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The law of being judiciously carefree

Photo: H. Vibhu

Legal eagles Lawyers in the making take a break

Law College, Ernakulam

The Hangout: The Central Courtyard. The Govt. Law College is one such centre of learning in Kochi where, for ages, the buzzword has been something that stands close to the old adage - normal is boring! And it’s, perhaps, the only campus in the city that can not be contained in a single attribute. Small in size but big, truly big when it come to hullabaloo, that’s Govt. Law College for you.

Rush Hour(s): 11.15 to 11.45 am and from 3.30 to 5 pm. However, as there is a tinge of democracy in every activity in the campus, there is, in fact, no absolute time schedule. No regimentations too. It’s not only applicable to sitting and gossiping at the favourite hangout but also in attending classes and even ragging the newcomers.

Where it’s at: The Central Courtyard is located at the entrance of the college facing the busy Shanmughom Road. It’s a place that no one entering the campus can afford to miss. The drive way, the walkway, the portico et al is all rolled into one at the Central Courtyard. It’s a place from where one can make out the ‘mood’ of the campus be it moody, chirrupy or turbulent.

What’s to love:

In short, the unadulterated excitement and carefree ambience! Drenched in history, the Govt. Law College campus is unique for more reasons than one. The alumni of the college can turn out to be who’s who of Kerala. From the reigning Supreme Court Chief Justice K. G. Balakrishnan to actor Mammootty, all had spent years here as students. The erstwhile Cochin Legislative Council once functioned from the century-old majestic main block in the campus. The main hall in this building had been witness to a number of historic legislations getting enacted by the Legislative Council. Since the campus does not have a canteen (yet another ‘unique’ factor!), the Central Courtyard is also the place where students sips steaming cups of hot beverage served by Manichettan, the tea seller on a bicycle who spends the whole day in the campus. And again, it’s a campus where one’s seniority is decided by the year of joining and not by the year of birth.

What’s not to:

At Govt. Law College, literally, nothing has been declared unlawful and as a matter of fact, nothing is forbidden too. Being an institution that lends professional training in law, students from time immemorial are known to have given a free hand at everything. Right from deciding to attend classes and even not to, the lawful democracy prevails. Nothing is obligatory. Students, if willing, can attend classes sipping a cup of tea or can even browse through the newspaper headlines in the classroom when the class is on.

Alternatives:

It’s true that Govt. Law College is not all that spacious. But that doesn’t prevent the students from developing and establishing a number of popular hangouts within the campus. Apart from the Central Courtyard, there is a Smoker’s Corner right in front of the college.

Then there is the legendary ‘Aparadhi Maram’ (Guilty Tree) also located in front of the campus which was customarily the ‘venue’ for ragging. These days, this tree is referred to as ‘Dawood Tree’ as it’s religiously inhabited by a third year student called Dawood who occupies the tree shade almost throughout the day. (Classes? Who bothers?).

For those who seek privacy to romance can head for the Lover’s Corner located at the south of Central Hall that forms part of the Legislative Council Hall Block, the main building in the campus.

This sought after destination is also known as “Ikkili Mukku” in campus parlance. And for the more ‘adventurous’ ones, the less inhabited area located at the farthest corner of the corridor of the Old Block is ideal.

( sunilnaliyath@gmail.com)

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