College Monitor One party system of Red Radicals in Trivandrum Arts College New Arts College Union members speak to R S Priya of KM
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM -Oct 10, 2003 In a brief chat with KM Correspondent Priya R S , the newly elected Union members of Government Arts college who are preparing to govern a college of around 565 students, expressed their views on the college elections and on their political background. The Arts College in the capital city has a unique one-party system and during elections no parties fight for votes. The one and only party, which rules the college is the SFI and the students of the college seem to be supporting this trend.
Vipin Lal, Chairman, Government Arts College Trivandrum When asked about the present political situation in Kerala, he opined that even though there is the two party division into Left Democratic Front and United Democratic Front in Kerala, soon UDF would join LDF, leading to a single party system in Kerala.
SFI is the main party in the college and this party decides its candidates, who are nominated as union members. Therefore there is no party fight in the college. Even while election was taking place in other colleges, regular classes were going on in the Arts College because the Union members have already been chosen. Vipin Lal who did his pre degree in commerce from Mar Ivanios College, where he was a strong SFI supporter .
Vipin's family consists of his parents, one brother and one sister. He did his schooling at Vattiyoorkaavu VHS. He was also quite emphatic and positive about this development. Vipin's ambition is to continue in politics and join the LDF party. When asked if the family won't oppose this, he said that there would surely be partial opposition from family -something common in every family'. "There maybe some opposition from family, but we too have a duty towards society," he said. When asked about the future plans for the college, the Chairman revealed a number of plans in pipeline - a 'kaviyarangu', a civil service camp and blood donation activities.
Suchithra, Vice ChairmanGovernment Arts College Trivandrum Suchitra told KM that she is not facing much opposition from her family regarding her political activities in the college. She would also like to continue her political activities in future.
The new Vice Chairperson of Arts College, Suchitra studied in Fort Mission High School and did her pre-degree in Government Women's College. She too has been a strong supporter of the SFI in the Women's College. Even in her pre degree-days she was involved in the college political activities.
Arun.R, the new General Secretary Arun.R, the new General Secretary of the college, is presently doing second year in B.A.(Economics). He did his schooling in Vidhyadhi Raja school and pre degree in Arts college itself. He is the only son of his parents and hopes to do much for the college in the coming year. He too has quite strong beliefs in the SFI and prefers to enter the political battlefield.
Harilal Rajan, the new magazine editor of the college is doing final year B.Com. He did his schooling in the Model High School and pre-degree in Arts College itself Harilal was quite vocal, but didn't want to appear in front of the camera. Harilal too has strong beliefs in the SFI party ideology and is of the opinion that parties like the BJP are based on religion and both UDF and LDF must jointly oppose the religious party. The new Arts Club Secretary, is Aravind.B.G.
Vipin Kumar Councillor The councilors of the college are Vipin Kumar.V.R and Manoj.B.Mathews. Vipin Kumar's family consists of his mother and two brothers. He did his schooling at Punnamoodu Vocational High School, Balaramapuram and did his pedigree at Arts College. He feels that the atmosphere in the college is highly studious, though there is lot of political activities going on.
All of them unanimously said that politics should be an integral part of college life --politics is something important in society. They all felt that being in college activities and politics doesn't affect their studies. The college has quite a studious atmosphere and therefore political activities don't affect their studies. All of the union members expressed their view that the government ought to do something about the college fees problem.
Listening to the urge of many colleges, specially the Christian colleges and colleges of some community like the NSS or SNDP, the government increased fees against the interest of students coming from poor social backgrounds. Therefore, the fees need to be made affordable so that all the people can avail the educational facilities of the government. The union members also said that they are planning to ask the government to improve facilities in the colleges and also take some decision regarding reducing the fees. -keralamonitor.com R S Priya Back
