The Dental Council of India (DCI) has directed the observance of Anti Ragging Day on 12th August & Anti Ragging Week from 12th August to 18th August. A notice to this effect was issued by DCI on 1st August, 2023.
It may be recalled that the University Grants Commission (UGC), through its D.O. letter dated July 5, 2023, proclaimed that Anti Ragging Day would be observed on 12th August, followed by Anti Ragging Week from 12th August to 18th August each year. The DCI has also decided to promote this endeavor of the UGC.
This initiative by the UGC and DCI is aimed at raising awareness and promoting a zero-tolerance approach towards ragging in educational institutions across the country.
To foster the spirit of this initiative, the UGC and DCI have outlined a series of activities to be undertaken during the Anti Ragging Day/Week celebrations. These activities include orientation programs on Anti Ragging, competitions such as slogan & essay writing, poster making, and logo designing related to the theme of Anti Ragging. The students, faculty, and non-teaching staff participating in these competitions will be encouraged through certificates and prizes.
In addition to the competitions, the UGC and DCI have planned workshops, seminars, and other creative events to spread awareness about the harmful effects of ragging and promote the idea of a ragging-free campus. Visual media, such as TV commercials (TVCs), short films, and documentaries available on the UGC and DCI websites will also be shown to students and faculty during the events.
The decision to observe Anti Ragging Day and Week was ratified by the Executive Committee of the DCI during its meeting on 13th July, 2023. Subsequently, all dental colleges and institutions in the country have been directed to observe the same.
It is worth noting that the DCI Regulations on Curbing the Menace of Ragging in Dental Colleges 2009 are readily available on the DCI website for reference.
The UGC and DCI have urged all educational institutions and stakeholders to treat this matter with utmost urgency and ensure strict compliance with the guidelines and activities outlined in the D.O. letter.
