Bengaluru: The results are out, and it is time for the students to look out for the best course in a good college. Apart from the cut offs, the regular dose of Anti ragging campaign will be all over the newspaper soon. For parents, the campaign is a breather of sorts, given that this acts as a protective shield for their children. But many differ. They reminiscence their days in college, and the healthy ragging that was the beginning of many long lasting friendships.

“ We started college in 2001, and the anti ragging campaign wasn’t enforced strictly, though I remember, the campaign was very much there. I was anxious on my first week of college, didn’t know how to handle ragging–having heard some horrific stories. But I must say, it was ice breaking. We were made to hop for a kilometer. Forced to remember names of our seniors, bullied a bit, but really enjoyed our time with the seniors, who later became protective of us,” says Monmee Senapati, Student of M. S. Ramaiah Institute of Technology.

Going down the memory lane, Sayantan Das of SIT Tumkur says, “ It is sad that nowadays seniors are aloof from the juniors. We had a beautiful relationship with our seniors. They bailed us out of many difficult situations. But, for that bond to develop, the students need to be given that space for interaction. Ofcourse, they should know their limits. If ragging kills or breaks confidence, then that sort of interaction can’t be encouraged. However, through playful methods, if seniors get to know their juniors, it is a great thing.

We were asked to clean our seniors’ rooms. It was enjoyable.” Recalling how a spat and a dislike turned into a beautiful friendship that is growing stronger for 15 years. “ During our initiation days, a senior ragged me a bit much on my pronunciation.

He also took my case on little things, made fun of the way I spoke and broke my arrogance. I was uptight, coming from a well known school, i had my nose touching the sky. It was his ragging that grounded me, and helped me make friends. Now I am married to him,” says Sujatha Vekat, Alumni of PES University.