Mumbai Government Hostels: The inside story

Away from home, students from all over India come to the city of dreams, Mumbai, to pursue their studies. Leaving old eyes staring at the doors, waiting for their children to be back home soon. With a vivid picture of the successful person their child will one day be. They have spent so much money and got their children into the best of college and hostel, but is the hostel really the best?
Entry through reference:
There are quite a few Government-run hostels under the Mumbai University. Getting into these hostels is not that easy if you are a general category student. Most students in these hostels are either rankers, low salary or the SC/ST category students. Naina Singh a student from K.C College says “I went for an interview to Savitribai Phule and they asked me if I am from any quotas or if I have reference, I denied and my name never came in the hostel admission list”. So the only way to get into these hostels is through reference from the Mantralaya. Sheetal Kulkarni, a student from Savitribai Phule Hostel located at Marine Drive says, “There was a formal interview but I got in because my uncle knew the P A (personal assistant) of a Minister. In fact, that’s how maximum people get in here.” The other way to get into these hostels is through paying money under the table. Chandni Mehra a Hostelite from Telang Smarak says, “A student from I.S.H. (International Students Hostel, Churchgate) gets girls into the Savitribai Phule Hostel by taking thirty to forty thousand from them”. Yes, it is shocking how young students have gotten into a business like this because they have reference from ministers.
Drugs and more:
Doping, smoking and drinking are very common sights in the boys’ hostels. “We have Iodex with bread when drugs are not available, it gives the same feeling,” Raj Sinha, a student from G.C.H. (Government College Hostel, Marine Drive) reveals. Ragging is another big issue in these hostels. Ishan Roy, a student from G.C.H. reveals “We were made to strip and fight for an underwear while our videos were being shot by our seniors”.
Hygiene factor:
Hygiene is the poorest in these places; they are generally cleaned every alternative day without any disinfectants at all. “Water goes off very often, washrooms are dirty and there are cats all around the hostel,” says Radhika Jairamal a Hostelite from Savitribai Phule Hostel. “Insects in the food are a common sight, complains are lodged but they go unheard.” she adds.
The opposite sex:
A girls’ hostel should be very strict about boys entering the premises, but these hostels don’t really believe in something like that. As darkness approaches and night nears, boys can enter a few of these hostels. In fact, Hostel Day celebrated in G.C.H officially allows girls to come in the hostel that day. Videos are shot while a lot of things happen inside the closed hostel rooms. Rohit Bajaj says, “I get to see unmentionable acts on that day.”
All this and more is happening inside the city’s Government hostels. So do rethink and research well before putting your child in a Government hostel.

Mesmerizing Rain

Monsoon is a time of celebration, when the earth blossoms into Heaven, when the soil smells sweet and when the rain drops quench your soul’s thirst. Monsoon is about colours and a lot of fun, a time for true liberation. “Monsoons are not just about water logging, pot-holes, floods and traffic snags, there is much more to it,” says photographer Karan Bhatia whose work is being showcased at the NCPA till April 26.
A peep into the life of the photographer
Karan Bhatia a student of BD Somani Institute of Arts & Fashion Technology gained a Diploma in Commercial Arts. He discovered his passion for photography as he experimented with the camera. He decided to pursue his hobby and turn it into his profession. The photographs exhibited are from his personal portfolio. He is perpetually flabbergasted by nature’s mysteries and he has tried to depict a new aspect of nature through his photographs.
The making of the exhibition
Karan Bhatia has captured the vagaries of life during the monsoons in his photographs. These photographs have been shot over three consecutive Monsoon seasons in Mumbai. Most of his pictures have been clicked from car windows, roof tops and window panes. Karan has used a kaleidoscope of colours ranging from the black and white’s to the vibrant blues and greens. A lot of effort went into the making of this exhibition. Chandni Bhatia, the photographer’s sister appreciating her brother’s effort, says “Karan is a total perfectionist by nature. He has given an eagle eye view to every aspect of the exhibition. He’s taken care of everything from the making of the photo frames to the printing of the invitation cards.”
The guest of honour
There was a round of applause when Sooni Taraporevala inaugurated the photography exhibition at the Piramal Gallery, NCPA on April 17 of this month. Sooni Taraporevala was really fascinated by the work the photographer had put up. “He makes the monsoons look beautiful,” she says, admiring the photographs. “I loved the abstract ones” she added. Tara Sharma, who was also present, said, “Most of them are pretty to have them adorn your wall.”
Hard work pays
The guests were fascinated with the kind of pictures the photographer had clicked. “I was completely bored of the usual floods and filth-filled puddle pictures of the monsoons. The usual television news channels screaming about trains not being on time, someone drowning and holidays during the monsoons. These pictures gave a very fresh new look to the Mumbai Monsoons,” says Hussain Amreliwala. Katy Irani, a family friend, says, “I never knew this boy had so much potential. He has done an amazing job by putting up this exhibition. I have always loved the monsoons for their romanticism and cooling effect. His pictures have rejuvenated a new feeling of the Mumbai Monsoons.”
This exhibition is a must-visit if you appreciate art and want to feel the Mumbai Monsoons in the heat of this month.