Neelam Kaushik, a first-year BA Programme student is only two days old in the college, but she is already in love with it. Ask her why and this wheelchair user says:
“Besides very good teachers, what I really like about the college is that the entire campus is accessible to me. There are ramps all over the place and an elevator in the library. All washrooms have special provisions for the differently abled.”
Another plus point is the spirit of friendship. “People are so helpful here. It becomes very easy to make friends and move about the place,” adds Kaushik.
Indraprastha College for Women, popular as IP College, has a history deeply rooted in the pre-independence era. The ideals of yesteryears still guide the college in its vision, the foremost being imparting ‘inclusive education’. Be it sports, social responsibility, history of the college or caring for humankind, all elements are beautifully woven into the curriculum to help young women realise their potential.
USP: Situated right next to the Civil Lines Metro Station, the college is strategically located, being only 3 km from the north campus, 2 km from ISBT Kashmere Gate and 4 km from New Delhi Railway Station. Apart from that, it is the only college that offers a bachelor of mass media and mass communication (BMMMC) in the University of Delhi.
Faculty: The college has approximately 130 permanent members in the faculty
Programmes: Some of the courses offered are political science, BSc math, Sanskrit, BCom (hons), BSc computer science, history, psychology, philosophy etc. The flagship programme is the BMMMC. The college proposes to offer programmes in sociology and geography and has applied to the university for the same.
IT quotient: The college is wi-fi enabled, including its Kalavati Gupta hostel. It was among the first DU institutes to get an ICT centre. Fax facility and computers are available for students.
Infrastructure: In addition to renovated teaching blocks and offices, the college has several computer laboratories, a spacious library with a book bank and audio-visual resource and production centres, an auditorium, seminar room and two large hostels and a sprawling sports complex, including a swimming pool. The most recent additions include the Indraprastha Women’s College Hostel situated near the campus, and a conference room. Both are fully equipped with modern facilities. A multi-facility sports centre is also a major attraction. The college also provides basic medical facilities for minor emergencies.
Disabled-friendliness: In its effort to create a disabled-friendly environment, the college has constructed access ramps and provided special software and reading material in Braille for the visually challenged. It also plans to acquire high resolution scanners and Braille printers to facilitate the conversion of more text material and syllabi into Braille. Tactile pathways and markers (to guide the visually challenged) have also been added to the infrastructure. Apart from that, full power backup, special washrooms and a lift in the library have been added recently.
To encourage its students to stay fit and healthy, the college offers dedicated facilities for a variety of sports, such as archery, athletics, handball, volleyball, basketball, tennis, table tennis, aerobics and much more. Coaching facility is also available for grooming budding sportswomen.
Hangouts: The college has various hangout zones with the students making a beeline for the canteen area, the sports complex, swimming pool, the bun-tikki wala and stairs near the auditorium on the campus. Outside, north campus, D School, Kamla Nagar Market, Chandini Chowk and the Civil Lines Metro Station are extremely popular.
Student speak: “The college brings out the best in you. It gives you tremendous exposure and opportunity to understand yourself better. A strong impetus on extracurricular activities along with academics makes this place really worth studying at,” says Manisha Khuntia, a third-year economics student.
Clubs and societies: To explore their potential, students are encouraged to join various societies of the college, including those for music, dance, debating, drama, eco club, photography club, creative writing, film club etc. The college’s annual cultural festival, Shruti, is a much-awaited event. Last year, musician Kailash Kher performed. The socials (social nights, when girls are invited by other hostels) are popular among the hostellers.
Factfile
Indraprastha College, the oldest women’s college in Delhi, was founded in 1934 as part of a nationwide campaign for women’s education and empowerment. Several educationists, philanthropists, public-spirited citizens played an active role in this. The college had its origins in two rooms in the Indrapratha Girls’ School at Chippiwara behind Jama Masjid in old Delhi with an enrolment of just two students. The college moved to its current premises in 1938
Factfile
Indraprastha College, the oldest women’s college in Delhi, was founded in 1934 as part of a nationwide campaign for women’s education and empowerment. Several educationists, philanthropists, public-spirited citizens played an active role in this. The college had its origins in two rooms in the Indrapratha Girls’ School at Chippiwara behind Jama Masjid in old Delhi with an enrolment of just two students. The college moved to its current premises in 1938
Wishlist
“Everything about the college is just perfect but at times we wish we were a part of DUSU (Delhi University Students’ Union). Though we are located at some distance from the north campus, at least this connection could have brought us in the main zone of activity. Also, we should go co-ed,” says a third-year student who doesn’t wish to be named