The happy demise of ‘Jangoo’

Dr Harshvardhan Singh

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The mere whisper of “Oye Jangoo” (synonym for first-year medical students) would make the bravest of the first-year entrants' head droop to their 'third button' and prepare them automatically for a bout of relentless abuses, both verbal and physical.
The session would end at the sweet will of seniors who would either feel contented after a sadistically satisfying bout or due to physical fatigue or like an emperor, simply out of mercy. There was near-complete lawlessness with regard to ragging at the solo medical college (at that time) in the state and that, too, located in the
state capital.
Neoterminology like ‘Baba’ referred to the males who kept a distance from the females while ‘t****’ would refer to a male who liked to mix with females. He would attract a little more verbal ragging, and even ostracisation at times. We were given a set of so-called “medical literature” that had the choicest vulgar words and it was mandatory to mug it up, as if it was going to be asked in the final exams!
“Jangoos” had to always carry a 'passport' in their pockets, which could be checked anytime by seniors on the prowl. If found missing, the dire consequences were history. The 'passport' was nothing but a piece of rubber used in controlling the human population. The “Jangoos” served their seniors like orderlies in the forces and would remain at the mercy of senior saabs. Physical ragging was at the peak and many of the juniors had ear perforations after nonstop slapping bouts and the treating doctors also took these episodes casually. No incident was reported to the almost-defunct anti-ragging committees. As if airborne, the ragging bug also crept into the new Medical College at Tanda.
It reached the ugliest heights and claimed the life of a budding doctor, Aman Kachroo, who fell victim to this acute and chronic social evil. Sadly, it took a life to make the lawmakers wake up to curb this menace that had spread its roots in professional colleges. The scenario post-Aman Kachroo has changed drastically for the good. Oil-drenched female heads with red ribbons and white suits; males in black and white, and with crew cut, have disappeared. Now, I see females with the latest apparel and accompaniments, and their hair loose; and the males in contemporary dressing and varied hair styles and stubble, etc., laughing out loud, unaware of the gory past.
Is the poor “Jangoo” now extinct and has been banished for good?