That Connection
One of the scary experiences associated with college life
is ragging. When you enter into engineering sphere to experience a new phase of
life at hostel, this is the first thing that you are going to face apart from
other problems. I had many unpleasant experiences associated with ragging during
my first year in name of a long list of rules (do’s and don’ts) but those
experiences are past now and painful or unpleasant experiences don’t occupy
one’s memory (luckilyJ). They fade away easily. It’s only some memorable
experiences that get recalled unconsciously or subconsciously. The bright side
of the custom of ragging (provided those activities are not so intense to
suppress the fundamental rights of an
individual ) is that it teaches one to be brave enough to stand for what is
right and just not follow everything blindly. It also teaches one to trust
himself during difficult conflicting situations.
The ragging experience taught me never to repeat
unreasonable things with juniors. How can one behave the way he/she does not
want himself to be behaved? I’m going to narrate an incident which left an
unwashable imprint in my mind. As per the custom, we (few 2nd year
girls) took an interactive session with the newly arrived Freshers at hostel to
make them acquainted with do’s and don’ts of the hostel. Due to some minor
problems in accommodation, few girls stayed in a nearby residence and we were
asked to fetch them for dinner (to our hostel). They were more in numbers and
we were only few. So, the ultimate option was to order them to form a queue. While
I was standing near the starting of the queue, a girl approached me. She was
very cute and short in height.
Girl: I
want to make a request, Ma’am.
Every
fresher was supposed to address seniors as ma’am untill Fresher’s party.
Me: Yes,
continue.
Girl:
Ma’am, will you mind if I say something to you?
Me: Of
course not. You may continue.
Girl: I’m
not feeling well today. So, please don’t rag me. I’ve never stayed away from my
parents even for a moment. That may be the reason why I’m feeling so down now.
Once I get over my illness, you can rag me then.
I got very touched by the lines she spoke. For a moment, I
was speechless and did not know how to react even. I wished I had spoken the
way she spoke when I was in first year. Frankly speaking, I’ve always been very
much careful and cautious about the sentiments of my fellow beings. Her words
made me even more cautious of my words and actions. I felt very very connected
to her- an unfamiliar yet familiar connection.
Me: Don’t
make me emotional at this moment. You can never be ragged, don’t worry. In
fact, you’re too cute to be ragged. We are not here to make you feel miserable.
Since you’re standing at the beginning of the queue, you must prepare to move
now. I’m very hungry and can’t wait for more time. J
I tried to
lighten the situation.
Swati
Sarangi
20.03.2014
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