“For some time now, I've had a feeling that I'm living in the Stone Age', exclaims Manjula. With load shedding amounting eight to 12 hours, college students have been feeling the heat. Visibly miffed, they demand the government starts tapping alternative sources of energy to sustain daily activity. Hailing from a rural milieu, students from Chettinad College divested the discussion with a rural perspective that often goes unreported. “Lack of electricity does not mean only reduced comforts for us,” says Vanitha, hailing from a village near Manapparai. “It means our only livelihood- agriculture that is highly mechanized has been hit badly.” This has spawned discontent and emotional turmoil in families. “If this state were to prevail, where will we all go for food?,” she wonders aloud.
From simple requirements like charging cell phones to preparation for entrance examinations that hold the key to prospective careers and economic empowerment for the entire family, college students are silently battling the odds, hoping the tide turns in their favour soon.
Despite all the complaints, there is one lesson they have learnt well --- to price electricity.
ADVERTISEMENT
“It is not often that college students can be found with their books! But even on the rare occasions when the urge to open a book arises, the power cut plays spoilsport. When the lights switch off, so do our mood and inclination. Another drawback is phones don't get fully charged- the most important need for a college student.”
“Health risks of the power cut are underestimated. School and college students who attempt to study under candles, dim emergency lights and lamps can be found complaining of eye strain. Besides after being used to studying comfortably under a tubelight, how long can you plod on with a lamp? We are going witness a spurt in eye complaints in future.” T. Lakhsminarayanan, B.Com.
“Such erratic power cuts are major deterrents to agricultural growth. At least three hours of uninterrupted power is required to water fields in our village. Sometimes we walk a considerable distance to start the motor and by the time we walk back, the power is already gone. Frustration has set in among farmers and production is bound to dip.”
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
“Those dependent on electricity for a living like my father, who is a water diviner, are the worst affected by power cuts. Frequent power cuts have dimmed our lives and our hours of sleep have reduced significantly. I top my class and cherish high aspirations but recently I've been so put off with power cuts every time I sit down to study. I'm worried that my dreams would be squashed.” P. Samsath, B.C.A
“I usually start from my village around 6: 30 a.m to reach college on time. But I had no other choice but to shift to the college hostel after the prolonged power cuts. My mother who wakes very early to tend to the fields finds it difficult to prepare food without lights and equipment. Though I cannot afford the fees, it seems like the only option if I want to continue my studies.” P. Meena, B.A.English
“Power cuts are anathema to education. I know of Class Ten toppers entering depression fearing they would not be able to recapitulate the success in Plus Two exams, for want of electricity. Village girls attending computer classes to further career prospects have put their ambitions on hold after classes have been rescheduled at night. This is because parents there are still uncomfortable with girls returning home late in the dark.” R. Manjula, B.B.A
Chettinad College of Arts and Science is a fledgling college in the region famous for 100 plus educational institutions. But for more than a decade, the college at Pirattiyur has catered to students from rural pockets, mostly first generation learners. Spoken English, personality development skills and computer training are imparted to all students to bring them at par with their counterparts from cities. The college offers scholarships up to 100 percent tuition fee waiver for students with meritorious academic performance