The advantages of junior status

I experienced the disagreeable custom of ragging while I was a student at a medical institution. The only thing that saved me was the close connection I finally formed with my seniors. For the most part, it made me feel more intimately connected to them—first tentatively, then completely, as I began to believe in their goodness.

I began to feel a sort of admiration for them over time. Even after graduating from the esteemed college more than thirty years ago, any senior—even one who is a year older—is still a “sir” in my eyes. They now serve as lifelong mentors and advisors.

The endearing custom of the senior covering the junior’s bills was a prominent aspect of this relationship at the medical college. They were bound to purchase me the ticket and the obligatory Campa Cola at the intermission if I went to see a movie and was lucky enough to be seen by them. Even though many of them didn’t come from wealthy families, it was their duty to take care of the juniors. Although it was acceptable for them to refrain from overspending, they gladly fulfilled their obligation to juniors. As juniors, we would love to be covered by that safety net.

There were several instances of such generosity. He would pay for it without much fuss if I happened to meet a senior while enjoying ice cream at a restaurant. The conductor would kindly tell me that a guy seated in the rear had paid for my ticket as I was returning to my hometown via bus. My senior would grin reassuringly at me when I gazed back in amazement. This was not a one-off act of kindness from a select group of us. In the event that the senior and I were the only ones in line for bus tickets, he would purchase the tickets for us and we would pay him back afterwards.

We often visited the two tea shops that were close to our accommodations. I never had to pay for the tea or samosas since I had become so used to receiving pampering from my elders. In addition, I no longer felt the need to create a khaata (account) or even bring my wallet there. One of my seniors by chance happened to be there once; he also had the extra weight of having been my senior in high school.

I felt twice as connected to him as. He gave the tea vendor a perfunctory order to charge my charges to his account. I plucked up the confidence to inform him that I was still behind on my dues from the previous day. He gave me a kind glance, laughed out loud, and instructed the tea vendor to include those costs in his bill before turning to go. Sensibly, I followed him back to the hostel, grateful for his “big brother” demeanor. As for me, I waited to be the senior and take turns doing the favors.