Nirmala Sitharaman calls for 'review' of colonial tradition of wearing gowns at graduation ceremonies

NEW DELHI: Commerce and industry minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday called for a 'review' of the British era tradition of wearing colonial gowns for graduation ceremonies.

"I have nothing against the colonial gown. I don't disrespect it...but I think it is time if we can review foreign trade policy, we can also review wearing this gown," she said in her address at the 51st Convocation of Indian Institute of Foreign Trade here.

Stressing on some 'fresh thinking', the minister said students here could do things even better while through for their graduation hats in the air.

"We can do things better even when we throw the hats ...and jump as high as we can and imitate some universities abroad. No harm. Those of you who want to do it, do it," she said.

She even asked the graduating students to give inputs to the foreign trade policy for 2015-20 which is currently under review.

"Give your inputs quickly so that by September, we would like to release it. I will personally look at all the inputs which come," she said.