Anti-ragging committee formed in medical college

Raipur, August 17, 2011 

Pt Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Medical College (JNMMC) has formed an anti-ragging committee to ensure that the newly admitted students may not get harassed by their seniors. In this regard, the committee held its first meeting recently in which all the members discussed over future course of action.

“Ragging is major crime and the college would not allow any such cases to occur. For convenience of students, there will be a complaint box in the campus in which the victim students can put their written complaint without divulging their names,” said the JNMMC dean Dr Ashok Sharma.

“Besides, the victim student can also lodge his or her complaint to the dean, hospital superintendent or hostel warden. Even, the eye witness of the ragging case can inform about it to the college administration. For this, a helpline number – 1800-180-5522 can be used,” said Sharma.

He made it apparent that the students admitted in the first year would not have to follow any dress code as imposed by the seniors. “Strong disciplinary action would be taken against those seniors who would compel the junior to wear a particular dress in the first year,” he said.

Sharma informed that the formal introductory meet of the seniors with the first year students – freshers’ meet would be organised within one month of completion of the fresh academic session of the college. In this programme, all the teaching faculties and the office-bearers of the students’ union would also be present.

The spokesperson of the medical college Dr Arvind Neral informed that strangers’ entry in hostels without permission would be strictly prohibited. “The college administration will mark specific sensitive locations of the campus where ragging can occur. The information about these locations would be given to the police administration so that the cops could keep hawk’s eye in these places and immediately check ragging incidents,” Neral said.

“Similarly, all the department heads have been asked to take proper measures to prevent ragging and indiscipline in their respective departments. To ensure ample lightning in all the nooks and corners of the college, we will take help of the power company. In addition, the college will take help of the Superintendent of Police to control activities of anti-social elements around hostels,” he said.

“Every student in the college would have to promise in written that he or she would not involve in ragging – whether directly or indirectly,” he said.

The college administration has also constituted students-teacher committees to ensure better coordination between the students and teaching staff. In every committee, there will be one teacher and 5-6 students.

Dr Neral informed that the college would also follow the guidelines and timely recommendations of Human Rights Commission and state government.

The anti-ragging committee comprises of JNMMC dean, joint director Health department, hospital superintendent, all the department heads, all the hostel wardens, president of junior doctors’ association, office-bearers of students’ union, students’ representatives, Additional Superintendent of Police SI Khan, SDM (City) Jaishree Jain and Raipur Press Club president Anil Pusadkar.