Breaking free...

This Independence Day, students across the country voice their views on what their concept of freedom is.

Gantavya

Srishti Asthana,

III, Clinical Psychology,

Amity University, Noida

I believe that being able to choose what is best for oneself without being judged and pressured is an important part of freedom for a student. A sense of freedom is important for mental peace, which is difficult to find nowadays. It is only when we find mental peace will we

be able to realise our full potential .

Shruta S P,

II, Computer Science,

Vidya Vardhaka college

of Engineering, Mysuru

Freedom, for me, means life in college which is free from ragging. There should not be a hectic schedule and attendance should not be so strict. However, the main thing is ragging. Though most colleges have officially banned ragging, some seniors, however, continue to rag juniors without any mercy or fear of being caught. This causes physical and mental pain to students, especially those staying in hostels. It affects their confidence and their studies. Freedom also lies in not imposing fine on students for silly reasons such as not attending classes.

Rohini Mitra,

III, Jadavpur University, Department of English, Kolkata

As a student, freedom would mean access to liberal and progressive spaces within my institution, where I am allowed to question the boundaries that are usually taken for granted. I believe education is the necessary first step to emancipation of any sort, and freedom, in this regard would mean the liberty to seek it and learn from it.

Aarushi Aggarwal,

Class of 2018, History and International Relations with Philosophy, Ashoka University, Sonepat

Freedom is not a complex idea. To me, it is essentially a choice — freedom of choice. To study, wear, eat, think, talk and go where I want to without owing an explanation to anyone. It is to be free from the clutches of society’s notions of right and wrong, and figuring it out by myself.

M. Shantanu,

I, B.Tech Biotechnology, VIT University, Vellore

In a student’s world, there are a lot of restrictions and boundaries which often impacts an individual’s character. We often find ourselves being people we aren’t, in the midst of this society, just to blend in with the crowd. Thus, freedom would mean being myself.

Gantavya Kshatree,

III, B.Com, St. Joseph’s College of Commerce, Bengaluru

When people are bound by restrictions, they tend to be hostile, until they finally rebel. Whether we are talking about a country or a classroom, it is embedded in human nature. The definition of freedom for a student lies in his or her voice and his or her flexibility to take initiatives. A student’s opinions and views should be taken into consideration keeping in mind the boundaries of rules and regulations while also accepting their ideas and wishes.

S. Shashank,

III, B.A.LLB, Tamil Nadu National Law School, Tiruchirapalli

Freedom is the liberation of my mind from inhibitions that have been provoked by social protocols and institutions acting in a paternalistic manner. It lies in my ability to dissent without any apprehension of being ostracised and my ability to perform actions without being judged or looked down upon. Freedom is my inability to comply with arbitrary college rules that restrict movement.

However, at the same time, my freedom should end where the rights of another person begins.