Getting into the Hindu College

I went for my admission into Hindu on the 28^th of June, a day after the first cutoff. Now, being the smarty pants that I am, I had already asked my friends who were done with the admissions process to tell me about the same in full detail. So I did have a rough idea about what to expect. But I sure was not prepared for the sheer number of people there! 

I reached the Hindu around 11 and was able to get out only by 3. In those 4 astonishingly long hours, I made my way through 5 gruelingly long lines in the very humid and insanely uncomfortable June weather of Delhi. After you get the admissions form, you fill it and get it verified, along with your documents – originals as well as self-attested photocopies. Next, I proceeded to the CAC office (I think that’s what it’s called!) to get another round of verification done, to get all necessary stamps and signs. Sounds easy, right?  NO ITS NOT!!! I waited in the line for a good hour and quarter. And the scariest part, I was the last to be allowed into the office. The doors were shut right behind me. There was quite a huge portion of the queue still left, and all of them were told to return the next day! Anyway after this, you have to go to the Principal to get the form signed by him. The rather nice Principal asked me about the course I’m applying to, signed the form, and then wished me the best of luck. I’m pretty sure that was the nicest part of the experience, even if the convo was barely a minute long.

Now came the hard part. My form was done, stamped and ready for submission. I joined a rather long line to get the form and photocopies submitted and get the office’s stamp. After moving at snail’s pace, I hoped the process was over, and that I would not have to join the monster line that was visible to my left. But alas. The final queue (well, almost) was the hardest. Standing in the damned weather for a good 1 hour 40 minutes, I finally reached the window and got my fee slip thingy. Couldn’t help but notice that the wait was longer than a flight to Chandigarh. And at last, I went to the bank and paid the fee. And then heaved a sigh of utter relief.

So is there anything good about this whole thing? Well, yes! As one of the guards said to my queue mates, (translated) “If you want admission into the Hindu, you must stand in the queue and work for it – even if it means coming and standing here for four days.” (I find it apt to use the true-dilliwaala expression here, “Chawd hai bhai!”)

Apart from being an excellent stamina building and quite the cardio training exercise, the whole process is a great opportunity to learn through interaction. In the long queues I made some very good friends from across the country (Like seriously: Jaipur; Jhansi; Bhopal!) Not only was the long wait way more fun with them, I got to know so much about the perceptions of those living outside the city – about Hindu, about DU and about Delhi itself!

All in all it was a great experience, and I’m relieved I have a college now to go to.