Away from DUSU ruckus, St Stephen's elects

NEW DELHI: St Stephen's College on Wednesday elected a Kashmiri boy to the post of president for its Students' Union Society. Adnan Nayeem Asmi, a third year student of the BA (Pass) course, defeated his only rival Maryam Fatima of third year BA English (Honours) by a margin of 122 votes to become president.
What's interesting about this year's contest in this Christian and Hindu- dominated college is the straight contest between two Muslim candidates.Asmi observed: "This is the strength of our institution and this showcases our secular credentials."
While just a kilometre away, there were protests being staged against violation of the code of conduct during the Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) elections, St Stephen's completed its day-long election process in a business like fashion, no printed posters, no disruption of classes and without any protest and slogans. And within minutes of declaration of the results at 4.30 pm today, Fatima with her supporters came and congratulated her rival.
The new president hails from Srinagar district in Kashmir. He completed his schooling from Tyndale Biscoe School where he scored 85% in his class X and XII boards. His father, Fiaz A Asmi, is a manager with State Bank of India in Srinagar. After his boards, Asmi came to Delhi and joined St Stephen's to pursue his under graduation in humanities. Since then he has been an active member of the Students Union of the college.
In his first year in college in 2006 Asmi found his name in the list of the hardest working freshers' list. In the second year Asmi served the cabinet in the capacity of its secretary.
Speaking to Times City an hour before the declaration of the results, Fatima said: "Adnan is hard working and he had done good work last year in the cabinet. He is a deserving candidate, but he lacks a team."
Perhaps Asmi might have known this before and he wants to strengthen the union by working in close coordination with his opponent group. Immediately after being declared the winner Asmi said: "My priority is to democratise the union. At present the president enjoys all the powers and he/she take all decisions without taking into consideration the differing opinions. But I want the union to be more responsible and so there will be members of the opposition in the cabinet as well. Otherwise due to polarisation during the election potentials of opposing camps would go waste?"
Moreover, a class representatives committee (CRC) would be set up to monitor the implementation of the manifesto within the stipulated timeframe. And the cabinet would appoint a student media advisor as well for media management.
St Stephen's elect its president for the Students' Union Society. The president then forms the cabinet which comprised of students from second and third year.
manash.gohain@timesgroup.com