Welcoming the fuchchas

Hawans, tree plantation, and cultural programmes are what DU colleges plan.

A lot of things mark one’s first day at college — be it the orientation sessions, positive interactions, fun games, or even traditional rituals. As a perfect start to college life, many Delhi University colleges, for some years now, have been indulging in special rituals such as conducting a hawan, planting a sapling, and organising a lavish lunch for the fuchchas.

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The first day, aka the orientation day, is mostly about introducing the freshers to the various departments and cultural societies of the college. At Lady Shri Ram College for Women, the orientation is followed by a tree plantation ceremony in the lawns of the college. This has been going on for over 20 years, and the students are expected to plant one sapling each.

“It’s our way of expressing that like the saplings, all our students will be nurtured to face the world, once they graduate. Also, this will make them environment-conscious,” says professor Kanika Khandelwal.

For Shri Ram College of Commerce in North Campus, lunch for parents and the freshers, is the way to go. “It’s a very nice gesture by the college authorities. During my orientation, not just the students, but parents too interacted, and had a good time during lunch,” says Ashita Chauhan, a pass out from the college.

At Hindu College, freshers are shown a film about the college after the principal’s address. The students are taken to their respective departments, where they are told about their course and semesters, and introduced to their teachers.

While at Kamala Nehru College, apart from a main college orientation programme, the authorities plan to hold individual orientation sessions in every department.

Delhi University will reopen for its new session on July 23.