Andhra Pradesh - Vijayawada   

Cellphones to be banned on campuses

By P. Sujatha Varma

VIJAYAWADA, JULY 23. Constant beeps of cellular phones followed by giggles and hushed tones would soon be passé in college campuses. Waking up to the "growing nuisance", the district administration has decided to impose a ban on use of cellphones in all the educational institutions.

A recommendation to this effect was made by members of the Mahila Vedika, an amalgamation of 30-odd woman organisations functioning in different parts of the district. The Krishna district Collector, K. Prabahakar Reddy, has readily accepted the proposal.

"I don't see any need for a student to carry a cellphone to the classroom.

Moreover, it is assuming the proportion of a `nuisance' in colleges. We have been receiving complaints on their misuse on a large scale from various quarters.

We have to think practically and the idea of students having to discuss urgent matters on their college premises somehow does not sound reasonable," he told The Hindu .

Collector

talks tough

The Collector said the district administration would ask the managements of all schools and colleges in a week to strictly implement the ban.

"We are really serious about it and any attempt to violate the rule will attract stringent action," he warned.

Before taking a final decision, the district machinery discussed the issue with representatives of various NGOs, headmasters and principals of educational institutions and parents as part of its attempt to curb `harassment' of girl students in educational institutions.

Students left

fuming

The decision, meanwhile, has come as a rude jolt to the students, who reacted sharply to it. Many dubbed it "unfair" and thus, "uncalled for".

"Cellphones are a mark of sophistication. We don't seek pubs or discotheques like students in bigger cities. A cellphone is the only luxury we seek," says an agitated Pranuthi, a college girl for whom, the mobile has become a way of life.

"This gadget is my best friend. I can't image parting with it even for a moment," says L.Vanaja, yet another fuming youngster.

The demand for the ban by the Mahila Vedika came in the wake of the murder of MCA student, Sri Lakshmi, in a local college.

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