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CAMPUS HANGOUT

Stairway to heaven

Photo: R.V. Moorthy

Sitting pretty Students of Zakir Hussain College at their favourite hangout

The Hangout The broad staircase behind the main building

Rush Hour 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., especially when the classes are on

Walk to the main building from the gate and take the staircase to reach the landing on the first floor. A few steps further will lead you to the Heritage Wall. The wall chronicles the history of the college, from the time it came into being till the time it was shifted to the current location in 1991. And right beside the wall is the most popular hangout zone of the students – the back entrance staircase.

There are many things about this place that make it perfect for chilling out. First is the location of the staircase itself. Since it is away from the main action (read administrative office and staff room), it gives students room for some freedom.

The view from the steps is soothing, with a range of trees and a lush green lawn at some distance. “Since the entire place is sheltered, we don’t have to worry about the weather. Also, the staircase is big enough to accommodate a lot of people,” explains Moosa Khan, a third year English Honours student.

Subhadip Biswas, a student of Philosophy, elaborates, “The staircase is a common meeting point for students from different streams. Since the science building is just next to the stairs, it is an opportunity for students from Humanities to interact with Science students.”

The canteen is just a minute away, which means you can satiate your hunger pangs as well.

The place is so loved by students that it is not easy to elicit information on what they don’t like about it. After a lot of head-scratching comes an answer. “At times it can get too populated, enough to make you breathless,” says Anu, an English Honours student. “The noise pollution levels are high as well,” chips in Suman. Lack of privacy is another price they have to pay…you never know who is listening to your conversation.

The college is full of places to hang out. The canteen is not so happening, as “it is not well-maintained”. “Actually, our English department (Room no: 104) is a fun place to be. You will find a lot of students sitting there even after the classes are over. The faculty is cool about it,” explains Manya, another English Honours student.

But the spot that wins hands down as the second most favourite hangout zone is the chaatwala. Hidden in one corner of the main building, Jumma chaatwala has a long association with the college. “They have been running it for generations. It has one of the best chaats in the city,” points out Moosa. “The alu kuliya and fruit chaat are spicy and mouth-watering,” drools Anu. “I think it has to do with the masala they use. It is some unique concoction,” sums up Vishnu.

( rmangala@thehindu.co.in)

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