Vital Statistics

• WHAT IS IT? A premier women’s institute for undergraduate and postgraduate studies. • WHO’S THE BOSS? Dr Meenakshi Gopinath is the principal. • HOW CHEAP IS IT? The tuition fees range from Rs 6, 935 to Rs 10, 335 per annum. For MA courses, it comes to about Rs 7, 821. • WHAT ABOUT JOBS? The information services cell handles campus placements. • WHERE TO STAY? There is a residence hall with limited seats. • WHERE IS IT? Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Lajpat Nagar-IV, New Delhi 110024 Phone nos: 011-26434459 Website: www.lsrcollege.org

Situated in South Delhi, Lady Shri Ram College (LSR) for Women, is a premier institute for undergraduate and postgraduate studies. Established in 1956 and ranked among the top colleges of the country, LSR offers over 12 undergraduate and 10 postgraduate courses in humanities and commerce.

“Our commitment to excellence, right from the inception, makes LSR different from other colleges,” claims Asha Mathur, vice-principal and an alumnus herself.

Bill of fare

Admission to undergraduate courses is based on Delhi University’s prescribed norms and the college’s cut-off percentages. For postgraduate courses, students have to register themselves with the faculty of arts and commerce of the university.

Along with commerce and humanities courses, journalism and elementary education are highly sought after. The college was the first one in Delhi University to offer a diploma in conflict transformation and peace building (CTPB).

Life beyond books

Life in LSR stretches beyond academics. “Our aim is to nurture the students and enhance their potential in addition to their academic achievement. We give them the space to discover themselves and this is what makes LSR different. We also inculcate a sense of social responsibility in our students,” says Mathur.

There is a women’s development cell (WDC) for discussion on gender issues and students are encouraged to participate in community work through a voluntary agency placement programme. Various cultural societies help students hone their skills in dramatics, dance, art, photography and film making. LSR lays great emphasis on sports and national service.

The placement cell advises students on placement options as well as opportunities for pursuing masters programmes abroad. Companies such as Arthur Anderson, GE, McKinsey, Ernst & Young and Nestle recruit regularly.

“LSR provides you with opportunities. It broadens your horizons and gives you a lot of space to explore what you want to do,” says Vanita Leah Falcao, a third year student of political science.

The annual cultural festival, Tarang, is a big draw. Also, each department organises its own academic festival where eminent personalities interact with students through discussions. “We encourage a questioning attitude and provide a space for debate in the classroom and in the various societies and associations,” adds Mathur.

Discipline pays

Ex-student Sarita Simone, now working with a NGO, claims that the college has a disciplined environment. There is a rigorous system of periodic assignments and regular attendance is a must for students. This probably accounts for the success of LSR students.

“We have a multi-cuisine cafe but it is slightly on the expensive side,” rues Sharmin Khodaiji, a third year student of political science. Also Falcao believes that there is a need for interaction with other colleges. “It’s quite isolated in that aspect,” she says.

The college has a bookshop and a health centre and provides Internet facilities to students. A counselling cell helps students deal with any personal issues that they might face. The library has a huge collection of books and boasts of over 3,000 bound journals.

Mathur has the last word. “All I want to say is, if you want to make a difference and have the passion to do so, come to LSR. For our endeavour is to change things around us for the better.”

Ritambhara Mehta

OLD MEMORIES

Dancer and carnatic vocalist, Geeta Chandran, recounts her college days

Idyllic is the word that would best describe those heady days. The college gave us an incredible sense of freedom and encouraged us to dream. At the same time, it also propelled us to take pride in our Indianess. That is what I valued most at LSR — the realisation that wings to fly are strengthened by strong cultural values.

LSR taught us never to accept forced borders on our capabilities and we were encouraged to make our own choices. I was enrolled in the BA (honours) course in mathematical statistics, and graduated in 1983. And I think my decision to throw up a formal career in a traditional workplace and opt for an uncertain career in classical dance was the result of the training I received at LSR.

It is undoubtedly the jewel among India’s educational institutions.

As told to Ritambhara Mehta