Chandigarh, Monday, October 26, 1998
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Chandigarh, Monday, October 26, 1998 |
IIAS to get new identity:
Dr G.C. Pande Classroom terrorism |
Ragging assumes draconian form CHANDIGARH: Ragging was a part of early civilised societies and existed at ancient seats of learning such as Berytus and Athens. It has also been a part of the Army and English public school traditions. From here it came into vogue in engineering/medical and other residential educational institutions with the sole objective of creating a new fraternity and common bonds by mixing with freshers (newcomers) drawn from heterogeneous groups. This tradition of ragging was imported into India along with English education. Ragging then meant seniors mocking and jesting at juniors. Unfortunately the modus operandi has subsequently transformed into a brutal and inhuman exercise in the absence of adequate supervision and guidance. Though ragging during the daytime seems innocuous, it assumes threatening dimensions at night within the hostels of residential schools and colleges. It degenerates into mental and physical torture and obscene behaviour. The aftermath of a complaint or revelation of ragging is sheer invitation to the wrath of seniors leading to a worse degree of ragging and being declared a “social outcast”. In fact, there have been cases where administrators have been pressurised, on one plea or the other, to ask students (who protested against ragging) to discontinue their studies. Freshers this academic year seemed so petrified of the consequences of any admission of ragging that their prompt reaction to any query was “Oh! there’s no ragging this year”. Our seniors are very understanding”. However, a first year student at Punjab Engineering College (PEC), Chandigarh, who pleaded anonymity, when alone admitted that he had been ragged and “ragging in the institute ranges from ‘mild to severe and at times even humiliating degrees. It all depends on how servile and fawning you are willing to be”. Another student said “as long as its singing, polishing shoes, writing out time-tables for seniors its okay, but when you are supposed to tease girls or convey indecent messages to them it becomes a mental torture”. Psychiatrists believe that virtually all ragging incidents seem to be the outcome of either the frustration — that stems from a myraid of failures or a drive to take vengeance, which is endemic among students subjected to similar treatment as freshers. According to Dr Savita Malhotra, Additional Professor, Department of Psychiatry, PGI, Chandigarh: “Ragging is a socially accepted way of allowing deviance from norms of behaviour. In the garb of ragging vicarious gratification is brought about”. When asked to what extent ragging should be permitted, Professor Rajneesh Prakash, Principal, Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh, said: “Ragging should not be permitted at all”. PATIALA: The first indication to a fresher that he may be ragged comes when the administration pastes orders on the notice boards declaring a ban on ragging and punishment for those indulging in it. Yet the orders serve no purpose other than being an annual ritual on the part of the authorities. In most colleges of the city ragging is restricted to wishing his seniors whenever he sees them or narrating a joke. In the university, seniors usually barge into a classroom and order the freshers to form a queue. They are then taken to an isolated spot. Any fresher trying to break the queue is hit mildly with a stick. At professional colleges like Government Medical College and Thapar Engineering College, the freshers are often told to shave their moustache and perform ludicurous acts to provoke laughter. A student may be told to perch himself on a tree and keep crowing till two crows actually come and join him! Another may be told to go fetch change for a five paise coin. Psychologists suggest that healthy form of ragging helps in an early realisation and projection of one’s personality. However, ragging takes up a draconian form in hostels. A few years ago four students of the Department of Computer Science, Punjabi University, were rusticated for a year for indecent ragging. Enquiries reveal that in hostels the freshers are not only told to strip themselves in the presence of seniors but also made to perform obscene acts. At the local medical college, three freshers (hostelers) admitted to spending nights in a religious place to escape ragging. Dr B.S. Sandhu, a former Head of the Department of Psychology, speaking on ragging says: “Different persons adopt different methods to feel superior and exhibit superiority. While psychologically sound persons tend to achieve this through socially accepted methods, those with unhealthy minds adopt deviant and anti-social methods”. Factors like improper parenting, lack of role models, intense competition, frequent exposure to aggression and violence combined with a deep-rooted sense of insecurity results in self-centered and sadistic behaviour among the youth. As a consequence, in lighter moments, especially in group situations like ragging, they lose control over their suppressed aggression and make the weak and helpless target of their sadistic impulse. They may become cruel and violent to the extent of causing a permanent damage to the self-esteem of the victim. Dr Sandhu explains that while the aggressor is in urgent need of therapeutic help, the victim has to suffer for no fault of his. AMRITSAR: Militancy proved to be blessing in disguise for students as ragging was totally banned by militants in all educational institutions of the district of Amritsar. However, with the return of normalcy, the practice has once again raised its ugly head. Seniors, who don’t want to be identified justify ragging on the pretext that it helps them in getting acquainted with freshers in the minimum possible time and it is a method by which freshers are taught to respect their seniors. Guru Nanak Dev University has expelled 10 final year students from the hostel. Dr S.P. Singh, Dean (Colleges) is of the view that those who indulge in ragging often belong to the elite class as students with a rural upbringing hardly indulge in it. (Incidently, most of the students who were expelled from the hostel either belonged to very rich families or were sons of officers). Contributed
by Meenakshi Mehta, Jupinderjit Singh and Varinder Walia. |
IIAS to get new
identity: Dr G.C. Pande SHIMLA: Dr G.C. Pande, an eminent scholar and chairperson of the new governing body of the Indian Institute of Advance Study (IIAS) will lay emphasis on inter-disciplinary, collaborative and foundational research to avoid duplicity and enable the institute to develop “identity” as an exalted centre of higher learning. Even after 34 years of existence, the institute has not been able to establish its pre-eminent position as envisaged in its memorandum of association and by laws, Dr Pande, who was here in connection with the first meeting of the reconstituted governing body, lamented during an interview. This was largely on account of the fact that due attention was not being paid to specified areas. Much work had been done in various disciplines over the past three decades but the institute had not moved far in the direction of basic thrust areas like study of Indian civilisation and theoretical research, he pointed out. He said there was no point in going for routine research which was being carried out in various other institutions and universities. Besides, there was a lurking danger that this advanced centre of research might lose its elevated status and end up as just another auxiliary institute of learning. So far the research effort was not in the direction envisaged in the mandate of the institute. While there had been little foundational or inter-disciplinary work in social sciences, the field of theoretical research in mathematics and physics, for which there was a vast scope, had been left untouched, he observed. He said besides directing the research effort to the thrust areas, he would also try to make the procedure for selection of research fellows more exhaustive to ensure that only eminent scholars were awarded fellowship. Author of over 30 books in English, Hindi and Sanskrit and winner of several literary awards, Dr Pande plans to encourage collaborative research by establishing structural links with other research institutes. He also proposes to collaborate with Tibetan scholars to retranslate to Sanskrit rare manuscripts available with the Tibetan government-in-exile. Mr Pande said he would soon set up a committee to work out the modalities for the same. In order to focus research on native culture, he proposes to set up a centre for study of Indian civilisation within the institute. The purpose of a separate centre was to emphasise the stated objective of the institute — a better understanding of India and its unique civilisation, Dr Pande explained. The centre would focus on religious, philosophic, literary and artistic traditions of the country. It would also have a translation unit for undertaking translation of literature in regional languages into English, Hindi and other regional languages. This would go a long way in promoting national integration. His top priority, Dr Pande said, would be to settle the issue of shifting the institute from the Vice Regal Lodge once and for all. He said dislocation of the institute from the present premises was not in its interest. It would not only require much funds but also a lot of time to build a new campus elsewhere. Another issue which warranted immediate attention, Dr Pande said, was the perennial problem of funds which the institute had been facing. There were not enough funds for the maintenance of the sprawling complex which required major repairs. Roads in the campus alone required Rs 25 lakh. He said he
would urge the government to provide separate funds for
maintenance so that shortage of funds did not affect
academic activities. |
Classroom terrorism TERRORISM, as one would generally perceive, is known in forms of “Political disgruntledness” or at extreme “misguided religious romanticism”. But little does one know that terrorism also exists in such spheres and areas, as classrooms, where all issues, including terrorism, are not only discussed and debated but also concluded judgementally. I am sure, none of you must have guessed, what I am reaching at, and if I am right, the apathy, which I am about to rue shall be more understandable. Well, I am referring to “student ragging”. To some it may still seem to be a little fun and frolic. Those who live in this belief are indeed ignorant. And before their ignorance is taken aback and they witness their wards or near and dear ones in feline postures with fear-filled eyes, and the very those whom they had patted barely a few months earlier on having achieved academic excellence being herded like sheep, and before they can see their simple Rama and Lakshmana being made to utter obscenities which they never heard, it is time to take stock. Well if you permit, I can take you down the corridors of halls and temples of fame and knowledge. To begin with, these are never swept. They wait a full term, for freshers who would do the needful. A pleasure which not only the alma mater but also the karamcharis derive. Then, your ward who until now in his 12 years of classroom has always been commented upon for his neatness and hygiene and has made the mother proud or otherwise is rudely scruffed from his neat hair and ordered to have his hair close-cropped and moustaches removed. For some it is the maiden shave. Oh, what an introduction to maturity. Thereafter, before he discovers the toilets, he is told to carry the underclothes and apparels of seniors for washing. Any question, nay comment, can only be responded with a slap or dhap by a chappal. Seniors firmly believe that the language a fresher will understand is none other than this. After having done favours, which include writing notes or copying notes, bringing cigarettes, ironing clothes, shining shoes et al, each senior, who has in any case assumed the title of “Sir” has now a “battie” serving him. As friends in the Army would know, batman or battie is a personal attendant for running errands and petty chores. Any visible, I repeat visible, silent resistance will result in torturous punishment, for example, 200 sit-ups, or poking of the one’s nose by a matchstick with hands tied behind. What about fun? Well, they will pick up a guy who apparently appears to be simple and make him sing “Aaj Mere Baap Ki Shadi Hai”. Such entertainment is reserved for the hostel mess, so that all could have a little fun. If your little favourite is still stubborn, at least in appearance, or if he is courageous enough to hold himself, as his manhood would demand, then his very manhood is put on exhibition. Repulsive, sure it is. I do know, most of us would think this a passe and also bask in the fact that the seniors a year ago were freshers. Well, then this just is the fact, this write-up aims at. What does the vicious circle do to our value system? Do we let our children be turned into inconsiderate, inhospitable and sadist individuals (no wonder the TV shows are full of violence and crime, and are popular) or would we like our young ones to be gentlemen in the real sense? I am no psychologist and cannot term my observations, but could “ragging” be a beginning of an angry young man. And what about an angry young woman? Little what I could read into the unspoken accounts of a young girl fresher was “shameless naked oppression”. Some had lost privacy, which hitherto was only acquainted to a personal toilet. And who were these tormentors; smoking rowdy abusive girls, just a year senior. See what a year did to them? And also what two more will? “Mera
aks itna buland hai ke parae sholon ka dar nahin; mujhe
dar to atishae gul se hai, kahin mera chaman jala na
de” (myself is bold enough not to fear alien embers;
but scared I am of glowing flowers of my own garden for
they may not burn it.) |
Campus
Scene SHIMLA: A three-day national seminar on “Education of the disadvantaged groups in India challenges of the 21st century”, was organised in the Department of Special Assistance in Education (DSA), Himachal Pradesh University. It was the third national seminar in a series conducted by the department. Academicians from National Open School, Delhi, IGNOU, NIEPA, NCERT, Delhi, Punjab, Kurukshetra, Patiala and Maharshi Dayanand Universities participated. Twentyfive papers were presented. Field experiences were narrated by various NGOs working for literacy in the country. The main stress in this inter-disciplinary seminar was on the homadic tribes and people living in distant and coastal areas, according to Dr Lokesh Kaul of the DSA. The seminar focused on various themes like National Policy of Education, equality in educational opportunities, teachers’ education, literacy campaign, vocationalisation, voluntarism and privatisation in education. Prof Mrinal Miri, Director of Indian Institute of Advanced Studies, delivered a brain-storming inaugural address. Prof C.L. Kundu, V.C. of HPU, emphasised on the need of voluntary education in the country. *************** Mr M.S. Garga, Chief Librarian, H.P. University, retired last month after serving the university for 26 years. He will be remembered for his contribution in starting a new library, bringing grants from the UGC and creating other infrastructural facilities for the library. There are 1,75,615 books in the library with 522 regular journals and 16 newspapers. At least 600 readers frequent the library daily. *************** A book on examination reforms written by Dr Bharat Bhushan Sharma of the Education Department was released by Prof Mrinal Miri, Shimla last week. *************** The
university hosted the All-India Inter-University Kabbadi
Championship for women in which eight teams participated
from two zones. The north-eastern zonal championship was
also held in the campus in which four teams were selected
on a league-cum-knockout basis for the finals. |
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Violence against gays in schools The beating to death of Matthew Shepard, a gay and fresher in the University of Wyoming, highlights how hostility towards homosexuals often flourishes in high schools and universities in the USA. “People would like to think that what happened to Matthew was an exception to the rule, but it was an extreme version of what happens in our schools on a daily basis,” according to Kevin Jennings, executive director of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, a New York group dedicated to ending anti-gay bias in schools, reports The New York Times. Last year in a survey of almost 4,000 Massachusetts high-school students, 22 per cent of gay respondents said they had skipped school in the past month because they felt unsafe there, and 31 per cent said they had been threatened or injured at school in the past year. These percentages were about five times greater than the percentage of heterosexual respondents. In a separate study of nearly 500 community college students in the San Francisco area, 32 per cent of male respondents said they had verbally threatened homosexuals and 18 per cent said they had physically threatened or assaulted them. Skipping breakfast is bad Countless studies in recent decades have documented the value of breakfast to a child’s ability to learn, think quickly, pay attention and get along with others. One recent study found that kids who eat breakfast improved their math grades, school attendance and punctuality, reports The New York Times. Children who regularly eat breakfast think faster and clearer, solve problems more easily and are less likely to be fidgety and irritable early in the day. Recent studies show that children who skip breakfast are not as adept at selecting the information they need to solve problems. Ability to recall and use new information, verbal fluency and attentiveness is hurt by hunger. Earlier studies showed similar effects of skipping breakfast among teenagers and adults. Discipline & achievement The first study looking at the link between discipline problems and student achievement finds bad behaviour limits learning in the core subjects of maths, reading, social science and science. The study by Educational Testing Service (ETS), a US organisation, indicates schools with strict codes of behaviour and harsh punishments experience fewer problems. The analysis of 13,000 students across the USA found that one in 10 in eighth grade feel unsafe at school. In addition, the study found that 29 per cent of 10th graders said it was okay to copy homework or come late to class; 16 per cent said it was okay to talk back to teachers, according to a Gannett News Service report published in USA Today. Gender gap A report
released by the American Association of University Women
(AAUW) Educational Foundation shows a major new gender
gap in technology education. Boys clearly outnumber girls
in higher-skill computer courses. But it also notes a
puzzling drop in enrollment by both sexes. Of those who
do take such courses, girls tend to cluster in lower-end
data-entry and word processing classes. AAUW director
Janice Weinman says there are subtle messages for girls
interested in computers, such as video games with violent
and sport themes aimed at boys. The study said boys tend
to take more challenging roles, such as computer
programming and problem-solving, reports USA Today.
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