The green gate of 3 Peary Charan Sarkar Street has been leading thousands into the enchanting premises of the Eden Hindu Hostel for almost 130 years now. The lush green field, the wooden staircase, the kharkharis, the high-ceiling rooms, everything oozes an old-world charm that’s hard to ignore. And on Wednesday, the hostel closed down for renovations -its first overhaul since its establishment in 1886. CT celebrates the heritage and history of the colonial building and takes a trip down memory lane…
RICH HERITAGE
The hostel was initially built for the Hindu students of Presidency College, but later accommodated students from outside Kolkata. In 1988, the building was extended in order to accommodate postgraduate students and research scholars.Among its many famous boarders were the first President of India, Dr Rajendra Prasad, who studied in Presidency between 1902 and 1907, and professor Amartya Sen. Presidency University registrar Debajyoti Konar said, “Dr Rajendra Prasad was a student here and his room in the hostel is still not used.”
Divided into six wards, the hostel houses over 274 boarders, including undergraduate and postgraduate students.
HOME AWAY FROM HOME
With its seasonal tournaments, annual athletic meets, Saraswati Puja, reunions, freshers’ welcome, political meetings and farewell ceremonies, this hostel has been a second home for thousands of students.”It feels bad to leave this place. I’ve been here for over three years now and have spent some wonderful times with my friends and seniors,” third-year chemistry student Swarup Maji said. He added that they had been shifting to the new address in Rajarhat for the past three weeks. “We will be staying in Rajarhat for 11 months till the work gets done here. It’s going to be difficult, as we are used to staying in central Kolkata with so many facilities within reach,” Swarup said.
A NEW LOOK
Konar said an architect from the Heritage Commission will oversee the renovation. “As of now, Partha Das will supervise the work. This is a heritage structure and the plan has been made keeping that in mind,” he said. An amount of Rs 3 crore has been sanctioned for the first phase of renovation, while estimation is still under way for the second phase.
HELPING HAND
The University is more than happy to receive help from the government of West Bengal. “The renovation will span over 11 months and the higher education department has arranged for 80 flats in Rajarhat for the 150 students who have been shifted. A canteen, too, has been arranged. That’s not all. A subsidized bus will ferry the students from Rajarhat to Presidency,” Konar told us.
SAYING GOODBYE
For Sajan Dewan, a postgraduate political science student, it’s time to bid adieu to the hostel. “I’ve been here for the last four-and-a-half years. We’ve spent some of the best and worst days of our lives in this building. By the time the work gets done here, I’ll be out of college. But I’m taking back some fond memories with me, so we had a small party last night to say goodbye,” Sajan said.
HOSTEL HIGHLIGHTS
Eden Hindu Hostel was established in 1886 The hostel was built using funds raised by Ashley Eden, WB Gwyther was the architect The first president of India Dr Rajendra Prasad and Nobel laureate Amartya Sen are its alumni The hostel has eight guest rooms where parents of students and other guests are allowed to stay The six wards in the hostel include a kitchen, dining hall and staff-quarters, which occupy a total area of 26,000 sq ft.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Kolkata /by Kathakali Banerjee, TNN / August 03rd, 2015