Students refuge

With the board results having just been declared,the admission process of the citys colleges is around the corner.

With the board results having just been declared,the admission process of the citys colleges is around the corner. Over the past few years,colleges of south campus have steadily,and with good reason,begun to receive the recognition they deserve. And with an increase in the number of students,there is a requirement for comfortable and affordable accommodation.

Though most students of colleges around south campus are Delhi-based,there are several who come from out of town. While some colleges do have hostel facilities,there are many still in need of accommodation.

Satya Niketan,located just opposite Sri Venkateswara College,has long been a refuge for out-of-town students as well as those looking to enjoy a few moments between classes. And the place has grown in recent years from being a lower-middle-class residential area to a semi-up-market residential-cum-commercial space.

Says Rupali Sarkar,professor of English at Venkateswara,Though we have recently started our hostel facility,there will always be a few who wont be accommodated. Satya Niketan,due to its proximity to our college as well as its welcoming and youthful atmosphere,has been a blessing for students and parents alike.

A couple of years ago,one could count the restaurants in Satya Niketan on ones fingers. Today,it is a different story. Its going to be five years since I moved here. My father comes to visit every year and every time he does,he is shocked by the new shops that have opened up. Earlier,you had to choose between tea at a small eatery or coffee from the Nescafe stall,but now we are spoilt for choice, says Marissa DRozio,an MA student at south campus who hails from Darjeeling.

But how does all this development play on property rates? Says property broker Neeraj Arora,We cant expect students to pay exorbitant rates. So rentals here remain low. Landlords will charge a bit more if the apartment or room comes with a bit of furnishing and fixtures. There are few paying guest accommodations here,especially for boys. Besides,PGs have not been faring too well as students want there own space.

Speaking about the rates Arora says a two-bedroom apartment can be rented for Rs 8,000. But most students prefer sharing accommodation here. Several students come around looking for just a room,and that fine as there are several people looking for roommates.

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With the number of shops that have mushroomed in Satya Niketan,commercial property rates have been rising,and will continue to,says Arora. There is a 900 sq ft plot that till a couple of years ago could be rented for Rs 30,000 to Rs 35,000. Now,it is being rented for Rs 70,000. Thats barely enough space to open a mid-sized restaurant,but people are still going for it. A ground floor property,especially those facing out onto Ring Road or Venkateswara,command a higher price. Earlier,there were smaller mom-and-pop stores selling provisions or garments or what have you. Now,its big brands who want to set up shop, he says.

But does this also bring to light the changing tastes of todays student? Ive been teaching for over 30 years and have been witness to the change. When my son was going through college,fun used to be having some dumplings and soup at one the restaurants or just walking around the area. Today,fun seems to be sipping lattes or eating pasta or shopping for shoes and branded clothes, says Ms Sarkar.

With a constantly changing face,which appears to be going hand-in-hand with the changing tastes of todays youth With an atmosphere that is vibrant and charged With a location that is ideal to feel at home at as well as to get around town Satya Niketan is a perfect home away from home.