I had a friend at college - Rajnita Singh. A 20 yr old collegiate - reasonably good looking; not a genius but managing a first class - and with a nature reflecting simplicity and honesty. Her parents sent their obedient girl to Pune's best college all the way from Rajasthan. Mama's girl tasted freedom for the first time and though initially cautious, she slowly let herself be influenced by all possible impulses. Whether it was the impulse to drink or to smoke, or the urge to enjoy at the expense of studies, she submitted to them all. The consequence - a dismal future.

But who is to blame here? Would it be fair to put the onus entirely on her shoulders? One might argue that she didn't solicit advice from anyone. But who could that anyone possibly be? Friends? Not really, as they too more or less sail in the same boat. Parents too are often not a choice, as most children do not share an open relation ship with their parents. So where do the hundreds like Rajnita go? A college counselor comes across as a logical alternative in this scenario. But not much has been done in this area despite the need for this service being stressed time and again. 

"I agree that regular counseling should be provided. But the demand should come from the students, only then can the management can take initiative" says Prof P.S.Dange, Superintendent of Symbiosis College of Arts and Commerce. Namrata, a student feels that rather than dilly-dallying, college authorities can at least take things one at a time. "If not for personal problems, then at least for academic problems, the management should provide counseling services" says she. She has a point. Take for instance, Shyamlal. His bright career in music was almost jeopardized by his father's dream of sending him to the army. Timely help from a neighbour who incidentally was a counselor, managed to salvage the situation.

However, the focus should not only be on academic problems but also on personal ones, which are usually more stressful. The first thing to do in this direction is to detach the stigma attached to counseling, and the perception that only people with mental problems consult counselors." asserts Prof Chilte of Fergusson College who has initiated informal counseling sessions through his forum, 'Manmukhi'. But he laments that there are some lacunae in the student's mindsets as well they are yet to realize that counselors are professionals who mean business.

Students especially girls face a lot of limitation on both fronts: home as well as college, with no avenues to open up. Hence they have to depend on magazines or newspapers which advice on certain personal matters. Cases like Rajshree are certainly not isolated. 

We ape the west in numerous ways like attire, food habits, mannerisms. But counseling is one area where we seriously need to ape them. In the west most institutes provide these sevices. India needs to awaken to the needs of it's youth, cause only then would they be able to contribute to it's growth.