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Zakir Husain College goes down memory lane

Staff Reporter

City's first higher education institute to share its heritage

NEW DELHI: It was here, well over a couple of centuries ago, that Delhi's students received their first lessons in English. The seat of Delhi Renaissance, this small hub of education was also where students first learnt the latest laws of physics and mathematical formulae in a language that managed to bind them as one, albeit under foreign rule.

A historic journey spanning three centuries, Delhi University's Zakir Husain College will visit its past this week as it takes a trip back in time to bring back memories of Delhi College, the city's first higher education institute.

Taking a cue from other university colleges that have been celebrating their history, the college says being the oldest higher education institute in the Capital it felt the need to share its heritage.

"No one seems to know that we are the oldest. For us, it is a matter of great pride and this is just an attempt to create awareness about the rich heritage that we possess. Somehow the bonding between the institution and the student has weakened in the new generation and we want to do our bit to reinforce it,'' says Zakir Husain Principal Aslam Parvaiz.

This Thursday will see the college kick off a long celebration with the inauguration of a special "heritage wall'' and the launch of special heritage cards. But the real news for students will follow in the months to come, with the college planning to come up with a whole range of souvenirs.

Making a grand return to the campus will also be `Jumma chaatwala' that used to be part of the college's old campus. "This chaat was a very popular aspect of the Delhi College which operated from the same heritage building that now houses the Anglo Arabic School. It was the only thing from the past that is missing in the current setting, and we thought we'd make it complete. The shop will, however, only sell fruit chaat and so take care of the student's diet too,'' said Mr. Parvaiz.

Zakir Husain College's journey started with the setting up of Madrassa Ghaziuddin in 1710, with the Delhi College being set up in 1824. From English being introduced for the first time as a subject -- that too in a school that promoted vernacular education -- to the translation of mathematical and physics texts into Urdu, which then was the predominantly used language.

The Delhi College was also known for its pivotal role in women's education, with special provisions being made for burqa-clad girls coming from Old Delhi. The college also had its ups and downs.

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