Sambalpur: A Sambalpuri-style uniform has been introduced for the students of Gangadhar Meher University (GMU).

The uniform was inaugurated by the vice-chancellor of the university, Atanu Pati, at a programme on Sambalpuri Din (Sambalpuri Day) on Wednesday on the university campus. For the first time in the GMU, a formal dress code of the handloom fabric of west Odisha has been introduced for degree and post-graduate students, deputy registrar Uma Charan Pati told The Telegraph.

The university authorities have banned use of jeans by students on campus. While girls will wear coffee-coloured salwar and white coloured Punjabi and dupatta, boys will wear sky-blue shirt and black trousers.

A 15-member committee was formed with teachers and student representatives for selection of the uniform. The committee studied various aspects such as colour, quality of cloth and financial status of the students. The uniform had already been introduced in Gangadhar Meher Junior College functioning on the same campus.

Expressing happiness over the introduction of uniform for students, vice-chancellor Atanu Pati said it would bring uniformity among the 6,000 students of the university. "Students of the university will have a special identity. It will inspire the other colleges and universities of the state to introduce their own uniforms. Not only that, such bulk requirement will improve the economical condition of the poor weavers in west Odisha," he said.

Pati said the university would adopt five villages in the next academic session for its development and create awareness among the villagers, especially on the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.