Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | Friday Review | Cinema Plus | Young World | Property Plus | Quest |

CAMPUS HANGOUT

Bonding point

Photos: Sandeep Saxena

My own space Students sitting at Nilgiri dhaba in JNU

Jawaharlal Nehru University

The hangout Nilgiri dhaba

Rush hour The evening hours

Where it’s at: Between Godavari, Kaveri and Periyar hostels

JNU is known for its dhaba culture and there are enough of dhabas on this 1,200-acre campus. But each one of them has a speciality and a certain number of loyalists visiting the place everyday. Located in Dakshinapuram, Nilgiri dhaba has a charm of its own. It’s a small joint with a sitting area in the open.

It is typically one of those places where youngsters spend hours arguing on different issues or flipping through books over endless cups of chai. There are others who come here for a quick bite of the piping hot paranthas. Next to the dhaba is another shop selling banta, cold drinks and chips. Though round table and chairs are scattered around the space, many find comfort sitting on the stairs or the boundary walls. Mid-sized trees converge over the seating arrangement making it picturesque. “It is a great place to meet people as it is situated between three big hostels — Godavari, Kaveri and Periyar. It is always buzzing with people,” says Sadanand, a Ph. D student.

Godavari hostel is one reason men flock to this dhaba, simply because it is a women’s hostel. “ We are so frequent here that the shopkeeper even gives us udhar” laughs Sadanand.

Chai break is the most common excuse people use to spend some time here. But unfortunately, the chai itself is a bit disappointing. “It’s so watery,” complains Sumit.

Since it is an open place, the weather is a deterrent as well. Scorching sun and heavy rains are bad times to be here. Uttam has a grouse against the location. “Even if you come to this place genuinely, most people assume you are here because the girl’s hostel is nearby. This is not fair.”

“Whatever may be its negative aspects, being the closest to our hostel, we have no choice but to like it,” feels Shivpooran.

Ganga or Sabarmati dhaba are the closest, but people go there only for a change. Since the entire university has enough green areas, even the pathways often turn into hangout zones.

( rmangala@thehindu.co.in)

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail