Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | NXg | Friday Review | Cinema Plus | Young World | Property Plus | Quest |

CAMPUS HANGOUT

Under the tree for wisdom and gossip

Photo: K. GANESAN

Leisure Exchanging views

What’s to love:

This hot spot is a visual treat, say the guys with a mischievous wink. Ask them why and out comes the frank reply: “We get to see lot of cute girls!”But then they are quick to add, “Please don’t think we are all the time ogling. We also discuss lessons and assignments.”When somebody comes in the morning with tension writ large on his face, we express full camaraderie.

Handshakes are common morale boosters before classes begin. “We have brief morning sessions under the tree as we need to cheer our brothers rocking in the same boat,” K.Pandiarajan and B.Saravanakumar, nicknamed Ponds and Saroja respectively, quip with a smile. “This is our favourite hangout. Everybody gets crazy to squeeze in somehow and indulge in plain gossip… and meaningful chat too,” all chorus pointing towards a neem and a pine tree.

Dig a little deep as to why this spot is so hot: “Oh! Because this is so close to the canteen,” gushes K.S.R.Lingom, jokingly called Trisha by his friends. Most of us who meet under this tree is known by a nickname, quips B. Jegan, called ‘thalaivan.’

“Nick-names help us to pull each other’s legs for all time amusement,” muses P. Karthik Kumar alias Napoleon. But then this is not all. Some serious stuff also happens under the tree. “This is also an ideal place to pour out our inner-self. It is like a ritual to meet here every evening,” adds Karthik.

In the evenings, the hangout almost converts itself into a collection center. Few bucks are collected to mete out canteen expenses and of course making those hideous plans for “gazing”. Who gets down where, who buys the tickets, who helps the boys in love and in what way…everything gets planned here.

Mimicry and gossip sessions make yet another integral part of the discussions. So much so that tiff between Ajith and Vijay fans are fun to watch as fighting and cuddling go hand in hand. A point that can not be missed is that while all discussions, action and fun get kick-started with the latest movie in town, the cute girls around, doses of gossip, it finally boils down to career, future plans and techniques to pass through thick and thin of life. What about bunking classes for a session under the tree? “We are a disciplined lot and cannot afford to do so as 90 per cent attendance is compulsory to write the semesters unless we want to cough up a fine,” points out ‘Bheema’ Shekar. Parents and teachers think that young minds indulge only in wasteful discussions and deliberations. But out of that wasteful matter, the minds ferret out meaningful stuff that shapes these young lives later.

Nothing specific. All headed for the canteen also enjoy a break under the tree.

There are several patches of green that can work as a perfect hangout. But majority prefer the tree and the stone benches spread around it.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail