Karachi University Cafeteria memories | New education policy

KU Cafeteria Adding Charming Memories To Students Lives
Karachi, July 11: What name comes into your mind when you think of an institution, where 24000 students are being served with various edibles at reasonable prices? The answer could not be other than the University of Karachi (KU). Regardless of whether you are a student or a teacher, if you want to have any sort of good meal during the university timings then no place is more attractive than "KU Main Cafeteria" (famous as PG within the campus). Surrounded by trees, a number of canteens are present in this impressive environment providing a variety of food to the students at reasonable rates.

The food items including "Chinese Rice", "Biryani", "Chaat" and famous "Aloo Samosa" etc. are usually available there. The famous "Samosa" and "Chaat" are specially liked by the students due to their splendid and delicious taste, The News has learnt.

Students also seem satisfactory with these canteens since they find a variety of food available at a single place. Ahsan Omer, a student of the department of economics said, "I usually prefer coming here for a lunch because I think it is the most suitable place in the whole campus where you can find different types of food items at a very cheap rate."

A Turkish student of KU, Mehmat Otayao exclaimed with excitement when asked about the environment of the place, "I have never found such place anywhere, different types of food are available for us at a very low cost here. I love to eat in the shadow of these trees". A student of the department of mass communication, Humna Mehwish was of the opinion that proper seating arrangement was needed since most of the students have to eat while standing which seems quite odd.

However, few students complained about the poor hygienic condition. A student, Ahsan Raza Firdousi said that though all the food items are sold here at a very reasonable price but cleanliness of the place is usually neglected. "We are curious about the way that a food is cooked and ingredients used", he asserted.

But the owners of the different canteens rejected the perception that proper aseptic conditions were ignored while preparing the meals. While talking to The News, Mr. Zafar, owner of a canteen at KU cafeteria said, "It is not true that we don't maintain proper sanitary and hygienic conditions here. Fresh vegetables, meat and other ingredients are brought from the market on daily basis, and the staff officers inspect the canteens frequently". Another canteen owner, Mr. Anwar claimed that each and every food item available there has a price much lower than the market rates. A single plate of "Biyani" which costs 60 rupees out of the campus can be purchased here for just Rs 30. We are here to serve the students by providing quality product to them at low rates. It is due to the remarkable sale of our food items that we still manage to survive", he added.

However, the complaint regarding the quality of food and hygienic conditions is something that can be dealt by keeping a proper check by the KU administration. The bottom line is that these cafeterias are contributing a memorable part to the students' lives. The rush, the trees, and long lines of students buying food are something the students of KU want to remember. -By Ibtesam Mazahir (The News)