Chennai: Over 5,000 freshers were inducted in different courses at the SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST) Monday and parents from different parts of the country were assured that there was no ragging on the campus and their wards were quite safe to pursue their academic studies without worry.
Although SRMIST is ragging-free, it has been decided to form an anti-ragging committee as a confidence building measure, said Registrar N Sethuraman while addressing the packed audience during the freshers’ induction programme held at the campus, a press release said.
The initial reference to the retrograde practice of ragging was made by SRMIST Vice Chancellor Sandeep Sancheti who spoke among other things about the do’s and don’ts for students while welcoming them.
He also advised freshers to aim for 100 per cent attendance to derive the full benefit of knowledge and guidance from their teachers.
Delivering the inaugural address, founder Chancellor and Lok Sabha member T R Paarivendhar remarked that he felt guilty for taking leave from Parliament to attend the freshers induction programme. But a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi had changed his mind. “On Thursday, Modi saw me and putting an arm around my shoulder asked me, “How is our University?” Then the idea came to me that I should take leave of absence from Parliament to attend this programme to welcome the students,” he added.
Paarivendhar assured that SRMIST could do its bit to ensure job placements for students. With 20,000 students in its hostels, SRMIST was more or less like a municipality, he observed adding, discipline should be maintained by students. Noting that there were three lakes and hills near and around the campus which also had a medical college and hospital, he said students should use this ambience to improve their knowledge, health and lifestyle to become good citizens.