Jorhat, Jan. 5: When Alak Kumar Buragohain took charge as vice-chancellor of Dibrugarh University about three years ago, he was shocked to see groups of boys huddled on unlit lanes and alleys, either smoking, drinking or indulging in adda interspersed with expletives.

Today the students are spoilt for choice in ways to release extra energy and spend their leisure hours constructively.

The university now has a volleyball court, a lawn tennis court, a state-of-the-art gym (set up in what was a ramshackle godown), badminton courts with synthetic grass in the indoor stadium, a sprawling cafeteria, a small eatery and an adjoining stage for jam sessions.

Buragohain said the campus can now compete with the best in the country as far as extra-curricular activities are concerned.

"You will no longer find students loitering around in the evenings. The gym is always full. Different timings have been set for girls and boys to work out and one can find more girls in the gym than boys. Likewise, the indoor stadium has badminton courts and table tennis boards along with shower stalls and changing rooms," he said.

The campus is also brightly lit with solar-powered lamps.

"Earlier there were complaints that girls sometimes faced snide comments and were eve-teased but now we seldom get such complaints. On any evening, the volleyball court, which has floodlights, and the tennis courts witness a large number of players," he said.

Buragohain's pride is the sprawling cafeteria, Jo:Sag (which in Mising means offering to the most revered one), and Juti, a place of interaction.

"In Jo:Sag, students just don't hang around chatting. At times you will see laptops set up and discussions and debate among them. One can also order a buffet lunch for a small departmental gathering when there are seminars or for visiting guest faculties," Buragohain said.

The kitchen is fuelled from its own waste and solar energy.

Likewise, Juti, located centrally on what was earlier a swamp adjoining eight departments and centres of learning in four buildings, has an old-world charm lit by lamps resembling British-era streetlights. On the side is a small stage where students can play the guitar, sing and just entertain or be entertained.

"A few months ago, we had a poetry recitation session at Juti which was a huge success with many students and teachers turning up. Students and professors can have a quick bite in Juti and students from different departments meet up and interact," Buragohain said.

"I am happy that Dibrugarh University can boast of holistic education. We have 26 foreign students and nine from Sweden doing a short-term certificate course. The biotechnology lab has the latest equipment and can also lend its services to outside agencies, if required," he said.

For an eighties' ex-student, the campus is unrecognisable and the ambience heart-warming.