BHU looks for ragging's remedy in 'Ramkatha'

Varanasi, Aug 23 (UNI) In a novel initiative the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) here has decided to organise regular religious 'kathas' (discourses) on the sprawling varsity campus, which among other things is would to address the menace of ragging.

Starting with the ongoing 'Ram Katha' by Meerut based religious preacher Swami Akhildas Maharaj at the Birla Temple on the BHU campus from August 21 to August 29, the central varsity will organise regular 'kathas' by prominent saints at the temple.

''Such kathas will provide a spiritual environmentto the entire university family, including students. In an era of cut throat competition, these religious discourses will not only render spiritual somnolence to the students, but also help them become free of mental stress and add to their personality,'' said caretaker of the temple Prof R C Panda.

''The inception of religious discourses is also expected to reform the mindset of those students who might be indulging in the menace of ragging,'' Prof Panda added.

Concurring with Prof Panda's views, the religious preacher Swami Akhildas said ''Ramcharitmanas Katha is bound to help in reforming the mindset of those students who might indulge in the practice of ragging the freshers only out of the intention of avenging their ragging at the hands of seniors in the previous year,'' ''If the religious kathas can bring warring Saas-Bahus to the same venue and gel them in harmony forever, why the same cannot happen with students indulging in practice of ragging by eliminating hostility between seniors and freshers,'' he added.

''If such kathas are held regularly on the BHU campus and other universities and colleges, the menace of ragging will be uprooted forever,'' Prof Panda and Swami Akhildas said in unison.

The ongoing nine-day 'Sri Ramkatha Amrit Mahotsav' will be followed by the 'Srimadbhagvad Katha' by Kiran Shastri (Varanasi) between August 31 and the festival of Srikrishna Janmashthami on September three.

''Ramkatha has evoked encouraging response from students of professional courses including medical and engineering.

Interestingly, the menace of ragging has been prevalent more in these professional streams in the past and participation by students in religious discourses will have a cascading effect in addressing the menace of ragging,'' Prof Panda maintained.

The central university is doing its best to stop the practice of ragging both through by putting UP big 'Say no to Ragging' hoardings all across the university campus, and forming special teams to strictly enforce anti-ragging guidelines.

UNI