At a cross-roads

FORTY PLUS - the temperature and the approximate age of the worried parents waiting in those serpentine queues, collecting application forms and hopping from college to college. The dry weather and the parched throats do not make it easier. A sweat- soaked handkerchief in one hand, and a crisp hundred-rupee note in the other - a woman, obviously an anxious mother, bought two forms in different colours for two different courses from the sprightly, though tired, youngster at the counter. She heaved a sigh of relief, clutched the forms tightly and glanced at her watch, then sighed again, as she looked around for her daughter who was busy chatting with some trendily-attired teenagers.

The youngsters appeared anxious. They had reason to be! They were making a choice - of college and course, a decision that could make or mar their career.

As I watched these young hopefuls I became inquisitive. What were they talking so animatedly about? I decided to follow the parent who had bought the application forms. I discreetly stood near the boisterous bunch...eavesdropping. I listened and learnt - why a particular course was chosen, and how the different city colleges were rated.

The academic inputs provided by these colleges, the curriculum design, the reputation and the overall image of the organisation, the student-teacher relationship, admission procedure, infrastructure and placement opportunities, were discussed at length. Seniors who had either studied or were studying in these hallowed institutions were mentioned. "A family -friend of mine studied there - did her BBA and then went on to do her MBA and is now earning a five-digit salary," said a fashionable young girl, stuffing the application forms into a rather battered-looking, plastic carry bag.

"There should be discipline, strict rules about attendance and penalty for late-comers and those who stay away from classes. It would keep you girls on your toes," said a stern-looking mother.

"It shouldn't be all work and no play. The culturals -I'm looking forward to that. It helps in the overall development, isn't it," asked a jean-clad girl. "My parents are willing to spend so much on me - they have pinned all their hopes on me. I do not want to disappoint them. I will accept nothing but the best. A course and college which has quality and one that will not stretch my parent's already strained purse strings is the one for me," said one youngster, sounding wise for her years.

I smiled to myself and proceeded to sit next to a well-dressed cell-phone-in-hand woman. Her daughter had appeared for the board examinations and was awaiting the results. "She's so tense and worked up all the time nowadays. What with just about everybody getting 95 per cent or more, who wouldn't be tense? And she's just 17. How times have changed. She has slogged for the past one year. I just hope she does well," said the worried mother. " What course is your daughter applying for," I asked. "She has appeared for the TNPCEE examination.

She wants to do computer engineering. I'm buying her a B.Sc. computer science form just to be on the safe side." I nodded. We quietly looked around, watching the people come and go. "It's the same scene in almost all the colleges," she said - "long queues and small wallets. It all costs so much. Where does one go for so much money," she wondered.

I sighed and thought of the less-fortunate. Where could they go? Two well-built, girls, wearing sturdy sports shoes, walked in. Perhaps they would get admission through the sports quota. Two perfumed, cash-rich, gum-chewing teenagers, carrying cell phones arrived. "I've bought the form, dad, and I will be visiting the management committee member this evening. I'll get admission," she said confidently to her friend. "How do I get to see the principal," asked the other worriedly. Ah! The management quota! The poor principals and the management committee members become the most sought-after people this season. "Colleges should instil discipline," said a parent to no one in particular. "This is a good institution. A small but homely campus."

"It's safe for my girl," said another. "They stress on the overall development of the students. It's near the Gemini-flyover - in the heart of the city. More bus facilities," chimed in yet another parent.

Thirsty and tired, I looked at my watch. It was 1 p.m. The sprightly youngsters manning the counters had got up. Dejected and irritated the people in the queue dispersed.

Some argued saying they had waited so long and wasted so much of time. Others tried to cajole these youngsters into giving just one more form. They refused. Youngsters have learnt to say a firm "No" these days.

"The applications are sold only between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Please come tomorrow," says the undergraduate student as she counts the currency notes!

I stood up thinking anxiously about the new set of students I would get in my class. You guessed right. I teach here and like always I look forward to teaching these fresh faces who are at the crossroads in life.

P. S. NEENAGAYATHRI RAO

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