Apeejay College of Fine Arts, Jalandhar Observes Anti-Ragging Week with Strong Message of Zero Tolerance

Committed to nurturing socially responsible and sensitive young citizens, Apeejay College of Fine Arts (ACFA), Jalandhar, recently organised Anti-Ragging Week. The week-long initiative was organised by the college’s Anti-Ragging and Anti-Sexual Harassment Committee to sensitise students about the serious consequences of ragging and reinforce the importance of maintaining a safe, respectful and harmonious campus environment.

As part of the campaign, members of the Anti-Ragging Committee pledged neither to participate in ragging nor to encourage, support, or remain associated with such acts. They also resolved to motivate their peers to reject ragging and contribute toward creating a campus culture based on mutual respect, dignity and empathy.

One of the key highlights of the week was an impactful street play directed by Mr. Amandeep Singh. Through an engaging performance, students portrayed the emotional trauma, distress and negative consequences that victims of ragging may experience. The presentation conveyed a powerful message against the practice and encouraged students to recognise their collective responsibility in preventing it.

The awareness campaign was further strengthened through an Anti-Ragging Awareness Rally, organised by students of the Anti-Ragging Cell. Carrying the message of zero tolerance towards ragging, the rally sought to encourage students to stand together against the social menace and promote a safe and inclusive educational environment.

To give students creative avenues to communicate the campaign’s message, several competitions were also organised, including Poetry Recitation, Essay Writing, Reel Making and Poster Making. The activities encouraged students to explore the issue through different forms of expression.

In the Poetry Recitation Competition, Diya secured first position, while Megha and Himani jointly secured second position. Shivam and Jahnavi secured third position. In Reel Making, Megha Thakur emerged first, followed by Shreya Grover, Milanjot Kaur and Vani Nalin in second place, while Varun Gaba, Vishnu Bhargava and Pratham Singh secured third position.

In the Essay Writing Competition, Tamanna won first position, Shivam and Mehak secured second, and Diya, Megha Thakur and Vishnu secured third position. In Digital Poster Making, Megha Thakur, Riddhi Gupta and Tulsi secured the first, second and third positions, respectively. In Handmade Poster Making, Lionpreet Kaur won first position, followed by Sapna Chawla and Vanshika.

Principal Dr. Neerja Dhingra emphasised that although there is no question of ragging taking place at the college, initiatives such as Anti-Ragging Week remain important for sensitising students and creating awareness about the harmful effects of the practice. She congratulated the Anti-Ragging Committee for successfully conducting the programme and appreciated its efforts.

Dr. Dhingra also acknowledged the contributions of Dr. Seema Sharma and Dr. Monika Mogla, In-charges of the Anti-Ragging and Anti-Sexual Harassment Committee, Programme Coordinators Dr. Kewal Nailwal and Dr. Payal Arora, and everyone involved in the initiative. Dr. Chetna Sharma from the Department of English, along with students Jia and Shivam Sharma, contributed to the programme through effective stage anchoring.

The week-long initiative reinforced ACFA’s commitment to building an environment where awareness, responsibility, dignity and mutual respect remain central to student life.