Traditional attire for varsity convocations on cards

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 5

In a move to end the British raj legacy of wearing convocation gowns and caps as the official graduation dress code in the state universities, the Uttarakhand Department of Higher Education will replace these with the traditional attire that complements the art and culture of Uttarakhand.

Uttarakhand Minister for State for Higher Education Dhan Singh Rawat along with Vice-Chancellors of the universities today finalised the attire for the convocation ceremony. 

“Today, we managed to shortlist three dresses out of the seven that were presented before us. Now, the final dress for the convocation will be finalised by the Uttarakhand Governor and the Chief Minister,” said Dhan Singh Rawat, while speaking with mediapersons.

To make things easier for the selection, the students had come dressed in the traditional attire for the shortlisting exercise. The focus was on traditional pahari topi, kurta pyjama and hand-woven shawls.

Significantly, during the convocation ceremony at Petroleum University,  Chief Minister TS Rawat had given a call for doing away with the British legacy of a black coat and a black cap and instead replace it with the suitable traditional attire. 

“The ethnic dress code will be in sync with our traditional and culture of our country and state. By March we hope to finalise the convocation dress so that it can be worn for the convocation ceremonies then onwards,” said Rawat.

At the same time, the central universities too have given up the black gown-cap dress code for the convocation ceremonies and replaced them with kurta dhoti/ kurta pyajama for men and saris for women.

Ending British legacy

During the convocation ceremony at Petroleum University, CM TS Rawat had given a call for doing away with the British legacy of a black coat and a black cap and instead replace it with the suitable traditional attire.