Seventeenth

I would want to write on a number of issues. But I face some challenges with the time constraint. Maybe I will just touch upon them in brief before they fade into oblivion with newer happenings.

• Mid-sem paper incidents: After over a month, we finally have a chance to see our corrected mid-semester copies for two departmental courses. And these happened to be the same two subjects in which I was a bit dicey about my approach to questions. After going through my answer-scripts, I ask a couple of questions to the instructors-in-charge. And I was bombarded with accusations as being concerned only with the marks and a grade on my report card. I tried but in vain to clarify that I was just asking to know how did I go wrong. And I think the professors are not completely at fault for this behavior. Over past many years, I have observed my peers concerned only with the final tally on their first page pest them with "...Sir, you gave half mark more to XYZ for the same answer..." Even as a third person in such scenarios, I find it a tad irritating. No wonder why the profs are frustrated with grading queries.
• Nirvaak issue: The 'views-paper' created quite a controversy in the campus. Especially the anonymous rant about the hardships faced by the fairer half in the campus. I am just presenting a personal view on the matter. I agree a very sensitive issue was raised in the article. To the folks who were offended, lets just get over the cuss-words and sadakchaap nazar issues and focus mainly on the stereotyping problem that has been highlighted. This is a serious societal problem not only in the campus but also in the country and we need conversations and discussions about it. But the way that article was written, it sparked more of an outrage. From the very little knowledge I have on the impact of language, I gather the choice of words and tone pretty much determine the kind of reaction that would follow. And sadly, the author chose the wrong words and an accusative tone. And the result - instead of sparking meaningful discussions, 'Bajrang Dal IITK Special Cell' emerged. 
• Community hygiene/responsibility issue: Let me tell you something I have observed about X, my wing-mate. He never ever turns off his room's light and fan. He often brings food in disposables which he conveniently disposes very near to his room (not in a dustbin though, which again is hardly 10 steps away from his room.) He is also a big time smoker and one can see stubs all over the common areas. Then there is Y, another wingie of mine. He follows a similar path (except maybe he switches off the lights.) A trash-can is on his way to the room still he feels the need to throw that used cup in the common area. Z, another friend of mine and again, my wing-mate has this habit of spitting cough in open spaces. At least he is better than W, a chap living in my hostel who spits in the water-filter sink. And yes, these are the benefactors of undoubtedly the best undergraduate education in India. And these just happen to be the representative agents. I have tried to reason with X, Y & Z personally as they happen to be among my close friends. And the responses are, well, nomadic. Sometimes I curse my self why I am even trying to reason with them. All I can say, all the best to 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan'.

    That's it for the week. Happy end-sems!