Alumni Recall Memories of Hindu College Boys Hostel as It Goes Under ‘Hammer’
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 14th Oct. The Hindu Colleges boys hostel, which holds sentimental value for many, is being demolished for reconstruction. This has sparked nostalgia among several alumni who have fond memories of the building.
Principal Anju Srivastava explains that the current building is too weak to continue in its present state, so the college plans to rebuild it.
The new structure will be a four-story building with a stilt and is expected to be completed by 2026.
This will double its capacity to accommodate the increasing number of students in the college.
The current building is approximately 80 years old, and the administration has invested a significant amount of money in different phases to maintain its sustainability.
Engineers were brought in to test the foundation and determine if two additional floors could be added, but it was found that the base is not strong enough.
Due to the immense pressure on the hostel, the governing body decided to proceed with the rebuilding process.
The new structure, costing Rs 50 crore, will house over 500 students and is projected to be ready in two to three years. The old building has been closed since the Covid-19 pandemic.
When news of the demolition spread among the alumni, Hindi film director Imtiaz Ali shared a post on Facebook reminiscing about his time in the boys hostel. He expressed sadness and nostalgia but acknowledged the need for change and progress. However, he emphasized the importance of maintaining a certain aesthetic reminiscent of the past in the new hostel.
Some alumni are planning to keep parts of the debris from the hostel as mementos, as it holds sentimental value for them.
Discussions are underway with other alumni, and a proposal will be presented to the principal.
Former principal Kavita Sharma believes that while it is necessary to adapt to the times, it is also important to preserve the memory of the old.
She recalls how alumni used to bring their families to show them their hostel, and with the new construction, this tradition will cease.
The Hindu Colleges boys hostel, located on Sudhir Bose Marg in North Campus, was built in 1953.
It has produced many distinguished personalities, including government officials, politicians, artists, and famous actors.
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