Editor,
Salil Gewali’s letter, “On making uniforms mandatory in the college,” (ST Dec 5, 2023), also echoes my sentiments profoundly. The transition from school to college in India isn’t just a change of educational institutions, it’s a crucial phase in the journey from adolescence to adulthood. This transition involves not just academic growth, but also significant personal and social development. A key aspect of this development is the shift from wearing school uniforms to choosing one’s own attire in college. This notably small change has profound implications for a student’s growth and preparedness for adult life.
In school, uniforms serve a purpose. They create a sense of equality and discipline, removing distractions caused by clothing. However, extending this uniformity to college seems counterproductive. College is where young adults prepare for the real world. It’s a space where they should learn to make choices, including what to wear. These choices, albeit small, are practice for the larger decisions they’ll face in life.
Imposing uniforms in college could hinder this essential aspect of personal development on which Mr. Gewali also puts emphasis. When students pick their attire for different occasions—be it a lab exam, a presentation, or just a regular day—they are learning to understand and adapt to various social contexts. This learning is crucial. It’s not just about looking good; it’s about understanding societal norms and expectations, which is a vital life skill.
Moreover, the transition from school to college symbolizes a shift in societal perception. Students are no longer seen as children but as young adults capable of making responsible decisions. This shift is crucial for their self-esteem and confidence. Wearing a uniform throughout college might delay this important transition.
My personal perception is that College is a time for personal growth and preparation for adulthood. The freedom to choose one’s attire is a small but significant part of this journey. It’s about learning to navigate the social world, understanding different contexts, and making responsible choices. Uniforms in college might seem like a continuation of school discipline, but they could hamper the very growth and preparedness for life that college is meant to foster. Let’s focus on building internal moral compasses in our youth, rather than relying on external symbols like uniforms. Lastly, I wish to quote Mr. Gewali’s words, “Remember, great minds like Pascal, Leibniz, Newton, Kant, Marie Curie that we have all studied didn’t need uniforms to shine. The college could always insist on “decent and dignified” attire, regardless of its quality.” These lines carry profound meanings.
Yours etc.,
Dr. Shivanshu Shrivastava
Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology (An Institute of National Importance, GoI)
Via email
Improve roads before increasing tourist footfalls
Editor,
The MDA-2 Government has been hosting a number of festivals with the intention of garnering funds while also spending funds on such festivals. In simple accounting techniques it’s a just about receipt and expenditure. We have been hearing from the Tourism Minister that the tourism footfall is rising, which if accurate is good for the state and its people. However, before the State Government further makes tall claims a small checklist is important to show whether Government’s claims are based on facts and figures. Firstly, the major tourist destinations are still not connected to better, wider and more improved roads. For instance the road leading to Dawki via Pynursla is in a state of animated suspension and no one knows the status of that project funded by JICA. Secondly, street lights are only visible in selected places in and around Shillong while most places beyond the capital remain dark and insecure for both locals and visitors,
So what is MeECL doing to light up the dark alleys? I hope that when the MeECL officials travel even as far as Guwahati they will admit to seeing a huge difference between the two cities. In large parts of Meghalaya internet connectivity still remains a challenge while other states are enjoying 5G infrastructure. Here the network providers claim to have 5G speed but that is hardly the case. Next lets come to livelihood activities in the tourism sector which Government claims has happened in a big way. We can trust those claims provided we have specific data and information on the public domain. Environmental damage is still visible around and most importantly the declining forest cover which is a serious concern. So before hyping or over-hyping our tourism scenario the Chief Minister and his cabinet should walk the talk and see for themselves the realities unfolding on the ground.
Yours etc.,
Dominic S.Wankhar,
Via email