[IE] Bully beating

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Naomi Lobo

As college reopens, freshers are terrified about the ultimate introduction to college life: Ragging. Whether mild or serious, it exists. Try these tricks to avoid it.

Keep a low profile
Dress simple. Freshers who dress up are easy to spot. “The boy who won the ‘Mr Fresher’ award in my college was ragged for a month. It helps if you aren’t famous,” says Joselyn Gracias, a St Andrews student.

Sympathy vote
If you act deaf, dumb or partially blind, you are sure to be spared. Seniors are mean but not that mean, says Harshada Rene, 19, of Vivekanand College.

Stay connected
Pretend you know a famous person and no one will bother you. Amit Pisat, 20, of N M College recollects, “I pretended to know a college trustee and advised my classmate to say that he was the principal’s nephew.”

Fake contagious disease
“Say you have AIDS and if they come close, you’ll bite,” says Harshil Patel, 19, of Vartak College. While that is taking things a tad far, a coughing spell will ensure no one wants your virus.

Schmooze the teachers
Hang around with the management. “Stand near the professor’s staff room and walk with them. Try to win over peons and admin staff as they come handy when being ragged,” says Jugal Shah, 18, of Somaiya College.

Run
If nothing helps, pray you are a good athlete.