COMSATS and COVID: 2C’s in a perspective
By: Ahmad Hassan
Tags: Covid Diaries, Covid 19 Crisis, College Life

source: jaamiah.com

“The roots of the education are bitter, but the fruits are sweet.” — Aristotle. Following the footsteps of Greek philosopher, many more stepped in COMSATS Lahore, searching for the orchard that had the fruits he broached. Instead, ended up procuring the Cafeteria. The sky-high hopes were the repercussions of the extravagant publicity of the institute on the social media platforms.

The Acclimatization

“He glances at me in intervals, maybe he is hesitant to initiate a dialogue. Shall I approach him. Oh! The well-suited person is headed towards my way, maybe he is the batch advisor.” — A roller coaster of emotions; freshies-exclusive. The Orientation Day was attended, predominantly, by the Senior pupils. No wonder the core reason behind the attendance was to ‘motivate’ the freshies, “it’s going to be a piece of cake.”

The Blue file

Following the publicity, freshies were strictly instructed not to keep the files they would receive from their batch advisors in the bag packs; the blue file, “Stick it to your chest!” — they posted. “hang your ID cards, you will be received with open arms.”

Orientation Day Spesh (Blue File)

There was a horde of the seniors, waiting outside the cafeteria, to fulfill their verdicts. Some were heard hooting and some were seen commanding, and justifiably, it was time to avenge their libel.

PSL V & Lahore Qalandars

Cricket is supposedly the national sport of Pakistan; playing down Field Hockey. But, we as a nation suffered a decade-long drought of International Cricket. PSL was one of the remedies with the 5th edition to start by February 20, 2020.

Lahore Qalandars, for the first ever time, passed all the hurdles of the round-robin stage and qualified for the Semi-Finals. No wonder they visited the campus to play an exhibition match on February 11.

source: lahore.comsats.edu.pk

But it would be jangling to praise the Campus Cricket field alone for the milestone, when the real star was Abdul Ahad Nasir — Ben Dunk stole his chewing-gum.

Brain-Flushing

“You won’t even know and the sessional will be right at your doorstep”, they said. Very well-said. Not long till the freshies run up and down the SSC edifice for the grant of their ID cards and IT Lab credentials, the possible weapons to tackle any tribulation on campus. The first wave has already hit. Another added chores on the schedule; the print-outs of the Entry Coupons, a feast to witness at the photocopy shop.

Biting the bullet.

“Pakistan 43, India 41. Success has hand-picked Pakistan’s account.” — A resounding performance to secure the final of the Kabaddi Worldcup’20, the top player of the Kabaddi Team, Shafiq Ahmed Chishti, was the chief guest for the Students Week SP’20 inauguration ceremony.

source: facebook.com/cuilahore

From inter-departmental cricket tournaments to star-gazing, much more was promising prior to pandemic’s inaugural case in Pakistan. COVID-19 abandoned cricketing tournament, both at COMSATS and the Gaddafi Stadium. Hence, an indistinguishable disappointment.

Hang fire

Neither the Students Week, nor the PSL V intrigued the freshies. Vous l’avez devinḕ. The Welcome Party! Who will ace the dance floor? who will be the center of witticism? What will the dress code be.? Everything has gone in vain. For the time being.

The cafeteria will be packed with pupils de novo, the guitarists will have their solitary bench. And we will have all our answers Insha’Allah!