MA Hindi is a favourite with physically disabled
Contrary to common belief, not all departments of Delhi University face difficulty filling up seats reserved for the physically challenged candidates, reports Ritika Chopra.
Contrary to common belief, not all departments of Delhi University face difficulty filling up seats reserved for the physically challenged candidates.
The MA Hindi department is a strong exception. In fact, with the number of applicants usually exceeding the seats available, competition among the physically challenged students seeking admission to this course each year is quite tough.
The current admission season is no different. The university has about 3 per cent of the total post-graduate course seats reserved for the physically challenged candidates.
In MA Hindi, there are a little over 13 seats set aside for this category and close to 43 physically challenged students have applied for the same this year. Out of the total, there were 38 visually impaired students who appeared for the entrance test held recently.
“MA Hindi has always been a popular choice among the physically challenged students. This could be because it’s easier for a student of this category to pursue higher studies based on a language they are familiar with. While it might be difficult for them to study science (because of practical classes), it’s not the same in case of Hindi.
For the last three years, no seats under the physically challenged quota have fallen vacant and competition in this category is tough,” Sudhish Pachauri, head of MA Hindi department, University of Delhi.
“Physically challenged students usually feel that literature is one subject that they can do justice to. They do not feel their disability coming in the way of their learning in such courses and so they prefer to opt for them. The nature of the subject, therefore, has also to do with its popularity among them,” said Seema M Parihar, deputy dean students’ welfare.
All physically challenged candidates have to appear for the entrance test irrespective of their disability. The university hires writers for the visually impaired students writing the exam. Most of such applicants, Pachauri informed, are also accepted through the general category. “This holds true for the exceptionally meritorious candidates,” he added. Currently, there are 24 visually impaired students studying MA Hindi in various colleges affiliated to DU.