The Fighter: To get to the light one must go through the dark

"The Fighter" is a story that chronicles the journey of Sahil Madahavan through a year at Oakwood College, a British founded, old world style boarding school. When one thinks of a school like this, they often visualise pupils who are dressed immaculately in blazers, very polite, and disciplined, which is all true, but what most don't know of, is its archaic way of functioning, that resembles any hardcore prison. The senior students selected as prefects are comparable to prison guards and run the underbelly of the school. Violence and ragging are a way of life, and any junior who complains is considered a snitch and ostracized and boycotted. Talking back to seniors is one of the biggest crimes here, and severe physical punishments are dealt out mercilessly. Food served at the school dining hall is almost inedible and hence there is a rampant black market that started with bootlegging of tuck (foodstuff) from outside, but eventually evolved into peddling cigarettes, booze and question papers. To survive here, as in any prison, one has to adapt, get creative and street smart, or simply crumble under the pressure. Everybody changes in boarding schools differently, and so does our protagonist Sahil. To get to the light, Sahil must go through the dark.