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| EDUCATION TRIBUNE |
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Say ‘no’ to ragging
UK to fund Sikh, Hindu schools
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Say ‘no’ to ragging Ragging is an act of aggression committed by an individual or a group of individuals over another individual or a group of individuals and by virtue of their being senior, somehow get the authority and audacity to commit the act to the freshers of the institution. It is any act which causes, or is likely to cause, any physical, psychological or physiological harm of apprehension or shame or embarrassment to a student, and may include teasing or abusing of playing practical joke, or causing hurt to any student, asking any student to do any act or perform any thing which he/she would not otherwise be willing to do or perform. Ragging is supposed to have its origin in certain European universities, where seniors played practical jokes at the time of welcoming freshers to institutions. Gradually, it became popular throughout the world. However, with time, it has assumed obnoxious and harmful connotations and needs to be severely condemned. Today, almost all countries of the world have enacted stern laws that ban ragging and it has been completely eradicated in countries such as Canada and Japan. But sadly, India, which inherited ragging as a legacy from the British Raj, has not been able to free itself from the clutches of this inhuman practise which is believed to be a major factor that often leads to campus violence and suicides in educational institutions. India and Sri Lanka are the only two countries in the world where ragging exists in the most condemnable form. Ragging is not merely a socio-legal problem, it has a certain psychological basis that nurtures a sense of authority in an individual, which boosts his morale and puts him on a high by having the freshmen always at his command. Senior students believe that since they were ragged, they have the right to rag their juniors. It also gives them an opportunity to satiate their sadistic pleasures at the cost of a poor freshmen’s imagination. But not always all seniors who commit ragging enjoy doing it at their will. Seeing most of their batchmates indulging in ragging, they fear being left out and to avoid isolation, they too join the herd. Many senior students live under the misconception that ragging makes a style statement and thus will put them in the “influential crowd” of their college. Let us examine some shocking forms of ragging. Some of the most popular forms prevalent in institutions are prescription of weird dress code which may make the freshmen feel awkward and uncomfortable as it often brings them unnecessary attention from everybody. Formal introduction as asking the freshmen to introduce themselves in pure local language. Verbal torture involves indulging in loose talks. The freshers may be asked to sing the lyrics of any vulgar song or use abusive language while talking to the seniors. Severest form of ragging that takes place in colleges is sexual abuse and the freshers are forced to try drugs thereby driving them into addiction. In many cases, the freshers have been asked to strip before the seniors. They may be asked to enact scenes from a particular movie or mimic a particular film star, doing silly scenes, proposing to someone from the opposite sex, etc. Students who stay in hostels are most vulnerable to ragging. They may be asked to do all odd acts from cleaning the room of seniors to washing their clothes. This leads to loss of individuality and break the self-esteem of a newcomer. The fear engenders feelings of bitterness and revengefulness, which is often taken out on juniors next year. Consequences of ragging are shocking, for it spoils the environment of the college, creates gap between seniors and juniors, increases the crime on campuses, juniors can’t concentrate on studies because they live under constant fear, it harms the mental level of juniors and compels some to commit suicide also. There have been more than 25 deaths due to ragging during the last seven years. Despite the law and occasional steps taken by governments, ragging does exist in our institutions. Therefore, institutional authorities, government and the public should take some serious decisions to stop this increasing menace. Various states have been passing anti-ragging legislations, but the issue is far from being resolved. In 1997, Tamil Nadu became the first state to bring a legislation against ragging. Even the Raghavan Committee has failed to put an end to this menace. The Supreme Court initiated a step by defining new guidelines for ragging in 2001. However, passing laws will not end this menace until massive nationwide awareness is created about ragging. Efforts need to be made to make ragging a social evil by highlighting its ill effects and thus establishing a public opinion against it. Community and the students in particular must be aware of the dehumanising effect of ragging through posters, signboards and notice boards, etc. Anti-ragging movements should be initiated by all educational institutions. Undertakings should be taken from freshers, seniors and their parents or guardians. Ragging-prone zones such as hostels, canteens, playgrounds and secluded areas need to be identified and carefully guarded. Surprise checks should be made by the hostel warden, especially during the nights. Freshers can be allotted separate hostels. Faculty members should have personal interaction with freshers and should stay in close contact with them and instil in them a sense of confidence. Freshers should be made aware where to approach for redressal in case of ragging. Professional counsellors can also be engaged to counsel freshers to prepare them for the life ahead. Migration certificates issued to students should mention if the student ever indulged in ragging. Anti-ragging and vigilance committees should be formed and senior responsible students should be part it. Failure to prevent ragging should be taken as an act of serious negligence on the part of an institution. Accountability of institutions should be taken care of and financial assistance and recognition should be withdrawn from the institutions where ragging incidents are reported. Hopefully, all pledge to hold the responsibility that ragging is not considered as a fashion but as a crime that deserves to be condemned ,as it breaks lives, careers and families. Let us say “no” to ragging and commit to make the coming session ragging free.
The writer is Professor, Department of Extension, Education, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana |
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UK to fund Sikh, Hindu schools ONE school stresses the importance of yoga, a second insists its pupils learn Latin, and five different faith groups will get the chance to run their own state-financed schools, the government has decided. Welcome to the brave new world of UK Secretary of State of Education Michael Gove’s flagship “free” schools — 24 of which will be opening their doors for the first time at the start of the new term next month. The successful candidates have been selected from 323 that applied to the government for funding. They include a couple of existing schools which have converted to “free” status: the Maharishi School in Lancashire, which follows the beliefs of the former Beatles’ guru and introduces its pupils to yoga, and a long-established independent school, Batley Grammar, which has forsaken selection so that it can receive state funding. The religious groups include the first state-financed Sikh school, Nishkam School in Birmingham; two Jewish primary schools in Haringey and Mill Hill, north London; a Hindu school, Krishna-Avanti Primary School in Leicester; and a Church of England school, St Luke’s in Camden, north London, an area where there is a shortage of school places. Then there is the West London Free School pioneered by the journalist and author Toby Young, which will provide a “traditional” academic curriculum with an emphasis on Latin. The “free” school scheme has been fiercely opposed by Labour and teachers’ leaders. They argue that it could destabilise existing schools and make them unviable by taking away pupils in areas where there is no shortage of places. Andy Burnham, Labour’s Education spokesman, has, however, said he would be prepared to allow them to continue to operate if they have proved successful. In all, the 24 include 17 primary schools, five secondaries and two that will take pupils all the way through from three to 18. The Department for Education said that half of the 24 were cited in the most deprived 30 per cent of communities in the country. The government revealed that the capital cost of setting up the 24 schools would range from £110m to £130m. “The most important thing for any parent is to be able to send their child to a good local school with high standards and strong discipline,” said Gove.
— The Independent |
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CAMPUS NOTES
CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar OILSEDED scientists of Haryana Agricultural University have developed a new variety RH 0406 of mustard with high oil content and yield potential. A spokesperson for the university said here that in the group meeting of oilseed scientists of All India Coordinated Research Project held at Guwahati recently, the variety was released for cultivation in Haryana, Punjab and parts of Rajasthan under rain-fed conditions. He said the university had also developed several mustard varieties like RH 30, RB 50 and RH 8812 which had contributed towards raising oilseeds production in the area. The scientists had also developed production and protection technologies, as a result of which Haryana led the country in oilseeds production. He said this year also the state had recorded average productivity of 1869 kg per hectare against the targeted average productivity of 1750 kg per hectare. He said the new variety possessed average yield superiority of 12 to 15 per cent over the existing recommended varieties of mustard. The latest variety gives an average yield of 20 to 22 quintals per hectare and matures in 145-150 days. Its seeds are bold with oil content of 38 to 40 per cent. Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar The 561st birth anniversary of the founder of the Bishnoi sect Guru Jambheshwar, after whom the university is named, was celebrated on the campus. A havan was performed on the occasion. Paying tributes to Guru Jambheshwar, Vice-Chancellor M. L. Ranga said Guru Jambheshwar was a great environmentalist of his age besides being a spiritual leader. More than 500 years ago, he underlined the importance of trees and animal life. He enunciated 29 principles to be followed by members of the Bishnoi sect which included providing protection to tress and animals. The university has a Department of Religious Studies named after Guru Jambheshwar.
New houses inaugurated
Vice-Chancellor M. L. Ranga inaugurated a block of 30 newly built A-type houses on the campus. The houses have been built at a cost of Rs 55 lakh. Ranga said the houses had already been allotted and the new houses would provide adequate housing facility to its employees within the campus. Each house has two bedrooms besides toilets and kitchens.
Registrar’s term extended
The Board of Management of Guru jambheshwar University has extended the term of Registrar R. S. Jaglan by a year. Jaglan has been working as Registrar since August 29, 2006. He is the 12th Registrar.
Sadbhavna Divas celebrated
Sadbhavna Divas was celebrated on the university campus recently. Vice-Chancellor M. L. Ranga in his address to the students and employees said former Prime Minister late Rajiv Gandhi stood for peace and goodwill in society. He said it was the duty of every Indian to promote these values. An oath was administered to the students to continually strive for maintaining and promoting peace and goodwill in
society. — Contributed by Raman Mohan |
IT is said that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. This truly stands correct in the case of ragging. Though ragging was intended to provide good humour and harmless fun to students, today it has assumed torturous, vulgar and inhuman forms that defy all norms of decency and morality. What began from a friendly introduction turned to disgusting and perverted overtones.