Zero-tolerance to ragging

BHUBANESWAR: Governor and Chancellor of universities Murlidhar Chandrakant Bhandare on Friday directed all universities to initiate strong anti-ragging measures.At the first State Level Anti-Ragging Committee meeting here, the varsities were asked to install display boards and drop boxes on the campuses besides taking initiatives to differentiate between ragging and group clashes among students.The committee made a three-point recommendation which included publicity of helpline numbers of student advisors. The numbers of the advisors must be displayed prominently. Similarly, drop boxes should also be installed across the campuses so that victims can report any such incidence as and when they want.The third and important recommendation to the vice-chancellors (V-Cs) was to differentiate between ragging and group clashes. Ragging involves first year students and such incidence must immediately be taken note of, representatives of 11 varsities were told. In case of group clashes, the management must take steps as per law.The meeting also asked all the varsities and colleges to constitute anti-ragging committees at the earliest. Besides, such fora must be formed at the district level too and collectors have been directed to take necessary measures. The message must percolate down to college level and universities have been asked to take measures in this regard.In the last three years, just two cases of ragging have been reported from educational campuses.During the meeting, V-C of VSS University of Technology Prof CR Tripathy said adequate measures have been taken in the varsity. Telephones have been installed at hostels and other locations on the campus. Similarly, anti-ragging squads have also been put in place for conducting raids after 10 pm.Utkal University V-C Prof PK Sahu said the university has adopted a zero-ragging motto. There has been no incidence of ragging in the last one year and necessary measures have been taken to prevent any occurrence. Chief Secretary BK Patnaik and Higher Education Secretary Chandra Sekhar Kumar were present.