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Hear the college walls speak

As St. Stephen's College turns 125, NANDINI NAIR catches up with the author of a `fun history' of the institution

A TRIBUTE Ashok Jaitly's book on St. Stephen's College brings the past alive through anecdotes of alumni and archives

It is a shrunk coffee table book, smaller in size but richer in detail and with fewer photographs. "St. Stephen's College: A History", by Ashok `Tony' Jaitly, published by Roli Books, is a fitting tribute on the college's 125th anniversary. Rahul Bajaj, Rajya Sabha MP and Chairman, Bajaj Auto, released the book at a glittering event recently in the Capital. Bunker Roy, the founder-director of Barefoot College, Rajasthan and Mani Shankar Aiyer, Union Minister for Panchayati Raj, shared their memories and wisecracks. Roshan Seth and Sabina Jaitly read extracts.

The launch of the book was an example of Stephania. Pride veering on narcissism, wit drawn from irreverence, camaraderie and loyalty outlasting time. And successful people from different fields, who studied at St. Stephen's College, were in full attendance.

The book is a `fun history' of the college. The author says, "This is not real historical analysis. That requires much more research."

Engaging

The book traces the history of the college from 1881 in an engaging and entertaining way. It brings the past alive casually through anecdotes of alumni and archives.

The pluralism of the college is reiterated through the book. Jaitly says, "In our lexicon, secularism has only religious associations. But here it is more a pluralism, it is the entire inclusiveness, and that is what is important." It is this pluralism that he says he carried into his bureaucratic career, retiring as Chief Secretary, Jammu and Kashmir.

The book does not shy away from accusations laid against the college. He admits that it tends to be upper class, elitist and insular, "but it was tempered and moderated. College made me a better person. It made me aware. I met people from different sections. I lived with them and I made friends with them."

Jaitly also mentions that St. Stephen's has also often been criticised for being oblivious to external realities. "College might not be a part of the electoral politics of Delhi University, but that is not a bad thing. There is an awareness of larger political events. In our times it was important to be identified ideologically." Playing the devil's advocate, he adds, "But then why should only we not be part of Delhi University politics?"

He concedes, "The one possible gap in the book is the lack of contemporary voices." The present might not be strident, but the past is alive through the astute use of sources.

His main source is F.F. Monk's "History of St. Stephen's College" (1931), a commemoration of the 50th anniversary. He has also drawn from the college archives, "The Stephanian" from 1901, conversations and the Internet. The restoration of the archives needs attention and investment, he said at the book release.

Asked about the readership, Jaitly says, "When writing, I was concerned who would be interested in it. It is Delhi-centric and I think people with some college association will be the main readership." Frankly, he adds, "I do not think it is much wider than that."

Some readers might identify with the unabashed pride for the college. To others it might smack of an unhealthy addiction, but finally, this book serves its purpose as a history of St. Stephen's College.

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