[ToI] A whole new world

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30 Jun, 2007 l 0000 hrs ISTlTUSHAR DUTT /TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Fresh. New. Exciting. The fuchchas across campuses are revelling in their new found freedom. AT catches their mood...

Welcome to masti ki pathshala! Homework, uniform and tiffin boxes are a thing of the past. It's time to revel in break-free days. And as they say, nothing tastes like freedom. That's college life. After struggling for months for the HSC Board examination, corridors in colleges certainly look inviting. And not to talk about sharing a cup of tea with friends in canteen.

It's a free world...

Pressure is a word that will not figure in the vocabulary of freshers. At least for some time. It's time for some 'chill-pill' . As says Renish Sanghavi, a student of HL BBA college , "In school, we had too many restrictions. It's a different feeling to be in college. We are like free birds and I am enjoying it." But not all think so highly of freedom. For some, it's unexciting. As Karima Kabani, a student of HL College of Commerce feels, "School is all about rules and regulations and it used to give us a thrill to break those rules. That element of excitement is missing in college life. There is no charm of bunking classes and reaching late."

Ragging.....

The Supreme Court has banned ragging in educational institutes. But the fear is still there in the minds of freshers. "I was scared at first because I thought my seniors would rag me," says Shibani Shah, a student of St Xavier's college. Were the seniors too tough on them? "No," says Shibani. "Actually our batch got a warm welcome from our seniors," she adds. Interestingly , some fuchchas would really love to have a feel of mild ragging . And the reason - "It gives us a chance to know our seniors. And if the ragging is not too serious, then it is the best way to interact with seniors," says Hetarth Joshi, a student of NR BBA college. Though many youngsters think of having a healthy interaction with seniors, there are a few who dream beyond that. Aditya Shah, a student of HL BBA, mischievously says, "Interaction is all fine. But given a chance, I would like to flirt a bit with my seniors."

Style and more style...

Uniforms? The dreary days are over. It's time to wear your attitude on the sleeves. That seems to be latest mantra in college campuses. The Gen-X believes in making it in style. Be it a new bike, denims, caps, capris or a latest cellphone, they have it all. "First impression lasts long. I just don't want to take any chances," says Jhanvi Thakkar, a student of HA college.

And if you are thinking it's only clothes that are ruling the campuses , then you are wrong. It's tech time and that's the cool way to bond with your friends. "These days, technology helps in making new friends. Earlier the trend was to share notes with classmates to make friends, but now it has been replaced by ringtones and wallpapers," adds Jhanvi.

And life in new-age campuses is certainly exciting.

tushar dutt@timesgroup.com