Being an active students’ representative throughout his college years, Jitender Chaudhary has always believed in the power of democracy. Even though his term as president of the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) has ended, he’s optimistic that the new office-bearers who will be selected after the September 14 polls will be “as dedicated and enthusiastic” as the outgoing team.
 
Chaudhary says he and the other DUSU office-bearers of his term made sure they were always available to address any student-related issues. “Whether it was raising our voices against corruption, a secure campus or any hostel issue, we tried to solve the problems faced by students. Our aim was to help all Delhi University students achieve great success in academic and extra-curricular activities,” says Chaudhary, who served as DUSU president from 2010-11 from the Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad.

“The team had a strong vision of associating students to social causes. Organising marathons against corruption, seminars on global warming and blood donation camps have been regular affairs for us,” says Chaudhary. Having taken up initiatives like the demand for an east campus (likely to be taken up in the next three-year plan of the university), induction of student representatives in the Delhi University Advisory Committee, introduction of 11 new u-special buses and e-rickshaws, they have fulfilled their aim to a great extent.

For Rohit Chaudhary, former DUSU president, being a part of the union gave him self-belief that he could bring about a change. “I was working for students’ welfare even before I was elected the president. When I won the polls in 2003, it gave me a lot of confidence that I could make a difference. One of my major achievements has been converting the DUSU fund into scholarships worth Rs. 3.5 lakh. These scholarships were given to around 80 students from 40 DUSU-affiliated colleges,” says the MA Urdu student.