At ten in the morning the SBI bank was still shut but the policemen were already there. The lady in the kiosk beside the bank said, “Son, they come late, but you can have a Kwa( betel nut ) or a cigarette” exposing her kwa-stained teeth. Both the ATM machines hadn’t been repaired; people from places as far as Samoorou and Mayang Imphal had come to withdraw money. Finally the staff arrived, those who had been sitting on the steps and sitting on their haunches now stood up, but the staff took their time. I took the liberty to inquire about the ATM machines, a jumpy, young man said they were working. The screens still didn’t work. At last, a young man, not the jumpy, young man, came out and fixed the machines, and the satisfied people queued up. Two people before me could withdraw money. I tried, but there was no cash. I thought the problem with the machine had re-started, but after a few attempts I realized there was indeed no cash. I had come to this place by foot thinking after the withdrawal I would plan something. Of course I was angry, and those men at the back, standing on the tips of their toes, kept on staring at the screen while I was making the hopeless attempts. I could have shouted, instead I told them to stand outside to allow the person inside some privacy; they wouldn’t have any of it.
Outside the queue was longer since the other ATM machine had stopped working. When I told them there was no money in the machine no one believed; they all thought there was problem with my ATM card. I said I was serious, but despite my first hand information the people lingered to try their luck. It was already lunch time, no one responded to my suggestion to put cash. Each staff was a monarch in his or her capacity. If I tried to remind them of their duties they would be miffed and the police personnel could possibly manhandle me, and if I appeared too subservient then they would treat as someone whom they could ignore; the only way through which I could get things done would be to have some tamo or some eeneh working there.
It had been pouring down in recent days, every place was soggy or muddy and the asphalted areas roads glistened. While walking on the pot-holed village road of ours my feet in Teva sandals had got some mud and after a little while in dry area they appeared whitish but not quite distinct. There was no place where I could give my feet a wash, perhaps the water from the runnels. Had I withdrawn the money, I could have sat in an auto rickshaw to go as far as Singjamei to check my e-mails. Cashless I wandered for a while inside, and when I got close to the university library I realized that I could use the university Internet; perhaps I could take permission from the staff.
The foyer where they had the computers against the walls looked deserted; one bespectacled man in his fifties was at the counter with his eyes cast at some dog-eared file. Without looking at me he said the computers could be used. I was half done with my works, and now more people had flocked in: some attempting to create their social networking accounts and some chatting. I suddenly heard a contemptuous voice, “This is no place for labourer!” It was aimed at me. I said I had to walk some pot-holed village road but hadn’t done anything to the floor. The man remained silent for a while, and then a dreadful and thundering voice came, “didn’t you hear what the old man said? You!!” It was loud, too loud. I said what was wrong in my wearing shorts. They said it was a university place and people should come in formal attires. I asked if that was considered sacrosanct then they all should be wearing polished formal shoes instead of those Bata sandals and perhaps some perfume as well. This time the voices became one and the eyes were on me.
I was forced out from the place humiliated, and when I got to the gate those bamboo-canes- security guards gave me a hard look. These little things which recur inside the campus and at the gate of a university campus are an indication that the pervasive decay is also imminent in this establishment. If a person wearing shorts cannot be tolerated in its campus, then, one may wonder what new ideas or constructive criticisms it would tolerate.
i dont know the real result of banning shorts in this University, however just to hear this is a reality surprises me. why not then a separate and single uniform for all including Professors as it will again goes into some record books. JNU and DELHI University students if they know about this story ,surely they’ll cancel the program if they had to come here for this awkward rule. uniform for all including Professors as it will again goes into some record books. JNU and DELHI University students if they know about this story ,surely they’ll cancel the program if they had to come here for this awkward rule.
Why do you want to wear shorts? In my opinion, you being a post graduate student, you should concentrate your mind in your studies rather than trying to find reasons for not allowing to wear shorts in the University Campus.
Thank you Mr.Chingkhei for reminding me my top priority.However the topic, I believe, is about me giving my opinion on the topic. Perhaps you should be giving reasons why only on formal dresses even to enter the campus? Manipur is also one of the poorest states in India and I think everyone knows how much a student has to spend for going in formal dresses.A very studious person I heard even dont have time to concentrate about recent break-up with their partner ,let alone their dressing styles.
I believe, that dress defines a person’s characteristics. It is not only about learning/studying books while in Campus, but also to built good character.
As the saying goes, ‘First impression is the last impression’; a person should always be well groom to give a good impression in the first glance.
Since when in the world there is a rule that says,”A post graduate should concentrate one’s mind only in studies and not otherwise”. A simple question from Mr.Chingkhei – “Why do you want to wear shorts?”…and then goes to give his (Stereotyped) opinion on it. Ever heard about “FREEDOM” Mr.Chingkhei????? Food for thought!!!!!