LUCKNOW, Aug. 1 -- The changing face of university convocations has been hard to miss in recent times. Medal winners have lamented that they no longer get pride of place on stage at such ceremonies. Instead, speeches as well as song presentations by schoolchildren-who are called to such functions to inspire them to study hard-seem to get more importance. The Lucknow University convocation on Friday was no different in this respect. All other state universities have been following a similar pattern as prescribed by Jan Bhavan. During the nearly three-hour LU convocation, only 15 of the total 111 medal winners had their names called and were given medals at the main official ceremony. The medal winners assembled and were dismissed from the stage in only 10 minutes, according to the live telecast on the university's YouTube page. All of them assembled for a group photograph. Anshika Singh, who won nine medals and is preparing for the civil services examinations, said, "I was a bit disappointed that this year medals were presented only to the Chancellor's Medal recipients by the governor." Until last year, medals were given on stage to all the medallists, she said. Shikhar Bharti, a LLB student who won nine medals, said he was consistent in his studies throughout the last three years and secured medals on stage in the last two years. "I felt let down when during rehearsals we learned medals wouldn't be given by the chancellor. Last year's event felt grander," Bharti said. Roop Rekha Verma, former Lucknow University vice-chancellor, said, "Everyone should receive medals on stage, no matter how long it takes." Lucknow University Teachers' Association (LUTA) president Anitya Gaurav said, "The programme was conducted as per the protocol and students were awarded medals on stage by the vice chancellor."...