An interview with Sanjay Gupta(Batch-1988, AE)
Director, CHETNA

Your popular name :
Sanjay Gupta

Tell us something about your professional career.
I am running an NGO called Childhood Enhancement through Training and Action (CHETNA) which was conceived in Pant Nagar in the year 1990. This NGO works for the welfare and empowerment of vulnerable children in Delhi, Noida, Agra, and Dehradoon. I am also a convener of national level alliance called Baal Adhikar Abhiyan. Before this I worked as consultant for Soil and Water Conservation in M.P, U.P, Uttranchal and Rajasthan. I am also a consultant on social issues for international agencies.

How was the enviroment like at Pantnagar during your times?
It was very friendly, educative, and cheerful but little tense in initial year (1988) due to students fighting, strikes of café workers etc. The best part was strong bonds among juniors and seniors. I remember our food bill of first six months was very minimal. Creativity among students was superb. Watching pictures in Gandhi Hall and going to market in the evening was fun. Making girl friends was like nightmare as numbers of girls were very less that time. But overall a very good experience of eating delicious Stuff Paratha and fruit cream on Sundays.

Any interesting memories of your batch/batchmates?
Hmmm, lot and lots of memories are there. But one memory (not to be repeated please)when in the second year a group of around 40 friends went to lucknow and that two without (train and hall) ticket to see early show of hit movie “Maine piyar Kiya”. When the train reached near to Lucknow it was told that magistrate checking was on. Out of fear all students got down and walked for about 4-5 kilometers. The picture hall was full and we took help of a local student union leader who happens to be brother of our branch mate. The picture was halted for half an hour and finally manager of the hall allowed us to sit on the steers and watch movie free of cost.

What changes have you observed in the college campus/Pantnagar?
Lot’s of changes. New buildings have been constructed. Administrative block and library is now surrounded with brick boundary (any way I didn’t liked that). Name of library has been changed. I think it was ‘Indralay’ before. But what I didn’t liked is lack of communication among students. I felt bad when come to know that during Samanvay 07 students went on mass bunking and not utilized the opportunity to showcase their talents before seniors.
Also I did not like the pity condition of main market. All choked lanes and encroached corridors were not of good sights.

What do you like most about Pantnagar? Any specialty?
I love Pant Nagar. I can not express this in words. One thing that I can say-
Tere Chehre mein vo jadu hai, bin dor khincha aata hoon…

Do you visit the College website? What are your views about our e-magazine ”AUDIENT”?
I think this is OK. I am very impress with live casting of Samanvay 07.

Events like Alumni Meet, Alumni Talks, Visits etc. has been taking place in our college. What efforts are needed to establish strong relationship between Alumni and students?
These events are OK. Idea of celebrating batch special during alumni meet gives good scope of unity. Strong bands can be developed if;-
Alumni’s are called for guest lectures even after the alumni meets on the specific demands of students
Good cultural/sports/technical performance is shown by the students  

Though Alumni are helping in Placements, infrastructure developent, events organisation etc., how can our alumni contribute to the college to make it one of the best.
Hmmm, you would appreciate that alumni can only act as facilitator. We are by heart for the university.  It is up to the students and administration, how best can they extract out of us.

Any message you would like to give to present students.
Work hard, develop yourself as versatile person, enjoy every moment and get ready to give back to your university the way you think.