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Friday, March 27, 2009

Its (S)Election Time!!!

"Humble Simple Able Noble, That is what is ABVP!"
Election campaigns during college days invoke these slogans we yelled out in my memories. The vote canvasing, big speeches, ever smiling candidates, fights... a college election has all the flavours of a general election. Every one had their own agendas some work for the party, for some its a reason to cut classes, for a few it was time to pick a fight and take revenge but also there were a few like us who would only campaign where some attractive damsels are present. I have no shame in admitting i must be a harbinger in that group. Yes ofcourse i want the 'side' i support to win, my friends to taste success but this was a glorious opportunity to talk to all those girls who were in your so called 'crush-list'. And i had ideal accomplices in Vijesh and Kutty Shankaran from Mechanical. Its like once we go to a department we will cover all the top 'figures' and convince or try to convince them to vote for our friends. Height of Irony is that Shankaran is gonna marry the same girl whom he talked to the most (geetha was one of our juniors then) ;)

College union election also gives us a lot of funny moments of which many are truly incidental. Like the left supporting (communist) student wing were a funny lot because they were unwantedly serious or loyal to the red flag. I remember certain student leader speaking about 'globalization' in his 'Meet the Candidate' speech (copied from his party manifesto maybe). There were also some serious student leaders in our side who thought the whole political machinery runs because of their
thought process and ideologies. Also this awkward state where your school mate supporting the opposite side and you end up in a heated discussion with him/her. But thinking about it now it all looks funnier than ever. Also the big victory celeberation with all those slogans, songs etc. "Petti thurannappol SFI potti..pappadam pole potti poyii..". My top funniest moment will be my "Meet the Candidate" where i prepare this big speech (with help from vivek) on our plans, promises and ideals we believe...but few moments to the dias i thought 'fuck it' am not gonna be dragged into this storm. So i step in and speak in my normal tone and virtually plead for vote and make some sarcastic remarks at the way our college and our opposition is!! (no details pls)

On a personal front my interest to politics increased by a huge percentage in my college time. The group dynamics are far more than your final year projects. Creative ideas spur in your mind due to some long discussions and team work. For an outsider election and politics is just the fights and stupidness, but you need to feel the energy inside it to understand it. Some think politics as a curse to educational institutions, but are students only supposed to breathe, eat and study rather than explore new ideas and expose them to the real world. All everyone cares about is career and personality development these days (related to corporate placements) but there is a tiny space in your heart called 'freedom' and politics gives us that. It is easy to stand outside and give commentary on the pros and cons
but it takes a bigger heart to take a side and defend it. I am proud in that sense atleast though my involvement was negligible.

NOTE: Its General Elections in India around April, this time around i will be unable or unavailable to vote. I hope/pray my fellow citizens vote for a Secure, Stable and Development oriented Front...If america can vote for a HOPE and CHANGE so can we as well..

7 comments:

dispassionate_observer said...

I read your blog title and was reminded of this "Selectricity" project that I came across and thought you might be interested. I thought it was such a simple idea that had beautiful implications - listing preferences instead of choosing one. Can it be tried out(as an alternative) in the kind of setting you wrote about even if just to see if it makes a difference?
http://labcast.media.mit.edu/?p=56

Shabbu said...

yeah sure!! why not? i like trying out new stuff..thanks goldie ;)

dispassionate_observer said...

yup! goldie is ok here. :) think you have enough clout to influence the way college elections are held?
then it shd be interesting to see how it goes!
http://selectricity.org/about/anywhere

Anonymous said...

Student Election is a prime reason for evil youth. A harsh truth misunderstood by young minds.

Kannan said...

Engg College elections with party affliated candidates is a surprise for me - as I thought it happens like that only in Arts Colleges. Nice Article.. Reminded me about my college elections, though we were less serious about the whole affair. Supporters using the opportunity to talk with the 'crush-list'... guess its a common phenomenon in all college elections. By the way, I sense a leniancy towards the right wing in you!!!

Shabbu said...

Kannan,
In kerala engineering colleges are complete only with a political scenario. Yes am a left or communist hater by all magnitude. But neither a congress honcho...slightly lenient towards bjp more (but not a hindutva fanatic).

Shabbu said...

"..And i had ideal accomplices in Vijesh and Kutty Shankaran from Mechanical..." the Vijesh in this line just passed away in a bike accident in bangalore...Life cant be much fuckin coincidental...Myre da, narakathil vechu kaanaam...

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