TATA INSTITUTE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

ASSIGNMENT ON WORKING WITH

A group discussion on the following topic related to the campus

TOPIC: Isolation of the campus and its effect on campus life.

NAME: Apoorva Balakrishnan

SUBMITTED TO: Mr. Manoj joseph

ROLL NO.:T2015BASW04

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 28/7/2016

The criteria of how we came to choose the participants for our group discussion was mainly
based on their background and place of origin like if they belonged to a metropolitan setup or
a semi-urban setup because that makes a difference in the opinion so we chose 10 potential
participants belonging to different setup and began with the discussion which gave us
unexpectedly good results.

We were a group of 4 who conducted the discussion and we divided the work amongst
ourselves equally. One of us took up the responsibility of moderating the whole discussion
and two took charge of taking notes one wrote positive and other negative points that came
up while the discussion and one recorded the whole discussion and the transcription of the
recording was done by all of us by dividing up the minutes equally amongst us and compiled
the data at the end so the burden doesn’t fall on one person alone.
INDIVIDUAL TASK: WRITE A REFLECTION ON-
Q. how the group meeting went on?

Ans. I think that the group meeting went great it was a pretty decent discussion and I think,
the topic which was “isolation of the campus and how it affects the campus life” was very
well received which made the whole discussion interesting for the participants as well.
Everybody pooled in their thoughts, their point of view and the intensity of the discussion
didn’t go down anywhere in the duration of 30 minutes. There were 10 participants in our
discussion belonging to both urban and semi urban setup.

Like every group discussion there were some difference of opinions but it didn’t blow up to
an extent where it would turn into a quarrel. The participants were quiet understanding and let
the other person talk most of time without interrupting them. Sometimes when the
participants were diverting from the topic of discussion so then me as the moderator had to
step in and put in some questions for further continuation of the discussion as to not stray
from the point and the responses were great.

What we had planned was that with a group of 10 people we had a lot of different opinions
different views and many belonged to a metropolitan setup whereas others belonged to semi
urban setup so the discussion could have gone a little deeper but what actually happened was
every point was discussed on a very surface level because of which the discussion was very
limited and in turn we had to step in a few times so that the energy keeps on flowing but
overall the discussion went pretty great we were satisfied with data we recorded and the
participation.

Q. What kind of Group Dynamic you noticed in the Group Discussion?

Ans. The discussion began with person A, who led the discussion with points on exposure
and lack of opportunities because of the isolation. The participants were participatory
everybody put forward their point of view but like every discussion this discussion also had
differences in opinions. It wasn’t like everybody was saying what they wanted to say in a
haphazard manner but no groups were formed as to support the topic or take a stance against
the topic, nobody was rigid in their opinion, everyone was very flexible and convinced with
others notions and sometimes the situation rose of a conflicting issue so both the parties
listened to each other’s views and considered it as well. Nobody totally declined to accept
where they are wrong and moved on with the conversation.

The constant participants were person N and person A, who put in a lot of views and took the
discussion forward and not only that but encouraged other participants to indulge in the
discussion as well. No one person was negative or positive neither took a diplomatic stance
but stated what they truly believed in.

Person V was the quietest person in the group who just spoke once and saved the topic from
diverting and agreed on for the further part of the discussion. No participant was targeted to
bend down from his/her point of view.

All the participants were calm and patient and paid attention to every opinion put forward
whether they agree with it or not and if they didn’t agree they would explain why and
because of what reasons. A few times the discussion went off track due to which the
moderator had to step in and drop in questions for taking the discussion further so the
discussion does not stray from the path.

Q. What are the major themes emerged in the discussion? 

Ans. The topic of discussion was decided as the isolation in campus and how it affects the
campus life, with this when the discussion began the first theme which was emerged was the
exposure and opportunity we get as students to which many opinions were formed such as
every place is different and that it should not be compared to other universities such as Delhi
university and JNU because our campus is a rural campus and comparing it to a college
situated in a city is baseless.

The next theme which emerged after a while of discussion was that of less number of faculty
and teaching staff here which is very critical issue and needs to be paid more attention
because the points listed were that of 3rd year dissertation where a teacher is supposed to
guide 5 students here the teacher is guiding 10-12 students which in turn reduces the quality
supposedly. Even the faculty such as medical support is lacking there is no proper medical
facility and it requires attention.

The problem of students coping to the college environment is brought up as the next pressing
issue. The students say that they don’t have much to do around here and everybody is just
waiting for their courses to come to an end so that they can get their degrees. But it is
defended by some participants saying that you can find a lot of things to do around in the
campus such as form committees or join one. Expand your circle of skills and talents find
new talents.

The next theme is substance abuse and how it is taking over the majority of the population of
students in the campus most stated reasons being that they feel lonely, they don’t find
anything to do, and there is not much to do in the campus.

The adjustment issue and the changes in the students were the next themes which came up, to
which participants said that they had a hard time adjusting but once they got used to it, it got
better and the changes they see in themselves is that of ideological changes, the judging
nature which terminated after a few experiences and the travel route is the inevitable theme
which hence has no solution.
TRANSCRIPTION
Person A- The isolation of campus reduces the amount of exposure and opportunities that we could
get in a campus situated in some city. For example, Delhi university.

Person M- To study rural development, you need to be in such an environment. TISS is a school of
rural development as its name says, so according to the course it is the best place in the country, you
get to work in rural settings during your field works. You cannot go to Delhi or Mumbai for such rural
exposure. In terms of academics it is the best place.
Person A- What about your holistic growth, where you can find people from different walks of life.
You agree or not I don’t know but here in Tuljapur campus you find people with very homogenic kind
of a mindset. They either are left or right there is no bird eye view, what we say. The campus does
provide exposure in terms of academics but not in terms of other curricular activities like sports or
cultural. We do not have enough and proper equipment that is because it is difficult to transport them
over here.
Food, our food is really good but we lack access to better food that again is because it cannot be
transported here.
Person R to A- Okay so what I feel is D.U has a huge crowd as compared to this place. Here you got
a chance to perform in IIM Bangalore which was not possible there in D.U because they have many
like you.
Person A- I didn’t get you.
Person R- See, D.U has a huge crowd so, there is a lot of competition and hence it is tough to get a
chance there to showcase your talent.
Person A- That is the problem, competition is good for growth, but we don’t get it here. If there is no
competition then what is the benefit of being in college.
Person R- But at least you got an opportunity to go to places and showcase your talent.
Person A- When does the college support you, they don’t have funds and enough resources to support
you.
Person V- You people are diverting from the topic. See, your comparison of this college with is
universities like D.U is baseless because this college was started as a rural campus to study rural
development so the kind of exposure you get here, you will not get anywhere else.
Person U- Exactly, the kind of exposure you get here is different see, our proximity with nature is
only possible here, also I agree with the fact that the competition here is less but we have less number
of people too and everyone is talented so we do have competition.

Person M- I would like to add on to what ‘U’ said we have lots of time we can enhance our talent for
example I am a soccer player I have time to enhance my skills but in other colleges there are so many
like you so you will be lost in the crowd.

Person A- I am not talking about competition I am talking about needs okay, I will take my own
example, the level of dancer I was two years back I am at the same level even now because I didn’t
get enough resources to work on it so the lack of resources and lack of access to things made me go a
little down which may not have not been there in other universities situated in a city.
Person U- Talking about needs, my experience here have been completely opposite to yours (talking
to A) I am a way better dancer now then I was two years back.
May be the reason is you (laughing) I got you to teach me well, I got resources.
Person R- Depends upon person to person, how you take it.

Person U- Exactly
Person A- Still somewhere it is a problem.
Person P- Okay I want to draw you attention towards the problem of transport in such an isolated
area.
Everyone- agreed
Person K- Even faculty is a major problem here, they do not stay here for long. Medical is another
big issue, the doctor who is here does not want to be here, I talked to him personally.
So, overall nobody wants to stay here.
Person U- I feel even the students are stuck here and they cannot help it (laughing).
Person R- (interrupting) we have to complete three years, no other option.
Person K- Most of the students have this mindset of just completing three years here and getting a
degree. First semester passes in understanding the place but after that most of the students start
counting days. The reason can be that even the teachers have the same thing in mind that they just
have to pass the days anyhow so when teachers only have such mindset then how can you expect
students to enjoy life here. Even the DD is not happy living here he is ready to leave the place
anytime. There is nothing to keep you motivated to be here and hence people want to run away from
here.
Person R and U- (interrupting) that is because the campus is cut out from the world and is isolated.
Person U- Accommodation is another big problem these days for the staff members.
Person A- (interrupting)problem regarding the faculty somewhere affects the studies too for example
the third years have dissertations for which every teacher should be guiding maximum 4 to 5 students
whereas here one teacher has 10 to 12 students under him/her which affects the quality of education.
Person P- To some extent I do agree with R and U that we have such peaceful environment here and
it depends upon person to person hot to utilise the resources that you already have. Is it like every rich
and successful person in India have had an urban background?
Person R- (agrees)
Person A- It also depends upon person’s abilities and surroundings. Since the beginning I am the kind
of person who if not been placed in a strict environment will lack self-control. And if I wanted I could
have gotten myself into drug abuse and alcohol but it differs from person to person. It depends on an
individual’s capability.

Person K- Percent of students into substance abuse. The first year student who just came, within the
time span of two years they will be doing all this stuff too and them their thoughts will be changed as
well.

Person S- This is happening everywhere not only here.

Person P- Not only in this campus but it’s going on everywhere DU, JNU.

Person K- Isolation is the main reason.

Person S- Isolation can’t be the reason.

Person U: If you don’t have anything to do anything to work on that is when you feel isolated and
that is when you start substance abuse.

Person S: we are all staying in the same campus and all of us are facing the same situation If the
campus is isolated then everybody is facing isolation so that way everybody should get into substance
abuse

Person S: Isolation is not the reason. Having nothing to do is the reason. Are you into substance
abuse?

Person U: no. but isolation can be one of the reasons.

Person S: There is a lot to do in and around the campus. But they feel jobless. There are many who
are doing this for very long time probably because of peer pressure.

Person R: it is a way of socializing also.

Person K: you are absolutely right.

Person S: there is a lot of stuff you can do here.

Person P: it depends on the person too. There is no one here to look after them and see what they are
doing here.

Person K: People here are old enough to decide what is wrong and what is right for them. Loneliness
leads to substance abuse for some percent of the students. There is a lot to do but they are not able to
see it. Like I don’t know what I am doing here.
Person A: If think on a psychological level if a person is feeling lonely they will explore their options
if you are in Delhi you find some places or find 3600 ways to do all this stuff but here you don’t have
much option so you go for alcohol and cigarettes.

Person N: If you think there are No clubs no pubs and if you want to go to those places then why did
you join the campus you had a choice to not to come here no one forced anyone to join. You opted to
come here.

Person A: For the natural surroundings of the campus and obviously Brand name of the college.
Accept that fact 90% of people come here because of the brand name.

Person N: Let it be brand name or academics or any personal interest. Tuljapur is isolated and we
knew it from the beginning. Your dancing Skills cannot be improved here like it could have improved
in Delhi.

Person U: Its not that, I’ve learnt a lot after coming to the campus.

Person T: No one thinks through the situation. My parents asked me if I could adjust out here. People
think Solapur is a city is 40 kms away from Tuljapur you can go anytime u want. But later you realize
that it’s not feasible. You try to stay strong. It’s just 3 years.

Person N: I went to JNU I opted for it and I came here because I wanted to and I don’t have any
regret about this campus, colleges are for academic purpose not for going to the pubs not for your skill
improvement and if you wanted to grace your talents you should have joined a performing arts
college.

Person U: I disagree if u don’t develop your skills then what are you doing the college is not for
academic purpose only. Your theoretical knowledge doesn’t suffice. In a college you learn new stuff
along with your studies.

Person N: I agree I’m not saying that you should restrict yourself from other extracurricular activities
but you can’t aim to become a professional here.

Person S: rather than indulging and getting into substance abuse you should go ahead and join
committees or form committees such as ek awaz the drama society mudartissts dance group creative,
active it depends on you on what you choose to do who you choose to be.

Person A: that is not exposure that is polishing your talents. Whoever has the discipline to do
something will do it regardless of the situation but isolation [interrupted by Person S]

Person S: we are here at TISS SRD as far as academics is concerned this is the best place, campus
selections and exposure is good then what is the problem you can get as much of exposure you want.
Person A: Im talking about holistic again [interrupted by Person N]

Person N: if your point is holistic development, go to JNU or DU if you want an urban setup you
won’t have limitations of any sort. You won’t have such surroundings you won’t have a rural setup.
But then again that would be a very limited area.

Person S: whatever you are lagging there you will find it here.

Person P: depends on our thinking too no one forces you to do this stuff somewhere inside you want
to do it yourself. Isolation has its perks you can learn new stuff you can prepare for post-graduation
courses with the amount of free time you get.

Person N: you get to show your skills at NRYF. To be specific there are certain teams in our campus.
We have NRYF we get 1st prize here but we know we are not that good but you don’t see the same
level of competition here what you can get at JNU.We are getting opportunity to excel here which are
very accessible. And the isolation part, the admin is isolating student from student. We had the DH
hostel as boy’s hostel they sealed the shortcuts for students, you can’t sit on the slabs you can’t roam
around the DH. So whatever we are learning is not implemented. If people are smoking or drinking
the admin is not counselling but they are expelling them from the college.

Person A: the sealing of shortcut is done for safety purposes.

Person S: the admin is not expelling students because of the substance abuse but because of
attendance shortage. And maximum Year back.

Person N: DU AND JNU does not expel students because of attendance shortage and doesn’t expel
them from college hostels. In JNU and DU for attendance shortage there are certain provisions.

Person A: even I have talked to admin about it and the parents are well informed prior to expulsion.

Person S: I don’t think students are expelled due to consumption of weed and all. It is because of the
attendance shortage.

Person A: Also the year back thing.

Person S: Year back thing is due to attendance shortage

Person N: First thing, for the attendance issues I’ve never seen a... be it DU, be it JNU, for attendance
shortage there are certain provisions. Students are not directly expelled from the hostels for year back
and all these things.

Person A: but that is fine. That is 20-30% attendance shortage because of which they are expelled.
Person N: But still we have conversations before these things.

Person U: I think we need to discuss about the isolation part.

Person A: First. That is not related to the topic and secondly how do you know they never had a
conversation. Admin must have informed the parents.

Person N: But the way administration is working

Person T: You cannot miss the classes up to such a high level.

Person A: That is for the safety purposes.

Person P: That is for safety and it should be there because without restrictions how can we control
such a population.

Person N: Staying outside the hostel till 2 at night is not a safety measure.

Person A: It is still allowed.

Person T: No, they let you stay.

Person A: I was out till 2 yester night only.

Moderator: Okay. I think we are diverting from the topic. Let me put up another topic. What were
your expectations when you joined the campus? And since it’s been quite a year how much change do
you see in yourself?

Person S: Ideological changes.

Person U: Very true. This is something probably none of us would have expected that such a drastic
change in our ideologies and our thinking patterns. Our way to look at people, our way to look at the
world around us probably that has changed which we didn’t think about at all. But maybe what as
expected something like a general set up of college was. My expectations were different what I got
was different.

Person A: I thought we will be admitted in TISS Mumbai.

Person K: Correct. Correct!

Person R: I thought that too.

Person T: I don’t think students tell anybody the truth. They say that they are in TISS Mumbai.
Person A: Till date my friends think that I am in TISS Mumbai. Ok. Don’t divert. I think
ideologically if I take my whole experience when I entered college I had no opinion. I still don’t have
any but I now better understand others opinions. For example whenever I sit in ‘SAMVAAD’, and
there is some topic that I cannot understand well but then, when the positive points are being stated I
think they are right and then the negative points too seem to be right, so I can better understand both
sides of ideologies. I now know how different people think. Plus, we are much sensitized. Earlier
people, advertisements would never attract our attention, now we know the viewpoints. For example:
2-3 days ago Byasa sir was showing us this advertisement of Doyce. She had a purse and everything,
she wasn’t wearing a thing because they had to focus on the jeans but then it turned out to a feminist
issue and domination of male- all such ideologies we understand now.

Person U: This is the first time that we’ve come to know all these things exist.

Person P: Earlier, whatever our parents, family would tell we would think it to be right but here we
develop our own view about people and how things should be there in the society.

Person A: Ability to question we have developed.

Person U: Adding to what Person A said, as you said you had no opinions earlier but now you can
understand. But my case is different. I had lots of opinions about people. Like the way we had in
schools, that such people are like that you have to behave in a certain way to them, whom to be
friends with, whom to talk to that got changed here. Here I got a chance to work with the type of
people that I have had a preconceived notion about and then I realized that the reality was different
from what I had expected it to be. I have this neutrality in my behavior that you know you can’t judge
people by the first impression. You know now we have understood that everybody has a different way
of living. This perspective I’ve achieved here that probably no other place could have given me.

Person P: If we look at it with a different perspective, the number of things that we come to know
here about the world, we can’t really say that the campus is isolated!

Person T: Isolation provokes us to be more connected to the outside world. It brings an inside urge
that we need to connected. You keep in touch with your school friends and what happened in my case
was that it had a specific reaction that you should talk to your school friends, don’t lose touch with
them.

Person U: Don’t you want to meet people here?

Person T: No, meet people here but…

Person S: See, it’s just like your Facebook status “I am feeling lonely with 53 others”!
Person N: Moreover, it is also economical. Like for going out we used to spend all the money in our
ATMs without even giving a thought about it, never used to give a shot on money part. But here for
withdrawing you have to go to Tuljapur and Solapur so again how much we have to spend we need to
keep a check. So this like the best part that we know how to save money or like what is the value of
money which we would have spent easily in big cities but here in Tuljapur…

Person U: We have no options to spend money on!

Person P: You want to say that here we are the boss of us, whatever we do.

Person N: like that the money part is learnt and the biggest thing- the biggest experience that we had
was 40 people living in a single room! So that was a very nice experience though it was horrible that
time!

Person A: We learnt how not to poop for 3 days!

Person N: then we never felt like isolated. We used to steal slippers and all. That time we would feel
isolation that somebody took my slipper when I am about to go to the bathroom and all (laughs)!

Person A: Isolation but no privacy (laughs)!

Person N: there was no privacy. So this was also a nice experience. Like for three years we are
continuously being experimented. Firstly we were in gymkhana then shifted to the plastic hostel and
then t the new one. So, 3 years- 3 different hostels so more or less that was not a isolation for me.
Every year I used to meet new people and there were so many friends.

Moderator: okay! Did anybody have any adjustment issues?

Person T: I had! It really took some time to adjust. I had an environment change. I had my own
comfort zone. They say in college life you have freedom but then I was enjoying the same freedom
with a lot more resources. You have limited resources and same freedom. The difference is just that
you are taken out form your comfort zone freedom into the wild world freedom. It is a jungle out
there and you have to survive. It is like that. How to stand in the society on your own. That was the
thing that came as shock to me because I had never stepped out of my house you know. It took some
time but then now…

Person A: I think the good thing that this isolation brings in us is that when we feel uncomfortable
adjusting here, the people here are so less that everyone here lives like a family so, everyone makes
each other so comfortable and makes it easier to adjust. You can go and ask for an advice from
anyone, 24*7 we are together, we have food together, use each other’s bathrooms (winks) everyone
has seen everyone in all situations, so a comfort level is built up.
Person P: If we talk about adjustment, whether it is an isolated area or a big city, adjustment is
everywhere.

(Everyone agrees)

Person U: Person T, you adjusted pretty soon.

Person A: ya! It’s not even been a month since you’ve come!

Person N: Talking about isolation, there is one more thing that you just have one train to you place.

(Everyone agrees)

Person S: Actually you don’t have one train, you have one direct train.

Person N: so the biggest issue due to the geographical area is that you have to go catch train from
Solapur at odd time at night about 1:30 and then actually there has been no such accident but then
again its still a bit insecure. Parents worry, they keep calling to check all is fine.

Person U: Night travel, parents are really worried.

Person A: Be it here or in Delhi parents are always worried!

Person N: But the thing is that we don’t have a train. We have to struggle to get reservation seats and
then…

Person K: Reservations are opening from tomorrow. Get the done!