Once upon a time when our planet was in her nascent stages and human beings were scattered like molecules in a gas , no one was bound to any rules. The people did as they liked thus utilizing their unmitigated and limitless freedom to the hilt. It was only when they were driven by their fear of survival due to a variety of factors like wild animals, mother nature's fury etc. that these individuals flocked together like a herd of sheep and settled together wherever they felt they were safe and sound. When many different minds of distinct ages come together then there usually ensues positive and negative disagreements amongst the people to proclaim and demonstrate themselves to be right in the eyes of the others. When everyone was so attention seeking and had their own definition of right and wrong then it became even more difficult to manage the obstreperous and unruly crowd until they were all united by a series of statements that brought these numerous unrestrained body, mind and spirit under a single umbrella. The first rules on this planet were born that were agreeable by many thus also creating the first society in the process. The entire fabric of this massive society is intertwined and knitted properly together by the glues called trust and rules.Even one cease to exist, the society will degenerate into chaos and anarchy. As the Earth evolved, the societies also transformed themselves from being crude to civilized to highly civilized and so did the rules changed along with the progression of Earth and society.They were framed by the governing authorities to ensure that the society not only survives but also thrives and prospers for the future generations also to make a mark on this planet. Just like the two sides of a coin, in some instances, the rules were also thrust upon the people by dictatorial regimes who mercilessly flayed those who bravely flouted their rules. Karma - the omnipresent and omniscient judge always ensures that the correct verdict is given at the right time to all those wrong doers.
I completed my MBA from Amrita School of Business, Coimbatore.With close to 23 months work experience prior to my MBA, I was initially shocked to see the numerous rules in hostel and college that I felt like a dog on the management's leash! Luckily, good sense prevailed when I questioned myself why were there so many rules and I understood that the rules were put in place for a specific reason - to bring order by those who had misused and abused the freedom given to them by the college and hostel earlier. When some one gives you the complete freedom in an institution like a college or a corporate, it is always the right thing to maximize the best use of the available resources to be very productive in all the endeavours. The moment when the authorities feel that their trust is being violated and put to wrong use by any student or employee, it is only then that they have no other alternative but to wield the cane to guide these unguided through the rules.
But, even I was appalled when I read the following rules that were prettily pinned up in the notice board when I had gone to my college to be a part of the Diwali fest for the underprivileged children in the nearby village.
I enquired the officials and they said the rule set is for the entire Gauthama Bhavanam. So, the rules are applicable to not only engineering but also MTech, MCA and MBA. Usually, the waters in Amrita is extremely cold and it is very difficult to bath unless the solar heater works..Unfortunately, the sun is very lazy that he rarely pokes himself out of the clouds..So, how does a teacher can expect then the students to be fresh and concentrate in the class all day long if they do not have alternatives for a mere bath in the hostel and placing such restrictions? I am not saying that all those who bath are fully dedicated to the class..But, at least for sometime they can very well maintain the concentration level.On top of it, there's a new rule in ASB which says that students cannot take more than 3 classes leave else a grade cut will ensue. Supposing it falls below 5, then they are awarded an "F grade and should retake the exam. So, a student who baths in the cold water daily, falls sick and gets admitted in the hospital for a couple of weeks, then they will get an automatic F without even writing the exam! One of my friend, Navaneeth Suresh, has had a first hand experience when he was admitted in the hospital for a week and had to literally fight tooth and nail with the authorities to make them believe that all his doctor certificates are not doctored. Second, I had friendly chat with a caretaker of very healthy dog in a house near Gargi Bhavanam and asked him casually how come the dog is so fit..He told me that the dog is being fed with 2-3kgs of non-veg everyday.I am a brahmin by birth and do not eat non-veg.I am not saying or advocating that brahmins should/should not have non-veg.But, I do not eat it.That's it. I was still very angry that the students are being considered so inferior that are we so below the dog's position? There's also a worker's mess right next to Gauthama Bhavanam's mess which provides eggs to workers. So, we, the students who are nation's pillars tomorrow, are we so below them tooo?
I am not married or have a daughter..at least yet! But, my mom single-handedly brought up my sis and me after my dad's unexpected and sudden demise and it was also very difficult for us to find a son-in-law who does not drink or smoke or indulge in any bad habits. Fortunately, by God's grace, I am having a gem of a bro-in-law. Like me, there would be many with sisters and cousin sisters. Everyone knows that smoking, drinking and having drugs is wrong. But not all consume them. Some does and some doesn't. Then, the issue of indecent material. If the authorities are of the opinion that only porn can have a bad influence on a person, then they are falsely right in their views. There are many raunchy and steamy scenes in all the "woods" industry. Not to mention the racist risque and vulgar jokes that are shown and spoken brazenly in the movies/ standup comedies or the obscene lyrics in the songs. So, what do they mean by obscene/ indecent here ??..If the wardens search only the rooms as a surprise , then its okay. But, if they search them in public, just think of the psychological damage and mental trauma that they would experience. In fact, one such incident happened in Velammal school where the kid was subjected to corporal punishment and he took up his life. Even our revered law says that a 1000 criminals can go scot free but an innocent should not be punished. So, when our wardens find an innocent and highly sensitive student like the velammal kid, he is sure to contemplate and commit suicide because of the deep embarrassment he had undergone..A life is a life and he is also a son to his parents at the end of the day.
No one is against rules at least in MBA. Everyone understands that any rule put in place by the management is only for leading a better and harmonious life...But, it is only when they transgress rudely to the point that the rules can cause unnecessary embarrassment, it is seen as a problem..Amrita is a great place to be in - be it the beautiful environment, faculty, infrastructure or the educational materials. It is really good. But, the students spend as much time in hostel as they do in college. This is the stark reality which is happening at Amrita. Anyone can verify and confirm it for themselves, if they wish and want to!!
I still say that rules are needed for proper functioning of any system as without rules, all hell is broken loose! I am not saying that the rules needed to be student friendly. But, it shouldn't choke them to the point that they give negative word of mouth for the next set of batches to not to not be a part of this wonderful Amrita campus and culture. That is what I am really against.
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