RA Podar College of Commerce and Economics B.Com Review By Vidhi Khurrana

R.A. Podar College of Commerce & Economics was previously affiliated to the University of Mumbai but is now an autonomous college and is arguably one of the finest commerce colleges in Mumbai. I was lucky to join this college from junior college as I stay in Wadala and the college was nearby. However, that was not just the case as I always wanted to be a part of Podar College. The college was established in the year 1940 by the Pune based trust named 'Shikshana Prasaraka Mandali'. Industrialist Seth Ramdeoji Anandilal Podar built this college in the memory of his late brother Ramniranjan Anandialal Podar and after whom our college is named. The college started its first batch in the year 1941 and while I was in 11th, the college celebrated its platinum jubilee. I enrolled in this college from FYJC and hence got direct admission to the U.G program. The college is purely a commerce college and offers courses like B.Com and BMS. The first year for B.Com is the same and then there is a specialization to choose from such as Accountancy, Management, and Actuarial Studies. The college faculty has made sure that it imparts sound principles of trade and commerce in each of its students. The college building looks like a clock tower and is a heritage building as the main building is still the same that was built way back in 1941.

Besides studies, the college runs a fest and its students have done well not just in studies but in arts and culture as well. The college has as many as 40 forums to choose from such as Extension, WDC, NSS, and NCC among others. The college has a huge seminar hall, a green gym, and separate reading rooms for the students. The college also gives scholarships to the students who can’t afford the fees. The college area is less compared to some other colleges in Mumbai. Apart from that our college has everything that others envy. The reason why I said that Podar is the best place to be in is their extra-curricular activities. Some or other events are held every month. Jam sessions are so frequently organized that you will never feel a need to go-to discs. The only place where Podar needs some attention is sports. No good sports teacher and that is why our team hardly wins competitions at sports. Hang on though, the theatre of Podar is of the highest level. Our theatre group always wins in youth festivals. The college has produced personalities like Sunny Deol, Dilip Vengsarkar, and Ravi Shastri among many others. The college has the best faculty, some of the passed out students have excelled in their respective fields and one day I hope that I too make my college proud.

The cut-off list of Podar does the talking for itself. The college cut-off list is the toughest to crack and that is because the college accommodates the top students. Studies have always been a key in Podar College and students are always encouraged by the teachers to spend maximum time in studies. However, the best part is that they never encouraged theoretical learning and always give importance to practical sessions. Our college syllabus is in line with that of Mumbai University. Having said that, some subjects were included unnecessarily and sometimes students felt the burden of that.

After the 1st year, I opted for specialization in Management and there are other options available such as Actuarial Studies and Accountancy. The strength of each section is strictly 120 and the college doesn’t entertain more than that student in a batch. The college timings are also in the morning and hence by noon you are free. Attendance is not that strict as most of the students of Podar are engaged in pursuing CA and therefore teachers were also lenient. However, we at Podar used to joke that to crack exams at Podar is even tougher than clearing C.A exams.

Since they accommodate the highest-grade students, you can imagine the kind of faculty that Podar can have. Arguably the finest teachers who take care of students with utmost care. Always ready to help and also motivates to be a part of extra-curricular activities as college host events almost every month.

The teachers in the college used to appreciate all our efforts. Getting special treatment from all our teachers was a completely unexpected experience. All I know, after passing out from Podar, I will be proud of the fact that I was an alumnus of the great Podar college. All thanks to the faculty that Podar has.

No other college in Mumbai can grab the jobs that Podarite does. The companies like HCL Tech, Reliance, IIFL Finance, HDFC Life, and Sun Pharma are some of the frequent recruiters. The college has a special placement cell and while in your last semester, you can enroll yourself. The cell works rigorously to find a job for its students.

Since most of the students are into C.A. only a handful appears on the campus interview and no one walks away with empty hands is what I have seen thus far. Hence, I hope that I too get placed at some fine corporate and start my career.

Unfortunately, the college doesn’t have its own hostel. The 2 nearby hostels are Hari Om hostel and Bhartiya Vanita Samaj girl’s hostel. Almost 95 percent of the students in this college are local residents and those who have come from other states mostly stay in PG or rented apartments. Near the college area, there are various buildings where students from various colleges stay.

This is one department where college should have done something as traveling in Mumbai takes away a lot of toll from the students. Hence, a hostel would be beneficial.

The college was built way back in 1941 and the heritage building is where the classrooms and administrative offices are. The building may be old but the classrooms are hi-tech. The college campus is completely Wi-Fi and hence you will never find network issues in and around the college. The college has a well-equipped library and a huge computer lab accommodating nearly 50 students at a time. The canteen though is quite small but the food is good and reasonable. There’s a small gym on the college campus and students have the access to it.

The Matunga Gymkhana is just next to the college and students spend a lot of their time in Matunga Gymkhana. Sportsmen like Dilip Vengsarkar and Sanjay Manjrekar are frequent visitors at the gymkhana club. Overall the college infrastructure is not as advanced and hi-tech as some of its peers like KJ Somaiya and NMIMS for that matter.

Everything has already been mentioned but will still give a special mention to our teachers who were so easy to approach. Getting into Podar may be tough but once you are in the college will make sure that you will perform your best. Focus on academics is high but you will have fests and other events now and then. Mass bunk which I felt could have been avoided was a frequent issue during junior college years. The seniors are also very helpful and always help you with the study material that one should approach. I was not into sports and the college too didn’t provide me that opportunity so this part was a little sad.

The annual cultural fest Enigma where Podar hosted a large chunk of students is covered by all the leading news channels and newspapers of Mumbai. Last year's fest was something I never witnessed before. The event was graced by Sunny Deol and Sanjay Manjrekar who were also proud alumni of Podar. To sum it up, I have been in this college for last 4 years and I can proudly say I enjoyed my college life the way it should be enjoyed. This year due to the pandemic, students are not allowed but the college has taken care of the portions through online classes. Podar also has zero-tolerance against any wrongdoing against women and hence girls can feel safe here as nothing of this sort has happened in my time.