http://www.firstpost.com/politics/mumbai-xaviers-principal-slams-guj-model-in-email-to-students-1492431.html
While I agree with practically everything that Mascarenhas is saying, I think it is stupid of him to use his office to push his message. It will only allow for colleges and other educational institutions to be used further as electioneering and propagandizing platforms. As it is the politicization of educational institutions is becoming a curse in Goa where it is already being done in a covert way. I don't know whether the general public is aware of the manner in which the National Service Scheme (NSS) was used to further the pre-election buildup by the ruling party in Goa. The Depts of Education and Higher Education issued fatwas that schools and colleges should send their students for Run for Unity rallies (ostensibly to promote Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel) and Vivekananda rallies. Inducements in the way of some 20 NSS 'hours' were offered to students This amounts to almost one third of the work that a student has to do per semester. Compare this with the 2 NSS hours the students are given for an activity lie campus cleaning. The students were also promised caps and T-shirts which incidentally were not given. And what happened? Students were herded by the colleges and schools one morning. The CM and his cronies arrived to start the rally. Photographs and videos were taken by press and TV reporters and then - and then - the run simply came to an end!! And there was very little protest about this by anyone around. Although propogandizing similar to Mascarenhas is practices by educational institutions affiliated to the RSS, I feel that he should have avoided giving the high moral ground to the HIndutvavadis. It is similar to what Fr Cedric Prakash did; and it turns out to be counterproductive in the end for it sets up a bad precedent. -- Augusto Pinto 40, Novo Portugal Moira, Bardez Goa, India E [email protected] P 0832-2470336 M 9881126350
