‘I was late by just 5 mins'

“Please mujhe exam hall ke andar jane do. Thoda darwaza kholo sir,” was the earnest cries from two students-Fatima and Anjuman Begum who had come late to the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad centre, where the EAMCET exam was being conducted on Sunday. A few minutes later, they returned home dejected, as security staff at the entrance refused their request. The reason: the two girls had come late to the centre by just five minutes. The exam committee’s strict rule of not allowing candidates into test centres, even if they are late by a minute, poured water on some student’s dreams to become an engineer or a doctor. Even as the authorities made it very clear that the rule will be strictly, a few students had to face the penalty for coming late. With teary eyes, Fatima and Anjuman Begam, both residents of the Old City returned from the JNTU-H centre after reaching around 2.35 p.m for the EAMCET medical stream test held between 2.30 p.m to 5 p.m. “A five-minute delay has ruined my dream to become a doctor. All my two years of hard work went to waste. I can’t believe the examination committee would not allow even five minutes delay in reaching the centre,” said a despondent Fatima. She added that though she started from her home early, she could not reach the centre at the right time due to traffic jams. Similarly, Anjuman Begum, who reached the test centre just three minutes late, was also refused entry by the security staff. Even after repeated requests, she was not allowed entry into the exam hall. “I know EAMCET authorities made it clear that latecomers, even by a minute, will not be allowed into the test centre. I got stuck in a traffic jam. Why are EAMCET officials so stubborn in implementing the rule?” questioned a teary Anjuman Begum. Prof DN Reddy, vice-chancellor, JNTU-H and chairman of EAMCET examination committee explained they had strictly implemented ‘one-minute latecomer’ rule to prevent malpractice while creating awareness among students about discipline.  Meanwhile, it was tough time for parents who accompanied their children to the centres. With police strictly enforcing Section 144, parents had to brave the heat, waiting for their wards. Covering his face with a small handkerchief, M Vara Prasad, whose daughter was writing the test, vented anger on EAMCET authorities for lack of proper facilities.

By Mouli Mareedu

moulimareedu@gmail.com