thing and informed the PCR van. Now, after the incident, the beat constables should become more responsible."