Mumbai college students start campaign against use of ‘F-word'

Tired of the increasing use of swear words by youngsters, students of third year bachelors of mass media (TYBMM) from RD National College, Bandra have started a campaign called ‘No Abusive language’ against use of ‘F-word’ and other swear words.

Their aim is to convince other students that swearing is not cool anymore.

They are trying hard to encourage students to stop using abusive language even in jest or as a joke. If you feel the urge to swear, use a funny word instead of a swear word, they advise. Want some pointers, try “basket of flowers”, “freak’’ or “fish’’ that you can use to vent out without resorting to foul language.

“Nowadays we don’t think twice before saying ‘f***’ or any such word for that matter. We abuse when we are angry, sad, irritated or upset. But sometimes we do it just for fun. We want to break the myth that abusing is cool and makes one popular,’’ said Everly Gladros, a student who has been promoting this campaign.

These students have put up posters with messages against abusive language and substitute words on unexpected places like gutters, garbage bins, and other “dirty’’ places.

“We want to tell people that swear words are dirty and they belong in the gutter. We have created garbage bins where students can throw in dirty words,’’ said Nupur Maheshwari, another student working on this campaign.

Gladros added that abusive words are gaining popularity as even mainstream movies have characters using bad words.

The students have created a Facebook page, a viral video and other online activities to spread the word. They are also talking about this issue with the people in their neighbourhood.