Nov 10, 2005 03:45 PM
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(Updated Nov 10, 2005 03:45 PM)
Hi. Let me warn you right at the start itself, what I am going to write would probably not be considered a review. It probably would even fall under the 'not useful' category cos it does not have any 'useful' data about the technical charecterestics of Xaviers...no info about the subjects offered..no info about the admission procedures and no info whatsoever about the curriculum, libararies and extra curricular activities. Most of this you would get if you buy the Xavier's annual prospectus, but you would rarely come across the written experiences of a Xavierite...in her own words...This is my tribute to Xavier's...my college..my life!!
I have been a Xavierite for the past 5 years, and frankly speaking it seems far less a time. If you have met any Xavierite ever, most of them would tell you that Xavier's grows on you''...and most probably you wouldn't have understood. I validate this statement from the core of my heart. Initially I remenber very vividly that I didn't want to come to Xaviers. I had secured a very good score in my SSC and had already decided that I wanted to take up Arts. Xavier's was the name that kept popping up in all the conversations relating to my choice, but at that time the stereotypes and the so called 'reputation' of Xaviers made me actually dread the possibility of going to that college.
Some very prominent stereotypes/myths associated with Xaviers...
Myth 1: Xavier's is a 'hep' college with its students being the sons and daughters of the rich and the famous or of the rich and the not so famous.
That was my biggest fear.... of getting admitted in an 'elite' college...of facing the rich, snobbish, kids clothed in branded apparels... of wearing my simple jeans and t-shirts...and of taking a dabba to college whose canteen was said to one of the best all over Mumbai...
The reality... You will be surprised at the number of students who belong to the middle class strata of society. In fact, I think now most of the Xavierites live in the suburbs...even as far off as Borivali and Kalyan and come by the local train to Xaviers which is located at a 10 minute walkable distance from C.S.T(V.T). I agree that Xaviers has its own share of rich students, but you would be surprised to know that sparing a meagre few, most of these students rarely even acknowledge their financial status...But I wasn't mistaken about Xaviers' canteen..it definitely is one of the best...actually the best college canteen in Mumbai. ( I know that I am speaking as a Xavierite..and I know that I am probably biased in my opinion..but I think that loyalty surpasses objectivity any day...!!!)
Myth 2: Xavierites are a snobbish and self-centered lot...in short...Xavierites have an attitude problem!!
The reality... This was MY predominant fear when I entered Xaviers. I imagined that I would be subjected to the atrocities of ragging by the cruel seniors.Imagine my surprise when I read on Notice board our letter signed by our Principal...banning ragging on the campus!!! And about Xavierites being self-centered... I personally vouch that it is NOT true. I feel that there might be a few Xavierites who probably have the so called 'attitude problem' but most of the Xavierites are genuinely helpful.The problem is that people tend to generalise bad attitudes to be Xavierite attitudes.In fact, I have come across students from many suburban colleges who behaved with me in a very high-handed manner, probably assuming that being a Xaverite, I was likely to behave with them arrogantly. come to think of it is quite funny how stereotypes influence people so powerfully...
Myth 3 This won't really classify as a myth ,but rather as a clarification...Xaviers and Malhar (the annual college fest) are always considered to be synonymous..and I would like to clarify this to all those people out there who restrict Xavier's just to Malhar..Xavier's is much more than just Malhar...Malhar is a part of Xaviers, Xavier's has given it its identity and not the other way round...at least I am talking form a Xavierite perspective here...You would be surprised to know that most Xavierites themselves do not attend the fest, except those who volunteer for the fest ,of course.
As of what I have written above it may seem to you that I might not like Malhar...I would like to clarify...I had volunteered in Malhar only once and that was during my 2nd year of Junior college. Those were the days that will always remain etched in my memory. I think I speak for all the Xavierites when I say that Malhar is a very enjoyable and enriching experience to those people who make it happen... i.e the volunteers and the student organising committee...But I personally feel that after volunteering for Malhar, it becomes very difficult to remain a mere spectator in the audience.
Right at the beginning of this write-up, I had mentioned that 'Xavier's grows on you'.I just realised that I didn't explain what that means. My 1st two years at Xaviers...frankly speaking passed in a blur and I know that I was not alone in feeling this way because many of my freinds too do not remember any vivid details of their Junior college years at Xaviers. It was only in the Senior college that I discovered the essence of Xaviers. Xaviers gives you a sense of pride..not in the college but in yourself... I personally speak for myself...Xaviers has given me a confidence in myself... a confidence that I and only I can make my destiny...I discovered my love for writing in Xaviers, something that I will cherish for the rest of my life... Xaviers I feel gives its students a very precious thing that will continue to have a predominant impression on them throughout their lives...it has given me the spirit to show what I really am... transcending all pretences..Most importantly just as it has strongly prodded me to carve out my individual identity, it has also taught me the power of acceptance...
I know the last bit sounds very melodramatic and charged with emotions...and you must be thinking thatI probably got carried away...Xavier's has been a part of my life since the past 5 years and I really think that I would be leaving a part of myself behind when I leave this college. I know my entire article seems like a diary entry..but I couldn't help it... You know I am at that stage of college life when everything that comes my way is classified as a 'last'...the last vacation in college, the last birthday in college, the last semester exam in college...and I think every one who has graduated will understand and completely agree with the way I feel..I needed an outlet and since a long time MS has given me a space to vent out my deepest emotions...I always used to se Xavierites wearing t-shirts with Xaviers' logo....''not just a college..a way of life!' I think its about time that I bought that t-shirt..
A professor of mine forwarded me an e-mail containing the following 'facts' about Xaviers...Any Xavierite would completely relate to these...Most of these...I can relate to...I would reallllly like to find out who wrote this..!!..continued in the comments section...
