Ragging in India

For school pass-outs, life is meant to be "realising dreams".And these dreams constitute a strong desire to get into a college and discipline of one's choice.After a protective or rather a restrictive school life,a fresher looks forward to joining a decent college where one can freak out, taste all the excitements of life and also make friends for life. To a certain limit, it is this enthusiasm that drives one to pursue college education.Moreover, college degree is must for anything that one wants to do in life later on.

But the idea of campus life is no more that attractive as it used to be a decade back.Students are no longer inclined towards getting a graduation degree;because of declining standards in Indian universities.

From the process of seeking admission in a college to formally getting admitted and attending college from day one, a student experiences something that is in store for him or her for the next three years.Earlier, one used to be very eager for the commencement of the session in order to enjoy the "free life"college offers.In comparison,the scenario is changing now.The disinterest shown by students is more to do with the kind of ragging that takes place in the institutions of higher learning.

Parents are apprehensive to send their wards in B or C grade colleges. Impression is ragging or rather objectionable ragging happens solely in not-so-good colleges where as the prominent universities or institutions conduct themselves in a permissible and accepted manner.The truth is ragging is pervasive in all institutions and no institution or college is devoid of that. Even the IITs have not been able to escape this. In the recent past,many cases of indecent ragging have been reported from the IITs,top DU colleges and even some South Indian Universities. It is taking an evil shape which no one wants to go through.

Ragging is fun and ought to be taken so.It is a way of getting introduced and knowing the seniors and inturn getting known to them.When one steps into college life,one is very raw to the surrondings, the atmosphere and of course to the immediate seniors.One is not aware how to go about this new-found life and how to start away with studies.One is totally ignorant in matters pertaining to college and college life. The freshers after breaking the shackles of school life enter altogether a different,new world where they constantly require help from the seniors to adjust themselves.That's when the seniors come handy.Seniors become friends first and guides later-on.Over a passage of time,they not only help the freshers in wooing their dream-date but also become a sort of secondary teachers ,helping with notes and study-material.

How does one get to know these "bosses"? A very friendly way was invented and that was "RAGGING". Although a western concept, yet it has caught up in India like a fire in the forest.In India ,it used to be the "not-to-miss" kind of a feeling.

Has anyone given a thought why ragging is losing its sheen?Why is it fading away from campus life? The answer is simple. The incidents following ragging have put a full-stop to it.

Now,it is seen that ragging borders on indecent exposure.Though this is not the case everywhere.But the incidents that have come to the fore,force a perception that ragging is obnoxious.It has taken a form of harrasement and that harrasement can be sexual also.Bad or ugly ragging leaves such an impact on the new entrant that at times one contemplates suicide;it being happening in most of the cases coming to light.

Ragging also helps one come out with hidden creative talent. So it isn't dampening but exploring.It should be made an essentiality. However,the surveys present a different picture. Ragging has come to be regarded as a menace.It is considered a nuissance.And why not? Harrasement in the garb of ragging is torture which is unacceptable.Suicidal cases have forced the government to halt the long practiced tradition.

The order of abolition of ragging is in the pipeline.Some may find it good others may disagree.To completely prevent it, will take the zing out of the campus life.

Media should take the responsibility of highlighting the benefits of ragging and putting the facts to parents and the students alike.

If ragging were just left or meant to be having fun and enjoyment,then the excitement of campus life would have been much more intense.