By Express news service, 09/10/2010
Convocation robe a British legacy, must be scrapped: Kalam
Former President of India A P J Abdul Kalam, while delivering the convocation address of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University on Friday, described the convocation robe a British relic.
Earlier this year, Environment minister Jairam Ramesh had refused to wear the convocation robe during a ceremony and had called it a part of British relic. Later in the year, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar had refused to put on the convocation gown at another ceremony.
Though Kalam did not do a Jairam or a Sarkar, and wore the robe during the ceremony, he suggested the convocation robe should be done away with.
"The gown should go. It is British gown. We must have a simple Indian dress instead — an Angavastram or a Lucknow dress, maybe, which is lighter and suitable for all seasons," said Kalam.
Introducing the concept of Provision of Urban Amenities in Rural Areas (PURA) to the students, Kalam encouraged the students of the university to start the project. " This will provide a hands-on experience to the students in taking up societal missions," said Kalam.
Before this, Chancellor of the university, Professor U R Rao declared the convocation open. A total of 31 Ph D scholars and 373 post graduate students were given their respective degree certificates at the convocation held for 2007-09 and 2008-10 batches.
IndianExpress
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