College brainwaves, where art thou?
They’ve either given it up as a joke, or aren’t easily reachable. A group of college students had hit on the brainwave of driving cars of the well-heeled set for evening parties, which naturally involves imbibing cocktails and stronger drinks. Those who can’t afford chauffeurs to stay well past their duty hour — but don’t want to be hauled up for drunken driving — could call up the service for party-ferrying, and the boys would do that at a reasonable cost.
The party chauffeurs made news, were featured in the city magazines, and they seemed a happy, convivial lot.
The entrepreneurship was expected to grow and become a franchise because the clients were appreciative of the efficient service. The party animals didn’t have to drive, or take yellow-and-white cabs, which can often refuse to go short — or for that matter, long distances. But it looks as if the college students have graduated and moved to driving their own sedans hopefully.
Another campus initiative that had made waves, was the sale of American hot sweet corn at the city’s Eros cinema. The students would man the counter themselves, and serve the corn to moviegoers at rates that fetched them a marginal profit to keep going. Alas, their idea was taken over by fast food magnates, and though Eros cinema no longer serves the piping hot corn, practically every multiplex does so at prices that burn a hole in the pocket.
Student initiatives do continue, but on the campus premises alone — be it with the sale of crafts, paintings and even award-winning documentary DVDs, the proceeds of which go towards charitable causes.
On an entirely different note altogether, scores of colleges in town run film societies — one of the oldest is at Ruia College — in a bid to promote world cinema and underscore the fact that there is alternative entertainment to the Dabangg brand of movies.
For sure, Mumbai’s students are hyperactive and seek to go beyond the ordained syllabus. But I’m still waiting to hear of another brainwave — like the ones masterminded by the party chauffeurs and cornwallas. Don’t want to preach from the pulpit, but can’t help saying — hey guys, the city’s full of out-of-the-box opportunities. Grab ’em.
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