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By:

Bhaskar Nath Biswal

13 May 2026 at 8:30:30 pm

Dialogue, Not Disruption

The Union government’s latest initiative, the 'One Day, One University' programme, aims to deploy Union Ministers to higher education institutions across India on a daily basis to interact directly with Generation Z. As reported, this ambitious initiative seeks to create a direct channel between top policymakers and youth, allowing ministers to listen to student concerns, understand youth perspectives on national matters and raise awareness about government welfare schemes designed for...

Dialogue, Not Disruption

The Union government’s latest initiative, the 'One Day, One University' programme, aims to deploy Union Ministers to higher education institutions across India on a daily basis to interact directly with Generation Z. As reported, this ambitious initiative seeks to create a direct channel between top policymakers and youth, allowing ministers to listen to student concerns, understand youth perspectives on national matters and raise awareness about government welfare schemes designed for students. Spearheaded by Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi and Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, the program reflects a clear desire to engage young citizens where they are. Across the country’s vast educational ecosystem, spanning over 1,300 institutions including central, state, deemed and private universities, this direct reach initiative carries immense potential, provided it is executed with care for the core mission of academic institutions. The Promise of Direct Dialogue At its core, the policy holds significant promise. For decades, a noticeable disconnect has existed between policymaking hubs in New Delhi and the everyday realities experienced by students across various states. Having a Union Minister step onto a campus offers students a rare platform to present their views directly to those who formulate policy, bypassing administrative bureaucratic layers. Furthermore, such visits provide a valuable opportunity to inform students about relevant government schemes, grants and youth programs that might otherwise go unnoticed. When executed as a genuine, two-way exchange, this initiative can foster civic engagement, make young citizens feel heard and offer leaders direct insight into the aspirations, anxieties and constructive ideas of the nation’s youth. The Practical Bottlenecks on Campus While the intent to build bridges with youth is commendable, the operational realities of university campuses present serious practical challenges. Educational institutions are already grappling with frequent disruptions. Universities routinely organize a multitude of events, seminars, workshops and ceremonial functions every week or fortnight. Each event consumes critical academic working days and leads to lost instructional time, placing students and faculty under continuous pressure to complete syllabi and maintain research schedules. When a high-profile dignitary such as a Union Minister visits, these disruptions multiply significantly. University authorities often become absorbed in protocol preparations for three to four days prior to the event. Infrastructure maintenance, security reviews, venue setup and administrative meetings take precedence over regular academic duties. Furthermore, ministerial visits rarely occur in isolation; a considerable entourage of followers, security detail, party cadres and administrative staff typically accompanies them. The resulting commotion, heightened security cordons and elaborate stage arrangements convert a seat of learning into a temporary hub of political event management. These grand gatherings consume substantial public funds, precious time and administrative energy, often overshadowing the very objective of meaningful dialogue. Charting a Pragmatic Path Forward To achieve the genuine goals of the 'One Day, One University' initiative without compromising academic integrity, a fundamental shift in approach is required. The focus must pivot from grand public spectacles to understated, highly productive interactions. First, meetings between ministers and students should be stripped of high formal arrangements and stage-managed formalities. The emphasis ought to be on substantive conversation rather than ceremonial grandeur. To ensure academic schedules remain undisturbed, ministers should interact with students outside regular class hours, preferably in informal settings such as campus hostels, common rooms or university canteens. Such an unpretentious atmosphere encourages candid, unscripted feedback from students while keeping normal lecture hours intact. Second, official briefings with university authorities such as Vice-Chancellors, department heads, and faculty representatives should be conducted in closed meeting halls either strictly before or after scheduled academic hours. Closed-door interactions free from media grandstanding allow university leaders to present ground-level administrative, financial and infrastructural challenges accurately. Digital Feedback Channels: A Prevention Strategy To ensure that student voices are captured continuously without relying solely on physically demanding events, the government should establish official online feedback portals. Managed directly by the concerned ministry or designated nodal officers, these digital platforms would allow students, researchers and faculty members to submit their views, grievances and policy ideas in real time. Providing an accessible, transparent and direct line of communication with decision-makers serves as a vital safety valve for youth sentiment. By giving Generation Z a reliable digital avenue to express their perspectives and see their concerns acknowledged, the administration can proactively address dissatisfaction, thereby significantly reducing the need for students to take to the streets in disruptive rallies or public protests to make their voices heard. (The writer is a former college Principal and Founder of Supporting Shoulders, an Odisha-based non-profit Trust. Views personal.)

A Nation Unsafe for Women

In a nation that celebrates its women as embodiments of strength and resilience—from goddesses in mythology to leaders in modern boardrooms, the persistent surge in crimes against them paints a damning picture of societal failure. The latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data for 2022-2024 reveals not just isolated incidents but a disturbing national trend that demands immediate introspection and action. As India strides toward economic superpower status, the safety of half its population remains perilously compromised, turning homes, streets and workplaces into arenas of fear rather than empowerment.


Stark Numbers

The NCRB’s Table 3A.1 on Crimes Against Women (under IPC and SLL) lays bare the escalating crisis. Across India, reported cases have climbed steadily: from 4,45,256 in 2022 to 4,48,221 in 2023, reaching a staggering 4,73,510 in 2024. This represents a concerning upward trajectory, with the rate of crimes against women (per lakh population) standing at 64.6 in 2024. While charge-sheeting rates hover around 83-84%, conviction outcomes often lag, underscoring systemic delays in justice delivery.

 

State-wise disparities amplify the alarm. Uttar Pradesh consistently records the highest absolute numbers, with cases rising from 25,100 in 2022 to over 31,000 by 2024. Rajasthan follows as a major hotspot, alongside Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and West Bengal, each contributing thousands of additional incidents annually. Union Territories like Delhi paint an even bleaker urban picture, with rates exceeding 130 per lakh in some years, reflecting the vulnerabilities of dense metropolitan life. Southern states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu, often lauded for social indicators are not immune, showing notable increases in specific categories. The mid-year projected population figures contextualize these rates, revealing that even ‘progressive’ regions are failing to stem the tide.

 

These are not mere numbers; they translate into lives shattered by rape, domestic violence, molestation and cybercrimes. The data highlights a post-pandemic surge, where lockdowns may have hidden abuses within homes while economic stresses exacerbated tensions. What was once whispered about as ‘women’s issues’ has ballooned into a public health and developmental emergency, eroding trust in institutions and deterring women's full participation in society.

 

Deep-Rooted Failures

The growth in crimes against women stems from a toxic interplay of patriarchal mindsets, inadequate enforcement and socio-economic pressures. At its core lies entrenched gender inequality. Despite legal reforms like the 2013 Criminal Law (Amendment) Act and the 2020 POCSO enhancements, implementation remains patchy. The police forces, often under-resourced and overburdened, exhibit low sensitivity toward gender-based cases. Delayed FIR registrations, victim-blaming during investigations and political interference frequently result in low conviction rates, emboldening perpetrators.

 

Urbanization and rapid social change have compounded the problem. Migration to cities disrupts traditional support systems, leaving women more exposed in unfamiliar environments. The digital explosion has birthed new threats, online harassment and deepfake abuse - yet cybercrime cells struggle with capacity and awareness. Economic disparities play a role too: poverty, unemployment and alcohol abuse within families correlate strongly with domestic violence spikes. In rural heartlands, caste and honour-based violence persist, while in elite circles, power imbalances enable workplace exploitation.

 

Cultural factors cannot be ignored. Bollywood’s objectification, regressive family norms and selective outrage on social media normalize violence. Education, while expanding, often fails to instil gender sensitivity, leaving young men unprepared for egalitarian relationships. Weak child protection and poor mental health infrastructure mean cycles of trauma perpetuate across generations. The NCRB figures, though improved in reporting due to greater awareness via schemes like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, likely underrepresent the true scale, as stigma silences countless survivors.


Addressing this crisis requires more than rhetoric. Governments must prioritize gender budgeting, strengthening police training, fast-track courts and one-stop centers for comprehensive support. Community-led initiatives like sensitization drives in schools and villages, robust helplines and tech-enabled safety apps can bridge gaps. Corporate India and civil society must champion workplace safety and bystander intervention. Crucially, men must be enlisted as allies, dismantling toxic masculinity through education and accountability.

 

The data from 2022-2024 is a wake-up call, not a verdict of inevitable decline. India’s demographic dividend hinges on securing women’s agency. By confronting these uncomfortable truths with data-driven policies and cultural shifts, we can forge a safer tomorrow. Our daughters deserve better than statistics of suffering, they deserve a nation that stands fiercely in their defence.


(The writer is a former college Principal and Founder of Supporting Shoulders, an Odisha-based non-profit Trust. Views personal.)

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