Life at JNU.....a real mocktale!

Awww......as usual this comes a little late. But for those at JNU , it would be like-"Masters ka bachha and she thinks she understands JNU". Never mind let me go forth... I hadn't written on anything worthwhile since a long while. Blame it on jnu's crushing academic culture that forces even people like me to shit(pun intended) and study.What can be more interesting than an account on jnu(mark my obsession with jnu).

My first rub-off with jnu(literally) came up when i was in fourth standard. We had this general knowledge test where we had to write full forms of certain abbreviations. JNU was one of them.
"Ignorance is bliss". I wrote something like-"Joint National Union". My papa was furious. "what you don't what jnu is! It's a premier and elite university of the country, Jawahar lal nehru university is considered as an IAS hub coz maximum people in the list come from this place''. Later, i used this gyan on him to convince him to let me study humanities after having studied science at twelfth standard. "papa i want to study in JNU, you know its the place where maximum IAS emerge. siting for civil services exam after btech doesnt seem viable".

My tryst with jnu came when i was scouting at fiction corner of a bookstore. I came across this book '' SUMTHING OF A MOCKTALE-at jnu where kurta fell in love with jeans". I had read it with utmost devotion and sincerity as if the jnu entrance examinations were to be based on that book.
The book carried somewhat a descriptive account of life at jnu. Thus i knew "PSR'', ''NEELGAI'', ''GANGA '', ''NEELGIRI DHABA'' etc...I was much into jnu than i actually was...Somehow i managed to clear the entrance tests and oficially(finally) i was in jnu.
My sister came along with me to complete the admission procedure. The hectic admission process and the sweltering delhi heat just added icing on it. Get this folio re signed at ad block and deposit it dsw office(located in a faroff destination) and than deposit that one at your centre...blah! blah!....with the over enthusiastic admission assistants.Amidst all this rush my sister delivered a prophecy-"" this rush gonna slim you down"' that was o come true in days to come. One thing i would want mention about the volunteers at admission process. one hour of assistance and they think they have got the girl! In days to come the frown on their face is so much visible when they spot you with a male friend or a classmate. " sara admission maine karwaya lekin dekho kisi aur ke sath ghum rahi hai". WTF!
Then i came in terms with the realistic picture of jnu. The severe hostel crisis! Volunteers of a certain political group were like Don't worry we ll make all requisite arrangements and they gave me a list of numbers to call and remind them. Poor me! i kept on trying till i found the numbers as unreliable as those who gave it. Somehow i found someone to humour me as guest till i get a hostel. Should i mention the humiliation and atrocities inflicted upon me by the other owner of the room?Naa.. lets forget all bad bad things...

My first class was in phonetics. I had missed the previous few classes i couldnt make a head or tail of the ''aaa'' ''eee'' sounds that were being discussed. Next was an introductory course on linguistics taught by one the renowned philosopher of the country. All the discourse passed horizontally parallel above my head. MY meek attempts to make anything out of it did nothing other than pricking my recently bloated ego(for having qualified to study in JNU). That moment i concluded linguistics is nowhere related to literature(my subject in graduation) and a great struggle lies ahed.
Academics apart, let me mention my brushing off with this cultural organisation which is supposed to provide a platform for people with same regional background to showcase their cultural identity.But what it actually does is to provide a "DATING" platform for the peolpe from with same background.!!!!( For all those who can identify this, excuse my tongue-in-cheek humour which intends a smile rather than mocking anybody).

Dating culture is quite adamant and straightforward here. With the lathi of GSCASH hovering there's hardly any scope for flirtatious courtship. Romance,here, brews with the teacup in the dhaba and gains momentum with the lunch at Aravali canteen. One thing's quite peculiar about couples here is that people hardly admit or go public about their relationship(as if they are some celebrity! phew). One walk around the ring road at night and u get to see these lovebirds coochie- cooing up who would otherwise maintain- ' we are just friends' or 'we are together working on an termpaper thats why i visit his room'. Once caught red handed holding hands together its quite sight to see the sheepish smile on their flushed face. SWEET INNOCENT CAMPUS ROMANCE, after all. lovely!

The most pronounced and outstanding feature about JNU is its political activism. I just love the bitchy cat fight(ekdum ladki style of calling each other names). One party calls the other 'lumpen' and the next day the other one retorts with 'opportunists' what not... I am an avid follower of the parcha culture here. I just the stylistic literary efforts used to write each other down. But it happens in a real dignified and disciplined manner(in typical JNU style).
Yahan sabka khoon garam rehta hai. Bring a small issue and people are ready to protest on it.

Not to forget the spine chilling delhi winter. No summers here are much bearable 'coz i have worse summers back home. In spite of the bone breaking winter, traumatic term papers, deadly deadlines for submissions and nauseating academics, i have grown fond of this place.
This phase of my life is one of the best of my life. In times to come, i am sure this place will surely have an imprint in molding and grooming the person i would be.
Whatever it might be- I AM LOVING IT....