'Unions act as bridge between authorities & students'

CHANDIGARH: Student parties in Panjab University have been highly condemned for violence and apathy. They get little acknowledgement for the role in they play in the admission procedure and thereafter when the college begins. Should the university do away with the election process is what the campus is busy debating and buzzing about.
Robin Brar, president of SOPU, feels that these parties are a necessity.He said, ''These parties do involve in fights but they are a necessity for any college. Help desks are placed at different spots to assist student coming for entrance tests or guiding those new to the campus. Without them it will be very difficult for the staff to personally facilitate students in various ways.''
During admission, student unions help them at every stage from filling forms to locating departments and depositing fees. Students argue, college administration can not be present at every stage. Admission process is tedious and lengthy, student parties come to aid and make it easy. The inter college competitions organized by these parties help in giving students the required exposure.
Somanshu Sharma, currently pursuing BA in DAV-10, said, ''Parties play a positive role by acting as watch dog on administration. They keep a regular check on the fees, hostel conditions, food provided in hostels and canteens.'' There was a green drive organized by a student party in PU last year in which a number of saplings were planted, he added, counting the benefits of having student organizations.
Parties come active if there's a fee hike in any college. They protest if there's a bad result in any course. Hence student unions act as a bridge between authorities and students, claim students. Chetan Maffick, an active party member said, ''We provide our contact numbers to students in the beginning of the year but not many call to ask for help.''
''But there are many who complain about insensitivity on the part of student parties and also their regular fights,'' argues Nikhil, BCom student of SD College, Sector 32.
Last year, all the parties made hefty promises but only 10% were completed. Considering the fact that the college parties have both drawbacks and advantages, its very hard to decide whether elections should be impaired.