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Charge of the Girl Brigade

Seeing the recent student elections in Panjab University, I was reminded of the fervour in my college days.

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Alka Kashyap

Seeing the recent student elections in Panjab University, I was reminded of the fervour in my college days. It was more than two decades ago when I was elected the head girl or admiral of St Bede’s College, Simla.

Nowadays, with so much of manpower, media power and political backing, the elections have reached a high level of competition.

Campaigning in my time was of a milder form. Being a girls’ college, we had our fair share of zeal and zest during the election season. Our sister did not allow any political affiliations, so no outsiders were permitted. Thus, we had the girl brigade, chanting slogans and looking for support.

It was, more or less, a contest between day scholars and boarders. I was representing the day scholars. Preeti Zinta was my junior and she was one of the students who vociferously campaigned for me, she herself being a day scholar. She was always the cute, bubbly girl with very short hair. Her foray into movies transformed her into an even more beautiful person.

I had won with a thumping majority. It was a no little feat that I had broken into the bastion of the boarders, who had held this post for many years. That had its repercussions.

I took charge. The hostellers were miffed with me, chanting slogans like, “Alka! Step down!”

There were heated discussions between the management and students. There were protests, the whole day long. All functions of the college came to a standstill.

I was sitting in a meeting with the teachers and principal. Just then the news came that the boarders have refused to eat food and some of them are on an indefinite hunger strike.

That was the last straw that broke the camel’s back. I stood up and asked my principal to relieve me of my post. But they would not yield.

So off I stormed into the hostel building. All boarders gathered around me.

I went up to my opponent, who had contested against me, and hugged her. I told her that I was willing to step down but first, she should ask the girls to eat something. I said I was one of them and a mere post should not bring so much of bad blood in the college.

All of a sudden the pensive mood eased out. Everyone heaved a sigh of relief. She too put her arms around me and wept a little. That was a true moment of victory for me. Till then I had not been able to relish my win. This time I had won hearts and not just votes.

Years later, we have connected on Facebook and we share a lovely bond. I am looking forward to the day when we will meet again and this time laugh over the fierce competition we had.

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