UGC calls for anti-spitting drive in universities

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has decided to raise awareness among students against spitting in public. The commission has written to all higher education institutions to sponsor anti-spitting campaigns on campus and induce people to raise their voice against this social problem.

The higher education regulator sought the involvement of faculty members and students in holding anti-spitting awareness drives, saying youth should take an active part in raising awareness among the people about the prevalent problem of spitting in India.

Anti-spitting campaigns should not only aim at stopping the practice of spitting in public but it should also seek to stop the practice of “littering, vandalism, damaging greenery, smoking in public places.”

“Activities like rallies, public education events on the issue may be conducted. Posters and stickers linking spitting to health problems, especially those related to tobacco consumption may also be hoarded in the campus,” UGC secretary Rajnish Jain said in an official communication to vice-chancellors of universities earlier this week.

“Rampant spitting is spreading communicable diseases including serious ailments like TB. Spitting in public places is a sickening sight that most of us witness every day,” Jain noted.

The students of the National Service Scheme (NSS) wing can also take up "an initiative" in this regard, he added.

The UGC's move to involve higher education institutions in sponsoring and organising anti-spitting campaigns across the country comes almost a year after the All India Council for Technical Education(AICTE) directed the heads of the technical institutions to ensure that the practice of spitting is stopped inside the campus.