Indian attire to replace colonial-era black robes, caps at medical convocations
New Delhi, August 23
In a bid to do away with one more vestige of colonial era, the BJP-led NDA dispensation has decided to replace black robes and caps with Indian attire as customary dress code for central medical school convocations.
Originated in Middle Ages in Europe
Currently, the black robe and cap is being used during convocation by various institutes of the ministry, the communication said. This attire originated in the Middle Ages in Europe and was introduced by the British in all their colonies, it added.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Friday directed all medical institutions and teaching hospitals under its jurisdiction to evolve a state-specific Indian dress code to be introduced from the next academic session.
The letter was sent to AIIMS, central medical teaching institutes and central nursing institutes.
Titled “Identification of dress code for Central Government Medical Teaching Institutes,” the letter from a government Under Secretary stated: “I am directed to invite a reference to the PANCH PRAN (five resolutions) enunciated by the Prime Minister. In this regard, 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.”
The letter says the ministry has decided that various institutes of the Central government, including AIIMS, PGI Chandigarh, JIPMER Puducherry among others, engaged in imparting medical education will design appropriate India dress code for the convocation ceremony of their institute based on local traditions of the state in which the institute is located.”
The ministry has sought proposals from institutes saying the Health Secretary will have the final say in approvals. That means the final approval to the new convocation dress code will come from Punya Salila Srivastava, who will assume charge as India’s new Health Secretary on September 30 this year after incumbent Apurva Chandra superannuates.
