Now schoolkids come together on Nandigram

Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, November 14
It was Children’s Day on Wednesday. But for countless schoolchildren a larger stage was awaiting them and instead of having fun they decided to stand beside the victims of Nandigram. If that was not enough, an SMS sent on behalf of Aparna Sen went to the heads of all reputed schools in the city, urging them to send relief for Nandigram victims.
Even as chief minister of Bengal Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee talking about the attack on the villagers of Nandigram by CPM cadres claimed that ‘they have been paid back in their own coin’ class 2 student of Vivekananda Mission School Sanjiya Mohanty could not stop thinking about the plight of the helpless villagers and refused to take part in the teachers day celebration organised by her school. Taken aback by the sentiments of the child the school has decided to help the Nandigram victims.
“I was surprised when my teachers informed that this child refused to attain the Children’s Day celebration because she was feeling sad for the people of Nandigram. Though not a word about Nandigram was discussed in school but we are surprised to note how students are aware of everything and are getting affected,” said Keya Sinha, principal of the school.
Teachers and students of many schools and colleges participated in the peace rally that was organised on Wednesday. Teachers from Patha Bhavan, of which the chief minister is a governing body member, also participated in the rally. “Many teachers from our school participated in the rally. Currently exams are going on but after they are over, we will collect relief materials for the victims in Nandigram,” said Swapan Das in-charge of Patha Bhavan High School.
Heads of many schools today have received an sms on behalf of Aparna Sen urging to donate relief material for the Nandigram victims. “Yes I have send the sms to some people and they are forwarding it. This is the time when just protesting would not help. Everyone should be beside the people of Nandigram,” Sen said.
Apart from various other schools, which have pledged help for Nandigarm victims Birla High School, South Point High School, Mahadevi Birla Girls High School, Laxmipat Singhania Academy and, Apeejay School are some of the institutions, which have decided to come forward to help the Nadigram victims after receiving the sms. While some students of Apeejay School and Modern High School donated food grains at the peace rally today Birla High School has asked the students to donate relief material from November 15.
Welland Gouldsmith School and Mahadevi Birla Girls High School has given the responsibility to the schools interact club to collect relief material. But even as students and teachers of the schools are showing solidarity they are also carefully taking every step so that their move is not considered political. “I have asked the students not to donate money but other relief material. Since this is also a political issue some parents may feel bad. But our main concern now is whether the relief material could reach the victims as they are still not letting in outsiders in Nandigram, if the relief material does not reach the victims the students will be demoralised,” said Malini Bhagat, principal of Mahadevi Birla Girls High School.
Even as the private schools are trying to stand beside the victims of Nandigram the government schools are staying away from it. Do they fear the wrath of Bhattacharjee?
Mou.Chakraborty@hindustantimes.com

BOX:
This is the SMS from Aparna Sen –
Dear Friends,
Protest is not enuf! Relief is urgently required 4 victims of Nandigram. Pls send old clothes, children’s clothes, rice etc 2 following add:
C/O Mahashweta Debi, W 2C 12/3 Phase 2, Golf Green, Kol 95. Phn 24143033.
Pls 4ward to as many people as possible.
Thanks, Aparna Sen.