The suspense that prevailed in admissions into a PG course
Srikar is eagerly waiting for a communication from the university regarding his admission into Master of Technology (M.Tech.) in Computer Sciences course from an abroad university. He applied for the same and completed all the formalities and just waiting for a seat allotment letter. His father Raju is observing the anxiety of his son and while he is thinking about his son, he went into his memories about his admission to a PG course in the university those days.It was 1976. There were no private colleges or private universities. Only one or two PG centres in government colleges were existing those days. There was no practice of entrance test and seats were being allotted based on the marks obtained in the qualifying examination.
Raju completed his B.Sc that year and wanted to go for a PG course in the concerned subject. But his father was asking him to do B Ed. Finally, after a lot of brainstorming among the parents, grandparents and Raju, they decided to apply for admission to PG. Near his village, there was a PG centre and there was a university in the neighbouring district. In those days obtaining a seat in the OBC category was very tough.
Raju applied for both the institutes but he told his parents that his first choice will be the university. Those days there was no system of online applications. So physical copies of applications were obtained and filled them. All required copies of certificates duly signed by a Gazetted Officer were attached and posted through registered post. Then the waiting started. Suspense continued for about a month. Then Raju received call letters from both institutes but his name was on the waiting list in both colleges. The date of admission was the same for both the institutes.
Raju was in a fix. Where to go? How he can be present in two places on the same day, same time? If he selects one and ignores the other, the chances of getting admitted will become 50%. If he goes to the university and ignores the PG centre, he may not get a seat in the university. If he goes to the PG Centre and ignores the university, he may not get a seat in PG Centre. Thus he may be lost the chance completely for that year. Those days there was no counselling process for admissions.
Raju's father contacted the institutes but they told him if the candidate is not available on the spot when called for admission, the seat will be given to the next candidate. Luckily, one of the old teachers of Raju was having a known contact in the PG Centre. So he took Raju's father to the head of the PG centre and explained the situation. After a lot of deliberations, the head of the PG centre asked Raju's father to come to the PG centre with the amount required to pay the fees and that made Raju go to university.
Thus, the suspense continued till the last moment. Finally, the day had arrived and Raju was in full tension and standing near the office of the university and his father was at the office of the PG Centre. One of Raju's relatives was a professor in the university and he accompanied Raju for admissions. There was only one seat but there were two candidates before him. So, Raju lasts all the hope. But among the two, one candidate has not come for spot admissions. That increased hopes of Raju. Meanwhile, the other candidate was called for admission, it was a lady and she went inside the principal's room. Raju was in tremendous tension. He lost all hope and after waiting for 10 minutes, the name of Raju was being heard in the mike. Raju rushed inside. He was the last man to get a seat in that course. On enquiry, it was told that the previous lady wanted to join in another subject and hence has not taken the admission in this course. Somehow Raju's relative contacted the PG centre admission office on the phone (Landline) and informed Raju's father about the admission of Raju. Thus, the suspense of admission was over on a happy note. Raju got a seat in the institute he wants.
' Dad', Srikar shouted loudly and that made Raju come to the present. Srikar was happy and showed him the email just received from the university allotting a seat for him. Both of them are happy and shared the news will all other family members.
This is my entry for the contest
Campus Admissions - Flash Fiction Creative Writing Contest