I want to relate a painful experience I have had, in the Kerala University. I had my post metric qualifications from this university from 1979 to 1984 for Pre degree and Degree.

After a gap of nearly 24 years, in relation to my job, I was in need of my year wise mark lists for Pre degree and Degree courses. As I was in overseas service, I contacted this university by e mail, the details of how to apply for, fee and other formalities. My e mail message reached to dumb ears.

In December 2008, back home I got in touch with the Deputy Registrar Mr. Raghavan, through one of my friends working in VSSC, Trivandrum.

As Mr. Raghavan informed me, I was there in the University’s Palayam office right at 8.45 am. By around 10 am Mr. Raghavan reached his office. After half an hour he took me directly to the section meant for NSS College, Changanacherry. But it was found closed.

There I found two persons from central Kerala with the same purpose as I had. Mr. Raghavan felt it surprised to see that, on a working day one of the sections of the university is found closed and that too at 11.15 am. Somehow Mr. Raghavan got it opened and later I came to know that, of the three persons meant for that section, two were on leave and the other would be late. He asked the peon to search for my file. Immediately the peon, like an officer in charge, in front of Mr. Raghavan, commanded me to get a certificate of my identity from the college where I studied a decade back. I showed him my T.C. Reluctantly and angrily he started searching for the file. By around 11.45 am the employee who was late arrived, and she told me she would not do the work that day and I should reach there the next day afternoon, because she would have to take her daughter to hospital the next day morning. I pleaded her that it was an urgent matter and that I was sick and not in a position to stay for one more day. She did not mind my words. I met Mr. Raghavan and informed him of her reluctance to do the work.

He returned and advised her in person to help me. She was found very stubborn to her superior and told him; at any cost she would not do this particular work that day. I was compelled to stay there for that day.

Very next day again Mr. Raghavan approached that section for me and by 11.15 am one of the other two who were on leave reached the scene. He told me there was no printed format available. So he would not do it and finally on the request of Mr. Raghavan, he managed to get the format filled in with the marks and gave the file to me to submit it on the table of another superior officer to get her signature. Thus I had to do the voluntary service as a peon. Meanwhile I found the peon dilly dallying with his friends in section.

Meanwhile it would be ingratitude, if I do not reflect on the kind service of Mr. Raghavan, the Deputy Registrar of this University. He is a true Gandhian to any who approach him for guidance and help. My deep gratitude to that duty bound officer. Like him there are a few officers who deserve respect.

During those two days of my stay there I found:

1. Most of the employees reach the university around 11 am though the working time begins at 10 am.
2. Most of them very punctual to leave the office between 3.30 pm and 4 pm while the closing time is 5 pm.
3. There is state of complete anarchy there. The employees have no respect for their superiors.
4. Many chairs were found unoccupied.
5. The University does not have an ATM Centre.
6. Its canteen in quite untidy.
7. The university does not respond to our e mail enquiries. The very appearance of the web site depicts the sad state of affairs of the university.
   
   

Actually I had a hellish experience from this no one to run university. It is a shame to our state that this university exists in the heart of our capital bearing sree padmanabha mudra and the name of our state.

-Jayaprakash, Nedumkunnam

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