Our Hostel Days – A Memoir After Many Years

Introduction

        

The study period was during the year 1975-1976, when the country was passing through a very turmoil situation, everywhere there was unrest, opposition leaders, across the country were gaining momentum to oppose the existing governments either in the States or Central. Situation was going out of control. Looking at the circumstances Congress government, headed by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, advised then President of Indi, Fakharuddin Ali Ahmed to proclaim emergency and accordingly, a state of national emergency was declared on June 25, 1975.       

Jayprakash Narayan, probably referred to as JP or Lok Nayak, who was in state politics in late 1960s came forward to lead the political movement initiated by student in the Indian state of Bihar in 1974 against misrule, corruption, price hike in the state. JP also got full support from Nav Nirman Andolan, a Gujarat wing, leading for peaceful agitation, against the tyranny of Congress government at Centre. The agitation was spreading all over the country and the situation was going out of control, Ms. Indira Gandhi’s government advised the President of India to proclaim the State of emergency in the country. Accordingly, the state of emergency was declared across the country on June 25, 1975 under Article 352 of the Constitution which lasted till 21st March, 1977. By this order all civil liberties were suspended, press was censored. The Emergency was one of the most controversial periods of Indian history since its independence.

 In spite of all these turmoil’s, India launched space satellite “Aryabhata” on 19 April, 1975 and never looked back.

Assam was more or less away from the agitation during 1975-76, though the government was ruled by Congress Party. It would be worthwhile to mention that the indigenous Assamese are always peace loving and avoid confrontation. Even in Tea Gardens laborers resolve their issues with management amicably. However, there was an undercurrent of resentment in the students fraternity and working classes for unruly situation of the country. Despite all these occurrences, school and colleges were running without any hindrances.

College admission

The story is about the hostel of degree college in Assam of the aforementioned period. The name of the College was BB College situated in Guwahati (then its name was Gauhati) of Assam. After passing High School Leaving Certificate, students from various places got admitted to the College. Since the College was a reputed one, meritorious students across the State tried to get admitted. Out of them majority of students were from the City and suburb. Few students read in the College from outside the city and other districts.

I also got admitted to Pre-University (Arts) courses in the College in the same year along with an accommodation in the hostel. I did not involve directly in any activity during the period, except NCC training. But, I supported all good works of the hostel students. I am telling a story of the hostel, how then students participated in welfare activities of College as well as hostel.

Narration

Admission process in Pre-University (now the course is Higher Secondary) and degree classes (who passed Pre-University) completed in the month of June, 1975. Both Pre-University and degree courses had three streams, such as, Science, Commerce and Arts. Outside students first tried to get seat in College hostel and remaining managed elsewhere at their personal level.

When everything regarding admission and other formalities were set right, a welcome ceremony was organized by the outgoing Students’ Union. The Principal, who was also the ex-officio President of the Union, was invited as Special Guest.

The whole day was engaged with various activities, such as, get together with seniors and outgoing students, various discussions about the reputation and result of the College and also there was a tea and lunch break. After whole day’s activities, there was a cultural program at night, such as, recitations, songs, music and small drama performed by the selected students of both boys and girls. Fresh students were very glad to see such beautiful functions throughout the day. Few of them thought they would also perform in the functions in the coming days. One Mr. Subhashish of the 3rd year was anchoring the whole program with the assistance of Mitali, a 2nd year Arts student. Both were talkative, humorous and jolly. Both were microphone-loving. So, whenever, there was a new start by some group, Subhashish or sometimes Mitali, gave the introductory speech. So, it was a nice function. After the function, there was a light refreshment of Tea, Coffee, Snacks etc.

Hostel 

The College had two big hostels, one for boys and the other for girls students. Virtually, these two hostels were in two blocks of opposite direction so that neither of the boys and girls could mix up very easily. However, there was a very cordial relations between two groups in respect of any sensitive issues.

It was a tradition of the hostel that when new boarders joined in the hostel, an introductory meeting was organized in the community hall of both the hostels. They used to introduce each other. But subsequently the complaints of ragging came from 1st year students. Because, they were asked to carry forward the orders of the seniors. Most among them were 2nd year students. They mostly organized such things of unbecoming activities to familiarize with the hostel culture. There was one student, named Dibakar of 3rd year Degree Science stream, who could speak Assamese, English and to some extent Bengali also. He is originally from Lakhimpur District of upper Assam, its Headquarter being Dibrugarh. He looked very beautiful of middle height. He was very humorous, could make sound of many birds, like, Crow, parrot and exactly like cuckoo. So he was called Cuckoo, and it became his nickname. When he joined in Pre-University ( Higher Secondary course was then called Pre-University), he was very shy, but gradually he became popular by virtue of his good nature. Looking at his behavior and activity, his friends started calling him Cuckoo, he did not mind nor he indulged in cock-fighting with both his girl and boy friends. Instead, he embraced the nickname. He realized the value of a distinct moniker. His inner intuition to become a student leader. Considering this in mind, Cuckoo had built a strong fan-following among his classmates as well as in the hostel campus. Everyone liked him because of his helping nature to newly joined students and anybody falling in distress.

In due course, there was announcement of election of Students’ Union. In the Students’ Union there was a representative from Hostel who was also either elected unanimously or by election amongst hostel students, who used to represent the issues relating to hostel students.

In the Students’ Union there were few executive posts, such as Vice-President, General Secretary, Sports Secretary and Cultural Secretary and one representative from hostel, called Joint Secretary, Hostel Affairs.

In the ensuing election, there were two parties, one represented by Cuckoo and another by Amit Hazarika. Cuckoo, whose original name was Dibakar, was the leader of the Party, named Students’ Union of Assam and Amit was the leader of Welfare Student Federation. First, Cuckoo put Jamal Uddin, a 2nd year Degree student for the post of Joint Secretary, Hostel Affairs, who was very popular and active, was elected unanimously, because both the Students’ Union did support him. Cuckoo submitted nomination for the post of General Secretary and nominated other students of his choice for rest posts.

On the other hand, Amit was also a very popular and good student, who stayed outside the College, stood for the post of Vice-President from Welfare Students’ Federation, and rest of the posts were nominated by the Party in consultation with the executive body members.

Since the situation in the country was very grave owing to the proclamation of Emergency, there were some guidelines and restrictions in the movement of students in the election campaign, such as, one could not use nefarious languages and street meetings. Therefore, door to door campaign was organized by both the Parties. However, candidates entered hostel campus for campaigning, without any restrictions. Since, Cuckoo was the leader of the Students’ Union of Assam and stayed in the hostel, naturally popular support was in favor of him in the hostel. But more students remained outside, most campaign of the Parties, were for the students staying outside. Some candidates used to visit the house of students particularly, girls so that they were influenced. Ultimately election was conducted on a scheduled date and the result was declared the following day.

Cuckoo, whose original name was Dibakar, won the post of General Secretary by virtue of combined vote of outside students and hostel. But other posts, except Joint Secretary, Hostel Affairs, were elected by Amit’s party. Amit himself was elected as Vice-President.

The election was conducted peacefully and committee of Students’ Union was formed, co-opting two prominent professors. The Principal of the College was automatically chosen as the ex-officio President of the Union. Next, a date was scheduled for discussions with regard to student affairs. On the scheduled date, the meeting was convened, and it was presided over by the President. Elaborate discussions were made about the improvement of the education system, sports and hostel issues. The Principal categorically assured the Students’ Union that he would cooperate in all respect, so that there was no resentment in view of any short-coming from either side. Hostel issues were also discussed. There were many problems of the boarders of the hostel in respect of toilets, water supply, indoor games etc. Then there was a light refreshment from President’s side where executive members, secretaries and representative of professors were present.

Meeting in Hostel

Cuckoo, the General Secretary of the Student Union, staying in College hostel and Jamal, the Joint Secretary of Hostel Affairs called meeting on next Sunday to apprise about the various endeavors they made in the formation of Students’ Union since the announcement of the election to election results and its aftermath. Both Cuckoo and Jamal tried to convince the fellow boarders in the hostel, that all efforts would be made to solve the problems faced by them. Then they discussed about the issues one by one. Boys were talking about the improvement of catering system so that they did not require to go out for snacks etc. in the evening. Girls were also agreed about the improvement of the food standard and timely serving at night, because they became tired after whole day’s travail. After the meeting, there were a good gesture amongst the newly admitted students and senior students. The senior students told the juniors that they might forget about the days of ragging, because it was a part of hostel ethics. It gave knowledge and familiarity amongst each other. There was an arrangement for tea and snacks after the meeting. All were very happy about the result of the meeting and free conversation. Boarders also agreed to disagree on many issues in the interest of student welfare in the hostel. They also took oath that they would remain united whenever it required. Jamal told all students that all junior and senior students would mix-up cordially but due regards and affection should not be violated. One girls’ representative Priti said, they also wanted to share indoor games, such as, chess, cards. table tennis etc. for a particular period of time, which was agreed upon by both sides of the students. Then Cuckoo and Jamal told the students to form a committee of boarders of the hostel, who would monitor the demands, to be fulfilled. Accordingly, Jiban and Dayal from boys hostel and Priti from girls hostel along with Cuckoo and Jamal, were nominated to form the committee to look after the affairs of the hostel.

Implementation.

The above committee first met with the Principal, Hostel Superintendent and Students’ Union leaders to discuss about the issues, such as, uninterrupted water supply in washrooms, increase of cooks in the kitchen, regular checking of electric switch, fans etc. The committee also requested the authority to raise funds for sports, both for indoor and outdoor so that the students staying in hostel did not require to go outside the campus of the College for playing. It was also agreed that hostel students going outside the College campus at night might cause feud with public for any reason, which would give bad name of the College and hostel students.

The Principal, who was also the ex-officio President of the Students’s’ Union spent about three hours in the quality discussion with all members present on the above issues and assured the Committee of the hostel representatives that as far as possible, their problems would be resolved gradually.

The meeting was ended with satisfaction of all concerned and vote of thanks was given by Dibakar (nickname Cuckoo), the General Secretary of the Students’ Union.

When classes started regularly, all students of the hostel engaged in their studies so that they could come out with good results in the examination. At the end of the session, the examination was conducted and all boarders of the hostel passed with flying colors.

Note: The characters and events portrayed in this story are fictitious. Any similarity to real   persons , living or dead is coincidental and not intentional.