page 3
( 78 )
( 78 )
In St Peter's College, Kolenchery, I joined in the class I C . In my class, there were Nitha, Ruby and Renu who were my classmates in different schools. From the St Peter's English Medium High School, from the girls' s side, there was only one girl - Linda - in my class. She had got first class in Std X and I think she had scored below 450 marks. Then I wondered where had gone the girls who got distinction in St Peter's English Medium High School Kadayiruppu . I got the answer one day but I don't know when it happened . I was walking through the road near our College in Kolenchery. Suddenly, I noticed a group of girls near the busstop. From their talks, I understood that they had studied in St Peter's English Medium High School, Kadayiruppu & after that they were studying in Mar Thoma College for Women, Perumbavoor. I realised that from Kolenchery, they travelled to Perumbavoor through the road in front of my house and reached their College. I had a feeling of guilt because my College campus was filled with disturbances ie. strikes in different issues took place there occasionally.
In Kerala, the political awareness of the people and reaction of politicIans to every issue or incident are very natural. Each political party has its unit in Colleges and some of the schools also. When a socially relevant incident occurs, the leaders call for a strike and in the campus also its reaction take place. I remember the day on which the 1st strike occurred in my College days. Our Lecturer in Zoology was inside our classroom, taking his class. Suddenly, a group of seniors entered the classroom, shouting and uttering some slogans. One of them made a short speech in his highest pitch and asked us to leave the classroom at the earliest, expressing our objection in a particular issue that had taken place during those days. I looked at wonderfully to our Teacher who stood there on the platform helplessly. Everyone started to put their textbooks into their bags and leave the classroom. But the most courageous girls among our classmates, Leena and Shybi asked them why did they compel the students to go out of the class. Their resistance made them aggressive and I thought there was no meaning in remaining there. It was only after that argument, we went out of the classroom. As it was a shocking experience, we continued a little more time on the corridor of the classrooms. We wondered how could we learn our lessons in such a situation. We all knew that this would happen in our College life. But, when it happened, we experienced great pain which cannot be described in a few words. After the first experience, it became a routine to us.
The strikes and its impact on my life was very much. Though I was fifteen years old and read newspaper daily, I had not chosen my political stance yet. In Kerala, the LDF ( Left Democratic Front ) and the UDF ( United Democratic Front ) had equal powers. I was in a confused state of mind during those times. I had no neighbouring friends to discuss political point of view of certain incidents that happen in the contemporary society. It may appear ironical when I reveal that my father was a supporter of INC ( Indian National Congress ). There are many reasons for this. It is related to some complex & unusual social and caste - based problems behind his political support.
In Kerala, the political awareness of the people and reaction of politicIans to every issue or incident are very natural. Each political party has its unit in Colleges and some of the schools also. When a socially relevant incident occurs, the leaders call for a strike and in the campus also its reaction take place. I remember the day on which the 1st strike occurred in my College days. Our Lecturer in Zoology was inside our classroom, taking his class. Suddenly, a group of seniors entered the classroom, shouting and uttering some slogans. One of them made a short speech in his highest pitch and asked us to leave the classroom at the earliest, expressing our objection in a particular issue that had taken place during those days. I looked at wonderfully to our Teacher who stood there on the platform helplessly. Everyone started to put their textbooks into their bags and leave the classroom. But the most courageous girls among our classmates, Leena and Shybi asked them why did they compel the students to go out of the class. Their resistance made them aggressive and I thought there was no meaning in remaining there. It was only after that argument, we went out of the classroom. As it was a shocking experience, we continued a little more time on the corridor of the classrooms. We wondered how could we learn our lessons in such a situation. We all knew that this would happen in our College life. But, when it happened, we experienced great pain which cannot be described in a few words. After the first experience, it became a routine to us.
The strikes and its impact on my life was very much. Though I was fifteen years old and read newspaper daily, I had not chosen my political stance yet. In Kerala, the LDF ( Left Democratic Front ) and the UDF ( United Democratic Front ) had equal powers. I was in a confused state of mind during those times. I had no neighbouring friends to discuss political point of view of certain incidents that happen in the contemporary society. It may appear ironical when I reveal that my father was a supporter of INC ( Indian National Congress ). There are many reasons for this. It is related to some complex & unusual social and caste - based problems behind his political support.
My sister joined Ist Std on the same year. When compared to her, I was a "WOMAN", capable of becoming a mother of two children ! This is not my opinion. My mother would always say like this in order to make me involve in household works. As I have mentioned earlier, I couldn't even read the 3rd or 4th chapters of Physics, Chemistry, Botany and Zoology textbooks. I needed a Teacher's help. I realised that I was not a genius. It was because of hardwork that I could achieve distinction in Std X. I was passing through a period which I needed protection from my parents the most. But, what was the reality ? My father was very far away from me. My mother - she couldn't do anything in my life. I became afraid - I asked myself - "shall I win or be defeated ? I couldn't find an answer.
No comments:
Post a Comment