10. THE CUT OFF - CHETAN BHAGAT (DEGREEFIRST YEAR – OU SYLLABUS)

DEGREEFIRST YEAR – OU SYLLABUS

10. THE CUT OFF

- CHETAN BHAGAT

INTRODUCTION :-

                                  The short story “cut off” was written by Chetan Bhagat, one of the most influential writer, novelist and best-seller. He is a motivational speaker and columnist and was named one of the ‘100’ most influential people in the world by Time Magazine.

EXPLANATION:-

                              The writer makes an insightful critique of engineering education in India through this short-story. It is a telling comment on the present system and the attitude of society.

                  

                             Gautam Arora, narrator of the story topped XII class exam by obtaining 92 percent marks. Inspite of good marks, he did not get seat in any reputed college. He got turbulent by his condition and decided to end his life. He met with his friend Neeraj and his girl friend Anjali at café.

                                   Gautam told about his condition and asked him to suggest the most graceful and painless way to suicide. Neeraj denied his decision and advised him to be innovative and imaginative. Cowards cannot progress in their life. Be brave and face the world with spirit.

                             

                             Gautham left the café and went to his house. After dinner, his parent’s conversation made him think more about his admission in a reputed college; still he was in dilemma and decided to write a letter to the education department. He opened the WordPad and wrote the letter. His letter was to describe the current situation of meritous students in the country. Lack of IIMS and IITS colleges in the country, their impact on the students who want to join undergraduate courses is higher. He suggests the government to open more A-Grade universities. He took a print out of the letter and keept it.

             

                         Early morning, their maid came delighted and distributed the sweets as her son passed with 42 percent. Gautam opened the newspaper and took out the admission supplement and threw it into the dustbin.

                          

             Afternoon, he went to the chemist shop and purchased copper sulphate to kill himself. Later, he went to his house where his father was telling his mother regarding the positive aspect of less branded college. Gautam understood the real meaning of his father words, when he saw the crumpled newspaper under the pillow in his father bedroom.

CONCLUSION:-

                                      Writer presents the rat-race for getting admission in to A-Grade institutions in our country. If they fail to get admission they have lost everything in their lives. They are subjected to tension, fear and stress. Minting money seems to be the sole purpose of their lives.

     

                 He also showed the relations between parents and children which is getting widened when compared to the olden days.