village studs

continued from yesterday's post about the stars of the village.. for one to be a stud (or studette).. a few things were compulsory:

• have a high GPA (CGPA in kgp lingo) - the stud must be the kind of person who doesn't feel the pressing need to attend class or labs, yet will have assignments done and submitted just before the deadline, and will only be seen in the proximity of books the day before the exam, where he/she will score outrageous marks.


• play some sport at collegiate level - the more sports the better actually, but the stud would have to be playing for the college team in some sport. during practise will usually look uninterested but at the time of need will step up and do the business.


• excel in social and cultural activities - the stud would have to be a star in at least a few of the following: dramatics, music, debate, elocution, choreography, creative writing, art, illumination activities.


• be an integral part of SpringFest - this was the annual college festival, officially 4 days of revelry and music, but with over 4 months of long nights and hard slog in behind the scenes work. at the very least, the stud would be a member of the Steering Committee.


• be respected among his/her peers - the studs would have their opinions sought on all sorts of wide-ranging issues, from how long the ragging period should be this year, to what should the hall budget be for the annual farewell. also, all prospective college election candidates would seek them out for their blessings, and proudly bear the label 'stud-approved'!


• have an 'in' with the authorities - blessed with smooth tongues and slippery dispositions, the studs would time and again be called upon to keep the profs at bay, and disciplinary committees would be convinced by their golden words that indeed no social evils pervaded the corridors of the residence halls.


• be good-looking and/or very charming - a good sense of humor is almost secondary for the stud, as he can win over people with his charm and/or looks. his entry into a eating place or a hall would be followed by a general hubbub and pointing of fingers.


• have a girlfriend (boyfriend for the studettes) - usually the studs went out with the studettes, or the 'item numbers'. it wasn't difficult to tell them apart. the studettes would be seen gallivanting down Scholars' Avenue (the main thoroughfare) drunk with their boyfriends, singing the entire The Doors repertoire, while the 'item numbers' would be hanging on to their studs for dear life, staring into their eyes dreamily.


• finally, the stud would have some sort of flaw - this was very important in perpetrating the legend. our hero would have to be afflicted by something that would taint his perfect image, but not enough to make him 'one of us mortals'. this could be anything from chain smoking, getting over a bad relationship, binge drinking and associated hell-raising, fits of depression.. you get the point.

the stud was never a shy retiring person, usually basking in the limelight and very visible. and like with all rules, there are exceptions to these, and they prove the rule. they know themselves.