Students of Anna University have filed a petition to the President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam after the Vice Chancellor defended the silly dress code, and the cell phone ban that he imposed a few months ago by saying that the students 'welcomed' it. I don't know if this will change anything, but I'm very impressed that they haven't let this go without putting up a fight. Anna students have displayed far more spunk and initiative than I'd ever imagined them capable of (I should know, I went there- most were completely spineless). Very, very heartening to see. Much power to them.

And if you're curious about the dress code, here's a sampler...
1. No student shall wear jeans to college.
2. No student shall wear t-shirts to college.
3. Girls may only wear salwars-kameez with dupatta or sarees.
4. No student may wear the following colours: white because it's "transparent"; green, pink, orange and red because they "distract the faculty"; black because it's a "depressing colour", and "hampers the "educational process".
Oh, and other regulations imposed by the VC include:
no cell phones on campus; no cultural event that takes place in Anna University can involve dancing, and no film music; and last but not the least, boys and girls are to sit in separate rows; no more than three people can stand together as a group; and no group of students may contain a member of the opposite sex. I swear I haven't made any of this up (however bizzarre or ridiculous some of the rules may sound).

As a student put it, 'The male ego is being fed. When a security guard stops and asks you where is your dupatta, you feel so violated. All your rights have been taken away". And I'm glad something is being done to puncture said ego.