Home away from home

WHEN our uncle in the US told us that his son aged 18 was going to live alone, we looked wide-eyed and our jaws dropped. But, now that’s passé. As youngsters today move out of their cocoon — for work or study — and live away from parents. The trend of moving out is ‘in’. But, here we are not talking about youngsters who are living away from parents as they work or study in another city. Rather, about Puneites who, following the West, are moving out even if they don’t have to shift base to a different city. While for some, it’s a chance to experience freedom, for others it’s about taking control of one’s own life.

A case in point is Nisha Khanna, a student who moved out to live with a group of friends to prepare for a competitive exam. “It can get really disturbing and annoying at times when you sit in the corner of your room and prepare for the exams while everyone else around you is having fun. So, I decided to move in with my friends who are also preparing for the exam. This way, not only is a healthy environment for studying created, but we also help each other with doubts.” While Nisha had opted to live with friends, Devika Chitnis, a student, proudly declares that her mother asked her to move out of the house, “I have been brought up in a very protective environment. And my mom thought I had become too dependent. So, she wanted me to go out and experience the world first-hand. This was a good step as I am now more confident and independent.”

When youngsters move out, they learn to be responsible. From managing their room to funds, they do it all. Counsellor Meenal Sohani feels, “When the child moves out on a happy note, then it definitely creates a positive change in him, and helps in the enhancement of the overall personality. They become self-reliant, and learn to manage stuff like expenses, study timings and can take right decisions.”

Living with friends is fun. Agrees Nishit Nair, another student, who moved out of his home as commuting to college was getting really hectic for him, “I have my MBA classes at nine in the morning, and then in the evening I have my PGDHRM course. To travel back and forth every day was really pressurising. So, I took a call and shifted base from Nigdi to Aundh. Living with friends is definitely fun, but I do look forward to finishing my studies and going back to live with my parents.” For Ritwike Chakravarti, who also moved to a hostel as he did not wish to travel 25 kms each day to college, it wasn’t quite difficult. He says, “Living alone was never an issue for me. I have been at a boarding school, and I enjoy living alone, except the fact that I really miss ghar ka khanna. Nothing can replace that.” What about freedom? Don’t you love that? Ritwike Laughs, “Oh! Who doesn’t? Freedom is great.” Devika feels otherwise, “You tend to enjoy the freedom for the first few months, but when you have to do everything yourself you start valuing your home and what your parents do for you even more.”

Guess, living alone is not that bad after all!