It was one of those average trips back to Galaha, taking the short cut through the Peradeniya University Campus. Perhaps one of the most beautiful University Campuses in the world; when we came across a huge gathering of Uni students, at least that's what I presumed. I got Karunadasa to stop the van, in next to no speed assembled the camera and started firing away at this strange spectacle. There were close to 500 women dressed in sari, all with their heads covered and made to walk down this steep hillside stairway.
I had barely managed to figure out what was happening when 5 guys surrounded me, and started questioning my intentions on taking the pictures. I said it looked interesting and wanted to photograph it. They said no photos allowed. "I have a right", public road, public access, what's the big deal? They said no way. No pictures. Then Karunadasa came to my rescue, "Baby, appi yamu, wadak ne". Then the leader of the pack "Ow baby yanne, Appi hondate kewaneda?"
Afraid more for my driver than myself, we left. Can anyone shed light?
13 comments:
It must have been a ragging session but the audacity to stop you photographing something which could have been newsworthy is what is galling.. pity peradeniya has such ignoramuses studying for a BSc in Ignorence!
Weird...I guess the joys of ragging.
Its the end of the ragging season, for the people who dont know what is ragging!!! Its called the "welcome". The ragging season depends on each faculty and i can remember our one(batch science 01)had almost 6-7 month ragging season and ended with the welcome party.
But one thing for sure, lots of people see only the bad side of the ragging specially people who never visited a campus (at least on a rainy day ). But , only the memories, the joy we had with ragging and do ragging left last long
cheers pera
well this is the first time I heard someone say something positive about the ragging.
Why would they be so suspicious as to stop people photographing ?
Well if there was nothing bad happening then why would they ask some one to stop taking pictures? Thank god we do not have a rag like that in Colombo science faculty. A few friendly songs is one thing but what most universities have is way too much IMHO.
There's another name of it; inferiority complex.
I'm not denying that ragging can bring joy, synergy or even perpetual bliss. (Or whatever that you guys think it brings)
I'm just saying. The reason behind ragging is an inferiority complex.
Ragging (revenge) cycle :D
Dear R...
There is no difference between Inferiority complex and Superiority complex.
Dear Anon,
You're correct.
But the problem inherent with our culture is that it worships and to a very large extent encourages people to feel inferior. And whoever does not fall to this category is branded as superior.
Ragging is a part and parcel of this culture. It creates a generation of blind obedient clones that have no sense of direction other than the senseless mass who are also confused.
Forgive me if this comes as a blow to you. I'm sure you must have had a lot of good memories (so have I), but try to look past it and see the emptiness in the whole process of submission and groupism.
Thanks for all the feedback...
I must say I agree R, we encounter ragging and bulling daily, sometimes even in the guise of praise and sarcasm. I respect those who don't fall pray to its deceipt.
At times its hard to find acceptence standing on your own two feet. But we all must try.
@Sampath.
There's no need to diss the people who haven't been to a university just because of that. Do you think being eligible to study in a university makes you a "better" human being? Apparently not, if you advocate the barbaric and insane, not to mention the ridiculous thing that is ragging? Also, it is just an educational qualification, nothing more. The attitude of people like you is what damage the image of the students of universities of Sri Lanka. You guys put them into shame.
FYI, I was also a student at Pera, the same faculty you were at, and 02 Batch.
And the JOY of ragging? Oh gimme a break. Please do not go on saying you guys were just having innocent fun. I know all about what's going on there, and how most of the newcomers are depressed with this shameless act. They get ragged because most of you guys threaten them...
@Alefiya Akbarally, this is indeed a barbaric act, nothing more. I was a student at Pera, but we opposed ragging and were labelled as "Alayo" by these so called "raggers". We promptly named them "walayo" LOL.
On a more serious note, yes we opposed rag and stood on our principles for the whole duration of our uni life. Also, anyone who was not willing to get ragged was free to join us, and some did, and we live in harmony and unity. Nobody bothered to "rag" our juniors so as to make them adjust to the uni life, but hell they did and they still do well. I could even say they thrived. Most of my "anti ragging" mates who were there with me are doing great now. There were like 75 anti raggers in my batch, and today more than 40 of them are abraod - most in US - persuing their MSCs and PhDs.. Others like me are employed in SL and abroad in very good companies. We are doing really well now, and as they suggest we didn't need to rag or get ragged to achieve that. It is sad though that still the ragging still remains there...
I will not approve on it. I think polite post. Especially the title attracted me to read the unscathed story.
why not...
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