2K5 ROCKZ

by Aby D. Pynadath

Amidst the bustling life of the city, behind a cunningly deceptive facade,
slumbers an inefficient and inept system that has been causing untold misery and
undue frustration to its students for many years. A place that defies the truths of
common logic, by existing in a state of self-imposed isolation - perfectly oblivious to
the developments taking place outside its walls. A testimony to the pathetic depths
to which higher education has sunk in the overly literate state of Kerala. You have
not guessed wrong - the place I am talking about is, indeed, our well revered, all
powerful Kerala University.

After three long years as a matriculate of this Institution, I am yet to come
across a person who has one positive point to say about it. Students give nothing but
a list of grievances against their university. Phone calls remain unanswered, websites
archaic and unupdated, information counters sans assistance. A place where
seemingly uncomplicated things are rendered complex. Wherever you may go, the
clichÈd phrase I don t know.

From the moment a student falls into its merciless clutches, he/she begins a
long arduous journey. If there is a place synonymous to Hell on earth then this
has to be it. From forcing you to fill out long applications, which itself is a gruesome
task, to asking you the finest details which are not relevant in any way to the cause.
Writing exams, which, until you have started writing them, you cannot be sure will
ever take place. Exams postponed for bizarre reasons. A never ending wait for the
results. After all that, a longer wait for the marklists. This cycle keeps on repeating,
besetting students with countless hardships, not the least of which is the course lag.
I have never understood the logic behind course lag. Perhaps, the University
likes to show its affection towards us, and its grief at the prospect of losing its
matriculates, by keeping us pinned down to an extended curriculum. It takes a lot of
effort and perseverance to finally break free of its shackles, to get a degree, and
thereby, attain redemption.

Coming to the end, this is not a trivial University bashing article. I have
simply given vent to my frustration. Recently, Arundhathi Roy remarked, The
University of Kerala is one among the worst universities in India. I couldn't agree
more. I am waiting for that fine morning, when I will finally be free from this cycle,
when i can redeem myself from the journey that commenced so long ago. I m
certainly not joking. I started the countdown years ago...