UGC asks institutes to display posters thanking PM for free Covid vaccine

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has written to all government-funded universities and colleges, asking them to display banners and hoardings thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for launching free vaccination drive for 18-year-olds and above.  

The poster, which has a picture of the PM, reads, “Vaccines for all free for all, world's largest free vaccination campaign, thank you, PM Modi.” It further mentions that free vaccines were so far available only for people above 45 years of age, but from June 21, it will be available for free at government centres for everyone in the 18+ category.  

It has been said that UGC Secretary Rajnish Jain has also asked the institutions to share the banners on their social media pages. “The approved design (creatives) of hoardings and banners in Hindi and English, as provided by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, are attached for your ready reference,” reads Jain’s purported text message.  

Delhi University, Hyderabad University, LNCT University in Bhopal, Bennett University and Northcap University in Gurgaon have shared the banners on their social media pages with hashtag “ThankyouModiji”. 

However, Swaraj India President and former UGC member Yogendra Yadav said on Twitter, “As a former member of the UGC, I am mortified. Things were rotten at the UGC even then (2010-12), but such servility was unimaginable. Everyday, we discover a new low.”  

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had also alleged that the Centre was putting pressure on officials in Delhi to issue advertisements thanking the Prime Minister for free COVID-19 vaccines.  

Read more: 

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• IIT Bhubaneswar holds vaccination drive for students, teachers, staff and their dependents