Editor,
With reference to another effort by Mr Roben Chyrmang vide his letter “Unconvincing riposte” (ST July 6, 2021), it is better he stops pretending to be the saviour of the poor and also stops making derogatory comments about our online portals like HIKAI. Anyone can see through the game he is up to. Chyrmang writes that he is “primarily concerned with the plight of poor students,” and feels that as “no tab has been given to students” this clearly “proves the ineptitude of the school authorities. “Mere availability of an online free portal” is inconsequential to him. But he cannot refrain from passing uncharitable remarks on a good initiative like HIKAI. Hence a few clarifications are in place.
Chyrmang tries to belittle our online efforts as he feels, “there are many learning apps available on the internet”. How much does it cost Chyrmang to access these so-called well-designed apps by “well-known professionals”? Also, do show us one app where the teaching-learning is structured as per the MBOSE pattern, suitable to our State syllabus? Internet, at best is an overload of information enough to confuse even mature persons and loaded with commercial ads waiting to prey on innocent minds. But that does not concern this person. And is there internet connectivity in the interior parts of our State to espouse these net-based solutions to our children?
As far as the issue of appointment of head teacher is concerned we have parent bodies and parents’ representatives in our Managing Committee to take up their grievances. Chyrmang is neither a parent nor a member of our Managing Committee, so he should refrain from trying to be the knight in shining armour for the poor. As far as my appointment is concerned, please note that it was endorsed by the Managing Committee vide its meeting held on September 12, 2020 under Agenda 06.
It appears that Chyrmang is a front for people who are drumming up support by raising frivolous issues to bring a bad name to the RK Mission and to gain control of its MC. Such people have also moved court by forwarding their version of the Managing Committee for the School. As the matter is now sub- judice, wisdom demands that the matter be left to be considered by the court of law. We request this esteemed paper to allow the law to take its own course and not to publish letters that are aimed at creating confusion on various pretexts.
Yours etc.,
Amaresh Chakraborty HT
(i/c), RKM LP/UP School, Umsohsun,
Via email
Victim of a perverse system
Editor,
Fr Stan Swamy’s demise has left a vacuum in the lives of the downtrodden and the oppressed. Fr Stan fought all his life for the marginalised and the underprivileged. He died in the most inhuman conditions that expose travesty of justice and an insensitive system. He was put on a horrific trial. It is agonising to learn that a very old man suffering from Parkinson’ disease was denied even a straw to drink water. It is shocking to know that the system did not pay heed to the fact that Fr Stan had severe hearing problem, had been operated on for hernia and was suffering from frequent abdominal pain. It is ironic that courts which are supposed to be the custodians of justice, failed to understand the plight of an old man. Even though his health deteriorated day by day, he was denied bail or any sympathy.
He had to spend several months in jail under unproven charges. He was robbed of his basic rights of living. It exposes the vengeful attitude of the system. It is shocking to know that even when his end was near, he was still on trial for medical bail. It is a fact that Fr Stan’s demise has brought disgrace to a failed system. It has left an indelible blot on an insensitive and unsympathetic system. The fact that he boldly denied all the imaginary charges levelled against him brings a ray of hope to the marginalised and those deprived of their rights.
The sufferings that Fr Stan endured and his tragic death expose the ugly side of our laws. Fr Stan’s detention and death has brought disgrace to the entire nation and humanity. Those who are responsible for his sufferings and death must be identified and accountability must be fixed. His death calls for introspection. He could not have imagined that he would have to sacrifice his life in the fight against injustice. In Fr Stan’s death a martyr has emerged. Let’s hope the tragic death of Fr Stan changes the unsympathetic and insensitive system. We need a system that will never deny basic human rights to common citizens, a system that will never threaten their existence by trapping them with laws.
Yours etc.,
Venu GS
Kollam