Board exams are over. Students who have just completed their 10+2 must be partly stressed, partly excited to join college. Although I strongly believe that the students should be given complete guidance and career counseling, I also believe in their right to chose the course and career of their choice. I am writing this article to help those students who wish to do something different than traditional BTech, MBBS, BCom and LLB courses.
For those who are willing to make a viable career out of BA in foreign languages, JNU offers a great opportunity. Although my best wishes goes to all the students passing 10+2 this year, I hope this article helps those students who wish to study foreign languages in particular and literature and humanities in general.
I would like to share my first experience of JNU. For those who are unable to study at DU, prominent amongst various reasons is a financial one. JNU is a natural choice because it has a hostel facility on campus and a very affordable fee. I didn’t believe when I was told that the demand draft of about ₹250 or something, that I had brought to submit along with my admission folio was infact the fee of my first semester. I just couldn’t believe it. It is very saddening that the fee of BTech and MBA has been increased to such an extent that common students can’t even think of taking admission into these courses. While we are fighting to get this high fee rolled back, JNU’s BA and Masters courses in other departments are still very affordable.
JNU is a place where a rickshaw-puller’s son and a minister’s daughter can study in the same class without feeling a bit of discrimination. Here is a campus where people don’t judge you on your dress and shoes, people don’t feel inferior offering a cup of tea that costs ₹5. Everyone is equal here irrespective of their class, caste, gender or region. JNU is well known for its academic rigor and ambience.
JNU is one of the most reputed universities in India. It was established in 1969 and led by some of the most prominent academicians of that time. It is primarily a research university and is known for its academic excellence and a culture of debate and discussions. It has produced some of the most famous journalists, civil servants, leaders and academicians of India. It is widely known for its people-centric, socialist and leftist politics and students’ movements.
As a place of learning, it offers post-graduate and doctoral courses in various subjects of sciences, humanities and social sciences. It offers BA in foreign languages too which builds a support base for students willing to pursue higher education in research in international studies, translation and interpretation studies. It has a vibrant and engaging campus with a tiny student population of about 8000 students.
The best part about studying here is the interdisciplinary nature of degrees. An undergraduate pursuing languages has to do some compulsory courses from different departments which provides her an opportunity to learn about various subjects while doing the course of her choice. Similarly, Masters students are also encouraged to do courses from various departments to broaden their knowledge base and prepare themselves for interdisciplinary research engagements.
JNU’s intellectually stimulating environment where students get a chance to listen to various experts, academicians, researches, politicians speaking on a range of topics is an experience which infuse them with critical thinking and lifelong learning appetite.
For an enlightened individual JNU is more than just a university. It is a place of unlearning where you get rid of or at least introspect your preconceived notions and stereotypes. You analyse and question your own beliefs and knowledge. Eventually, in JNU you learn that life is more than just classroom study. JNU teaches that if your studies are not contributing to the positive change of society, if its stagnant and enclosed in a particular frame then it is time to rethink the value and importance of your knowledge and learning.
From lectures and seminars in SSS to post-dinner debates, all the discussions converge on the social and political questions which influence the life of an ordinary individual. There are various aspects of JNU which makes it unique and sometimes controversial. The ambience of JNU is filled with thoughts and ideas of thinkers like Ambedkar, Nehru, Gandhi, Marx, Lenin, Bhagat Singh, Phule and Periyar among others. The students here engage in fierce debate and discussion to enquire various facets of national and international affairs of importance. These inner tendency of JNUites to debate and ask questions sometimes bring them in the middle of various controversies.
It breaks my heart when people speak bad about JNU being a den of ‘anti-national’ students. I invite you to come and visit this campus, know its history and you will know for yourself how much JNU has contributed and continues to contribute in the positive social change of this country. The image that media has created of JNU is far from the truth. JNU is a peaceful, democratic and enriching campus. There is no place for violence here.
People debate and discuss and exchange ideas. This has been JNU’s culture since its inception. We don’t believe in creating divisions and disturbance. We don’t believe in othering. We believe a country is not just a landmass but the people who share their identity with it. JNU has always been at the forefront of social and students’ movement to help marginalised communities get their fair share from the government and its institution.
I believe that in this era of social media and technology-driven world, the feeling of collective conscience and responsibility is evading. JNU tries to remind you time and again that you should never try to get rid of your social and political responsibilities.
JNU’s ever charged atmosphere is the very proof of the fact that it questions the status quo and shakes it’s foundation whenever there is a need to question a particular act in the interest of the common masses.
It thus is a living testimony of what in fact the vision of India initially was and what our forefathers enshrined in our constitution as its core ideas as laid down in its preface.
For me, JNU stands for the same social, economic and political objectives which our constitution envisages. JNU has released its notification for admission and free classes are being held in campus by the JNU students’ union. I encourage students to apply for BA foreign languages and other masters courses. JNU is a welcoming campus. People and students from all walks of life are welcome here. The JNU experience is a life changing metamorphosis.