‘Reading hall for girls in PU a much-needed step’

Girls students residing across Panjab University (PU) campus hostels have applauded the approval to utilise Guru Teg Bahadur Bhavan as ‘reading hall’. The decision by PU vice-chancellor professor Arun Kumar Grover comes after students had put their demand for the same.

Approval came following the demands of the girls facing problems in commuting to the main AC Joshi library, especially during the examinations time, when late night studies are a norm.

Dean Students Welfare (DSW), Navdeep Goyal confirmed that V-C has already given his approval and has asked to provide necessary security arrangements so that girls can easily come and go from their hostels to the bhavan.

Goyal said, “Earlier there was a plan to utilise the space lying vacant between hostel numbers 4 and 5 but now the same proposal has been modified in a way that a common hall be provided for the girls. As per the plans, the reading room will remain open for 24 hours for the convenience of the girl students.”

Former vice-president of the Panjab University Campus Students Council (PUCSC), Snigdha Bawa who has been residing in one of the girls’ hostel said, “We have been demanding separate reading rooms in our hostels since a very long time because majority of girls face a lot of problems in commuting to the main library and returning to the hostels late at night.”

Nandita Singh, dean students’ welfare (women), said the proposal has been a longstanding demand and its implementation will aid girl students who have to think before going to main library at night to study.

“This proposal has always been there as almost all the girls residing in the campus hostels demand of separate reading rooms within their premises so that they do not have to think about commuting much during examination,” she added.