Like anyone else  I too have got a lot to say on my college , rather those days!!! I am not a writer and this bitter factor will definitely block me from a full exposure about  what I wanna say here.. Anyway..let me try in my possible ways...

Maharajas technological Institute ,(MTI) where I had done my electronics engg diploma is one of the oldest polytechnic in kerala with a rich history of 80 years , if I am not wrong!!

 The courses MTI offers  are 3 years engg. diploma in the following fields.

1.Electronics Engineering
2.Electrical Engineering
3.Civil Engineering
4.Mechanical Engineering

The grading of these courses are given in accordance the index marks (the total gained marks in science and math's in SSLC exams) required andalso the preference of the students,
ie.  Electronics used to be the first choice to anyone and Mechanical as the last, except in case of girls  who prefer Civil as the second choice after electronics. As the civil engg course is filled with chicks some boys put "civil:"as  their first choice!!!!
Anyway , I was not lucky enough to be among girls..rather in Electronics..and inMTI.  Electronix dept was added in 1990 , so we were the first batch. this factor has clearly reflected in our whole life there in both good and bad ways As we were the first batch we had no seniors to fear,: and many other students thought we were lucky to get admitted in electronix right in trichur, and were considered to be the brightest guys in our small world..Like the old saying goes.. mookkillaa raajyathth murimookkan raajaav!!!
We were 19 murimookkans and 1 murimookki there..
In 1989 the uniforms were introduced  in MTI , ie, light blue shirts and navy blue trousers.  As I  completed my matriculation from Technical High School Trichur, where we had white and khakkis. Hence the new colors were not feeling so bad to me and my THS classmates,  however, other guys, who came after pre-degree and enjoyed the real colorful campus life were embarrassed with this

It was with shivering legs I put my first step to MTI  on the first day. We heard a lot on the ragging and we were given a grand welcome by our seniors..they didnot leave anyone,, One of the interesting things were a special kind of salutimg...: "an electic salute"..ie, the senior acts as if he putting on an electric switch and the junior then salute him like a robot 3 times. Similar "mechanical salute" was introduced exclusively for the mechanical dept !! instead of putting on electric switch they  pull a lever !!!!  Howzaatt?

Even though we were afraid of seniors they were not breaching the limits of decency except to those who put some resistance. In my openion it is good to have this things  to a certain extend and helps you to shape you tougher and to get more involved within the friends circle , by sharing various experiances..   A year or later inyour life , these are the pearls of memories on  your campus and will make you too laughter.

I was slowly slipping out of the topic, the goods and bads, being the first batch there.  the bad thing was our electronics lab was not well equipped and the practical classes simply ended in some theatres or in the nearby meusium/zoo.  Even we were happy with this facility for the first 6 months,  but seeing the exams nearing, we understood the need for response in this matter.We introduced our problems to the principal, and he assured this matter will be taken seriously, but  nothing happened for the next 6 months!!

The next year, we started strike, and on the occation of the interview of the new batch, discussed this with the "Director of the tech, Education, Kerala"  and he promised to take immediate steps to solve our problems. And our dept became fully equpped within the time span of six months!!!
yes..the crying baby only has the milk  !!

One of the ever memorising character  in my career there was was George sir, the head of Electrical Dept. Everyone respected him, and he cared each and  everyone. Though we were  electronix dept and had a separate dept head , we used to go to George sir for all our problems. He had a special affection to us. He had a major role in equipping our lab to the standard seen as today.

Back to the uniform,
It was later , we knew that our uniform was the same color to  that of the bycycle salesmen of "Bombay Ice cream" in trichur. So we slowly started changing the colors.. The navy blue trousers were replaced with stylish jeans and the light blue shirt has given way to the ultra light cotton  shirts/ t-shirts. We were following the uniform rules, sametime followed the guidelines on a minimum style a boy should have to get approved by a girl, specially those girls from the nearby holy-family girls school!!!!

Super-7
 The super-7 is something I  speak with thousand tongue!!
The members were Sathish, Manikantan, Sivakumar, Vinod.V.B (not me) Shaji, Saji and myself.. We  were 7 with one mind. and even after 7 years since we broke out of the college  we are in touch with each other, being at differant parts of the world !! I am sure , you will see rarely such good friendships !!

Super-7  , a 1992 photo. ( from left- SivaKumar, Vinod VB, Saji Varghese, Vinod (myself), Manikantan, Shaji Cherian, and Sathish )

 We Electronics were the strongest side in cricket inside MTI. We contributed 6 players to the college team of 14 Hey..Not to boast on myself... I was the opening batsman for MTI in all 3 years, with one
100 (century)and a 50+ in my account.  But, It is not me, but others to say, MTI's  batting collapse after I was dismissed in the first ball of the inningsin 1993 against "Perinthalmanna" during the State Inter-poly cricket tournament. We lost Heavily being a highly talented team!

So I am sure U are tired reading all these..So take rest..And you are a honoured guest here always

Thanks and Regards

Vinod Menon