LSD, or Loyola Society of Debaters, as it is known to non-members, can drain one’s mind when one asks ” what sort of club is LSD”. We could proclaim it to be a club with elitist ideologies, as entry to the coveted club is logically by-invitation, considering the fact that only those who are a part of the club cherry pick – their friends to be inducted. To the cynics, its somewhat on the lines of ‘Intellectuals anonymous’ as those who fear their lives owing to rogue display of intellect , gather around on a lazy sunday afternoon to debate topics that are ‘unfathomable to the intellectually suppressed, oppressed and, depressed’ as a famous playwright once said. We can be considered an almost clandestine group of opinionated individuals, producing brains which N. Ram, Editor in Chief of The Hindu, or Sanjay Pinto, or P. Chidambaram use. We can be a study group on political thought, fiscal economics, philosophy or the cheapest roadside eatery. When one enters the coveted club, one fails to realize that the club, if personified will face an existential crisis. The truth, is known in your 3rd year at the end, when the college which requests that your light shines, and it shines everywhere, that the club is what you want it to be, and what you want it to be is a direct result of what your thoughts are, and what are your thoughts but reflections of yourself, and as we know a reflection never exists. Thus we can safely say that the club doesnt exist. 30 ideas of what people want to do on a sunday come together, and it is with this sense of brotherhood that we create an antimatter of sorts fissing and fusing intellect. Didn’t get it? dont worry, if you are lucky, you would be part of this brotherhood someday, if not, all we can say is ” may the force be with you”, thats what we told those other people, when they came with glowing sticks seeking entry. Semper Fidelis and Luceat Lux Vestra.
- Aparajith Raman (BA Economics, Loyola College)