It was the summer of 2000. I was 17.We were a class of 64 - a skewed figure of 14 girls and 50 boys. The heat of Kochi and the stench of hardly-ever-cleaned water scarce toilets were slowly sinking in. There were some day scholars, who continued to be under the management and compliance requirements of their parents. Few others like me had achieved Nirvana and were living free lives far away from the vision of our parents, in hostels. Concepts like rights, freedom of thought (and actions) were still new and refreshing. The mind was gradually getting used to the idea of empowerment.
On one such morning, it was time for the electronics class to select their class representation (class rep as we called it). In the largest democracy of the world, it of course had to be democratic. A strange sort of intoxication filled my blood - the thrill of standing for yet another election; it was just couple of years back I was elected the school pupil leader, with the entire school voting me to power. "But this is college ; still should be a cakewalk", I thought. My mind raced to find the right words to put together for the self-nomination speech. The terrain is unfamiliar but I might make it through. I couldn't see three of my friends in yet. "As usual, late", my eyeballs rolled up indicating disappointment. "That should be okay, I guess- what difference does couple of votes make?", I told myself.
The first candidate rose up to the dais and delivered his candidature speech. I don't really remember what he said but there was an element of arrogance and self-marketing. "My words are going to be genuine and heartfelt", I made a mental note. Couple of others pitched their nominations thereafter. "Extraordinarily average", I thought. Hesitantly, a female classmate walked up to the dias. It was refreshing to see women standing up for themselves. My ears filtered out all the noise around. She went - "I believe one of the boys would obviously take up the class rep positions. My nomination is for the class vice representative. I hope to do a good job supporting the class rep in achieving his goals. Hope everyone elects me. Thank You."
For a moment, I suspected if the audio waves that hit against my ear drums had gone crazy. "Vice Rep?" "Support" "What?". My nerves were still processing this information, when I realized it was my turn next. My thoughts went blank. Where was my well-rehearsed taking-me-to-victory speech ? Before I realized , I could hear my lips delivering words that traveled directly from my heart, skipping my cognitive filters. "I strongly object to what my fellow classmate just said. So that everyone is clear, I am not here for the class vice rep election; (Do we even need a vice rep ?) I nominate myself for the class rep role and I believe I am fully capable of delivering the expectations, as well as any other boy in this class. Request all to vote for me".
After the skip-brain speech, I felt the class of 64 (minus 3) had come to a standstill;perhaps 60 odd pair of eyes looking at me in despise. I was in the awkward moment of a culture shock; as an afterthought, perhaps a realization of how the real world is. The voting process started and the results were out soon. I got 1 vote and that was my own :) . My friends walked in right at that moment. I protested that the voting process did not consider 3 important votes. I moved the court for re-election, which was accepted without any protest (everyone knew the outcome). After reelection, I got 4 votes. I looked at my friends and smiled to myself in pride - at least I have some loyal friends (not that they had much choice). Shortly after, my friends and I were labelled with the stamp of feminism. Years later, I was unanimously elected for the college students council. Not still sure, how that happened.
If I had to go back in time and change something that happened that day, it would be nothing. Standing up for oneself and getting 4 votes is any day better than not standing up at all !
