College students who are hostelites at the Samuga-nidhi Hostel located off Canal Bank Road, Mylapore staged a protest on their campus on Tuesday. This protest was led by AISF ( All India Students Federation).
Students raised a few key issues that they say are not being addressed by the department.
One, they have to buy water cans for drinking water. Because the pipes have been dry for ages. They say lorry-supplied drinking water is used for washing and cleaning purposes but the supply is delayed. “Many of us have to leave for day shift classes by 7.30 a.m. so we cannot have a bath when the supply is delayed.”
Two, the quality of food cooked and sent to this hostel daily, from a central kitchen in Saidapet is not always good; students then prefer to eat out and have to spend from their purse. They say the tiffin in the evenings is bad and have requested officials to provide rice and curries.
Three, fans in many of the nine rooms that serve as dormitories do not function because repairs are not undertaken promptly. And mosquitoes have made life miserable for all – ‘Said one student who studies at Presidency College, “Many of us remain awake till 2 a.m. and fall asleep. Some of us sleep in the terrace.”
Four, the department has not provided books and play equipment that hostelites can use to unwind.
Close to 120–plus college students stay here; over 90% are from rural areas. They study at different colleges in the city.
AISF leader R. Manikandan, who led the protest says that the community has presented petitions many times but no action is forthcoming.
He said that if Rotary or Lions Clubs can provide games accessories and light up the large yard in the campus, the boys can play after dusk.
This hostel is located off the Buckingham Canal on the road that ends at Thirumylai MRTS station. Dozens of huts line both sides of this narrowed road. It is meant for students who hail from economically poor, marginalised families. Since the hostel was recently re-constructed, the basic infrastructure is good.
- Reported by Parantharami Mani
