Every year, hundreds of thousands of students across India apply to Delhi University (DU) for a chance to study in the Capital.
Among them are youth from the Northeast who decide to look past growing incidents of racial discrimination, since the possibilities that open up after studying here are immense.
Hashokmi Kamkara, president of the North East Students’ Society (NESS), said that around 12,000 students from the Northeast enrolled in DU last year.
Better facilities
A major reason for the huge influx seems to be the lack of higher educational institutions back home.
Lilika, studying at St. Stephens College says, “We don’t have the facilities at home that we do in Delhi. Starting with infrastructure, we are seeing a lot of improvements but there’s still a long way to go. Universities aren’t well organised and often neglected.”
She adds that another reason is the lack of quality faculty and opines that apart from a handful of colleges, it’s hard to find a sincere person who would actually put in an effort to really teach.
More courses
Subhrasmita Sandilya, a sociology undergraduate from Miranda House, says, “I think it mostly started with the unavailability of courses like sociology and psychology, for which the students chose to go outside the region.”
The student culture and exposure to activities apart from the curriculum also plays a big role in people making choices.
Kameng Kundilya, an avid participant in Model United Nation (MUN) events says: “In Guwahati, we had no MUNs till May 2015; hence, we had to go to various cities outside the region to participate. In Delhi, I don’t face that problem."
Mr. Kamkara says: “Besides the impressive track records of the alumni, the kind of exposure the students can get studying in the national capital is a huge plus. Delhi is like a mini India and yes, people are judgemental, not very accommodating and have a cultural superiority. Thus, if one can make a life here, they can survive anywhere.”
However, shifting to Delhi for three years, one is prone to an identity crisis and yet, the biggest hurdle is language.
Kaolin Chophy a Nagaland native studying in Sri Venkateshwara College says, “I have had a great experience as I had come to Delhi knowing that I would have to try to blend in. I had to learn Hindi and fit in with my peers.”
Getting used to it
One of the major complaints of the community has been that they are treated like second-class citizens.
Anubhav Chakraborty, who is studying in Hindu College and is from Guwahati says: “The discrimination issue for me exists in the paradigm for people judging on their prejudices. So for example, two of my friends were denied a flat and I know it was because of our race. The pricing has also always been an issue. PG owners and brokers charge extraordinary rates in north campus. If you are willing to spend more money, probably you won’t be discriminated against. That’s how it works here.”
What is disheartening is that some like Mr. Chophy admit that they have gotten used to it. “We do get discriminated against sometimes. For instance, being called ‘chinki’; getting those ugly stares in the metro even when we our travelling in the ladies compartment; strangers catcalling at us on the streets and lots more. In my first year, I used to get riled up, but now it doesn’t effect me much. I think I got used to it.”
Most of it could be attributed to the lack of curiosity in majority of Delhiites, who don’t have the will to either know or understand their fellow Indians.
Ignorance
Sandilya, who is from Assam, says: “I know there is a still a section of Delhiites, albeit small, who wonder if we eat snakes or live in jungles. I just feel sorry for their lack of knowledge, both general and geographical. Most of the time they don’t have any idea about this part of the country, which they look down upon as foreign. And then we keep questioning as to why this part of the country isn’t included in the “mainstream.”
Delhi’s reputation as the ‘rape capital’ doesn’t help either, but most of the students still prefer DU over others.
Priorities
Lyimee Saikia, who is from Khanapara in Assam and studying in Hindu College says: “DU remains the preferred choice because everyone decides to prioritise their career over some doubtful considerations about safety. Of course, our parents still worry if we do not reach our home on time. But most of us have to take that shot in the dark to establish ourselves and our future because of the kind of opportunities available in this city.”
Limika Kinimi, who’s studying in LSR added, “Of course there are safety and racial discrimination issues but I have to give first priority to my studies. Also, when it comes to safety in Delhi, its not only for people from Northeast but for all the girls. We take precautionary measures such as not staying out late, or hanging out with unknown people. Also, I feel way more secure as I stay in the Residence Hall of LSR.”
(The writer is an intern with The Hindu)
