Indian attire to replace colonial era black robes, caps as convocation dress code in AIIMS, other central medical schools
New Delhi, August 23
In a bid to do away with one more vestige of the British colonial era, the BJP-led NDA dispensation has decided to replace black robes and caps with Indian attire as customary dress codes for medical school convocations.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has directed all central medical institutions and teaching hospitals to evolve an appropriate state specific Indian dress code to be introduced from the next academic session.
The letter has been marked to AIIMS, Central Medical Teaching Institutes and central nursing institutes.
Titled “Identification of dress code for Central Government Medical Teaching Institutes,” the letter from a government under secretary states, “I am directed to invite a reference to the PANCH PRAN (five resolutions) enunciated by the Prime Minister.
“In this regard, it is observed that currently as a matter of practice black robe and cap is being used during convocation by various Institutes of the Ministry. This attire originated in the middle Ages in Europe and was introduced by the British in all their colonies. The above tradition is a colonial legacy which needs to be changed.”
The letter said, “It has now been decided by the Ministry that the various Institutes of the Ministry including AIIMS, other central institutes like PGIMER, Chandigarh, and JIPMER, Puducherry, among others, engaged in imparting medical education, will design appropriate India dress code for the Convocation Ceremony of their Institute based on local traditions of the State in which the Institute is located.”
The ministry has said the proposal to this effect should be submitted to the respective Divisions for consideration and approval of Secretary (Health).
