U-Specials

Back in the day, commuting to Delhi University (DU) was an experience in itself. Dedicated DTC buses plied from every corner of the city, ferrying students to both the North and South campuses. The U-Specials, as these buses were called, became the second identity of every day scholar – the first, of course, being the college, one was “enrolled” in. The use of the expression “enrolled” instead of “studied” is deliberate, as it reflects the reality of countless students who were technically enrolled but rarely studied.

Travelling in these U-Specials was sheer fun. They were like moving communities bound by camaraderie, rituals, and unwritten protocols. For some, these buses were the university itself. That’s why Dilliwalahs are thrilled that DTC is restarting the U-Specials – who knows, this might just revive the lost art of making friends offline! And yes, it would have been heartening if a certain prominent person who often claims DU affiliation without offering much proof had at least recalled the U-Special he once rode.

This blogger knows of at least a couple of U-Special communities that not only survived but also transitioned into groups on digital platforms. Many from these Delhi U-Specials eventually migrated to the US of A. Thankfully, none of them embarrassed us by breaking into dances at airports during the Supreme Leader’s visit to Trumpland. Nor were they spotted in those viral videos where Desis, having left the nation behind, chanted in unison with the PM: “Abki baar, Trump sarkar!” Perhaps it’s best to leave them alone – with the choices they made and the taunts that inevitably follow them now.

More than the events at the White House, what intrigued Dilliwalahs was the sudden disappearance of a prominent resident of the Vice President’s Enclave at Rashtrapati Bhawan. This was the very man who had once rattled none other than West Bengal’s fiery Ms. Banerjee, and who wore his loyalties rather openly on his sleeve. Then, without warning, he went missing only to resurface later, declaring that he was giving up his privileges and moving into the farmhouse of his mentor Devi Lal’s grandson. The episode reminded Dilliwalahs of an old political axiom: In politics, there are no permanent friends or foes.

State-of-Delhi Suggests: One can’t talk of DU’s North Campus without mentioning about Chache Di Hatti in Kamla Nagar. No trip to North Campus is complete without a pit stop at this tiny, no-frills eatery that has been dishing out legendary choley bhature for decades, drawing students, alumni, and food lovers alike. The queues outside often spill onto the street, but loyalists will tell you the wait is worth every bite. The choley are perfectly spiced, the potato-stuffed bhatura is something to die for, and the pickles add just the right kick. More than just a meal, Chache Di Hatti is a rite of passage for every DU student – old or new, a delicious tradition that has survived changing times and tastes.