Shop while you learn: DAVV will make it happen

‘MONEY MAKES the mare go’ and this dictum seems to be proving true in the case of the Devi Ahilya Vishwa Vidyalaya (DAVV), which would soon be embarking on a project of constructing a shopping complex on its land.

The hitherto parsimonious attitude of the university when it came to its tightly guarded land has changed for the apparent reason of the pressing need for funds and the opportunity of earning cash from its blocked assets, which it has in the form of land.

DAVV Vice Chancellor C S Chaddha told Hindustan Times that constructing a shopping complex would not only make the cash register start ringing but also ensure a place for DAVV in the annals of the universities of the State for becoming the first to have such a thing on its campus. The university at present was in a transition mode in top gear and the several construction/development works going on simultaneously all over the campus stood as testimonials to history in the making.

However, the large cost of these projects and development activities was burning a hole in the pockets of the university and Chaddha admitted that “digging deeper into an empty coffer would throw up nothing but dirt”, because of which various means of revenue generation had to be adapted.

The university not only took such bold steps as raising fee but also went to the extent of engaging corporates in the development of gardens. Although the financial condition of the university was not in doldrums and most of the projects were financed through its own undertaking and funds, the ever-expanding pace of expenditure in its books of accounts had to be reined in and this could be done only by expanding the sources of revenue generation.

The university had initially drawn up three such shopping complex projects and the proposals were sent to the Chancellor of Universities and Governor Dr Balram Jakhar for acceptance. This was soon after embarking on the ambitious and expensive new state-of-the-art auditorium project. However, out of the three only, one was accepted. The initial euphoria over the acceptance of the project died down after practical hurdles started presenting themselves - like selection of land for the site.

The university then proposed the Bhanwarkuan Square corner plot on the confluence of the AB Road and Khandwa Road. This, however, was turned down by the Town and Country Planning Department. After several rounds of talks and much persuasion, Chaddha, using all his bureaucratic skills and charm, managed to convince the Town and Country Planning Director V P Kulshreshtha into agreeing on giving permission for a public cause on another site.

After much brainstorming and deliberation the mandarins of the university came up with the proposal of utilising the 45-acre prime land belonging to the IET Department on Khandwa Road. The proposal has recently received clearance from the departments concerned and the project has been handed over to a woman engineer of the City.