On March 8, Aman Kachroo, a 19-year-old medical student with the Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College in Himachal Pradesh died from grievous injuries sustained while seniors were 'ragging' him.
On March 13, a female student with the Bapatla Agricultural and Engineering College in Andhra Pradesh attempted suicide after being forced into dancing naked for her seniors.
And on Monday, the Supreme Court of India issued notices to college principals across the country, warning of criminal action against them if it was found that ragging was underway at any of their institutions.
What was once a rite of initiation into the college fold, where senior college students made freshers sing to trees or dance atop a car before becoming friends for life, has turned into something brutal, vicious and tragic. Teasing has turned into harassment, friendly challenges have turned into severe beatings and mild embarrassment and a good laugh are not the goal -- total humiliation is.
Were you ragged in college? What was the experience like for you? Do you have fond memories of those days when you look back, or did the whole process leave you uneasy and disturbed?
Do you think ragging, as long as it is in the spirit of good, clean fun and as a means on introduction is an integral part of college life?
Or is it best done away with altogether, given the tragedies that have arisen from the tradition?
We want you, dear readers, to share your experiences, opinions and comments about ragging and its effects on youngsters.
Email us at getahead@rediff.co.in about your ragging experience, along with your name, age, occupation and hometown, and we'll publish the most interesting entries right here, on rediff.com. Your identity will not be disclosed unless you want it to be.
If you have ragging-related videos, you can upload them on ishare.rediff.com by following the simple upload procedure there and send the link to us for publishing.
