Vital Statistics What is it? A premier college in the University of Delhi Who's the boss? Anil Wilson is the principal. How cheap is it? A day scholar has to pay approximately Rs 13,000 and a student residing in the hostel, about Rs 45,000 annually. How to get in? There is a list of percentage cut-offs followed by an interview. Where to stay? There are separate hostels for both men and women. Where is it? St Stephen’s College, University Enclave, Delhi 110 007. Phone : (011) 2766 7271. Fax: (011) 2766 2324. Website: www.ststephens.edu

St Stephen’s College — arguably the best-known college in the University of Delhi (DU) — is the oldest institute in the city. Founded on February 1, 1881, it began as a small college with just five students and three teachers in a house near Chandni Chowk. Today, the college has 1100 undergraduate students and 70 staff members.

St Stephen’s has always attracted the best in the country. Its old students’ list is a veritable who’s-who of India and includes names like writers Amitav Ghosh, Upamanyu Chatterjee, Shashi Tharoor and Anurag Mathur, politicians like Mani Shankar Aiyer and Kapil Sibal, and fashion designers like Tarun Tahiliani and Rohit Bal. President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed was an old student, as was the former Pakistan president, Zia-ul Haq.

“One of the main reasons for students getting attracted to the college is that the reputation of the college keeps getting perpetuated over time,” says Geetha Venkataraman, senior lecturer, department of mathematics. “Its overall image as an institute of excellence appeals to students. And they go out into the public sphere to spread the reputation of the college.”

Picture perfect

Architecturally too, it is one of the most impressive buildings in the Delhi University and is located in a picturesque campus. Residential accommodation is available for 300 boys and 54 girls.

It has several undergraduate courses, but the most sought-after subjects are economics, history, English, physics and mathematics. “The teachers are friendly and always ready to help,” says Geena Sarah Jacob, a second-year student of history honours. The college is strict about attendance, and a lot of importance is paid to tutorials and classes. “There are no strikes, classes are held regularly and the extra-curricular activities of the college helps students develop well-rounded personalities,” says Venkataraman. “All this drives students to perform better and stick to norms of behaviour which the college has always been known for,” adds Venkataraman.

The library is one of the best in DU, boasting of over 90,000 books. There are also facilities for playing tennis, basketball, cricket, soccer and golf.

Students come from different parts of the country to study here. “The good thing about Stephens is the diversity of the students,” says Sriddha Shah, a second-year student. “We get a cosmopolitan education and it also helps us understand the true character of India.”

Beyond academics

St Stephen’s is known for its extra-curricular activities. There are several societies — including the Shakespeare Society, of which alumnus Konkona Sen Sharma — now a reputed actress — was once a member. A club called The Forum organises lecture series and discussions on current issues. The Wodehouse Society holds a Practical Joke Week every year, where the brain behind the most innovative joke is given an award.

There are other cultural societies too, covering a wide range of activities, from debating and mountaineering to film and music appreciation and social service. Social work is a must for students and the Social Service league organises blood donation camps under the aegis of the Red Cross and holds regular reading sessions for blind school students.

“There are about 26 societies, ranging from Urdu to astronomy, which allow us to pursue our interests beyond academics,” says Shah. “Moreover, the college also teaches us organisational skills and leadership traits, which prove useful later in life,” adds Shah.

St Stephen’s also has a few ‘rag-mags’ — which combine good writing with gossip.

Amalina Dave

OLD MEMORIES

Anurag Mathur, author of The Inscrutable Americans, recalls his college days

St Stephen’s College had an amazingly liberal and cosmopolitan environment that offered an incredible educational experience. This went much beyond regular classroom teaching. I studied BA English (honours) in St Stephen’s college from 1971 to 74. It offered us an enormous sense of freedom to do what we wanted. This, in many ways, shaped my career as a novelist as it was in St Stephen’s that I started to read and write a lot more. I started writing for the Junior Statesman and the Illustrated Weekly of India while still in college.

The best moments of my college days were spent in the cafeteria, reading poetry and chatting with classmates, who were a great source of learning. More than the teachers, I feel I learnt from interacting with these bright young minds.

As told to Tessy Koshy