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WEEDING OUT: A worker engaged in chopping the wild vegetation on the walls of the Presidency College. Photo: R Thiyagarajan

        The management of Presidency College has finally woken up from hibernation. For they have taken steps with the help of the Public Works Department to provide basic facilities, hitherto not provided, to the students.

        It is to be noted that News Today carried an article on 6 October highlighting the lack of basic amenities at the college. It was reported that toilets were in an unhygienic condition, there was lack of drinking water supply and there was poor maintenance of the college buildings.

        Acting on the report, water facility had been provided to the students. 'About four tanks had been placed on the campus and new pipelines were being laid to ensure regular supply of potable water,' said a student of the college.

        No longer the students would undergo the strenuous task of walking a long distance to use Corporation toilets on the Marina Beach. The college toilets, which were in an unhygienic condition, were cleaned and were being readied for use.

        Also, works to weed out creepers on the walls of the classrooms were being carried out. 'Our college will sport an entirely new look, once the work gets over,' said a student. However, some of the students said that one of their problems had been given a go-by. They said they had not received the MBC scholarship amount.

        Student president S Suresh said that still, much has to be done. 'More than 30 per cent of the classrooms remain closed as they were not fit for use. They have to be renovated and put to use,' said he adding, 'Just like the Senate building of University of Madras, the aesthetics of the heritage building of Presidency should be preserved while renovation'.

        Speaking to this newspaper, B Ramanathan, Head of the Department of History and principal in-charge of the college, said officials from PWD had assured to fulfill all the basic requirements of the students. 'They had said that repair works including adding more lights to the classrooms would be undertaken within a week,' he added, 'In fact we had planned to hold a protest on the campus pressing for basic amenities, but we withdrew it following the assurance from the authorities.'