STUDENT LIFE is meant to build the future, brick by brick. Only through studies, knowledge can be acquired and there is no denying the saying that knowledge is power. To face any situation in life, studies instil a sense of confidence into the student and help him to react appropriately. Darkness of the mind is pierced by the light of knowledge. In darkness, people fear to move around but where there is light, fear never arises. Therefore, the light of education must be acquired by every student and for this, total devotion, devoid of any distraction, is needed.

In the contemporary world, especially in India, there appear to be many distractions. They divert the attention of the students towards other activities, politics to be more precise. The genesis of students taking part in political activities may be traced to our struggle for independence from the clutches of the British empire. Times were different then and participation of every patriotic Indian in the struggle was the call of the hour. It is, however, to be noted that students then participated in such activities en bloc as Indians and there was no cherished goal other than achieving independence. With the passage of time the situation has changed.

In the present times, student bodies are inclined to take part in political activities as members of student wings of various political parties. There appear many factions of student associations in the same educational institution. Student unions are no more unions of students as such and they are members of various political parties. In fact, there should never be any factional divide amongst students and such a divide only inculcates a sense of divisiveness in the young progeny from a very impressionable age. This in the long run creates a society weighed down with discord.

Political parties take advantage of the tender age of the students and by ‘catching them young’ motivate them by adopting all kinds of practices. In the elections conducted at educational institutions, political parties play overt and at times covert roles to support candidates and to ensure their win and use even money and muscle power. This results in an unruly scenario, which is invariably witnessed in elections at any institution. This does not augur well for our society at large.

Student unions of various factions are now seen to resort to pressure tactics in all kinds of activities - from governance to internal matters of political parties. They are also seen to dictate terms in appointment of heads of public sector enterprises, vice-chancellors of universities and so on and so forth. They also become vocal in matters concerning international affairs and judiciary. It has also come to be noticed that such student unions are led by non-students, who are aged above fifty.

It is time the senior citizens adopted measures to bring about a transformation here. Students are to be saved from political parties, which are only inclined to achieve their parochial goals by all means. They are not at all concerned with the well being of the people or the young progeny. If posterity is to be saved, a concerted effort from all the people concerned is the need of the hour.