New to DU? Try this rickshaw tour which takes you on a ride through the most iconic places in North Campus
Clueless about Delhi University’s North Campus? Here’s a one of its kind cycle rickshaw tour, which tells you all that you must know about the campus.
We opted for the tour called Foodie’s Delight, which was organised by Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE), a society of Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC). The guides, well-versed in campus folklore and history, are second year students of the college.
About one and half hours long, the tour took us through the campus with the three guides telling us everything one would possibly want to know about DU. 18 students climbed into nine rickshaws and stopped to grab a bite at no less than five eateries. Here’s a look at the tour in a nutshell.
Vice Chancellor’s Lodge
On Chhatra marg, this was our first stop. Keen learners, we quietly followed our three young guides. Walking on the serene path with palm trees on both the sides, it felt as if we have reached a different world. Here, the Commonwealth Games stadium (which is as unused and unkept as ever) is on the right and the vice chancellor’s office and residence is on the left. We learnt that Shaheed Bhagat Singh was kept here for a day, before he was hung in one of the chambers in this lodge. We were also shown offices where students can lodge complaints to the Vice Chancellor.
Edwin’s Banta stall
Stop two of the tour was a refreshing one, literally. Edwin’s Banta stall, which is right outside Hindu College, is one of the favourite hang outs with the university students. The guides told us that this is one of the first banta stalls on campus and dates back to 1985. The banta is made in a large jug (unlike in bottles elsewhere) and is served in a glass full of ice. The owner also shared some secrets with us. “Before few years, I used to cook at the SRCC annual function every year,” he said. The delicious banta cost R15 per glass.
QD’s Cafe
Here, we had an option to either eat chhole bhature from the famous Chache di hatti or select from the menu at QD’s in the Kamla Nagar market. We chose QD’s. While others were getting their stuff packed, we could not resist the veg tandoori momos. Priced at R70 for eight pieces, the fresh and spicy momos are worth trying. You can also try vegetarian momos, available at R80. “This is the place to be. If you have studied in North Campus and have not eaten here, then you have missed something big,” said Pratima, one of the DU Darshan guides. We suggest you to avoid the place during lunch hours as getting a seat to eat could be a tough task. The place also serves an elaborate chinese menu.
QD’s Cafe
Here, we had an option to either eat chhole bhature from the famous Chache di hatti or select from the menu at QD’s in the Kamla Nagar market. We chose QD’s. While others were getting their stuff packed, we could not resist the veg tandoori momos. Priced at R70 for eight pieces, the fresh and spicy momos are worth trying. You can also try vegetarian momos, available at R80. “This is the place to be. If you have studied in North Campus and have not eaten here, then you have missed something big,” said Pratima, one of the DU Darshan guides. We suggest you to avoid the place during lunch hours as getting a seat to eat could be a tough task. The place also serves an elaborate chinese menu.
Vaishnav Chaat Bhandar
At our fourth stop, the guides introduced us to this eatery at Kamla Nagar market, which is a haven for chaat lovers. The 30-year-old shop has tikki, papdi chaat, kulfi, paneer tikka and much more in its menu. We had to fight the crowd to get our token for a plate of gol gappe, which at R20 was a complete value for money. The chaat has spices mixed with sweet chutney. All of us spent our maximum time here, trying almost everything from the menu. “I liked the tikki alot. It was crisp and had loads of mint chutney,” said Jishnu, another student guide.