By Tenzin Khepahk
New Delhi, June 11 – WHAT can fuchhas expect from their seniors even before they join Delhi University? Ask Tibetan students and they’ll say ‘‘lots of help’’.
Senior Tibetan students in the University have formed a voluntary ‘‘Admission Support Group’’ to help newcomers find their way in. The group run by Jigme Gyaltsen, director of Tibetan Youth Hostels, Pitampura, is telling the students where to go for forms, how to fill them up, among other things.
There are three volunteers on the job. ‘‘We have been keeping a track of all newspapers to stay informed about the courses and admission procedures because some changes have happened this year,’’ says Tenzin Gyalpo, a volunteer with the Admission Support Group.
Gyaltsen feels the ICR form has made the task of applying for admission simple. ‘‘On June 7, we took 60 applicants on a tour of North Campus. We had a counselling session in the evening which went on till 2 am. Details of the admission process and the facilities available were given out,’’ he says.
The students were taken to South Campus the next day. Tashi Phuntsok, a volunteer doing his MA Economics at Delhi School of Economics, says: ‘‘The admission forms of those who approached us for help were submitted.’’
Delhi University is quite popular among Tibetan students. ‘‘I always wanted to study in a good college and am also aiming for the Civil Services. So Delhi suits me,’’ says Kalsang Dorjee, topper from SOS Tibetan Children’s Village in Karnataka. With 90.6 per cent in Commerce, he hopes to make it to B.Com (Honours) at Shri Ram College of Commerce or Economics at St Stephen’s.
Nearly 150 Tibetan students join Delhi University every year, the Tibetan Youth Hostel being a big incentive. Gyaltsen says the hostel is a ‘‘home away from home for the students’’. ‘‘It was set up in 1991 with an objective of maintaining the rich Tibetan culture and heritage among the students. Our annual picnic and tour get a good response,’’ he says.
With hostel accommodation and food taken care of for just Rs 10 a day, the students are more than happy. ‘‘The support we are getting from the group has motivated us to help freshers when we become seniors next year. The volunteers are there whenever we need them,’’ says a student.
