Mumbai University carries Fifty Shades of Grey to tribal areas !!

The Mobile Knowledge Resource Centre (MKRC) introduced by the Mumbai University in an outreach program for the children and youth of tribal and rural areas, does not seem to have done its due research. The initiative was flagged off on Tuesday at the Fort campus of the university.

The MKRC, a customised luxury bus, carries a copy of the book 'Fifty Shades of Grey'. Wikipedia defines this book as an "erotic romance novel" that contains explicit scenes that depict bondage, domination, submission, sadism and masochism. Such a book seems inappropriate for students and especially so, when coming from the university.

The chief guests at the event, former vice chancellor of the university, Dr Snehalata Deshmukh, Shri Kumar Ketkar, Shri Chandrashekhar Nene, director of higher and technical education Dr PR Gaikwad, were also in charge of deciding what books would be made accessible to the students on the MKRC.

When dna contacted the University, Leeladhar Bansod, public relations officer, said: "I was unaware of this as all best selling books have been included in the MKRC library, but if any objectionable content is found, it will be removed."

The MKRC is, however, a valiant effort in spreading knowledge to students from the tribal areas of Thane district, talukas of Wada, Mokhada and Vikramgad. The bus will begin its journey from these areas and then venture into the backward areas of Sindhudurg, Ratnagiri and Raigad.

It also houses five computers completely equipped with Wi-Fi, GPS, e-books and journals, an LCD projector and a 60" plasma screen.