23 August,2010 06:52 AM IST | | Malini Banerjee
An ongoing campaign against ragging provides college students the opportunity to compose an anti-ragging anthem. If they win, they get to perform the song live in Chennai
Anti-ragging initiative 'Bus Aur Nahin' gives students the chance to compose their own anti-ragging song and video as part of the 'Ragging Ki Band Bajao' contest.
The campaign, which kicked off on August 11 in Delhi, will include stopovers at 40 colleges in nine cities, culminating in a grand final ufffd in Chennai on September 7.
The campaign uses an "anti-ragging bus" to spread awareness about the issue.
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"We wanted to take the message directly to students, who need to take a stand against ragging," explainsu00a0 Mathew Jacob of the Muthoot Pappachan Group, the guys spearheading the initiative.
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"Ragging can be stopped, provided student communities get involved," adds Mathew.
Students can pledge support by participating in the signature campaign proposed to be the country's largest against ragging. "Every signature is a promise to not rag a junior," says Mathew.
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Canvases carrying the signatures of students from each city will later be collected, stitched together and displayed in Chennai.
"Ragging is for cowards. So please, don't be one," urges a student from KC College, Mumbai, as he adds his name to the 9,000 strong signature campaign.
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Another student from St Joseph's Pre-University College asserts on camera, "Torturing juniors isn't right." The opinions are strong, and the voices, many.
"No concrete action is ever taken against offenders, primarily because authorities tend to be lenient with young people," explains Mathew.
Mansoor Ahmed, CEO Desitara.com says he is looking forward to entries from amateur bands, who can campaign online for their entries.
The band to receive the maximum number of votes will win an all-expense paid trip to Chennai, where they will perform live. Participants can upload their entry on talent search portal: desitara.com.
To participate, log on to www.desitara.com/bandbajao.
Last date for entries is August 25. Voting closes on August 31.
