Berhampur: The ViceChancellor (VC) of the Berhampur University here in Ganjam district has come up with some ‘eco-friendly’ initiatives to make the campus pollution-free.
According to a notification (letter no-1035), issued by the VC Geetanjali Dash Wednesday, the employees and teachers have been asked to wear khadi clothes to work.
However, they have been asked to wear khadi clothes to work at least once in a week that is every Friday. The new rule will come into force from February 10. Similarly, the VC stressed on making the campus pollution-free every Saturday.
In her bid to make the campus pollution-free, the students and employees of the university have been advised not to bring petroleum-driven personal vehicles to the premises on Saturdays. However, bringing e-vehicles to the campus has been encouraged.
The new rule will come into force from February 11. The letter says that the VC has been pleased to take an initiative to make the campus pollution-free and to encourage zero emission at least one day per week for which all employees (both teaching and non-teaching) and students are requested to avoid using personal vehicles inside the campus every Saturday.
The order in the letter-1035 mentions that wearing khadi clothes during office hours Fridays will encourage the weavers and create awareness on the benefit of cotton and handloom clothes. This will remind us of the ideals Gandhiji stood for and help us in building a self-reliant India by instilling a sense of nationalism, patriotism, unity and integrity among the staffers.
If this becomes successful, then it will encourage the students to wear khadi clothes in coming days. The move by the Berhampur University which is the first in the state has been welcomed by the local intelligentsia and residents.
PNN