Education in an ancient period was essentially residential regardless of the status of the learners, the learning centres were situated in the dense forests and distant hilly terrains. The students had to reside in ashrams for their studies. Education in these ashrams was pragmatic and need-based as per the contemporary society and cultural aspirations.
Charls Lamb, the famous English essayist, lived in a hostel in the year 1782 to 1789 named the Christ's hospital. The word hospital was synonym for hostel in those days. The Christ's hospital was an English public school called the blue coat school. It was one of the grammar schools founded by Edward VI. Charls Lamb had many good facilities regarding getting good food because he had his friends and an aunt outside the school, Elia. The famous English writer and poet Coleridge was one of the friends of Charls Lamb. A number of famous and great persons studied there. Coleridge was poor and friendless, he did not have the privilege which were available to Charls Lamb. But, the education in the grammar school and the Christ's hospital was such an excellent that all students who studied there became very famous.
I, 50 years back, after passing my matriculation examination went to the science college, Raipur, at the heart of the Chhattisgarh state. There I lived in a hostel. There were four hostels for the students coming from all over the State. About 300 students resided in those days, each hostel had separate mess run by the students themselves.
I was an inexperienced young man of 17 years, in the hostel. I had many friends, helpful in nature. There I learnt many things, my health and linguistic competence improved immensely. My personality groomed as I desired. I had many friends, now they are well placed senior citizens. My two hostel wardens are still alive and are living in Bhopal. The life in the hostels improves the attitude, outlook and provides wide exposure to students and liberates the selfishness.
Some families/parents have realized the importance of living in hostels. This is mostly possible when the studies are to be carried out outside your home town. Human character is shaped by the circumstances also. At times if the other students in the hostels are not good, then it may affect a student's personality adversely. In hostels sometimes bad ideas of ragging in very bad ways take shape.
Ramesh Kumar Gupta
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