Junior’ students, who face ragging by their seniors but do not complain fearing reprisal or due to lack of evidence, need not worry anymore. A former student of Andhra University has developed an ‘anti-ragging app’ to check the growing menace. The app was launched by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu at the Grand Alumni Meet at the Convocation Theatre of Andhra University here on Monday.
K. Satish Kumar, CMD of the Hyderabad-based ‘Digital Eyecon’, was perturbed by the growing incidents of ragging and decided to make use of technology to find a viable solution to the problem. The immensely popular ‘app’ culture caught his imagination.
“I know many students who had discontinued studies due to ragging, particularly in professional colleges. During my interaction with some victims, I found that they had not complained to the college authorities or to the police mainly fearing reprisal, harassment or due to lack of evidence. They complain only in the last stage by which time they (victims) lose their courage and develop suicidal tendencies,” he said. Students have to register themselves for availing of the app service by giving their name and college information, which would be recorded at the control room of the company. The app, which works on Android, Apple iOS and Windows OS, has options for audio and video recording, shooting pictures of the incident or sending an SMS with a single click on the respective icon on the screen.
“Our control room is linked to the Government of Andhra Pradesh Helpline. The app also has a GPS facility which helps in knowing the exact location of the caller. Those who can anticipate being ragged can readily switch on the required mode and keep their mobile phone in ready mode in their shirt pocket to avoid detection,” said Mr. Satish Kumar.
“Apart from the victim, anyone who has the app and is witness to the incident can send the info instantaneously for immediate action. There is no need for disclosing the information of the victim or the sender as the evidence of the crime is recorded and a case could be booked by the police based on it ,” he added.
