Jamshedpur: Tradition can be both trendy and trending. The outgoing batch of Jamshedpur Women's College will get this lesson at their convocation on September 15, to be held at Tata Auditorium.
Set up in 1953 and one of the oldest institutes of higher education for women in the region, Jamshedpur Women's College will introduce khadi gowns at the ceremony. The new khadi gowns in cream, red and blue, designed by students of National Institute of Fashion Technology, Delhi, were displayed to the media on Bistupur college campus on Saturday.
In the case of Jamshedpur Women's College, khadi made gowns in Indo-western style combining modernity and tradition have been designed for the chancellor of universities (governor), vice chancellor, principal and pro vice chancellor, academic council members, students and toppers.
Principal Purnima Kumar said they had a dream to re-introduce khadi. "Degree holders in a black gown and cape are an enduring symbol of academic success. Especially for girls. That's been a symbol of emancipation for many women through the generations. That's why we have kept the cape with gown, though the fabric and colours are different," said principal Kumar.
Rama Subramaniam, a professor and member of the convocation's gown committee, said they tried to introduce an Indian touch to the gowns. "For example, the gown for the honourable governor resembles a sari," she said.
About 1,300 students have registered their participation in the convocation. Ninety-eight toppers will be felicitated with gold medals.
Students will receive the gowns between September 10 and 12 within college campus. The college has charged Rs 1,500 as a deposit amount for the gowns out which Rs 1,200 will be refunded after students return the gowns.
In recent years, Union human resource development minister Prakash Javadekar has been stressing to replace black British gowns and capes with traditional Indian apparel and fabrics.
Last year, Kolhan University broke the tradition of the quintessential black gown and cape and instead used traditional outfits accompanied by Jaipuri pagdis and Santhali stoles. Vinoba Bhave University in Hazaribagh has also decided to go completely Indian in their next convocation. Institutes such as IIT-Bombay and IIT-Hyderabad have also opted for traditional fabrics such as khadi and Pochampalli weaves for their respective convocations.
