Ban on Bermudas
Librarian’s diktat of banning ‘objectionable’ clothing at the Gujarat University library does not go down well with students who find casual clothes are more comfortable in summer while studying for exams
Yogesh.Avasthi
Posted On Wednesday, April 27, 2011 (http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/article/2/20110427201104270320318533179b535/Ban-on-Bermudas.html)
If you think that the Ahmedabad summer is a reason for you to roam around in casual Bermudas, colourful vests or tank tops, think twice before venturing into Gujarat University’s library. The Central Library which keeps open from 7 am to 1 am these days because of the examination season has issued a clear diktat: Anyone wearing Bermudas, vests or tank tops will not allowed on the premises. Not only does the library think it is immodest to wear Bermudas, it also warns of strict action against those who attempt to violate the rule.
Since this is the abode of Goddess Sarasawati (the Hindu deity of knowledge), “it is not befitting to come here in Bermudas or vests”, says the library notice. The notice appeals to students to wear modest clothes and sit properly before proceeding to warn students of strict action.
Most students feel it is okay to ensure that students behave decently in the library, but are not in favour of the library banning Bermudas or vests. Though this is just the beginning of summer, the city temperature has already crossed 41 degrees Celsius.
A lot of students stroll into the library after dinner for a reading session wearing casual clothes, including Bermudas or vests. Most of them are young boys, including university hostel students. Librarian Ashwin Bhavsar says, “For quite some time, it has been brought to our notice that students wear whatever they like to the reading room. Though nobody has complained to us, we thought it necessary to maintain some discipline to prevent any untoward incident from happening. We wanted to create an atmosphere wherein students can read peacefully and they are not unnecessarily distracted.”
Bhavsar says he was disturbed after he saw that some students dressed “quite immodestly”. He says more than girls it is the boys who dress up “indecently”. He once even summoned a group of girls wearing short dresses to his office. “I politely told them to avoid wearing such dresses to the reading room.” However, when he saw that a lot of students especially boys strolled in vests or Bermudas, he finally put up the notice.
Around 600 students visit the library daily to study.
This is the first time such a notice specifying a dress code for the library has been put up.
Students however are not happy with the decision and say Gujarat University which brags of global standards should first treat its students as responsible adults and not play moral police. However, one student Bhakti Shah said such a rule is okay because some students dress up outrageously.
“On the one hand we talk of globalisation and on the other we harass students over petty matters. Wearing T-shirts and Bermudas in summer is normal. There is nothing wrong in it. It is a matter of comfort and we feel relaxed while studying.”
Yogesh.Avasthi
Posted On Wednesday, April 27, 2011 (http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/article/2/20110427201104270320318533179b535/Ban-on-Bermudas.html)
If you think that the Ahmedabad summer is a reason for you to roam around in casual Bermudas, colourful vests or tank tops, think twice before venturing into Gujarat University’s library. The Central Library which keeps open from 7 am to 1 am these days because of the examination season has issued a clear diktat: Anyone wearing Bermudas, vests or tank tops will not allowed on the premises. Not only does the library think it is immodest to wear Bermudas, it also warns of strict action against those who attempt to violate the rule.
Since this is the abode of Goddess Sarasawati (the Hindu deity of knowledge), “it is not befitting to come here in Bermudas or vests”, says the library notice. The notice appeals to students to wear modest clothes and sit properly before proceeding to warn students of strict action.
Most students feel it is okay to ensure that students behave decently in the library, but are not in favour of the library banning Bermudas or vests. Though this is just the beginning of summer, the city temperature has already crossed 41 degrees Celsius.
A lot of students stroll into the library after dinner for a reading session wearing casual clothes, including Bermudas or vests. Most of them are young boys, including university hostel students. Librarian Ashwin Bhavsar says, “For quite some time, it has been brought to our notice that students wear whatever they like to the reading room. Though nobody has complained to us, we thought it necessary to maintain some discipline to prevent any untoward incident from happening. We wanted to create an atmosphere wherein students can read peacefully and they are not unnecessarily distracted.”
Bhavsar says he was disturbed after he saw that some students dressed “quite immodestly”. He says more than girls it is the boys who dress up “indecently”. He once even summoned a group of girls wearing short dresses to his office. “I politely told them to avoid wearing such dresses to the reading room.” However, when he saw that a lot of students especially boys strolled in vests or Bermudas, he finally put up the notice.
Around 600 students visit the library daily to study.
This is the first time such a notice specifying a dress code for the library has been put up.
Students however are not happy with the decision and say Gujarat University which brags of global standards should first treat its students as responsible adults and not play moral police. However, one student Bhakti Shah said such a rule is okay because some students dress up outrageously.
“On the one hand we talk of globalisation and on the other we harass students over petty matters. Wearing T-shirts and Bermudas in summer is normal. There is nothing wrong in it. It is a matter of comfort and we feel relaxed while studying.”
