Let me ruffle some feathers – Allow me to do so “Be A Light”

I wonder what the ‘motto’ of our school means for the one’s who finished school at St. Pauls before me, with me and after me – and I wonder what it means for my friends studying there.

Let me introduce myself, and with no pomp and trumpets to blow here – My name is Rohan A H Noronha, and I am an ex-student of St. Pauls Boarding and Day School, Kolkata – Batch 1996.

So here goes my rant;

I often, but silently visit the page on facebook (thank you admins for allowing me an entree) – and I managed to attend one reunion over the years gone by – sighh, was a corporate slave for many years and now am a freelance blogger, writer and a social activist.

My teachers would know me as the ‘boy who was different and always with a foot-in-the-mouth’; they may laugh off the days gone by, but those were the days (thankfully) when my ‘activism’ spirit was born.

I was once told by an eminent and well-known senior (indirectly though) that this page was meant to be a forum where we could share ideas, concepts and innovations, not for ‘personal hobbies’ to be showcased (I stopped and ended sharing my tarot posts thereafter; salute and respect).

Now back to where I am coming from and why I write this post!

It was back when I may have been in Class 5, there were headlines in a leading daily ‘Minor raped’. I was too young to understand what was going on – but I remember how the boys from other schools, travelling in the same public bus that took me home every evening would call my school girls a ‘bunch of whores’.

Misogyny – i didn’t understand back then as a term, but I do now. So now you see where the idea of being a ‘social activist’ was born. I remember looking at my mother and asking her the meaning of ‘whore’ – she didn’t reply. Can’t blame her, can I, I was just a child – too young to be told anything not deemed fit for my age.

This is me today- my question to you all

Ever since i started social activism in my own small ways, and have met many ‘girls’ from our school especially ( i wonder what stops the boys and men) involved in feminist movements, Slutwalk Kolkata chapters, LGBTQIA pride walks and more; I feel proud being one with them, if not one of them.

Gender injustice, rapes, misogyny and more; I dare each man (ex student) reading this to answer my questions.

• ·         Where were you when the city marched recently against the atrocities of what happened to the students of JADAVPUR UNIVERSITY?
• ·         Most of us are educated, some even gone ahead to own their own international degrees – of what use is it if you do not prove to BE THE LIGHT you were guided to be?
• ·         I just read a post on GAZA by a friend. My question is, when the author put out a daring question and request at the same time; how come none of the MEN (especially) poured out a debate?

Why am i targeting the men?

I am not; but my eyes show me what I can see and what I can read. I see the ‘men’ not commenting anything fruitful; opinions can be honoured and respected, a healthy debate is possible – you aren’t going to be condemned and killed – no one’s a ‘terrorist’ towards your ideas and thoughts. But, brothers where art thou!

I was recently questioned by one of my own classmates “What difference are you making walking the march protests and rallies” ?

Good question bro – i do not know what difference i can make or it makes, but what I know for sure is I stood for the ‘rights that were robbed’.

We all have heard about the Park Street Rape Case that happened – do not *facepalm* me yet! The media reported something, and the CM, being a woman herself said it was a ‘concocted show’ to bring down the reputation of the ruling party – I do not wish to get into the political soup, and I am NOT AFFILIATED to any political party.

I decided to meet the ‘survivor’ – the lady who was ‘gangraped’ – and for the first time at the SlutWalk March, March 21^st 2014 I met Suzette Jordon and her family in flesh and blood – her family’s love and hospitality moved me to bits.

That very evening, as i dropped her back home, i was asked by one of the PAULITES (men); “
So bro, isn’t she a prostitute” – I smiled back, i knew it was ignorance or misogyny, and somewhat hoped it wasn’t the latter.

Once again, i come back to the motto – ‘BE A LIGHT’

No we cannot be the LIGHT, if we are to slut-shame someone

No we cannot be the LIGHT, if we are to be closeted hypocrites in a civil society

No we cannot be the LIGHT, if we allow misogyny and patriarchy to rule over equality for all

No we cannot be the LIGHT, if we do not respect people who have different sexual orientations

No we cannot be the LIGHT, if we do not have the guts or the courage or the time or to have the spirit in fighting against victimisation in any form, and finally,

No we can never be the LIGHT; because in order to be POPULAR with racist, misogynistic and victimised jokes; we have forgotten to be human.

I know i have spoken my heart out, and this was only the tip of the iceberg. I wonder how many would read and share this post; but it doesn’t matter – I have always and will continue to be ‘different’ – living by NO RULES – i cannot fake a shallow HELLO and HI – i cannot and will not!

Regards

Rohan A H Noronha

A human first, your friend later! 

#HOKKOLOROB

 By Upasana Biswas. ICSE: 2013

              It was the night of 28th August, 2014. A renowned state aided institute in Calcutta, The Jadavpur University was hosting its freshers fest. Amidst such an event a female student was allegedly dragged to the boys' hostel and sexually assaulted by a group of 10 men for no reason. No one among the several other people and the college authorities stood up against this violence. The next day the girl was debarred from coming to college. 

Let there be a roar!

This is when a group of students from the same college stood up to fight for her. The matter of investigation was taken over by the college authorities but nothing was actually done. So the students stood in silent protest on the night of 16th of September and demanded an explanation from the Vice Chancellor of their college. No one had any intention in creating havoc or assaulting the Vice Chancellor. They just wanted an explanation as to why no action was being taken on their part to investigate into the matter. The Vice Chancellor didn't care to come out. Instead he employed a group of goons to beat up the students. Even the police were called who instead of arresting the goons, helped them by beating more of the students. Most of them had to be admitted to the hospital and some of them are fighting for their lives. The women who stood up in the protest were molested too and they were hurt brutally.

Students walk the rally on 20th September.

A commissioner of police said "We were negotiating with the students since 8pm but they did not relent. Around 1.30am, when the talks did not work, we decided to initiate the process of rescuing the VC and there was a scuffle between the students and the police. The students hurled stones at the police and 11 of our personnel were injured". 

Students on the other hand alleged that the police manhandled them and even molested girl students who were protesting. Video footage also shows that there was no woman police officer around. They claimed that the police switched off the lights and dragged, kicked, slapped and punched them. According to their version, only two women personnel were present and policemen assaulted girls.The complaint read that the VC initiated “a movement against the students wherein the women were molested, sexually and mentally assaulted, while goons from a reputed political party walked over bodies of the women after switching the lights off”.

This was the price given to the people, the students, the future of our country, who tried to raise their voice against the evil. This is to all the students from all over India. We want you all to know how we, the people of Calcutta are being ruled by a Government which promised to transform Calcutta to London, but what actually happened after they got elected is that the number of molestations and injustices got increased. We are not being ruled by leaders but goons. Here, a Minister says “If you don’t vote for us, we will rape your women” and he is not arrested. We want support from each and every student of not only Calcutta but whole India. 

We want our message to reach the Central authorities ruling this country. We are a democracy and the power lies in our hands. We will stand by that very girl who didn't receive her justice from the college authorities and we will fight till the government collapses. Please it’s a request, help us bring a change. Let this reach the higher authority. Calling to all the students of India, stand by us and help us cleanse Calcutta of its wrongs because if it continues this way, then a day will come when it will no longer be possible for any woman to live in Calcutta without any fear.

More than 7000 people walked the peace protest rally on 20th September

Teacher’s Day Celebration at St. Paul’s.

On the 5^th September, the students of St. Paul’s Boarding & Day school celebrated teacher’s day. A beautiful programme was put up by both the junior and senior sections of the school. The first half of the programme was put up by the primary section. It started with a group song by the little students of class KG followed by an action song. Classes one and two organized a fashion show. The first half of the programme by the juniors concluded with a dance performance and a group song in Hindi. After a short tea-break the second half of the programme by the senior section was held. All teachers were greeted with red roses and were made to walk the ramp on stage. The programme began with a short speech by the school captain followed by a musical act performed by the students of classes 6, 7 & 8. Classes 11 & 12 performed a group dance and a group song. A comedy drama was put up by the students of class 10 which left everyone amused. The acting skills of the students were appreciated by the teachers. A group dance by the students of class 12 NIOS also ‘rocked’ the stage. An English song was performed by a few students of classes 11 & 12 followed by a dance performance by class 12. Time to time the hosts cheered the audience with their jokes and humour. A special game was organized where the teachers were called up on stage and were asked to pick up a chit which contained the names of an actor and actress. They were to sing a song of the famous bollywood Jodi . The game was thoroughly enjoyed by all. The programme was concluded by a closing speech and ‘thanks giving’ from the teachers. All were given a small token of love from the students. Lunch was served soon after the programme. The day was enjoyed by both the teachers and the students. 

Report by Jaismita Alexander. Class 12 C.

Action song by class KG

The evergreen Sr. Kleinman walked the ramp

Our dear teachers

Group song

Group Dance

Pictures by Jaismita Alexander. Class 12 C.

An Eternal Bliss....

A tiny little life fell from the sky today

He was slow, yet he was a ray of hope; a life saviour.

He fell from the sky wetting my palm, which for the world was not disallowing.

I felt embracing 'em tight to my arms,

Soon he called for his comrades, and formed a large army.

Attacking the city will a fierce storm, they clattered against the roofs of the city.

It rained torrentially, returning Life to the dead trees, the shrinking river, the tired flowers,

And proved to be a bliss, past the destructive hours.

The relief was still breathtaking, and the rain thanksgiving.

As the rain was brought down on the parched earth,

I felt an unbearable lightness, and

The peace

The relief

And an Eternal Bliss....

By Natasha Ahmed

Class 10 Section B

SPBDS celebrates Independence Day

On 15th August, 2014, St. Paul’s boarding and Day School celebrated the Independence Day. The day started with a grand march past by the students of classes six to twelve followed by the hoisting of the tricolour flag by the chief guest. After that the students marched into the hall where a program was arranged. Even the parents and ex-students were a part of the audience. 

School Band

 An English skit was performed in which the school choir sang beautifully. Four folk dance performances by the students added to the versatility of the show. A Hindi skit was performed based on the topic 'role of women in the freedom of India.' This was followed by a melodious Bengali choir and recitation which en-fused in every mind the spirit of patriotism. The program ended with a concluding speech and a vote of thanks by a teacher. Refreshments were served at the end of the eventful morning.

 Report by: Meghna Mukherjee (Class 12C)

Picture Courtesy: Niloy Bose (Ex-student)

Flag hoisting by the chief guest

Captains participate in the march past

Santhali Dance

Students performing Bhangra

Garba and Dandiya 

Hindi Play

South Indian Folk

Bengali Choir

 Special Thanks to Niloy Bose for mailing the beautiful pictures to us.

First batch of teachers when SPBDS was a boys' school...

Backfield

Hostel and residential building

Foundation stone on marble plaque

School chapel

Principal's office and primary classes

Inter-house Dance Competition

On August 1, 2014 St. Paul’s boarding and Day School held an inter-house dance competition in the school hall. The Gala celebration and the authenticity of folk dance , exclusively chosen from the four extents of India – brought in the feeling of Indian-ness looking back at the day gone by, when a trip to the extreme stretches – from the snow covered north to the peninsular south to the lush green vegetation of the east to the coastal west; when contemplating at the festival of the harvest season, and the celebration associated with it, brings in the feeling of unity- one cannot deny that St. Paul’s  inter-house dance completion was high.

Sister Juliet with the two judges

The four houses, Churchill (green), Gandhi (red), Kennedy (blue) and Tagore (yellow) performed popular folk dance forms from across the country. Students of classes 9-12 participated in this competition.

As much as the competition was vibrant and fun, the rehearsal and practices were all the more fun in themselves. The participants all in colourful costumes and glittering jewelry and full of zeal made it difficult for the judges to mark them a little less than the previous one.The programme began with a short introduction on the format of the competition by the host, Mr. Kleinman. The judges were Mrs. Shrija Krishnadas (Classical dancer) and Ms Ranjita Chakraborty (Contemporary dance teacher). Altogether four folk dance forms were performed by the four houses. Each house had nine dancers and they got only three minutes to put their best foot forward in dancing. The first house to take the stage was Churchill (green) and they performed Bhangra, the Punjabi folk dance. Tagore house (yellow) performed a folk dance from Tamil Nadu following a Santhali dance by Gandhi house (red).

 

Pre-performance preparations

The last to perform was Kennedy house (blue) and they performed Gujarat’s Garba and Dandiya. The judges were really impressed with the effort put in by the students and the teachers. It would be a herculean task to congratulate each of the participants, representing their own house, since every adjective would be less to describe the sincere effort and endless energy. Participants after days of practice geared up for the D-Day, finally setting to “rock” the dance floor. The red curtains were accentuating, already illuminated stage and the colourful lights added to the brightness even a degree more. 

After all the four performances, the principal Sister Juliet was called upon the stage to deliver a short speech. She too appreciated the skills of the students in dancing. Soon after the felicitation of the two judges, the results were announced. Gandhi house (red) was declared as the winner. Tagore house (yellow) came second while Kennedy (blue) & Churchill (green) secured the third position together in a tie.

 It was not only a success for the students but all teachers involved. The hard work of the student and the teachers was really commendable. St. Paul's, thus witnessed what magic music, rhythm and footsteps can create!

By Shreeja Das (Class 11 C) & Jaismita Alexander  (Class 12 C)

Pictures by Priya Chanani (Class 12 B)

Edited by Aryani Banerjee, ex-student (ISC 2006) & author of the book 'Little Longer than Forever'.

Kennedy House performing Garba

Gandhi House performing Santhali dance

Churchill House performing Bhangra

Tagore House performing South Indian folk dance