The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Friday wrote to head of all central government-run medical institutions asking them to identify an Indian attire as dress code for students during convocation as opposed to a black robe and black cap.  

The Ministry asked all its institutes to design an appropriate Indian dress code for convocation ceremonies based on the traditions of the state where they are located.

According to the directive of the Ministry, the current practice of wearing the black robe and cap is a colonial legacy, which needs to be changed. 

Further, the Ministry also stated that the current attire originated in the Middle Ages in Europe and was introduced by the British in all their colonies. The above tradition is a colonial legacy that needs to be changed, it added.

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 appropriate Indian dress code for the convocation ceremony of their institute based on local traditions of the state in which the institute is located, it read.

The Ministry asked them to submit proposals in this regard which will be approved by the Union Health Secretary. 

The Ministry in its order said: “I am directed to invite a reference to the PANCH PRAN or five resolutions enunciated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister.”

“In this regard, it is observed that currently as a matter of practice black robe and cap is being used during convocation by various institutes of the ministry,” read the order to medical institutions”, it added.

In its order to medical college, the Ministry further said, “This attire originated in the Middle Ages in Europe and was introduced by the British in all their colonies. The above tradition is a colonial legacy that needs to be changed. 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 appropriate Indian dress code for the convocation ceremony of their institute’ based on local traditions of the state in which the institute is located.”

In his historic visit to war-torn Ukraine, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that conflict is particularly devastating for young children.

Prime Minister Modi met Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky with a warm hug and handshake in Kyiv today. Later, PM Modi along with President Zelensky paid homage at the Martyrologist Exposition in Kyiv.

“President Zelensky and I paid homage at the Martyrologist Exposition in Kyiv. Conflict is particularly devastating for young children. My heart goes out to the families of children who lost their lives, and I pray that they find the strength to endure their grief”, PM Modi said in a post on X.

“Today in Kyiv, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and I honored the memory of the children whose lives were taken by Russian aggression. Children in every country deserve to live in safety. We must make this possible” post Ukraine President on X.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Kyiv. “The ideals of Bapu are universal and give hope to millions. May we all follow the path he showed to humanity”, PM Modi said.

PM Modi and President Zelensky are scheduled to hold both one-on-one and delegation-level talks with a focus on finding a negotiated settlement to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

PM Modi arrived in Kyiv from Poland aboard a “Rail Force One” train, which took around 10 hours, for the second and final leg of his two-nation trip. His visit to Ukraine comes nearly six weeks after his high-profile trip to Russia, during which he held extensive talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, largely with a focus on ending the conflict.

In June, PM Modi met with President Zelensky on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Italy’s Apulia. During the meeting, he assured the Ukrainian President that India would continue to support a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.

PM Modi also emphasised India’s belief in a human-centric approach to resolving the conflict. Additionally, President Zelensky invited the Prime Minister to visit Kyiv during their discussion.

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Friday warned the Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government of protest from the Opposition if the cases against those who had protested in Badlapur against the alleged sexual abuse of two kindergarten girls are not withdrawn.

Addressing a press conference, Thackeray stated that the August 24 ‘Maharashtra Bandh’ called by the opposition bloc Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) was not a political move but a stand against perversion and encouraged people from all castes and religions to participate.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) chief emphasised that the bandh represents the voice of the people of the state.

Hitting out at the Shinde government’s handling of the Badlapur protest, Thackeray demanded the withdrawal of cases against the protesters or warned of taking to the streets.

Badlapur town in Thane district witnessed a massive protest after people took to the streets and even blocked railway tracks to denounce the alleged sexual assault of two four-year-old girls by a male attendant at a local school.

The protest resulted in incidents of stone-pelting, causing injuries to at least 25 police personnel, and leading to the arrest of 72 individuals connected with the violence.

Thackeray urged strict adherence to the bandh until 2 pm, ensuring that emergency services remain functional. He stressed that people have the right to voice their grievances beyond elections, observing that when all legal avenues seem closed, the court of public opinion becomes the last resort for justice. The purpose of the bandh is to prompt the government to fulfill its duties diligently.

Highlighting the Bombay High Court’s active intervention in the alleged Badlapur incident, Thackeray mentioned that the court criticised the government and expressed that without strong public outrage, the machinery of the state may remain inactive.