Bird’s eye view of the campus

UNIVERSITIES are ranked according to their performances, research achievements, administration and infrastructure, awards and recognition. There are no credits for maintaining and sustaining a green campus. About 20 years ago, when I first got associated with Panjab University, the place was an oasis of all hues of green and diverse species of birds inhabited its groves and gardens. 

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Hoopoes thuk-thuk on barks of trees and koel’s melodies, filled with longing,  in the thick, dark rows of mango trees were a constant companion in summer afternoons. The vast, grass-covered meadows dotted with snow-white bagla moving gracefully on its slender legs; and the lapwing, titeeri running around in peace. Saat Bhaiya, the common babbler populated the shrubbery around Students’ Centre. The park near the teachers’ flats had some old tall trees inhabited by hundreds of bats. The paths around the botanical garden were frequented by the jungli murgi and peacocks. In the evenings, owls were silent, shadowy figures roosting half hidden among the branches. One hawk almost always perched on the pinnacle of Gandhi Bhavan, appearing to be an extension of the architecture itself. Not to mention a murder of the ubiquitous crows, rummaging through garbage bins scattered around eating joints.

As the grassy patches gave way to concrete parking areas, the birds moved on, perhaps to some quieter campus where academics still cohabited with nature. Gradually, other birds replaced the avian population. We now have some early birds practising yoga in the sports grounds. Birds of a feather flock together and lobby hard for the welfare of the institution; as a result some lame ducks are found roosting quietly in their offices. Several night owls are busy in their labs to bring laurels to the university. But most students are free birds and strut around like peacocks in their best costumes, assuming that fine feathers make fine birds. They take to the campus life like a duck to water. In spite of the hawk-eyed mentors who are ready to take them under their wings, they shrug off all kinds of preaching like water off a duck’s back and remain happy as a lark. 

However, the most conspicuous and the most dangerous are the angry birds zooming past in their SUVs and BMWs. They are crazy as a loon and fly their vehicles as if they are birdbrains. The sweet chirpings of the birds of yesteryear have been replaced by the cackle of automobile horns, the screeching of road-raged wheels, and the cacophony of these cuckoos if they don’t get their right of way. They are as bold as a coot in crushing any mortal crossing their path. Beware of these odd birds and never ruffle their feathers, otherwise you are sure to sing the swan song before you are dead as a dodo.