Ragging rituals

Fri, Jul 25 12:50 AM

The atthani-chawannis (read freshers) say they are not being ragged, but the seniors say they are ragging, that too in full force. They are right.

Ragging is happening, if discreetly. Some techniques spell tradition and they just can't be done away with.

HT City does a round-up of all those means of ragging that are legendary on the campus. 'Butt' obviously In Jesus and Mary College, the psychology department makes all the freshers stand in a line, hands on the hips of the girl in front of her and lips close to her butt.

And when the seniors say 1, 2, 3, they have to make a loud "mwah" sound. Says Makepeace Sitlhou, a recent graduate, "It is so much fun, you just keep hoping the girl in front of you does not fart.

" Pole khol Lady Shri Ram College journalism department has its pole dance. One girl becomes a pole and the other performs a seductive dance on her while the other freshers sing the 'choicest of songs' (chadti jawaani meri chaal mastani).

Priyanka Chakravarty, who graduated this year, says, "Imagine doing a pole dance on babuji zara dheere chalo! Lifting your leg up and putting it on a girl's shoulder you don't know." Salaam Namaste Hindu College has a famous Jai Hindu salaam.

To be a true Hinduite, you must do this well: bow down with your arms down two to three times. Chances are you will do this near a board that says, "This is Hindu, we don't rag.

" Go green At Hans Raj College, you will be asked to climb a low tree and sing cheesy songs. Money matters At Miranda House, all the girls sit in a semi-circle and pass a 25 paisa coin to each other.

The catch is you hold the coin between your teeth and pass it to the girl next to you; she holds it between her teeth, too. Dropping the coin might mean a second shift.

Play it cool In Delhi College of Arts and Commerce, students must play imaginary basketball, tennis and football, complete with the sounds. Vedant Gahlaut, a graduate, says that apart from asking them to introduce themselves in shuddh Hindi and singing songs, this is something which sends students into peals of laughter.

Bling it on At Ramjas College, students are asked to stand at the gate and scream, "Mujhe pranam karo." Says a third-year student, "It is very interesting, people standing and screaming at the gate as other freshers give them dazed looks.

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