O C

                                                                     O C

Several things are indicated by this expression “O C”, though the items are exclusive to select occasion.

In education institutions, “OC” refers to ‘Open Category’ implying that this segment does not come under the category of reservation or quota allotted to children of any social category or privileged segments like armed / uniformed services. Unfortunately, persons who are not beneficiaries of blessed reservations come to be labeled as of ‘OC Community, though officially ‘OC’ is no reference to any community. For job positions governed by policies of reservations, such open spaces are referred to as ‘OC Vacancies’; practically persons of so-called ‘forward communities’ are considered as of ‘OC Category’ though it is no entitlement for them to aspire for such positions. 

In another U S situation, OC signifies something else; it is a teen drama series -created by JOSH SCHWARTZ that had a fan following for 4 years [2003-2007] as a television serial. “O C”-- in that serial, was a reference to Southern California-as ‘Orange country’ where the serial was set.  

Coming to Indian scenario ‘OC’ enjoys connotations unrelated as obtaining in different geographic locales.

In Karnataka, OC is Occupancy Certificate for buildings. It implies that the building complies with stipulations to ensure all forms of safety to occupants including aspects of sale in future.

Occupying of buildings without an OC is deemed illegal.

In order that a buyer wishes to avail of financial assistance for buying house or apartment, [s]he ought to furnish another OC- this time the Occupation Certificate.

Tamil Nadu

Term “OC” has bizarre connotations not common elsewhere. The bizarre connotation that I refer to here has a typical but funny use in this part of the country. There is kind of belief of ‘free for all’ in employing the term by Tamils. Honestly, many are not sure as to if “OC” is Tamil or English; be that as it may, they are least interested in pinpointing the term to its language.

It, [OC] is being liberally used to signify ‘Free of cost’. Many happily say I got it OC [O si]. He had an OC [Osi] travel means he did not have to pay for it.  

It would be a real surprise if one unravels the origin of OC as used in TN. It dates back to the days of British administration in India. The then agency governing British rule was East India Company and government’s postal mails were Company mails with the label ‘On Company Service’. ‘On Company’ was abbreviated to ‘OC’ meaning that no postage stamp be affixed [no Charges]. Anything free from ‘pricing’ got to be called OC [Osi]. It became so much liberated from charges that even non company items delivered free are OC. Free meal is termed ‘OC Sappadu’ 

Since no levy is collected on blog posts, it is an OC[Osi] Blog post for readers.

Prof. K.Raman