Students at Chanakya National Law University. Picture by Jai Prakash

She had heard about Bihar being in the neighbourhood, she had heard about its culture. Today, she is living in the state as part of her evolution from school to college.

Oyshree Gupta, a 20-year-old from Bengal, took admission in Chanakya National Law University (CNLU) in the first year as the new session began on July 9.

Gupta is among the 120 and odd students who took admission this year.

“I heard from my parents, my siblings, my friends but I was never interested in knowing much about Bihar. I had a vague idea about the state. But soon after landing here, I realised there is so much to know and understand about Bihar. It’s such a lovely place,” said Gupta, an alumna of Modern High School for Girls, Calcutta.

On her transition from school to college in a state where she had never been before, Gupta said: “Life in college, more so if you are a boarder, should be a pleasant experience. It is certainly better than the hectic school days. The best part of CNLU is that its campus is huge and neat.”

The would-be lawyer, whose Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) rank was 1,045, said the campus life is “undoubtedly one of the most enchanting phases of a student’s life”.

“At this stage, I don’t have any regrets of not getting admission in premier law institutes such as National Law School of India University, Bangalore (NLSIU) or Nalsar University of Law, Hyderabad.”

Clad in dark blue jeans and a light blue top on Thursday, Gupta had apprehensions about the life in Patna.

“In Calcutta, there are endless places to hang out with your friends. But I have come to know that there is only one mall and a few beautiful parks in Patna. People here are a little orthodox compared to people in metros.”

Like Gupta, many of her batchmates were thrilled to join the CNLU.

According to Gorakhpur resident Garima Tripathi, there is not much difference between Bihar and Uttar Pradesh because of cultural resemblance. However, local delicacies like litti-chokha do tickle her taste buds.

“We do get litti-chokha in Uttar Pradesh at a few select places but Bihar’s litti-choka tastes better,” said Garima.

On whether litti-chokha is part of their menu in CNLU, the girl said: “It has been only a week since I joined the institution. Till date, we have not been served litti-chokha. But we have come to know from our seniors that litti-chokha, too, is very much part of our menu apart from north and south Indian dishes.”

Around 120 students, out of the total 140 seats, have already joined the institution. The CNLU has set July 13 and 17 as the last dates for taking admission. CNLU registrar S.P. Singh said: “According to the institute’s guidelines, ragging is prohibited on the campus. Students found involving in ragging will be suspended from the institute.”