A premier women’s institution in the country, Miranda House of the prestigious
University of Delhi, is the perfect blend of quality education and rich heritage. The
institution’s origin dates back to as early as the crucial time period of India’s
independence as it was established on 1948 and every year 7th March is observed
as the foundation day as it was founded on this very day by the then
Vice-Chancellor, Sir Maurice Gwyer. None other than Lady Edwina Mountbatten,
the wife of the last Viceroy of India, laid the foundation stone of the college.
When it was first established, it was one among the very few residential colleges
only for women at a time when there was not much advancement in the sphere
of female education. No doubt it is the forerunner when it comes to women’s
education and development as over the years it has produced some really
notable alumnae who have excelled in varied spheres, not just in the country,
even in the world, the likes of Mira Nair (filmmaker), Meira Kumar (first woman
speaker of India and MP), Brinda Karat (CPM politburo member and MP), Sheila
Dikshit (former CM of Delhi), Shovana Narayan (Padma Shri, Artist), Nandita Das
(critically acclaimed actress), Anita Desai (author), , Madhu Kishwar (activist),
Urvashi Butalia(historian & feminist), Anjolie Ela Menon (Artist) etc. to name a
few, also including diplomats, journalists, educationists, scientists etc.
Located in the leafy North Campus of the University, Miranda House is the abode
of nature with its green lawns and gardens with a variety of flora which adds
colour to its surroundings, all in sync with its architecture which was originally
designed by the renowned architect Walter George, earning it the reputation of a
world heritage site! Its dominant shades being red and green, the buiding is built
in warm crimson bricks with spacious verandahs and long corridors which give a
unique touch to the infrastructure.
Today it is one of the topmost colleges in India maintaining high academic
standards with an excellent and meritorious faculty and efficient administration
under current principal, Dr. Pratibha Jolly. Miranda House offers liberal education
in both humanities and science to more than 3000 students and has both
Undergraduate and Post-Graduate courses. According to the India Today &
Nielson rankings, 2014, Miranda House is 3rd and 5th among science and Arts colleges
respectively in the country.
Apart from that the college has a versatile extra and co-curriculor activity sector
and has carved a niche for itself as a talented lot not just in the University but
among the best in the Nation. There are over 20 societies in Miranda House, viz,
‘Ariels’ (English dramatics society), ‘DEBSOC’ (Debating society), MH ‘Vatavaran’
(Environmental society), Consumer club ‘Tula’, Women’s Development Cell, ‘Spic
Macay’ chapter of MH, Gandhi Study circle, along with both Indian and western
music societies, dance societies, Fine Arts society ‘Adwitiya’, ‘Anukriti’ hindi
dramatics, film club, peace club, photography club, adventure club, literary club,
quiz club etc, as well as NSS, NCC, and each department with their own societies
and a sports sector well-equipped and offering varied options with students
selected for university and national level competitions. There is also the college
magazine with a well-earned reputation, a platform for the students to showcase
their literary skills.
The institution also has varied international collaborations with the likes of Kings
College London, Wisconsin University, Utrecht Business School and over the years
several faculty members from Universities of Edinburgh, Sussex, Leeds etc. have
visited and collaborated with the college. There are several foreign students in
the college from Europe, Africa, Latin America and other Asian nations.
There is also an active Students Union consisting of the President, Vice President,
General Secretary, and two Central Councilors, who are elected in a democratic
manner by voting by the students. The Union is responsible for organizing the
annual Miranda House fest: The Tempest, apart from dealing with the student’s
grievances.
The college’s placement cell consists of faculty advisors and student volunteers. It
is responsible for the activities of career counseling and campus recruitment and
attracts various renowned companies.
The Miranda House hostel is amongst the oldest residential buildings of the
University. The Library, inaugurated by former Prime Minister, Mrs. Indira
Gandhi, has a wide range of books on all subjects ranging from resource books,
course materials, classics and relevant works of fiction. There is also the ‘Amba
Dalmia Resource Centre for Visually Challenged Students’.
The D S Kothari Centre for Research and Innovation in scientific education,
Miranda House, Delhi University and Amstel Institute, University of Amsterdam,
the Netherlands, have instituted a project to enhance scientific education.
To talk about an institution with such dynamic dimension in just a few lines is not
justice done to it. An institution where each day is an event in the making with
new discoveries, new innovations and such a unique student community coming
from all sections of society not only from India but also the world. An institution
where dreams are dreamt, only to make it happen.
Miranda House, University of Delhi.
New Delhi, Delhi: 110007
