In a bid to move away from the “colonial legacy” of wearing the black robe and cap for convocation ceremonies and instead embrace attire that reflects India’s diverse cultural heritage, the Union Health Ministry has directed its institutes including AIIMS to develop a new dress code for convocation ceremonies that reflects local traditions.
“Currently, the black robe and cap is being used during convocation by various institutes of the ministry,” the communication said. This attire originated in the middle ages in Europe and was introduced by the British in all their colonies,” said the Ministry in a statement.“The above tradition is a colonial legacy which needs to be changed,” the communication to all of its institutes said.
“Accordingly it has been decided by the ministry that the various institutes of the Ministry including AIIMS/INIs engaged in imparting medical education will design (an) appropriate India(n) dress code for the convocation ceremony of their institute - based on local traditions of the state in which the institute is located,” the communication stated.
