TV celebs recall their memories with Hindu College 'Virgin Tree'

From being ragged under the famous Virgin Tree of the Hindu College to decorating it with condoms and heart-shaped balloons and worshipping it on Valentine’s Day, celebs who have passed out from the Hindu College have some fond and some embarrassing memories associated with it.
But creating new memories with the tree might never be ticked off on future students’ wishlists, if reports that the tree might be chopped off next week are true.On Monday, students of the college were in for a surprise when they saw that some portions of the tree were pruned on Sunday and heard rumours that the whole tree will be chopped off soon. With this news soon reaching some of the college’s famous alumni, they share with us fond memories of the Virgin Tree.
Rumor not true
The tree is not being chopped. A new, four-storey academic block and a girls’ hostel is being constructed. Because of that few trees had to be cut after clearances from the concerned authorities. This particular tree is not in the way. One-two branches must have overshot, so they were pruned. No more pruning or felling will be done for these buildings
- Dr Anju Srivastava, principal, Hindu College
READ: Unheard & Unknown TV celeb's trivia
I used to sit under it with my first girlfriend

I was asked to take rounds of the Virgin Tree pretending to be a scooter as part of my ragging. I was even asked to climb one of the branches of the tree and shout something quite explicit! Later on, the tree was the place where people would sit, make friends and have fun. My first girlfriend was in Khalsa, and even she used to come to my college and we used to sit under the tree. There were many stories about the tree, like how people who sit under it don’t remain single.
– Himmanshoo Ashok Malhotra
Feel cheated that the tree was pruned on a Sunday

I was genuinely upset when I came to know that the tree might be cut. The Virgin Tree is a landmark and Hindu College is know because of the tree. When I heard that the tree was pruned on a Sunday, when the students weren’t there, I felt cheated. It just seemed like dhokhadhadhi. If they had courage, why didn’t they cut the tree in front of the students? For me, Virgin Tree was the place where we would have our recreational classes and we would sit under it after bunking classes. Instead of sitting in the canteen, my gang and I would sit under the tree and eat. I was shocked when I saw the tree decorated on Valentine’s Day for the first time. But over the years I got used to the ritual.
– Aishwarya Sakhuja
I was married to that tree

I have been married to that tree as part of my ragging and even danced around that tree during my college days. It was the most important part of our college life and any student of Hindu College would agree with that. I don’t think they should cut the tree as it forms an important part of the history of the college.
– Tisca Chopra
I got married under the tree

I got married under the tree on the first day of my college. I was ragged under the tree and my seniors got me married. Maachis ki teeli jalaake shaadi kari thi college mein aur har phere ke liye ek teeli jalaayi thi. The Virgin Tree was the meeting point for us and we even used to study under the tree. I have been so sad after hearing the news. The members of Old Students’ Association of the college have been discussing this.
– Rajesh Kumar
It gave Hindu the tag of a friendly college

Every college in DU has some or the other things that they are famous for. Similarly, Hindu College has been popular for its iconic Virgin Tree. The college is seen as a welcoming place not only by its own students but also by students from other colleges. Students from other colleges came to Hindu to sit under the tree and meet friends. Many times, ice-breaking sessions between two groups were held under the tree.
– TV producer Rajan Shahi
Part of the College’s identity

The Virgin Tree is an integral part of the identity of Hindu College. I hope the news is not true. We used to sit under the tree between classes and have coffee and Maggi under it. The tree holds a lot of memories for every student of the college. We worshiped the tree on V-Day.
– Pankhuri Awasthy
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