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).
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. 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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