Editorial
What are they graduating to?
Patently unbecoming
The dignity of an occasion like the upcoming 46th convocation at DU was sullied on Wednesday at TSC, the venue for distribution of some gift items to the graduating students. Several hundred of them, many from different colleges and institutions under DU, were seen scrambling for the gift items and taking away more than they were allotted in a pre-convocation distribution ceremony.
This severely marred what could be a simple, joyful ritual that was supposed to be a warm-hearted precursor to the convocation, the proudest day in student life, when graduates receive degrees on successful completion of their academic courses.
Minimum sense of decorum and propriety were expected of graduates while receiving the gifts because their snatching them away not only left a detestable impression on the teachers and onlookers but also may have denied others of their allotted quota. The expectations were roundly belied.
We have seen public functions being at times spoiled by indiscipline and disorderly conduct which may have begun by a few and then spread all over totally unmindful of the organisers' or other participants' sensibilities. This happens particularly in the shape of scavenging on food packets.
But that it would take place on the premises of the highest seat of learning like Dhaka University for nothing more than a mug and a penholder for male students and handbags for female students is utterly shocking and deplorable. The graduates were supposed to be the epitome of dignity and honour based on a high degree of self-esteem because we look upon them as the future leaders of the country. If this is morning showing the day then we have so much to worry down the road. We would like the DU authorities to bear the incident in mind and devise ways to avert its recurrence in future. The students should also subject themselves to a sobering self-scrutiny.
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