Punjab to do away with convocation gowns

Chandigarh: Terming it as a reflection of the "colonial symbol of
slavery", the Punjab government on Wednesday announced that it would
do away with ceremonial gowns worn during convocation functions of
colleges, institutes and universities in the state.

Punjab Education Minister Sewa Singh Sekhwan, who was addressing a
meeting of government college principals, said the Punjab government
did not agree with the legacy of continuing with the system of
convocation gowns.

Asking the principals to express their views freely to do away with
the convocation gowns, Sekhwan said, "The gown reflects the colonial
symbol of slavery and it is high time that we get ourselves free from
this colonial mindset."

Exhorting principals to lead from the front, Sekhwan said the higher
education department this year has the highest ever budget allocation
since independence and it was imperative for them to raise the bar of
standards in their colleges.

The minister said the state government would fill all vacant posts of
college principals by promotion as well as direct recruitment within
two months. IANS