Yogesh Avasthi

By Yogesh Avasthi, Ahmedabad Mirror | Aug 29, 2016, http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/ahmedabad/cover-story/AMC-outsmarts-GU-in-getting-street-smart/articleshow/53901392.cms It was envisioned as a pedestrian path outside Gujarat University — beautified with shrubs and seats where students could sit, relax and chat away, without the fear of being run down by speeding vehicles. It was to be a small knowledge corridor of sorts, with plaques highlighting the achievements of institutes in the vicinity. But Gujarat University's Streetscape project has hit a roadblock. Around Rs 20 lakh spent by GU on the project may go down the drain due to the lethargy and unwillingness of the AMC and the police in taking appropriate action. Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) had shifted food larris from the stretch outside CEPT and Amdavad ni Gufa to the GUPRL road so that they could develop the main road as a model road. At the time, they had promised GU that it was a temporary arrangement

By Yogesh Avasthi | Aug 13, 2016, http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/ahmedabad/cover-story/A-record-1-lakh-seats-go-vacant/articleshow/53676912.cms It's official. Nobody is interested in professional courses, really, unless it is medicine. As compared to around 75,000 vacant seats last year, a record 1 lakh plus seats are vacant this year in engineering, diploma engineering, pharmacy, MBA, MCA and BEd courses across the state. Reason: Not only does the supply of seats outnumber the demand, even the placement scene in colleges is bleak, not to mention meagre salary packages. People are reluctant to spend money and time on courses that have dismal returns on investment. Dr Manish Shah Vice President of L J Group of Colleges said, "The placement scene is really bad. The salaries being offered in 2016 are the same that were offered in 2004. And these are A-grade companies." Shah further said, "Dull career prospects and low salaries despite spending a bomb on pro

By Yogesh Avasthi | Aug 20, 2016, 02.00 http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/ahmedabad/cover-story/Hostel-for-quota-students-ready-but-govt-wont-let-them-in-yet/articleshow/53777027.cms Gujarat government's swanky new hostels for students of reserved category remains out of bounds for them. While the building and infrastructure is ready, the hostel admission process is yet to begin as it has yet not been officially inaugurated, said sources. This, even as the academic sessions in almost all colleges have begun. Senior officials of Gujarat University (GU) said they are not aware of a timeline for admission to 'Samras', the new hostel that was readied three months ago. Hundreds of reserved category students who have taken admission to various courses in GU are struggling to find a suitable accommodation even as these hostel blocks constructed specially for them lie vacant. 108 ROOMS, 8 BLOCKS An official at the Public Works Department told Mirror that Samras hostel, loca