Despite the primary role that the Gymkhana Constitution and the bodies it institutes play in average KGPian’s life, it is remarkable that its contents are known to few. The Scholars’ Avenue obtained a copy of the Constitution (Download here) and found what definitely makes for interesting reading.
While most of the Constitution deals with the various Subcommittees, Societies and Fest teams, it is evident that a significant amount of effort has gone into installing a secure democratic ethos in the functioning of the Gymkhana, a truly laudable undertaking. In light of this, it is indeed sad that a majority of the student community knows very little as to what transpires within the Gymkhana.
We, at The Scholars’ Avenue, believe that there needs to be greater transparency in the activities of the Gymkhana office bearers as well as greater knowledge of what the student community is entitled to under the Constitution. Steps that need to be taken in this direction are releasing into public domain
a) The minutes of meetings of the Students’ Senate and other bodies.
b) The Annual Report presented by Gymkhana office bearers at the Annual Farewell function as mandated by the constitution.
c) The Gymkhana Annual Budget and the Annual Audit Report.
The bombshell is that the “Public Relations” Chair (Mr. Anupam Singh for this year) has been setup for the express purpose of publicizing activities of the Gymkhana. Quoting from the Constitution:
“The Public Relations Chair my also take feedback from the students on various issues related to Gymkhana. This includes circulation of minutes of meeting organized by students’ senate, students’ forum, committees, sub committee and students’ forum.”
The Gymkhana Website (http://10.106.10.1/gym/) has seen significant improvements, including a feedback form, decently updated notice board and more but all of it has been below the radar.
We hope that the next crop of office bearers will realize the need and benefits of such transparency and take steps to reflect the same. In the following pages, we have quoted the most pertinent sections of the Constitution for those who’d like a quick primer. (Sections in red indicate items that are either rarely followed or rarely known).
