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This is an archive article published on August 24, 2024

Centre asks medical colleges to have local attire for convocations

The instruction will be applicable to all the Central government-run medical colleges, the All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) across the country, and institutes of national importance such as the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research-Chandigarh (PGIMER).

medical colleges, medical colleges attire, Government Medical Colleges, Private medical colleges, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), AIIMS, health ministry, Indian express news, current affairsA few years ago, the country’s apex medical education regulator, the National Medical Commission, was embroiled in controversy after it suggested that medical colleges adopt the Charak Shapath instead of the Physician’s pledge.

Calling black robes and cloaks worn at convocations “a colonial legacy”, the Union Health Ministry on Friday asked all the medical colleges under it to design a dress code based on local traditions.

The instruction will be applicable to all the Central government-run medical colleges, the All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) across the country, and institutes of national importance such as the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research-Chandigarh (PGIMER).

“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,” said the Ministry’s letter.

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It said that all the Central institutes should design a dress code for convocation ceremonies that is based on the local traditions of the states in which the institute is located. The institutes should submit proposals for approval by the Secretary, Health, the letter added.

The Health Ministry’s missive is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘panch pran‘ or five resolutions to help India become a developed nation in the next 25 years. These include “100 per cent freedom from slavery (100% Azadi from Ghulami)” and taking pride in Indian heritage.

A few years ago, the country’s apex medical education regulator, the National Medical Commission, was embroiled in controversy after it suggested that medical colleges adopt the Charak Shapath instead of the Physician’s pledge.

Anonna Dutt is a Principal Correspondent who writes primarily on health at the Indian Express. She reports on myriad topics ranging from the growing burden of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension to the problems with pervasive infectious conditions. She reported on the government’s management of the Covid-19 pandemic and closely followed the vaccination programme. Her stories have resulted in the city government investing in high-end tests for the poor and acknowledging errors in their official reports. Dutt also takes a keen interest in the country’s space programme and has written on key missions like Chandrayaan 2 and 3, Aditya L1, and Gaganyaan. She was among the first batch of eleven media fellows with RBM Partnership to End Malaria. She was also selected to participate in the short-term programme on early childhood reporting at Columbia University’s Dart Centre. Dutt has a Bachelor’s Degree from the Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune and a PG Diploma from the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. She started her reporting career with the Hindustan Times. When not at work, she tries to appease the Duolingo owl with her French skills and sometimes takes to the dance floor. ... Read More

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