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Jairam Ramesh Removes Convocation Gown, Calls it 'Barbaric Practice'

  •   Fri, Apr 02 2010 10:23:33 PM

PTI
BHOPAL, Apr 3 (PTI) : Stoking a potential controversy, environment minister Jairam Ramesh on Friday called as "barbaric colonial relics" the practice of wearing the traditional coloured robe at convocation ceremonies and publicly removed his own gown at one such event.

"I still have not been able to figure out after 60 years of Independence why we stick to these barbaric colonial relics," Ramesh said while addressing students at the seventh convocation of the Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM).

Ramesh also posed a question as to why there cannot be a convocation with everyone sporting a simple dress.

"Why cannot we have a convocation in simple dress instead of coming dressed up as medieval vicars and popes," he asked, as he removed his gown worn over his trademark white kurta.

Ramesh's dramatic action drew a loud applause from the assembled gathering.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Charles D'Mello, Pangala

    Sat, Apr 03 2010

    You can not dress up in the same way to the funeral and the Mariage. If this is British tradition he (people) may suggest a different Indian Dress code. If convocation can be in simple dress why our children go to school in uniform..!!???? Many poor families can not afford the school fees and on top of that schols are burdening them with dress code, books , Pencils and pens from the school stationery(at a higher cost with school name embossed)...!!!??? Is it not a loot in the name of uniformity.

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  • NAJAM BATREKERE, Bajpe

    Sat, Apr 03 2010

    Excellent move.
    Most of traditions / laws (in Indian administration) we follow that of pre-independent era.
     

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  • Ronald D. Machado, Udyavara, Sharjah

    Fri, Apr 02 2010

    Every occasion has its own significance. Mr. Jairam Ramesh may suggest some Indian dress code suitable for the occasion,and if he does not have the knowledge he may ask "designers" to do so and create some employment opportunity!


    He is an environment minister, there are one million issues about environment which are not solved and he should concentrate on that. This is an minor issue and nothing to do with his department

    I think somebody down there should give him his job description and then teach him to prioritize the issues.

    Mr. Clifford Fernandes has given him a Title that suites him.

    For example there are some ministers like him who are more interested in changing the names of the roads than making new roads.

    After 60 years of independence I do not know when our ministers will understand to prioritize the issues. This is very very sad.

    No wonder enemies are taking advantage of this.

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  • nagesh nayaK, bangalore

    Fri, Apr 02 2010

    JAIRAM RAMESH IS 100% RIGHT. WEARING COLOUR IS A BARBARIC PRACTICE.

    SIMPLE FORMAL DRESS CODE IS ENOUGH FOR CONVOCATION.

    JAI HO.

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  • Joe Gonsalves, Mangalore - U.S.A.

    Fri, Apr 02 2010

    Mr. Minister. What is wrong about wearing convocation gowns? Is the practice bad merely because it has been passed down by The British? A question for you Mr. Minister. Why did you wear the gown in the first place and why this nataka of disrobing yourself. I do not think that you have impressed people this way. The term barbaric is a misnomer. There is nothing barbaric about this custom. The best action on your part would have been to refuse to wear the cloak instead of the concert.

    Please take my remarks in the spirit they have been expressed. I naturally respect people and I respect you too but not your act.

    Joe Gonsalves

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  • Langoolacharya, Belman/USA

    Fri, Apr 02 2010

    This fellow Jairam and another MOS Shashi Tharoor, are after publicity.

    The day media stops reporting this, they will stop this drama.

    Looks like they came right out of comic books.....

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  • ShivaPrasad ARiga, Oman

    Fri, Apr 02 2010

    Good Job! Sir
    Each and every indian Must vomit out all the accumulated white garbage deep inside our systems!

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  • Dinesh B, Mangalore/USA

    Fri, Apr 02 2010

    The minister needs to give up all the western 'barbaric colonial' things including his position as a minister and not just the cap and gown. Why does he want to stay even with democracy which is a western principle. Should have reverted back to kingdoms ruled by Indian kings and be speaking Hindi or Sanskrit or local languages - why speak English or even write in English? Also, do not deal with the western countries and ask them to invest or create jobs in India. Go back to the stone age - that would be much in line with some of the other fundamentalists are doing in some parts of the world. Give up your hatred for the west and be realistic -

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  • Sashi, india

    Fri, Apr 02 2010

    Fantastic ... We are all forced into these stupid ceremonies that we loose our Identity. This is nothing but a religious influence, where it gets into every ceremony of the common man making it a norm.

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  • Samir, Mangalore/Dubai

    Fri, Apr 02 2010

    This gentleman is sincere and have guts. It is strange that we Indians still follow western culture/tradition blindly and feel that we are great because we are not following Indian culture/tradition!!

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  • aftab sardar, dubai

    Fri, Apr 02 2010

    rightly said and done.

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  • Clifford Fernandes, Mangalore

    Fri, Apr 02 2010

    What an idiot!. He is unfit to be a minister. Just to gain some political scores he will do anything. Convocation is a very solemn occasion that comes once in a life time for majority of graduates. Let them enjoy their day.

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