INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
a three-month life skills course that many find deeply offensive
This one promises to produce "ideal" - read "sanskari" - brides and grooms.The Barkatullah University in Bhopal is taking the project
It has roped in its psychology, sociology and women's studies departments to craft a course that will start in the next academic year.If you
have finished school, you are eligible.Students will be given a certificate that is unlikely to be of much interest to anybody but
prospective in-laws."It is not purely related to Saas-Bahu," says Vice-Chancellor DC Gupta, referring to the term popularly used to describe
household squabbling."It is the correct need of the times," Professor Gupta insists.Families, he says, are disintegrating and children are
"We will integrate human qualities and moral values, and integrate aspects like psychology and sociology."The course aims to help keep the
family intact, says the vice chancellor
"It's a part of women's empowerment, so she can adjust to the new environment after marriage
We want to give a positive direction, it's our social responsibility also to help in building the society with values."In the first batch,
30 women will be admitted but details are still fuzzy
"We are still working out the course work and minimum qualifications," admits Professor Gupta.Facing criticism, he amends that there will
also be a course for young men.Some students are outraged
"Their results don't come on time, I was marked absent despite taking my exam
If they could sort out this mess before introducing courses like this, it would be better," fumed Puja, a post-graduate science
student.Abhishek Sharma, who is studying Mechanical engineering, said: "I think such courses should not be started
We should focus on how to improve current courses."The state's ruling BJP doesn't see anything wrong in the course."You should be pleased if
women are trained properly
She is the pillar of the family if she is ideal, her husband has to be, and if a mother has values, the children will also have them," said
Rajo Malviya, BJP spokesperson.Congress leader Kunal Chaudhary disagreed
"They should improve the quality of education," he said.The university's teaching department has 83 sanctioned posts for teachers but only
A course to train brides and grooms seems to be an indulgence at this point.
