28/11/2021
S. V. COLLEGE--1961
Teething troubles and Initial Drawbacks
Contd. Part 2
--Dr.R.K.Jain
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Although our College was a co-educational institution but there were separate Sections for boys and girls both in Prep.& B.A.(Pass) I year classes. I don't know whose brain-child it was? --surely an old fashioned, orthodox mind-set. So, the students had a genuine grievance,"Why is it so?"
Once a girl-student, Sushma Mitra, asked me, "Sir, Jab aatma ek hai to hamko ladkon se baat karne ke liye mana kyon kiya jata hai? " I said, "Kaun mana karta hai? " She replied, "So and so, whenever he sees any boy talking to a girl in the corridor, he tells him, "No,no,don't talk to the girls, go to your class."
Altogether there were about 270 students in the college in 1961, out of which 70% were girls. Lecturing to 60-70 girls in the class--a colourful audience--was a pleasant experience but teaching 30-40 smart and handsome boys too was no less thrilling. It took several years to combine them. And then, a student had written in an article in the college magazine...One outsider boy telling another boy, "Yaar, teri to kismet khul gayee, Venky mein admission ho gayee !! Ab to teri chandi hi chandi hai !!! "
I remember, when I was studying in Hindu College in 1956, there used to be only 5 or 6 girls in our B. A. (Pass) I year class against 40-50 boys, and those girls used to sit together, on the long bench in the first row.
On 18th September, 1961, when I joined S. V. College as a Lecturer in Hindi, I myself was only 21 years old. I was surprised to note that the Foundation Stone of the college was laid on 20th August, 1961,which was so close to my date of birth, 22nd August. So, we both were/are of the same Zodiac sign, "Leo" or Lion--a divine providence.
(Written and posted by Dr. R. K. Jain at New Delhi on 28.11.2021)
