Juggle college fests with extra lectures

Such events bring out the best in us
There were a few forced holidays that we had because of the teachers' strike and also because of swine flu panic. But I don't think this will take away the zeal that college students have for the festivals. It will not make a big difference, since I think completing the syllabus in college will not be a big problem. I think most colleges are going ahead with the festivals so students will participate with the same enthusiasm as it's just once in a year. I personally completely enjoyed attending Narsee Monjee college's festival Umaang. The whole feel of the festival is just awesome and all the events are totally enjoyable and memorable.  
–Chandni Kanoria

Zeal to participate will not diminish
After the government's decision to shut colleges because of the swine flu panic, we were disappointed as Malhar was scheduled during the same time. Later we took it in our stride and went ahead with the festival as per our schedule and it all went off well. We also learnt the whole experience of tackling pressure. Now after the teachers' strike, there might be some pressure to complete the syllabus, but I don't think that it will affect college festivals a lot. Some holidays might be curtailed, but the zeal that students have for college festivals, will not be impacted much. The whole Malhar festival is a very memorable experience.        –Rimmy Shah

Subjects done before closure
The college management has been following a very systematic approach, so I' am sure they will be able to deal with the situation. None of our teachers have stopped anyone of us from participating in any extra-curricular activities. If a student has to miss a lecture on account of the participation in inter-collegiate festivals, then the pupil can approach the teacher for extra lessons later.
A large part of the syllabus was completed before the colleges were shut, due to the teachers' strike and swine flu, so we are not under that much pressure. In our college, festivals and activities keep happening throughout the year and we are encouraged by our teachers to participate in them. But academics is never ignored.
–Shreesh Jain

Will certainly attend, not participate 
As a bachelor of Mass Media student, I take part in festivals which are exclusively meant for mass media students. These festivals usually happen either before August or after October, so we don't have too much pressure on us about finishing syllabus and participating in these events. Since, I'm in the third year of my course, I will not be participating in any event this year, but will certainly go and attend some of them. My favourite festival is my college's BMM festival - Blitzkrieg. Our teachers  didn't participate in the  strike, so the progress of our syllabus hasn't been affected much.
 –Vinit Mehta

Can't think of fests in my final year
With colleges being shut, it is difficult to participate in cultural festivals. I' am studying in my final year, which can make or mar a student’s prospects. The last few months before the final examinations are crucial, so we have to study for them as well as prepare for competitive exams like Common Admission Test and Common Entrance Test.
Hence there is already tremendous pressure on us, so I' am not thinking of going for any of the festivals let alone participating in an event. It will also be unfair on us if our Diwali vacations are reduced or cancelled because of the teachers' strike. We need a break from study to refresh our mind. 
–Tenaaz Balsara 

Fests must go along with academics
Inter-collegiate festivals are part of college schedule and one cannot stop or ignore them. The management has to work out a programme through which neither syllabus nor extra-curricular activities are neglected. We have cut down holidays, now colleges will be shut for only three days in Diwali and for one day in Christmas. Hence, the syllabus will be covered up in time without pressurising teachers or students. Our students and teachers are working after official hours, to offset the time lost. As for the time needed for practicing for festivals, it can be done after lectures. Degree college starts early morning and classes are over by afternoon, this gives students free time to practice for the events. Students of the junior colleges, where classes start later, pupils can come early. Everybody has to adjust for a few months so that cultural festivals, as well as academics go on hand-in-hand.
–KA Viswanathan, SIES College trustee

College festivals won't  be hampered
Educators from our college did not participate in the teachers' strike. Moreover, the days when college was shut due to swine flue will be made up. The college has gone about with its tasks and conducted business normally, so I' am sure that students' enthusiasm to participate in any inter-collegiate festival will not be hampered. We want our students to have overall development and college festivals are a part of student life.
–Indu Sahani, principal, HR College

Our primary aim is to finish the syllabus
It is too premature to say how the teachers' strike or closure due to swine flu will affect both teachers and students. Our main aim is to complete the syllabus so that our students don't have to suffer. Therefore, we are working on a comprehensive plan, wherein no classes will be taken on Sundays or public holidays, but October and December vacation breaks might get cancelled. We are awaiting the vice-chancellor's final approval for the plan. Our intention is not to put teachers and students under pressure, but to finish teaching the curriculum.
–Anju Kapoor, vice-principal, RD National College