It is rainy where I stand.

As with every argument, one either picks sides or choses to ignore it altogether. I’d rather pan out all my points for the sake of my own understanding, if not others. For the past few days, something has been irking me. And this something had a lot to do with a memorable phase in my life.

I graduated from Christ University.

If you must groan, do it elsewhere. I’m going to make my points regardless of the reception. I have read some rather ludicrous things and also rebuffs of very true facts.

1. Yes, Christ University functions on a very strict dictum. I will agree that many of the offices set up for helping students aren’t the most amiable and could do with a few smiles everyday. As ridiculous as it sounds, it is also true that workshops, conferences and seminars are “compulsory” whether you have anything to do with the subject matter at all. But the number of times I’ve slipped into the cafeteria is proof enough that you can get away.  However, once you are inside the room where the event is taking place, all hell could break loose outside, but you are literally locked up in the room. If you have an emergency, forget about getting out earlier.
2. Yes, they demand compliance to a dress code that leaves little room for self expression. I’ve always wondered why the women ought to follow the Indian ethnic wear whereas the men can roam about in western formals? Shouldn’t they be forced into wearing Dhotis or something? That makes the dress code questionable but not inflexible. I’ve donned leggings and have seen others stroll around in even track pants or shorter leggings. No one has asked to feel the fabric or lift our kurtis to check. I found that complaint to be most horrid and unbelievable, as in the three years I’ve studied there, I’ve heard of no one who has uttered the same. Then again, I don’t see why an absence of dupatta should be the cause of distracting anyone. It would be great to have a little more emphasis on what actually mattered rather than such absurd excuses.
3. Yes, they enforce adherence to a disciplinary code. It is a tad bit annoying when you can’t sit in particular spaces. Although, that’s never stopped anyone from doing it. It is even more bothersome when you hug or hold hands with someone of the opposite sex and the guard blows the whistle at you. And yet, I’ve seen people throw caution to the wind and behave as if they were somewhere private. Every institution has got to have some structure. If you take out the discipline, you’d get yourself a mad house with a ceaseless hullabaloo.
4. Yes, they’ve implemented the 85% attendance rule but it is not absolute. If you are absent because of either an illness or extra curricular activities, there is a foolproof mechanism to ensure that you get your attendance back. If your reason is something else, then its all on you. I absolutely hated the fact that the University was always functioning on days that were off (strikes, bandhs etc) I also hated the fact that the attendance penalty loomed over my head like a sword. But mustn’t we all take responsibility for our own actions? I have bunked several days regardless of the consequences, much to the annoyance of my friends. And, fortunately, I haven’t paid the fine once. It would be great if there were no conditions on attendance, but if you haven’t enrolled in a university to study, why enroll at all?
5. The education isn’t the best. I can’t speak for other streams, but there have been classes where we’ve either read PDFs or Googled things we were supposed to be “taught”.  But then we’ve gained so much practical exposure, from professionals and internships that it sort of balances it out. We’ve had teachers who set aside the ways of the system to be our friend, our confidante. They’ve helped us more than we could have hoped.

Some of the university’s rules are preposterous and could be done away with. But it is what I chose. And I don’t regret it. It has pissed me off so much, but I am certain I will always cherish having been there. Much like any institution, it has a long journey of progress ahead of it. It does some things right and others wrong. I wouldn’t sully it, not because of the Christ tag, but because it has given me so much. I only hope that the future batches are witness to a much improved system. By all means, stand up for what you believe in. You should. But do yourself a favor and research before you sign up for something you can’t get accustomed to.

Meera