IIT-K launches helpline for freshers

KANPUR: In a bid to save new entrants from ragging, the Indian Institute of Technology — Kanpur has launched a students’ helpline. Assistant registrar Satyamurthi told agencies that the initiative would arrest the ragging of new comers by their seniors to a large extent. “The helpline team constitutes 11 senior professors of the institute,” he said.

Their mobile helpline numbers would be made available to all the new students at the time of admission, he said. “The students can lodge a ragging complaint over the mobile phone and all the team members will immediately rush to the spot,” he said.

According to Satyamurthi, the incidents of ragging normally take place at the students’ hostels during the night. “The hostel wardens will also stay on high alert and would conduct raids,” he said, adding stern action would be taken against any senior student found ragging juniors.

The institute has also recently launched a counselling service in which teachers and senior students are included. “Any student can approach the counsellors on financial or family problem and all the possible help will be extended to him,” he said.