Kharshiing writes to IIT-B on students’ safety

SHILLONG: John Kharshiing, co-chairman of the Meghalaya Planning Board, has written to the dean of students’ affairs at IIT Bombay expressing concern about the safety of his son, who stays in the institute’s hostel, as Mumbai submerges due to heavy rain and tide. Kharshiing’s son Toshan Kharumnuid is in the second semester in the Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science department.
In his letter sent on Wednesday, Kharshiing enquired about the well-being of students, including his son. Toshan had recently informed his parents that his room on the ground floor of the hostel was flooded and they were trying to evacuate to higher floors.
Dean of Students Affairs S. Mukherji replied saying, “Although the ground floor of the hostel was flooded, the warden, the hall manager and the hostel council are taking enough care to make sure that the hostel residents are safe and do not suffer from drinking water and food-related issues.”
The Dean also added that overhead water lines are working and food is being brought in from other hostels, or students are being sent to other hostels for meals. The authorities have given a carte blanche to the hostel council to ensure students’ safety.