Of Pesky Profs, Playful Students and Provocative Porn!

Last week, I was schocked after reading this, in fact, whole world read about the what happened in Anna University hostel. Professors who raided the hostels caught four students with porn VCD. No, I was not shocked at students watching or carrying porn VCDs, rather at the short sighted acts of a few professors, who are pulling the University back to stone age in the name of culture and moral. Moral policing is at its peak, following imposition of dress codes, ban on cell phone across the campuses including hostels.
It is very normal for guys of that age to watch porn movies (though it is illegal in our country to circulate porn). And, more than the legal standpoint, We are always known to flout rules and regulations and do somethings that we shouldn't. Looking at it from another perspective, there is no logic in keeping porn illegal and here is where we have to talk about legal reforms.

The English, who ruled us for close to 300 years enacted some laws duing their rule. More than 50 years after they have left, we are yet to make any modifications to them (to suit the modern times) whereas, in the intermediate time, UK has made amendments to many of its laws which empower their citizens a lot, at the same time, keeping the crime levels in control. Universities in the US, inclusive of the Ivy league dons, bring out magazines to satisfy the basic instincts of humanity. (For eg. Boston's Boink, Harvard's H Bomb) Here, in Anna University, where professors still live in cocoons built in stone age, dictate students what they should and what they should not do. They would better do research or further specialisation in their field instead of these retrogade moves!! Progress through knowledge or Regress through Insanity?

What year were you born under?

You Were Actually Born Under:

You are totally loyal, faithful, and honest. However, you don't trust others to be as ethical as you are! Straight forward and direct, you really aren't one for small talk. You are a great listener - and an agreeable companion when you're in a good mood! You are most compatible with a Tiger or Horse.

You Should Have Been Born Under:

You've got a ton of energy - and need plenty of room to roam. You tend to follow your whims, and it's hard for you to stick to one thing. Specific jobs, loves, and friends are always changing and never a part of your life for long. Very intuitive, you tend to know what people are thinking before they say a word. You are most compatible with a Dog or Tiger.

What Year Were You Born Under?

Of festivals, fairs and frivolosities.

When you have just one day at your own disposal (I meant Sunday :) ) and it so happens that there are lots of fairs happening across the city, what would you do? Attend all!! I did the same yesterday. First went to Mylapore festival, then off to Karpagambal Mess and then to the Book Fair (India International Book Fair 2006, to be more precise).

Mylapore reminds me of my younger days in school (kindergarden and first two levels of schooling). Kapaleeshwarar temple's Theppa KuLLam (Temple tank which hosts Theppam or water car during temple festivals) is jiving with water, thanks to the monsoon that lashed Chennai a few weeks back. Mylapore is a city within a city, boasts of mylaporeans who lead a very traditional lifestyle, yet embrace contemporary options when it comes to studies and work. The Subramaniams and Parthasarathys of Mylapore roam across the world and bring laurels to this microcosmic city within city! Mylapore festival predominantly tries to showcase these aspects of Mylapore and has been a growing success over the past few years. This year, I think it is better than the last. A quiz on TamilNadu, Drawing competition which was hosted on the steps of the Theppa KuLLAm (what a picturesque location!), Coffee festival, traditional food festival, an entire street of Mada (Maada Veedhi) dedicated to Kolams, what more do we need?!!!, the Mylapore admirers?!! I am just waiting for the temple car festival which is held around March every year.

Not to forget Kalathi Kadai (name of a shop in Mylapore famous for their Rose milk) and Karpagambal Mess (An old-style eatery which serves hot south indian delicacies at very affordable prices). One could always spot a few foreigners dining in Karpagambal Mess, after having read about it or heard from fellow South Indians in their country!! Their evening snacks are a big hit amoong the Mylaporeans. Savour it for yourself for sure when you step in Mylapore next time.

My next stop was The Book Fair. My friend remarked if so many people had turned into "Puthaga PuzhukkaLL" (Book worms) after seeing literally thousand of people flocking into the book fair grounds. At first thought, I presumed everyone had ended up there with no other place to go and just for fun. But, I could spot almost everyone buying some books. This year's big hits were Ponniyin Selvan, APJ's books and self-development books as almost every other shop sold them. I had an impulsive thought to buy almost any good book that I saw, which I had to resist. "Good books are Good Friends" (heard somewhere) but when I am hungry I cannot read a book (says me :) )

Cheers! Let us all live in peace!!