NOTE from the reader-This was created by me on 2nd Sept, 2008 with the intention of forwarding it to one of the news channels but circumstances became such that it failed to materialize, with the incident fading out on announcement of 6th sem results the next day...... I regret this as i really want to do something regarding the incident..... awaiting ur kind response as to what should be the next step.....
Respected Sir,
This is with regard to the height of tolerance which we, the students of New Horizon College of Engineering, Bangalore, have to encounter amidst a stringent and dominating regime of a handful of totalitarians. Herein, I present before you the factual depiction of what is actually happening in the college, while representing the thousands of students who have reached the limit of exploitation under the college’s dogmatic management. One would expect a student to be proud of his/her college, but right now, we are at a fix about our stand. First, a brief introduction of the college- It is one of the most reputed in Bangalore, accredited to NBA (National Board of Accreditation) and if you were to go by the Dataquest Survey (June 15, 2008), it gets the dubious distinction of being the No.2 in Bangalore & No.23 in India.
Coming to the actual incident which has sprung us into action, it would be the talk of the town by now. Yes, I am referring to the tragic demise of three students of NHCE, following two separate road accidents in Outer Ring Road, near to the college on 1st Sept, 2008. Fortunately, one survives but how blessed his fortune, remains to be seen, thanks to the reckless act of the Principal of NHCE. The sad incident took place near to VIMS hospital near Marathahalli, which claimed the life of the pillion rider. However, the rider has survived but his condition isn’t stable as yet. He was immediately taken to VIMS and the situation demanded the immediate deposition of Rs.10, 000 cash and the signature from someone belonging to the college’s management, which the Principal of NHCE promptly refused. Another responsible person from the college refused to do the same, giving stupid reasons like closure of the Accounts Office! It was the appreciable HOD of EEE Deptt. of NHCE, who agreed to shell out the required amount along with his signature on the statement. Here, I would like to thank and salute those students who were there in the hospital all throughout the night, and they bear witness to what had happened there.
The next day, 2nd Sept. as should be expected, must’ve been declared a holiday to offer heart-felt condolences to the students who passed away. But to our utter consternation, the management of the college declared a full working day with just a two-minute mourn (which was initiated by the students, who were consequently deprived of further participation fearing the demand of holiday) and a short lecture from the Chairman (his first appearance since the incident) on imposition of even more stringent rules with hardly any mention of the tragedy (he didn’t even say ‘may their soul rest in peace’, and he boasts of calling us as a part of his family!!!). I guess this came more out of compulsion rather than compassion. In such a grieving situation, it is but common sense to abrogate classes, but the ever-conspiring management decided to continue with regular classes, much to the dismay of the faculty and students. It was evident that the Chairman was more concerned about the reputation of the college than the lives of its students, or else what other conclusion can one draw from their decision to ban the students from bringing two-wheelers to the college? If the management is so concerned, then why don’t they create awareness among students regarding rash driving, helmets wear etc. by an effective campaign? Why can’t they see the dreadful effects of tobacco and alcohol which the students of NHCE are in the clutches of? They have rules to rusticate hostelites who are caught smoking in hostel/college premises but they don’t bother to prevent the setting up of petty shops selling thousands of cigarettes less than 10 metres from the college gate. This is how the management of NHCE discharges its responsibility towards its students.
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Under such circumstances, we need a students’ union to justify our cause but as the college is ruthlessly against such bodies, we’ve no choice but to approach the media for support. It is with this intention that we are putting forward our cause before you with the expectations of an unbiased justification of our right to form a students’ union. The prime purposes of a students’ union are summarized below:
1. To collaborate with the college management in understanding and finding solutions to the numerous problems which the students confront.
2. To create awareness among the students of the perils caused by tobacco, alcohol etc.
Yours sincerely
Students of NHCE
No comments:
Post a Comment