The Hindu : Front Page : Riot-hit Gujarat children left high and dry

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Friday, Jun 29, 2007
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Riot-hit Gujarat children left high and dry

Their school and hostel suddenly closed down by the management

Photo: Mohd. Yousuf

NOWHERE TO GO: Riot-affected children from Gujarat in a dejected mood after their school and hostel were closed down in Hyderabad.

HYDERABAD: Erasing their gory past, a bright future was promised to them. But now, they see a bleak future due to an insensible act from the “champions of the neglected”.

Several children of the riot-affected Gujarat families admitted into the MESCO Grade School in Tolichowki in the city, now find themselves at the crossroads with the school closing their gates on them permanently.

The children and their parents are furious over the management’s sudden decision and say they have no other option but to drop plans to study further.

“They have not given any solid reason for the sudden closure of the school and the hostel,” says Nazeer Malik, one of the parents.

About 120 boys from the riot-ravaged Gujarat were enrolled in Mesco in different batches on the request of Gujarat Sarwajanik Relief Committee. These included some orphans who lost both their parents in the riots and also children of affluent families. The school promised to provide education till Intermediate. Interestingly, these children were not taught freely. They were paying fee ranging from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 20,000 on a par with other children. “In fact, several individuals and organisations had contributed to the Mesco for the sake of these children. Mesco got all the goodwill for admitting the riot-affected children, but they are now being made to suffer without any valid reason ,” explained a parent. “The reason is not at all financial since students were paying the fee.”

Mr. Nazeer says the management was asked to accommodate the children in other schools run by Mesco, but they refused. Where do the children go is the question now. It is not just an issue of shifting from the school for them, but leaving a well-settled student life. “This is not expected from a social organisation like Mesco,” says a parent.

After spending nearly five years here, the parents are not willing to take their children to Gujarat fearing that it would have a devastating psychological effect on them. Moreover, they would attain non-local status in Gujarat thus affecting their higher education.

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