College Poster Debate Fueling Discussion About Student Behavior in Odisha: Rules or Expressions?
In the heart of Odisha, located near the Odisha-Chhattisgarh-Jharkhand border, the Panchayat Samiti College has taken a significant step towards instilling discipline and responsibility among its students. The college, established in 1998 and catering to over 500 students in the arts stream, has issued strict dress and grooming guidelines, aiming to maintain a conducive learning environment.
Under the leadership of Principal Kulamani Sahu, the college has implemented a dress code and grooming initiative. The guidelines, displayed on a poster at the college gate, mandate all students to wear proper uniforms and maintain simple, neat haircuts. The message on the poster reads, "Dear students, enter here to learn, go forth to serve, not for any others."
The new guidelines are not a sudden imposition but have been developed in consultation with faculty and the college management committee. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to address a drift in decorum at the college, especially as students transition from school to college life.
The poster showcases two contrasting images: one of students with trendy, unconventional hairstyles marked with a big red 'X', and another of students in uniforms with neat haircuts marked with a green checkmark. This visual representation underscores the importance of adhering to the new guidelines.
Principal Sahu stated, "Discipline is the foundation of success." He further emphasised that the guidelines are not intended to suppress anyone but to guide them, similar to how a parent would. The college also holds daily morning prayers, reformative sessions, and awareness talks on mobile phone usage, reinforcing its commitment to holistic student development.
The college has been a vital academic lifeline in the region, and these new guidelines are expected to further enhance its standing. Meanwhile, a search for recent controversial new dress code guidelines at colleges in Bhubaneswar or student reactions to such rules has yielded no direct results as of August 2025.
On a separate note, the World Gold Council has revised down its 2025 gold demand forecast, with gold consumption falling 12% in the first half of the year. This development, however, does not seem to have any direct connection with the Panchayat Samiti College's initiatives.
The Panchayat Samiti College, under the leadership of Principal Kulamani Sahu, has taken an initiative aimed at holistic self-development, implementing strict dress and grooming guidelines to promote a conducive learning environment. The new guidelines, part of a broader strategy to address a decline in decorum, are not a sudden imposition but have been developed in consultation with faculty and the college management committee.
