Food revolution rocks JNU

Shreya Ray / TNN / Mar 29, 2006, 00:50 IST

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JNU, for the first time, will be getting a swanky cafeteria and 24x7 food court serving multiple cuisines.

NEW DELHI: The revolution is finally here in the land of the jholawalas. Meals at JNU will no longer be about aloo bonda and chai at the Ganga dhaba rocks or the ad-block canteen.
In quite a shift from JNU tradition, the campus, for the first time, will be getting a swanky cafeteria and 24x7 food court serving multiple cuisines.
The food court is slated to come up next to Tapti Hostel, while the cafeteria building is to come up near the railway reservation counter close to the schools.
Interestingly, the food court is coming up at the very spot where a Nestle coffee outlet was shut down last year. Construction for both is on and is expected to complete by August,s in time for the new semester.

"The need for 24x7 food court was being felt for a long time. Students wanted a place where they could get food at night.
So far, the only place which serves food that late is Ganga dhaba, but it is not possible for everyone to go that side,"said JNU vice chancellor B B Bhattacharya.
The cafeteria has been a long-standing request of the faculty. "They have been saying that dhabas there are plenty in the campus, but these are too informal if you want to bring a guest or a foreign visitor,"added Bhattacharya.

The cafeteria, however, will cater to both students and teachers and proper seating arrangements. It could later even be air-conditioned, but only if the finances permit.
The choice of menu has been left fully to the students as the administration does not want to ruffle any feathers.
This is especially because of the controversy which had erupted over the Nestle outlet and ultimately forced its closure.
The food court will have low-cost, Indian food whereas the menu for the cafeteria is yet to be decided. "I would encourage lassi, coconut water and nimbu pani - in keeping with JNU philosophy - especially because the colas are so harmful.
But that of course, is up to the students to decide. If they want colas, so be it,"added Bhattacharya.
Students, meanwhile, are thrilled by the news. Upasana Mahanta, a research student of School of International Studies, said: "I'm most excited at the thought of a 24x7 food court, especially since after the Nestle joint closed down those of us who study at night were having a tough time.
It's difficult to go down to Ganga all the time."

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