Hindu College Alumni Recall Iconic Rivalries and Vibrant Campus Life

On September 26th, 2025, Hindu College alumni gathered to celebrate their alma mater's enduring legacy. During the Old Students' Association (OSA) ceremony, graduates from across the decades shared fond memories of their time on campus.

Senior advocate Rajiv Nayar, who graduated in 1976, reflected on the college's role in fostering independence, stating, "I was always a backbencher! But the college taught us how to be independent." Ambassador Muktesh Pardeshi, class of 1987, echoed this sentiment, praising Hindu College's "liberal, creative space where people from diverse backgrounds could thrive."

The age-old rivalry with neighboring St. Stephen's College was a recurring theme, with alumni trading good-natured jabs. Ravi Burman, president of the OSA and a 1975 graduate, quipped, "They had the best view of Hindu. But they had no chance in anything." Ajay Verma, a 1982 alumnus, added, "They had a great view, and I wish I could have said the same for us! (laughs) But their mince cutlets were the best."

Former principal Kavita Sharma, who attended Hindu College in 1969 and 1971, recalled the intense sports matches between the two colleges, saying, "Hindu vs Stephen's was a very important match. If that day we went to class, even the teachers would scold us about why we weren't going to cheer for our team. It was a matter of life and death on the final match day!"

Beyond the rivalries, alumni also reminisced about the vibrant cultural life on campus. Muktesh Pardeshi remembered the frequent visits from renowned figures like Rekha, Vishal Bhardwaj, Imtiaz Ali, and Ashish Vidyarthi. Singer Nikhil Budhraja, whose first album was released while he was a student, credited the college's music society Alankaar for his success, recalling, "The memory that stood out was rehearsing in a history classroom. As soon as classes finished, we stayed till evening singing and practising."