DSchool and MDC

Growing up in the Delhi School of Economics in the 1970s and 1980s is deeply enriched in my senses, emotions and mindscape. It was a heady time, with some fantastic teachers, some crazy ones, and brilliant peers. Life was about Sociology and Economics, about being in an ambience that was filled with truly inspiring teachers, and it was an intoxicating atmosphere, endowed with bright minds, keen interests, and a love of the intellect, untarnished by competitiveness or flagrant self-interest. Of course, there was rivalry and we vied for our favourite teacher’s attention but we loved them all and discussed their utterances with deep reverence, affection and glowing admiration.

In those days, students of Economics considered Sociology a “soft” subject not worthy of their serious attention. They swotted for “Trix” (Econometrics), had hard discussions on important topics that were deeply connected to the country’s present and future, while we sociologists simply talked about villages, ritual, religion and unfathomable kinship studies. There was an intellectual divide that was overcome by deep friendships and sheer acceptance of the other without any real misgivings. It was DSchool that held us together.