Engineering Colleges: Where are the girls?

As we all know that the girls : boys ratio in India is low but do you know which sector is the most affected by it? Well, it’s engineering, read that as engineering colleges, if guys from these colleges are to be believed.
According to these techies, this dearth of girls in engineering colleges is now a known fact! Speaking to shiksha.com, these guys besides sharing funny insights from their colleges also acquainted us with the situation in their respective colleges.
Why less girls at engineering colleges: Guys’ perception

Currently pursuing his higher studies from Germany, Mir Zahid, a student of NIT Srinagar says, “It’s a normal thing to have fewer girls in engineering courses throughout the world. Yeah, the figures are slightly up in India, but it doesn't make a difference.” He further adds, “Yes, but if we talk about the dating thing, then it’s a problem. But, I think, dating is not restricted to the campus, right ;)"
According to this lad, this isn't any kind of situation at all. He shares, " Things are never gender related unless we ourselves want them to be so. I would really appreciate the number of girl students going high in Indian university and then maybe guys can put up better scores to impress girls’ in-case they want to. Lol".
For Janesh Khanna, it’s a not good to not have girls around. He says, “It’s not good. I know my branch is not that easy for girls but still it would feel better to have girls around. You know, it’s not that fun with majority of boys. It really becomes boring after few months. Infact, with girls around, sincerity prevails.”
He further adds, “It would make the environment healthier. With boys it’s monotonous. Like, being with boys only calls for fun most of the time, even with teachers, so having girls around would increase the level of sincerity.”
And then we spoke to Tanmay from IIT-Delhi, who thinks that this scarcity is definitely an issue for most of the people. He shares, “Keeping in mind that most of us have slogged through our school years to get here, we really didn't a have a life (or a girlfriend) back at school. And things only get worse here at IIT.
Amiya Anupam from IIT-Kharagpur feeling sad disclosed, “There aren’t less number of girls in my department but there are NO girls!! But, I feel pretty OK with that. Having a girl in my department wouldn’t have any difference on us guys”.
Daily dose of gossip ;)?

Speaking on this context, Zahid says, “I was more into sports. I focused more on grades and other things. If people want gossip or what you call eye tonic, they can get it anywhere. It’s not a class room thing. But to be honest, some of my friends, not to mention even my best friend always cursed our college for having fewer number of girls. So it depends!
While on the other hand, Tanmay feels that there's plenty of gossip for those who actually care. Most people at  engineering colleges don't.
Should there be reservation for girls in Engineering Colleges?

Encouragingly backing this thought, Zahid says, “Yes, I think, there should be some nominal percentage of girls in college. I believe so because, it’s a way to attract talent into engineering disciplines, and talent is something that is not gender biased. Here in Germany girls are very high in number in technical courses and they are doing very well. Their research contribution is very high from both girls and boys. So yes, girls should be welcomed in engineering colleges to prove themselves and to contribute to the field. “
But, others are completely against reservations for girls in tech colleges. Janesh says, “Why reservations??? They have equal chances. They don't opt for engineering doesn't mean there should be reservations for them. They can openly compete with us. Why give them an upper hand?
Amiya, has a neutral take on it. He says, “Well, it’s both a Yes and a No from my side. But, ultimately, I think, there's no need to change the system if it's working”.
Zahid: yes, I think, there should be some nominal percentage of girls in college. I believe so because, it's a way to attract talent into engineering disciplines, and talent is something that is not gender biased
Campus placement: Being few in number do girls get undue advantage?
Answering back right away, Zahid said, “No. Certainly not. One of my female friends despite having very high grades didn’t get into a good company. Employers surely know how to hunt talent properly!
Backing him up, Janesh too shared, “No I don't. PI is entirely branch related, in my opinion”.
Branch with the lowest population of girls

Talking to guys from different engineering colleges and backgrounds, it came across that Mechanical and Mining are two engineering departments, where you would actually find no girls!
Girls: Do they increase the humor element in classrooms?
“Definitely! Infact, there would be more fun contrary to the situation now”, says Janesh. But for Zahid, this is not the case. He adds, “Well, I have done my schooling from Burn Hall school Srinagar which is an all boys school. We had a great ride. I remember a lot of funny humorous things from those old days, so I think humor is always better with guys, number of girls is a redundant variable in this case.
Beep Beep: Girls! We have a message for you!
Zahid: Study hard! To get into an IIT or NIT is not a piece of cake. And most importantly enjoy your time in college. That’s it!
Janesh: Engineering boys are cool! Don't get us wrong, if you do ;)
Tanmay: Umm, I guess just stay fit. Eye candy to chahiye hi: P
Why are girls not choosing engineering as their career option?

For Zahid, it’s just a matter of choice. He says, “Earlier I just thought that guys are just way too smart as compared to girls. But later as I came across other disciplines, wherein girls have done remarkable contribution like journalism , media , languages etc. i think that it is just a matter of choices. One of the reasons can be that engineers are more involved with physical activity which might appear to be tiresome for the fairer sex, but it has nothing to do with who is smarter: Girls or boys.”
However, Janesh says, “I think girls shy away from this stream, perhaps, because of the hectic schedule. The rigorous schedule- full day college, studies and stuff like that.”
But, well, none of the above was the case with Tanmay. He said cheekily, “Talking specifically about the IITs, it’s pretty hard to get into IIT. Back at my IIT-JEE coaching institute, the ratio was pretty much the same. So it’s only natural that the same trend is seen here. Firstly, the number of girls who appear for the test is less. And I don't want to sound sexist but I guess this is just not most girls' cup of tea”.