One of the engineering colleges in Chennai has this rule that says that students are not allowed to have mobile phones with them when they are inside the campus. This rule is applicable to those staying in hostel too. So when someone wants to contact a student staying in hostel they have to call the phone number given by the college. Now here’s where the problem comes.

The college has given only one phone number and there are also specific timings during which alone one can call that number. Imagine parents, relatives and friends of a lot of students trying a single phone number at the same time!! The line is almost always engaged! Of course, the students can call from the phones at PCOs in the college. But when there is always a queue at the phone booth, how difficult it must be for them! Besides, in case of an emergency, how can someone contact a student? Why can’t the college give at least 2 more numbers?? Considering the lakhs and lakhs of rupees that the colleges get from the students in the name of ‘fee’ for management seats, this is the least that they can do for the students.

I really don’t understand why, in this age when everyone from the local vegetable vendor to the multimillionaire has mobile phones, students are not allowed to have it. Can’t at least those staying in hostels alone be allowed to have mobile phones? They can always be asked not to use their mobiles during class hours.

It must be so difficult for the students and their family and friends to not be able to talk with each other whenever they wish to. No phone, no internet and other stupid rules – how boring! I cannot imagine being in a place like that!