Getting into the groove: Professional institutions serve as the launching pads for the students, for meeting the challenges of life in the wide open world, where they are expected to rub shoulders with a large assortment of different types of people. The young boys, fresh from the sheltered environment of their homes, keep spinning their cherished dreams and aspirations. That is the time, when they need all the facilities, care and attention, to shape them into physically fit and professionally equipped intellectuals. Hard work and pursuit of excellence are the key words and in course of time, they start keeping their head high and look forward to face the complexities and challenges of life with a sense of assurance and fortitude in a relaxed manner. And as time rolls on, the routines and achievements of the students start taking the form of traditions of the institution.
Lodha Building had a very central location in the civil lines area of Ajmer. It was close to the walled city and it was always very fascinating to see the students trooping in for the classes on the opening day. Class rooms, laboratories and workshops had been tidied up and furnished during the summer months and were waiting for the show to begin. The seats of the class rooms, laboratories and workshops were serially numbered and the students were expected to occupy them in order of their academic merit, reflected by the roll numbers allotted to them. The number on the roll list makes every student conscious about his standing in the class and develops in him a gradual urge to move up the ladder. In course of time, the senior students start occupying the role of mentors and begin to render all possible help to juniors, which ultimately helps in the development of fraternal relations between the students. In some cases, these relationships last a life time.
Academic Work: The total strength of the students of the first batch for diploma course in civil engineering in 1958 was 60. They were formed into two sections of 30 each. All lectures were written out and duplicated copies of the lectures were issued to the students. Written tests for two subjects were provided in the weekly time-table. As such all the eight theory subjects were covered by rotation during a month. All written tests were of two hours duration and were open book tests. The students were freely allowed to consult their notes and books available with them. They could also consult the teacher, who was available to them in the room. Those of the students who came prepared, managed to solve all the questions in allotted time, whereas, others tried to make the best of the available time and facilities and hoped to come prepared next week. Open book tests, eliminate the need for mugging or cramming and helps the students in better application of their intellectual faculties. Tutorials and drawing classes were arranged in groups of 15. The teachers were available during tutorials and drawing classes for clearing difficulties of individuals. Some of the senior students, who completed their assignments before time, were encouraged to provide help to other students under the overall guidance of the teacher. The process was considerably helpful to most of the students, who needed help and enabled the seniors to get a better clarity and grasp of the fundamentals. The strength of groups for physics, chemistry and mechanics laboratories, survey field work and carpentry, smithy and fitting workshops was also restricted to 15 to provide free access to the apparatus or equipment to every student and to enable him to perform the experiments, jobs and fieldwork individually.
Games and sports: Physical fitness is an essential component of all professional training programmes. There was sufficient open space in the compound of Lodha Building, which was temporarily utilized for the development of one basketball court, one volleyball ground and two courts for tennikoit rings. Volleyball was popular in schools in those days and the facility was welcomed by all the students. Basketball was a fast moving game and the students gradually developed a liking for the game. Tennikoit provides inspiration to all those people who have never played any game to try their hands at it. Once they are on the court, they start throwing the ring and gradually develop a liking for the game. Singles or doubles, it initiates the players in footwork and movements of the body, which are helpful to the student for almost all types of outdoor games. It was very satisfying to see that most of the students and teachers involved themselves in some activity or the other in the evening, after hectic working schedules of the institution.
Trip to Foy Sagar, Happy valley and Anna Sagar: The day to day relationships between the teachers and the taught are extremely exciting and enjoyable as they take all the twists and turns from time to time and place to place. A day in the class and some sort of bond develops between the teachers and the students. Laboratory practicals, workshop and fieldwork bring the teachers and the students close to each other. Outdoor games and sports go a step further by providing opportunities to them, to rub shoulders with each other. Outdoor sight seeing, picnics, tours and travels go many steps further in strengthening fraternal bonds between the teachers and the students. Ajmer was full of greenery, lakes and picnic places. On one of the rainy days in August 1958, all students and staff of Ajmer Polytechnic made a day long trip to Foy Sagar, Happy valley and Anna Sagar. Anna Sagar is prominent landmark of Ajmer, with the sprawling lake built by Maharaja Anaji of Ajmer in the twelfth century, Mughal gardens known as Daulat Bagh built by Mughal emperor Jehangir and pavillions built in Mughal architecture on the top of the main dam of Annasagar by Mughal emperor Shah Jehan. Happy valley provides a picturesque run along the western foothills of Taragarh. Foy Sagar is an artificial lake built in 1892 on the southern end of Taragarh hill for meeting the water supply requirements of Ajmer. It provides beautiful glimpses of Aravalli mountains. The march of students commenced from Anna Sagar and thereafter, passing through happy valley, it ended at Foy Sagar in pleasant weather.
After light refreshments, the students were divided into six groups of ten students each and every group moved around and settled down at a cosy place at Foy Sagar. Thereafter, every student was provided with an opportunity to speak for five minutes, on any topic or current activity of the institution, town , state or country before the remaining nine members of his group. While one of the students was speaking, the other nine students of the group functioned as judges. Every student was encouraged to rank all the nine speakers in order of their performance. Thereafter , after some relaxing light games, the students moved to Annasagar.
Sumptuous lunch was waiting for the students at Anna Sagar. Once the bellies were full, it was free for all in the baradari of Annasagar. Students vied with each other in providing performances of light music and entertaining skits in all types of unconventional and innovative ways.
Provisional recognition: Provisional recognition of different courses running at the Polytechnics of the state was a routine exercise conducted by Board of Technical Education of Rajasthan. A visiting committee consisting of experts and representatives of the board and the ministry of scientific research and cultural affairs of the government of India visited Ajmer Polytechnic running at Lodha Building in November 1958. The members went round all the classes, laboratories and workshops and were happy to talk to the students and the teachers. They finally wanted to move into the room of the principal for formal discussions. They were surprised to find that everything had been neatly looked after, but, due the limitations of space, a room could not be found for the principal.
Annual sports and prize distribution: Mid term examinations were over in the last week of December 1958 and the students were raring for some fresh air and healthy rivalry during annual sports of the institution, which were held in the third week of January 1959. Mayo College had provided liberal facilities for the Annual sports and prize distribution functions of Ajmer Polytechnic. A week was assigned for practice and acclimatization followed by group wise and institution wise competitions in games and sports. Groupwise competitions help in mass participation of students in the activities, which ultimately sprouts in the development of interest and pursuit of better performance. Liberal prizes were awarded for groupwise and institution wise performance in games, sports and mid-term examinations.