Date:01/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/01/stories/2008070151340200.htm

Kerala - Kochi

Tackling the bullies

Staff Reporter

FIRM RESOLVE: Students of a college taking the “anti-ragging pledge”.

KOCHI: Freshers, get ready for the new academic year. Fears of ragging might trouble you but the University Grants Commission (UGC) is ready to help.

Colleges that fail to implement the recommendations against ragging might face the wrath of the committee this time.

The UGC has asked higher educational institutions to abide by the suggestions given by the R. K. Raghavan Committee against ragging.

In its voluminous report, the committee had suggested that the ‘freshers” day or ‘welcome party’ shall be concluded within the first two weeks of the beginning of the academic session.

Members of the college faculty must be present during the programme to ensure that no ragging or untoward incident takes place on the occasion.

Every institution should engage or seek the assistance of professional counsellors at the time of admissions to counsel ‘freshers’ in order to prepare them for the life ahead, particularly for adjusting to the life in hostels.

Experts found that preparing students in this manner would enable them to cope with the stresses of the hitherto unknown life on the campus.

They have also recommended joint sensitisation programmes and counselling of both ‘freshers’ and seniors by a professional counsellor. Joint orientation programme of ‘freshers’ and seniors to be addressed by the principal/head of the institution and the anti-ragging committee could also be organised on the campus.

The committee against ragging has also suggested organising cultural, sports and other activities to provide a platform for the ‘freshers’ and seniors to interact in the presence of faculty members.

In hostels, the warden should address all students. He/she may request two junior colleagues from the college faculty to assist the warden by becoming resident tutors for a temporary duration. It has been recommended that as far as possible, faculty members should dine with the hostel residents in their respective hostels to instil a feeling of confidence among the fresh residents.