Dingy corridors, darkish lecture rooms and dilapidated bathrooms – what used to be a typical sight on the University of Calcutta’s College Street campus is now a factor of the previous. All the three college buildings – Dwarbhanga, Centenary and Asutosh – have gotten a brand new lease of life after present process intensive renovation works that began in 2017. Along with a recent coat of paint, the grand buildings now boast of the newest facilities to meet trendy academic wants. From the library to the Syndicate Room, lecturers’ rooms, lecture rooms and bathrooms – virtually each nook has been given a major facelift and the work remains to be on. What’s extra, an enormous half of CU has been thrown open to most people fascinated about taking a tour of the historic campus.
Prof Dr Sonali Chakravarti Banerjee, vice-chancellor of CU, which was ranked fourth within the Ministry of Education’s National Institutional Ranking Framework for 2021 launched yesterday, informed us, “From 1857 onwards, CU has been a recipient of tributes and gifts from aristocrats as well as common people from all over India. During the Swadeshi period, the university also became an enthusiastic collector of artefacts and craft pieces from reputed artists and artisans of the country. In the process, we became a veritable storehouse of rich treasures that needed to be retrieved and displayed with respect. With guidance from the state Heritage Commission, and at no extra cost, we’ve unearthed ancestral jewels, polished and classified them, and are now displaying them. In a way, we are presenting them back in renewed glory to the community at large for their appreciation and study. I am really thankful to the state PWD, artist Suvaprasanna and architect Partha Das for their contributions.”
Here are some things that caught our consideration once we went across the newly renovated campus with the VC main us:
Teachers’ room: Despite being one of the brightest and airiest halls on the campus, it wanted some lengthy-pending renovation work. When the authorities proposed to make the corridor air-conditioned, the professors refused to say they like the pure air that enters by means of the room’s giant home windows. However, a fridge, microwave and a further bathroom have been added. 
The grand staircase: With a recent coat of paint and soothing lights, this historic staircase appears to be like spectacular. 
restored Furniture: This chair, which was donated to the college in 1936 by Maharaja Prodyot Coomar Tagore, has been restored like many others. The previous coat hanger-cum-umbrella stand (R), which was mendacity in an previous warehouse, is getting used after restoration. 
THE Libraries: Spread throughout ten flooring of the Centenary constructing, the central library of Calcutta University homes greater than seven lakh books, journals and analysis papers. Right from its inception, all of the papers revealed by the college students can be found right here for public studying. Besides, an enormous half of the library has been digitised and it will get over two lakh each day hits from the world over. Besides, the constructing additionally homes a Braille library, which has over 10 audio techniques. The new video library is being created with a set of the perfect of world cinema. 
Rare Books: The library homes extraordinarily previous and uncommon books, which have just lately been digitised. While the digital copies can be found to learn, the originals are on show too. 
Dr Nimai Shit, deputy college librarian, and Dr Tanmay De Sarkar, assistant
college librarian, present us one of the prized and rarest collections of the library – Volume I of Daniell’s oriental surroundings. 
Every one who certified as a Doctor of Literature on the college from 1876 until 2019 has signed their title on this e book of autographs. Rabindranath Tagore had obtained the diploma in 1913. 
the Museum: The college museum is fascinating with greater than 25,000 artefacts collected from Bengal, Bihar and Odisha. Museum curator Dr Dipak Kumar Bara Panda informed CT, “Most of the displayed items were excavated or collected by the university students or professors. There are several artefacts and paintings that are yet to be displayed.” The museum will quickly turn into centrally air-conditioned and a few new furnishings will even be added. 
Busts: The University of Calcutta was based on January 24,1857, with a Senate comprising 41 members because the coverage making physique. Busts of a number of historic personalities who have been as soon as half of the Senate physique, have been earlier stored on the library staircase. They have all been restored and displayed on the intense first-flooring hall of the Dwarbhanga constructing. 
Dwarbhanga corridor: From a darkish room with excessive acoustic points, it has been reworked right into a corridor with chopping-edge expertise and aesthetically nice interiors. Along with the vintage furnishings, the principle attraction here’s a sequence of centuries-previous work. “Most of these paintings – some of which are extremely rare – were torn and almost unrecognisable. Restoration of these old artworks is a specialised job and the West Bengal Heritage Commission has done a spectacular job,” stated the VC. The acoustic points have been resolved and the brand new lighting makes the corridor succesful of internet hosting any worldwide seminar. 
Conference room: Located simply beside the Dwarbhanga corridor, this space has been reworked into a cultured convention room. With skilfully restored furnishings and work by Nandalal Bose and Jamini Roy adorning the partitions, it’s also used as a range room.
