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Fun talk over pazhampori
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Students enjoy a meal in a pleasant ambience and discuss worldly affairs here
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PERFECT BREAK: Students try their hand at serving their batchmates. Pic: M. Periasamy
SOME THINGS never change. Like college canteens. However dreary the surroundings, this is one place throbbing with life. And, when the ambience is good, there is nothing to stop students from having a great time.
The canteen at Hindusthan College of Arts and Science nestles in the midst of swaying coconut groves, with a vaikaal gurgling merrily down the road. If that is not enough, the aroma of freshly cooked cutlets and pazhampori throw you an invitation you can't resist.
Soothing ambience
It's blazing hot outside, but doesn't show in the canteen. Over mini soft drinks and piping hot bajji and cutlets, students talk about the need to be friendly with the opposite sex, studies and careers.
This week, it's the turn of students of biotechnology and catering science. Both being exacting courses, the students head to the canteen at least once a day. Practicals are when both groups of students have fun — one with enzymes and the other with steaming cauldrons of a continental delicacy.
"We love sniffing around the catering department. Actually, the aroma lingering in the air after their practical sessions pulls us there," says Sangeeta, a student of bio-tech. Arun K John, who is pursuing his masters in social work, agrees. He would know, for he completed his graduation in catering science.
`Most wanted' boys
The catering students are much in demand for another reason — their cooking skills, even though a couple of them sheepishly talk about the time they spiked a dish with too much salt. "It is very easy for boys from this department to woo girls. All they need to do is exhibit their cooking skills," sighs a boy from another department.
The variety fare in the canteen (snacks galore and even thali meals) is what brings the hostellers here. The boys have a complaint, though — that girls are not easy to make friends with. "They are all such beautiful, nice girls, but make such a fuss. Why?" asks one. The girls' reply to this is a lecture on what is acceptable behaviour and what is not. "There is a way of asking things. Unfortunately, not many know it," they say.
`No' to change
Enlightenment suddenly dawns and the boys start thinking of myriad ways to go about impressing girls. Soon, the boys get talking about the changes that come about in girls once they leave home.
"Quite a few girls here are from Kerala. Once they come to college here, there is a drastic change in them. They retain the Kerala accent but make an attempt to sound very stylish. It gets on our nerves. Why can't they stay the same?" asks Arun. To this, Sangeeta says that girls know to adapt
to situations better. "If we did not change outwardly, we'll stick out like a sore thumb," another justifies.
This group also reads newspapers and discusses the top stories (only controversial ones). "This place offers us an opportunity to share views," says Vishnu Priya of the spacious canteen. The pleasing staff who let you be are added attractions.
However friendly they are, it still rankles the girls when boys pass remarks like gunny bag (someone very fat).
SUBHA J RAO
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