Venky canteen gets a makeover

THE COOL CAFÉ: Venky’s new canteen (TOI Photo)One of the most popular canteens in South Campus is sporting a new look these days. Venky’s canteen was always famous as the best open-air canteen in South Campus, where students lolled on benches and chilled out with friends under the sky. But newcomers will get to see something different. The benches have made way for brand new marble-topped tables and cool chairs.The seating area is now covered but still remains open air. It now has a more formal, sharp look. The principal of Sri Venkateswara College, A Sankara Reddy, says, “We have gone in for a makeover. Now it has a new look, and students will be able to sit comfortably. It will be a modernised canteen now with all the latest equipment.”
The new-look canteen will also offer students a new menu. Besides the yummy South Indian food that Venky is famous for, the menu will now include pizzas, burgers and other dishes to cater to various tastes. The principal says, “The canteen will have bakery products. There is both hot and cold storage, so we can now make available a variety of foodstuffs.”
But we asked the students what they think of their favourite haunt - do they find the new look as funky and happening as it sounds? Rosy Nameirakpam, a third year student of Botany, says, “Umm, the earlier look was better. Even though there is more space now, but it's somehow more formal. Earlier, it was more casual and chilled out. I will miss that.”
Raju, who has been working in the canteen for over seven years, says, “We preferred the earlier open-air look. It was more natural - hawa chalti thi to achha lagta tha.” But though there are some others who say they will take a while to adjust to the change, there are many who swear by this new makeover. And many of these enthusiasts are the would-be entrants to the college. Sneha Arora, who came to Venky during the admissions, says, “This is one of the best canteens I have seen in South Campus. The USP is that is we can sit out and enjoy the weather while eating. None of the other canteens are like this.”