Greetings. Since everyone has shared their experience in Universities, I would like to take this opportunity to share my piece studying in private college (now its University-College). Before I could start I would like to clarify that my write up here does not reflect 100% of the happenings or attitude of every individuals in a private college. This is merely my own experience.

I graduated from APIIT a.k.a UCTI. Immediately after SPM I told my dad that I want to do audio engineering, he just showed me his middle finger and asked to study something where I can make easy money. So there I was, first year APIIT. I am someone who always wanted to go to public universities and I don’t know why. It’s more like a fascination. End of the day I have no choice; I got no balls to do STPM, so I decided to go to private college.
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As promised.

Plenty of comments were put up on tzarina’s post on Malaysian Indians in Malaysian Universities. Since questions were put up regarding the validity of the talked about issue in private universities, I would like to regale my experiences. Furthermore, I graduated from a Indian-majority university, which was set up by an Indian-based political party. I will reserve my thoughts on the university itself for the time being, and would rather, for now, care to explain more about the student mentality there.

Entering an Indian-majority surrounding at 18 years old was a big culture shock, to say the least. Growing up as a minority in the city (so to speak), it felt kinda weird being a majority race for the first time. Since the university was still in its infancy, I got to see a bunch of colorful characters there.

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While I can’t remember the exact post, I remember reading a blog post of a fellow Malaysian Indian blogger criticizing Malaysian Indian girl’s clothing. Something that pointing out that sexy and Westernized clothing (and character) of them are ‘killing’ the culture. Yea, something like that.

No, I am not going to argue on someone’s post here. That is not an ethical thing to do, but I would rather argue about so-called burden of preserving the culture that many think only need to be shouldered by women. That would be something I will never agree as a woman and as a person. For example, it is alright for our men folk to go to a temple in jeans but it is not okie for women. While I am not saying it is not okie for a girl to go to temple in a punjabi suit/saree, I’m wondering why men are exempted from such unwritten rule.

Being an alumni of a local public university, I am well aware of the ‘orientation month’ that our students used to have (and I believe they are still having it). There was a rule insisting our girls to wear traditional clothes during the whole ‘orientation month’. Some defended it saying it is to identify the freshies and some attacked the idea. But no one ever asked the boys to wear dhoti or jippa.

Why is the double standard when it comes to who-should-take-care-of-culture? Why parents who are so particular dressing up their daughters in traditional clothes doesn’t seem to mind what the sons are wearing? Why would modern-dressed girls looked down while whose in traditional attire regarded as family-type girl? It can always be the other way around, you know?

Besides, I was just wondering about this - I am able to tie a saree within 5 mins, how many men here able to tie a dhoti in 10 mins? 

The word “Akshaya” means imperishable or eternal - that which never diminishes.
Initiations made or valuables bought on this day are considered to bring success
or good fortune. Buying gold is a popular activity on Akshaya Tritiya, as it is
the ultimate symbol of wealth and prosperity. Gold and gold jewelry bought and
worn on this day signify never diminishing good fortune. Indians celebrate weddings,
begin new business ventures, and even plan long journeys on this day.

Akshaya Tritiya is a holy day and is also known as “Akha Teej”, is traditionally
the birthday of Lord Parasurama, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. People conduct
special Pujas on this day, bathe in holy rivers, give charitable donations, offer
barley in a sacred fires, and worship Lord Ganesha & Devi Lakshmi on this day.
Hindus believe in the theory of “mahurats” or auspicious timings in every step in
life - be it to begin a new venture or making an important purchase. Akshaya Tritiya
is one such momentous occasion, which is considered one of the most auspicious days
of the Vedic Calendar. It is believed, any meaningful activity started on this day
would be fruitful. Akshaya Tritiya falls on the third day of the bright half of Vaishakh month (April-May), when the Sun and Moon are in exaltation; they are simultaneously at their peak of brightness, which happens only once every year.

The day also marks the beginning of the “SatyaYug” or the Golden Age - the first
of the four Yugas. In the “Puranas”, the holy Hindu scriptures, there is a story
that says that on this day of Akshay Tritiya Vedavyas along with Lord Ganesha started
writing the great epic Mahabharata. Ganga Devi or Mother Ganges also descended to
earth on this day. It is also believed that people born during this time shine bright
in life. Many luminaries were born during this period: Basaveshwara born on May
4, Ramanujacharya and Adi Shankaracharya on May 6, Swami Chinmayananda on May 8
and Lord Buddha on May 16.

This year Akshaya Tritiya falls on Rohini Star Rishabha Raasi, it is recommended to purchase Gold which symbolises Wealth and any other ventures.