Great Escape from ragging

After seeking good wishes and blessings from elders, Rangan went to Egmore Railway Station and boarded the Dhanushkoti Boat Mail for Karaikudi to join Dr Alagappa College of Engineering and Technology, leaving around 0830 pm on 12 June 1962. Many of the students were also boarding the same train to join the college.  The journey was a special one for Rangan, whose wish to become an engineer was slowly becoming a reality.  Soon after reaching the railway station at Karaikudi, to their great relief, they were helped by senior students in reaching the allotted hostels.  Rangan was elated and happy to meet his friend and playmate Rangachari as a senior, who had come to the railway station to greet the students.  After the registration formalities and the allotment of accommodation and lunch was over, the expected gloom of ragging started by seniors.  Next couple of days were spent in answering silly and embarrassing questions from the seniors besides acting weird and dancing to the tunes of seniors. One of the senior students, challenged the freshers “ If any fresher can beat me in any games like ball badminton, Tenni koit ( Ring Tennis played with a white rubber ring) or shuttle cock, he will be free from ragging”.  Yet another senior shouted “If any fresher can do some act which can not be done by any of us, he will be free from ragging”. Rangan thought for a while and glanced at his friend. Rangachari gave an encouraging smile, signalling with his thumb and fore finger, like an “O” suggesting Ring Tennis. Rangan played ring tennis with Rangachari and friends in the sandy marina Beach for years. The hard and levelled playing area was much much better than the beach.  Rangan accepted the first challenge. The game was organised the next Saturday, attracting a big crowd as not a single fresher has ever challenged a senior on any issue. The play began. Rangan soon realised that the senior is a regular player but always playing it casually. He very soon discovered the senior’s weak points and positions.  Summing up courage, Rangan started playing a violent and focussed game with the sole aim of avoiding the dreaded ragging. A couple of direct hits tamed the senior. At one point, the force of the ring hit the senior very badly, but he continued to play till the end. The senior gracefully accepted the defeat and told his fellow seniors, “Rangarajan has won. Please do not rag him, any more”. On hearing this, Rangan gave out a few loud shrieking and ear piercing whistles, thinking only about his neighbour bus conductor Somu, who had trained him in the past.  The whistles have silenced the second senior and others from teasing Rangan.