No bumpy birthdays at IIT-B

Birthday celebrations are soon going to lose some cheer, especially if you happen to be an IIT-B (Bombay) student. Officials at the institution have sent out a notice banning birthday bumps to avoid injuries. The notice says that the act will be considered an offence equivalent to ragging.

Birthday celebrations are soon going to lose some cheer, especially if you happen to be an IIT-B (Bombay) student. Officials at the institution have sent out a notice banning birthday bumps to avoid injuries. The notice says that the act will be considered an offence equivalent to ragging.

Principals of colleges in Delhi University agree that such acts should not be allowed in college campus. “It’s a good move by IIT - B, as any act that causes physical pain or discomfort to any student should not be allowed inside the campus. Inside the campus, students cannot behave like this and such acts should not be tolerated,” says Dr IS Bakshi, principal, Dyal Singh College.

Doctors say that birthday bumps can lead to slip disc, fractures to tail bones and wrist injuries. “People with weaker structure can suffer painful injuries ranging from fractures to injuries of soft tissues,” says Dr Rajeev K Sharma, Senior Consultant Orthopedics and Joint Replacement surgeon Apollo Hospital.

But microblogging site Twitter is buzzing with supporters and those who oppose the ban. Vivek Singhania @singhiiii tweeted, “No More Budday Bumps fr IIT B students...no more bday memories for them.. (sic)”. Aratrika. @1soliloquizer tweeted, “I always said birthday bumps are dangerous. I love my spinal cord. You have no right to break it like Beckham. Or was it end?”

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