Shorn of zest after Thasni’s death

Curbs imposed after student’s death a year ago have had an impact on CET's campus activities

Memories of the tragic death of third-year Civil Engineering student Thasni Basheer still hang heavy on the College of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram (CET) campus.

It will be one year on Saturday since Thasni was fatally knocked down by a jeep on campus during the Onam celebrations.

After the tragic incident, the Higher Education Department had brought out a circular dated October 12 last year putting restrictions on the conduct of celebrations on campuses. Some of the guidelines in the circular were welcome, but there was need for clarity on others as these had ended up curbing students’ activities, CET Principal Vrinda V. Nair said.

“The past year saw almost no activities in the college, but for selections to the Kerala University youth festival in March. But it is not right. Following a meeting, we have asked all clubs to come up with activity plans in a week’s time.”

Highlighting clause 12 of the circular which prevents fund-raising from students, Prof. Nair said that being a government college, CET had only limited funds at its disposal. Without students’ contributions, the college would have to explore other avenues, besides tapping into sponsors.

The college, she said, had both technical and non-technical clubs and societies. Post its affiliation with the APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU), the students stood to earn credits if they took part in club activities. So, it was imperative that the clubs are revived. The government circular laid down that there were no restrictions on students’ programmes, but whether this applied to the college arts festival Dhwani, in which students from other colleges took part, had to be seen, she said.

Union’s revival

The students’ union which had been dormant would have to be revived. “However, all the guidelines in the circular with regard to the union and its activities will be adhered to,” Prof. Nair said.

Vehicles would not be allowed during celebrations within the campus or hostel, she said. Similarly, the clause on students’ programmes not extending beyond 9 p.m. was welcome, as it would help in their conduct in a time-bound manner.

The college was also in the process of installing more closed-circuit television cameras.

The Onam celebrations, she said, would be on a small-scale, coming as they did on the first anniversary of the incident.