India, Sept. 1 -- For Sri Venkateswara College fresher Ronil Batra, the election wishlist starts with a canteen upgrade: affordable Diet Coke, especially during exam season. "Diet Coke is basically the drink of Gen Z and the fuel during exam season. Give us Diet Coke and see how our productivity doubles. We're not surviving on canteen chai alone anymore," he says, asking for the product to be available at discounted rates in canteens or vending machines: "Whoever makes this happen instantly gets our vote."

Kirori Mal College fresher Gayatri Dave wants college fests to deliver on their "big surprise" promises. Her pick is California-based band Ignite. "Every year college fest committees promise a 'big surprise artiste' and I have heard ev...