Though it is just one year ago, I often think back at my student time in Sathyabama. I had the best time, made the best friends, and still have respect for the professors.
In my first year I was scared as I heard many stories about senior students ragging the freshmen, but that was not the case here. Instead I got so much help of the seniors and they respect the juniors with equal respect.
Professors also don’t tolerate ragging at all. I know there was one guy in my year and he was a very quiet and lonely. I always saw him alone in class, in the canteen, in the library, … Some girls of the higher year noticed this and started to make his life a true hell. We had some male seniors backing us up since the start so we went to them and asked for help. They went, with a small group of my year, to the dean and action was immediately taken. The girls were grounded for one week and if they would do any ragging again they would not be allowed to complete their semester.
Now that is what I call equality. A difference between junior and senior wasn’t tolerated nor the difference between male and female nor the difference between high class and middle class family. Everyone got treated the same. You did something wrong? Consequences, no matter whom you were or with which background you came.
I speak out of experience as I was there as an NRI, so have to be honest that my parents are quite rich. One time I had my phone with me and was texting my friends back at home. I got caught and I wasn’t allowed to have my phone even in the hostel for a whole week! I was furious that time. But later on I was just angry with myself that I made the mistake. Believe me, I never made that mistake again. A whole week without my phone was a disaster! It taught me a good lesson though.