Apathy towards students' plight

Peters Chongom *

Students who are yet to receive admit cards of Class X & XII CBSE Exam, protesting on 27 Feb 2015 :: Pix - Shankar Khangembam

It's a world of contrast they say, and this proposition seems to hold tightly true in this present gridlock that mired the education system of our state. Enough is said and all is heard. As things stand the axe seems to be falling mercilessly upon the meek students this time. It appears pertinent that the wind of luck completely evades away from the folks who need it most. On the contrary they were apparently left in the lurch begging for a fitting justice. The cry goes on and the demand continues, where would the fate of these innocent souls leads still is a million dollar question now.

Amidst this euphoria, I had the opportunity to have a conversation with one of the students who is caught up in this very entangle. As we move on with our confabulation I could see the sense of desperation in his teary eyes. Nothing could I do than lend my moral support through mere words. As they say words are all I have . Notwithstanding, the chat gave me some crucial inputs regarding the stalemate.

Not to exaggerate myself but I was filled with immense grief and it pains me to the core listening to the narration that proceeds out from him in a feeble tone. The writings that entails further in this article would be mostly if not entirely in tandem with some of my personal conversation with some ill fated folks like this weary gentleman.

Kernel of the matter

It appears that the news of some persisting problem started way back in the early week of February. Per se, the school authority appeared to have learnt of something fishy but chose to deliberately keep the information concealed, the reason why is known best to them. However one of the probable reasons could be the utmost fear of early backlash and outrage that would stem out from the student fraternity which was inevitable.

As the fact cannot be put long under suspension, the students arise up against the school authority for immediate redress of the problem when the imminent problem comes to the fore. In the process when they made fervent attempt to meet the principal concern of these schools the Judas seems to have fled the crime scene. To the dismay of the ill fated students not even a teacher let alone the principal was within trace.

This has added a new wound to the existing impasse. And this is how things started taking the worst path that ultimately leads to the ransacking of some houses that belongs to the school authorities. Atrocities committed are deeply regretted, though.

Apathy and indifference

It is also learnt that the ever active students organizations by the name AMSU and DESAM are turning mute spectator to this gruesome episode. The reason for their silence is not too far too seek. I was surprised at this very fact so I made some comprehensive asking from the afflicted students. It appears that these students' bodies were approached more times than one. To the dismay of many the reply that came from them was truly shocking and medieval.

"Let them suffer those who chose to opt CBSE schools because they want high marks without proportionate labour" was the reply that proceeds from one of the leaders of the so called AMSU /DESAM whatsoever. Come on, this is truly opprobrious and preposterous and deserves condemnation and consternation of highest degree.

It's a matter of choice as to what board you chose to opt, yes CBSE may be more lenient in marking system. However, one cannot surmise that it's qualitatively inferior to the state board, in fact the contrary may hold true. The students' body should come forward and fight for the cause of these betrayed and battered students rather than making prattle remarks. It's time to grow up and think beyond our personal vested interest for the greater cause of society.

Dear Emboi Serto, the hyper assertive ATSUM is also silent altogether this time when your intervention was needed the most. The accusing finger is clearly pointing at you too and may be you have some guilt involved. Why do you flounder and feign to not know a thing on this matter? This baffles me to the core because it is pertinently farcical to see you turn a blind eye to this just cause. I strongly fulminate with your organization on this one.

It would have been so much of help had all students body fought collectively in unison for fitting justice. This inaction will be sorely and surely remembered as a bad precedent in more convincing terms to these suffering students in the future days that unfolds. Your utmost silence has cast a shadow of doubt on your credentials. You need to rethink your stand in deeper ways.

If you continue to remain taciturn to worthy cause, the purpose of your existence will be highly in question. Kindly proof yourself worthy of the trust that the tribal people entrust on you. FYI there are many tribal students enmeshed in this mêlée and you may take sweet note of that. Certainly your stand in this fracas has diminished some gloss of ATSUM.

What multiplies the grim

To add more wounds to the already grim scenario, it precipitates that the Education Minister was apprised by the CBSE officials of the existing and persisting quagmire much in advanced (Excerpts: The Sangai express). The Minister was further requested to take necessary arrangement so that the plight of these Students was safe and intact.

However, whether the concern Minister complies with the directives of the CBSE is out in the open for all to see. He was even approached by the Students quite a many times and the responds offered by him was not satisfactory said one of the Student. There is complete indifference and apathy from all quarters in this skirmish.

Why is this happening? Is the silence merely because the kin and near ones of the high officials are not at the suffering end? It is therefore a matter of deep dismay and hurt. The general public is begging for a fitting answer.

Buckle up young friends

To put things into perspective, this ill fated episode will remain a sore element for all the affected students for days to come. Let us imagine the sense of lost that might have crept into the minds of these young folks. The tears that roll down the cheeks of young damsels with sense of regret and remorse in the light of losing one academic year will have thousands of untold meanings.

The intense preparation for the battle all year long seems to go in vain now. The inner feeling that your close peers will be a year ahead in academic strides will be both irksome and exasperating in equal terms. In a short while from now your fellow friends will be filled with exuberance after the completion of their exam and then celebrate the result with much glee and alacrity.

On the other side of this small world you sit silent and watch around and find yourself lock up in your own battered world with no reason to smile or celebrate other than the feeling of utmost disquiet that troubles your troubled minds. Oh what a pity! Why bad things do happen to good people is the cry of many now and the answers is still far elusive. The world for them seems lost and weary.

Morning does not dawn up any new hopes nor does the dusk entails happiness. For now all hope is lost, but my dear young friends, don't give up. Stand firm and assert yourself. Put your worst days behind. It may have hurt you with untold degrees of pain but someday this will all come to pass. Do not bemoan anymore, Buckle up and look at the bright side of life.

Your future is filled with promise and it should not grow stale. There is still a glimmer of hope. We the general public keep you all in our prayers. Let's Hope that this quandary of doom and dismay passes apace from you all.