The Rajasthan College Education Commissionerate has issued a directive for 20 government colleges to paint their front facades and entry halls orange as part of the Kayakalp scheme, which aims to cultivate a more positive educational environment for students.

The Kayakalp scheme is a national initiative launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, designed to promote cleanliness, hygiene, and infection control within public healthcare facilities across India. While the intention behind this move is to enhance the aesthetic appeal of educational institutions, it has sparked controversy.

The opposition Congress party has criticized the initiative, alleging that it is an attempt to politicize educational institutions for the benefit of the ruling party. Vijendra Kumar Sharma, the Joint Director (Planning) of College Education, issued the order last month, stating that the first phase will involve painting two colleges in each division, resulting in a total of 20 colleges participating in this initiative.

The order emphasizes the importance of creating a welcoming atmosphere within colleges, suggesting that a positive environment is crucial for student morale. It highlights the need for colleges to send a strong message about the value of higher education, urging that institutions be rejuvenated to foster a clean, healthy, and educational environment for all.

In the order, Sharma specified that the colors to be used for this project are “Asian Paints White Gold 8292” and “Asian Paints Orange Crown 7974,” which are intended to brighten the appearance of the buildings.

PCC general secretary Swarnim Chaturvedi responded to the initiative by targeting the BJP government, claiming that it reflects a deeper attempt to distract the public from the government’s failures. He argued that the BJP has not delivered on its promises and, in order to divert attention from its lack of achievements, is resorting to superficial measures like painting college walls.

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