Khaki Jacket, Pahadi Cap - the new attire at medical university convocation

Dehradun: Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Medical Education University conferred degrees to 234 of its medical, paramedical and nursing graduates. The degrees were given away by the Chief Minister, Trivendra Rawat and Governor, KK Paul along with state Higher Education Minister, Dhan Singh Rawat on Thursday.

The Chancellor Gold and Silver Medals were given away to thirty-four students of the university, who received them wearing the traditional pahadi dress of khadi jacket, pahadi cap, and stole instead of the conventional black gowns.

The students were following in the footsteps of CM Rawat, who had last year refused to wear the ceremonial gown during the convocation of Dehradun’s University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES).He had on that occasion asked universities to “let go of the colonial legacy of wearing such gowns during convocations, ” reports TOI.

CM Rawat in his address on the occasion said that he was not ashamed to accept that the quality of health facilities in far-lying areas such as Jakhol village in Uttarkashi and Okhalkhanda village in Nainital was lower than expected.

“People from missionaries of other countries come to these areas to serve our people. We should take a cue from them and provide our selfless services to the people in the hills.”