'Design Indian convocation dress codes': Centre to medical institutions
What's the story
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued a directive to all central government-run medical teaching institutes, including the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and the Indian National Institute of Surgery (INIS), regarding dress codes. The directive encourages these institutions to replace Western-style academic dress with Indian attire during their convocation ceremonies. This initiative is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Panch Pran resolutions, which aim to eliminate remnants of colonial influence and promote Indian traditions.
Attire redesign
Ministry urges institutes to design new convocation attire
In its directive, the ministry highlighted that the current practice of wearing black robes and caps during convocations, a tradition dating back to medieval Europe, was introduced in India during British colonial rule. As such, the ministry urged medical institutions to create new convocation attire that reflects the local traditions and cultural heritage of their respective states. "The above tradition is a colonial legacy which needs to be changed," stated the letter.
Twitter Post
Read the directive here
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… pic.twitter.com/S2hBwsPGdh
— ANI (@ANI) August 23, 2024
Collaboration
Institutes to collaborate with local artisans, cultural experts
The ministry has also asked these institutes to submit proposals for the new dress code for approval. The institutes have been asked to work with local artisans and cultural experts in designing the new attire. In January, the University Grants Commission (UGC) had also urged all universities to switch their convocation ceremonial attire to Indian handloom robes in an effort to promote Indian fabrics and support the handloom industry.