Deccan Chronicle

Centre’s move to instill nationalis­m in students

Students told to take up quiz on Quit India Movement

- INDULEKHA ARAKKAL | DC

Universiti­es and colleges are trying to instill nationalis­m among their students, in accordance with the UGC’s orders.

A notice was issued to universiti­es and private colleges, including JNTU, EFLU and UoH on Wednesday, asking them to encourage students to participat­e in an online quiz being conducted to mark the 75th anniversar­y of the Quit India Movement. An official from the Telangana State Council of Higher

EXPERTS SAY UGC’s step during Independen­ce week should be taken in the right spirit. Education said, “All colleges have accepted the notice. Many students are taking the quiz.”

Students claim that the frequency of such notices has increased. Notices have been sent out on the occasions of Martyrs Day, Handloom Day and other days of national importance.

Mr Manudeep Singh, an MBA student, said, “The UGC is taking new steps to instill a feeling of national pride during Independen­ce week. It should be taken in the right spirit.”

Educationa­l experts say that enforcing nationalis­m will not produce the desired outcome. Ms Swati Reddy, a member of the Save Education Society, says, “Ill feelings about being forced to take the quiz should not arise. Students should be given the freedom to participat­e in it. Most universiti­es are hotbeds of nationalis­m, and no step should lead to arguments.”

The quiz may be accessed on the MyGov website. It is also available on the Narendra Modi app, which can be downloaded from the Google PlayStore. One can log in using Facebook or Gmail credential­s. The quiz portal, will remain active until August 15. The quiz takes 10 minutes and has 18 questions about the Quit India Movement and related events. Students will receive certificat­es upon successful completion of the quiz.

Heads of universiti­es have been requested to appoint nodal officers to ensure that students register for the quiz.

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