Stepping into a new world

BANGALORE: Frenzied shopping-- hours spent looking for that one pair of jeans that will go with the green top, a piece of junk jewellery to team with the new salwar-kameez, a new set of hot wheels for the college ride -- is what's occupying 16-year olds across Bangalore as they prepare for college.
There's nervous excitement in the air as the D-day draws closer __ most colleges are re-opening on June 16 -- and the hot picks are junk jewellery, flip-flops, cotton bags and coloured canvas shoes.
As first PU students prepare so do colleges. The latter are leaving no stone unturned to make the first day memorable for their fresh wards. From a lavish lunch to yoga classes to orientation programmes, colleges are ensuring that initiation programmes are not just for students but for their parents too.
Sample this. Sri Bhagawan Mahaveer Jain College has organized a programme for parents and students which includes yoga classes. "The orientation programme titled Vishwa Chaitanya is compulsory for all the freshers and their parents. There will be a yoga session and an acquaintance session between parents and teachers over lunch," said Mythili P Rao, principal of the college.
SHOP TILL YOU DROP
Despite dress codes, students have managed to fashionably incorporate new styles and trends into their wardrobe. Flip-flops and handbags still remain a rage. Nisarga B said: "I am pretty excited about shopping. Since there is a dress code that I have to follow, I am probably going to shop for kurtas and accessories like bags and chappals. "Colourful dupattas or scarves matched to a jhola or a handbag is what the girls are looking for. Nayan B said it would have been much more easier to shop if the dress code was a little lax.
When it comes to bling -- bracelets and earrings -- most seem to think that accessories from the street are a better and more affordable alternative to real jewellery. Sonia Diwakar, a I PU student said: "You can jazz up any outfit with a good pair of earrings and the right bag. ''
For boys, the wardrobe consists of T-shirts with prints and messages, jeans. For those with dress code, it' shirts with checks or stripes. "It's more about comfort than about fashion for us. The only accessories we can wear is watches and wristbands,'' said Vijay Kayak.
It's bikes, mobiles and hairstyles that are also in focus. Canvas shoes stay a firm favourite, especially coloured ones that can be matched to outfits.
DRESS CODE DIVIDES
Dress code elicits radical opinions. At Vijaya PU College boys are not allowed to wear T-shirts with messages on them. For the girls, it's salwar kameez. "It is college policy that students cannot wear jeans and girls are not allowed to wear T-shirts," said T D Chinnappaiah, vice principal, Vijaya Pre-University College, Jayanagar.
Shashidhar Ashwath, a parent of a 16-year-old, said college management or the principal should decide on the dress code so that Indian culture lives on.
But some parents don't agree. "Why should there be a dress code or uniform in colleges? Students are old enough to decide what is right and appropriate," said Mathew Krishna, parent of a 17-year-old. Many parents, like their children, find the ban on jeans rather incomprehensible. A good pair of jeans not only looks cool but as it is hardy and lasts forever, works out more economical than formal pants.
NO RAGGING, PLEASE
Colleges have employed various techniques to check this menace. Sri Bhagawan Mahaveer Jain College has teachers going around the campus to keep an eye on students. Many students believe that the concept is misconstrued. "Ragging helps build a good rapport between the senior and junior students but the seniors should not indulge in hooliganism," said Ankit Narayanan, a PU student.
Opinions vary. "If I encounter any incident of ragging, I will go straight to the college authorities," said Bhanupriya D of Vijaya College. Bindiya B H, a Jain College student, said: "Ragging must not be encouraged. The perpetrators should be debarred.''
TOBACCO-FREE ZONE, NO CELL PHONES
The ban on sale of tobacco products within the hundred yards of an institution/college has made a visible impact. Colleges like St Joseph's Pre-University College and Baldwin's have banners at the entrance stating that sale of tobacco products is prohibited within 100 metres radius of the college. Students are not allowed to smoke on the campus.
Mobile phones are also banned inside the college campuses owing to the distraction they cause to the students and teachers.
__ Meghana Harikumar & Architha Narayanan
QUOTE CORNER
"I have no expectations from my parents as I have been getting everything I need on time. The only thing I want is a good college."
__ Nishitha Jain
"I am expecting a new vehicle (Honda Dio) from my dad. I can't travel by bus as I am allergic to it.''
__ Adithya Sai
"I hope my son will be regular to college and I will not get a complaint from his teachers on shortage of attendance.''
__ Praveen Gowda | parent
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