OU students drop brickbats, pick up books

HYDERABAD: Osmania University, once the epicentre of the Telangana movement, is now seeing students ditch the agitating mode to prepare for various competitive examinations.The campus, the scene of many pitched battles between the police and students even a few months back, has completely changed in nature.Says V Srinivas, an MA student of journalism and communication, “These days we are busy attending coaching classes.No student wants to let go of the employment opportunities available.” Whereas T was the only issue discussed in ‘chai’ shops near the Arts College, NRHS hostel and even the women’s hostel, the focus has now shifted to where one can get better coaching and for what job one is suitable.The students seem to be more keen on landing a plum government job rather than spilling onto the streets shouting Jai Telangana slogans.During the peak of Sakala Janula Samme (general strike), hotels, shops and other establishments located in Vidya Nagar and Tarnaka had faced the ire of students and had to purchase iron meshes to protect their businesses.But with the state government issuing notifications for 50,000 jobs, the students have left brickbats at home and are spending time discussing subjects and clarifying doubts.The students have also made a representation to the vice-chancellor S Satyanarayana to keep the central library open roundthe- clock to prepare for the examinations.T Nagi Reddy, a student of MA history says, “When the T movement was at its zenith, students used to knock our doors at night after dinner for discussion over the plan of agitation the next morning.But these days, students knock at the door only wanting to exchange study notes.”