Conference of Pratichi Trust on Education in Shantiniketan

A two day Conference of The Pratichi Trust, led by the Nobel Laureate, Prof Amartya Sen, was organized in Shantiniketan, Bolpur, on the last week of December 2013, which primarily

Mrs Biswas sharing views with Prof Amartya Sen

Prof Sen at the venue

Mrs Biswas addressing the Conference

Prof Amartya Sen addresses the Conference

Mrs Biswas with Dr. Ashokendu Sengupta, Educationist & Member of the Education Commission, Govt of WB

                                       

  

(Mrs)Dr. Nabanita DebSen's Note Wishing Mrs Biswas all success

Mrs Elora Biswas with Dr Nabanita DebSen

A Souvenir from the Pratichi Trust 

Mrs Biswas with Dr. Ramchandra Dome, MP, Bolpur Constituency

focused on the quality of Education in present day India. Mrs Elora Biswas, being cordially invited at this occasion had enjoyed the rare privilege of meeting Prof Sen & his wife the renowned Bengali writer Mrs Nabanita Debsen, with whom she is reported to have discussed in great details regarding the plight of part time teachers of the state. Mrs Biswas addressed at the conference, on the present condition of part time teachers in the State. She later reported that Prof Sen & his wife have taken a sympathetic approach towards the condition of such teachers, & have assured to aid the movement for our rightful demands. Mrs Biswas also met Dr. Ramchandra Dome, MP, Bolpur Constituency, along with some important dignitaries of the State Education Deptt who were present at the occassion. 

Print Media Reports of the Movement of 16th Dec

The Success of the Movement of 16th Dec

Part time teachers from all corners of the State, assembled at Raja Subodh Mullick Squire, Kolkata, on Monday, 16th Dec, & marched in a long procession to Rani Rashmoni Squire, led by Mrs Elora Biswas, where the teachers in an attempt to depict their plight, at not receiving their monthly remuneration & demanding other benifits of a full time teacher, mock worshipped the cardboard effigy of the State Education Minister, & made the assembled onlookers, media & participants realize, that in spite of upholding the Higher Education infrastructure of the State for over the years, they are treated as second class citizens, who are not even considered honourable teachers by the State Government. Mrs Biswas was later escorted by the police to "Nabanna", the administrative headquarter of the State, where she has been reported to have presented to the Hon'ble Chief Minister, a deputation, stating the demands of part time teachers.

 

Movement on 16th Dec '13

Part time teachers across the State are requested to gather at Raja Subodh Mullick Squire(Wellington Squire, Central Kolkata) at 10 am, on 16th Dec, '13. The procession will move to Rani Rashmoni Avenue(Esplanade), where the teachers would raise their voices in demand of pay scale & other benefits of a full time teacher, following which Mrs Elora Biswas will move to Honorable Chief Minister's office to submit a deputation. All our friends, well wishers, people from all walks of life, who sincerely wish to stand beside the ailing teachers, are cordially invited to join us at the event.

Meeting at Barasat Press Club

A State Level Meeting of our association has been scheduled at Barasat Press Club on 10th December (Tuesday) at 2pm, to discuss details of our movement, scheduled on the 16th of this month. Members are requested to attend the meeting.

A rare privilege for a part time lecturer

In a very recent development the Principal of Ananda Chandra College, Jalpaiguri has appointed Mr. Moloy Kanti Das, a part time lecturer of his college, from the Deptt. of History, as teacher-in-charge, in his temporary absence from office. The decision was taken by the Principal amidst several oppositions from all full time teachers. Mr. Das was considered the most efficient among all the others present. This may be considered as a rare prestige for part time lecturers, who have till date been considered nothing worthwhile by most college authorities. Such decisions & hopefully many more in the days to come, will definitely strengthen the part time teachers movement in the State.

Recent Developments in Barasat Govt College

Ad hoc Puja Bonus: A Consolation

The govt has announced Ad-hoc puja bonus for all existing part time College & University teachers of the state on 30th Aug,'13, which though serves as a happy tiding for many, during festive seasons, is only but a meagre consolation prize for all the movements of part time teachers, till date. It is obvious for the Govt to feel that people who have nothing can be easily satisfied with very little that may be offered to them, but though, we appreciate the Govt decision of keeping in mind the miserable state of nearly 7000 College teachers, during festive seasons, still we want to emphasize that the primary demand of our association for pay scale for all part time teachers remains the foremost priority, along with the change of name of our teaching posts. We will fight for these demands to our last breath, if required. We require full dignity & recognition of our labour & dedication over the years, not in piecemeal or as a mere throwaway prize, but in a prestigious manner.

Print Media Coverage of the Movement of 19th August

A rain dripping dark cloud clapped Metro sky witnessed the assembly of hundreds of part time lecturers at Raja Subodh Mullick Squire, Kolkata, on 19th August.'13, from various colleges of the State under the able leadership of Elora Biswas, who marched in a long peaceful procession towards Y Channel, Dharamtala(Esplanade). Amidst heavy monsoon downpour, the procession with slogans in favour of the rights of part time teachers, & singing "We Shall Overcome", holding a huge half bust cut out of the State Higher Education Minister, Mr Bratya Basu, intending to show the man, the plight of several of his college teachers, gradually moved towards Esplanade. The cut out of the Minister was fanned by the teachers continually on the way, to show that he may rest like the supreme Lord, while numerous teachers suffer immensely. Arriving at the scheduled spot, escorted by a huge police force from all around, & constantly followed & interviewed by several print & electronic media on the way, the teachers halted & prepared for the ultimate protest show. Elora Biswas chanted a "strotram"(a religious chanting, meant to be a banter, in this case) of Bratya Basu & started worshiping the cut cut of the Minister putting a garland of "rotis" round his neck, joined in by a Hindu hymnal chanting, & followed by priestly rituals from all the teachers present. The teachers offered "Anjali to the Minister with torn pieces of Roti, to show the plight of the teachers who themselves ignored & unfed have been feeding the Higher Education Deptt of the State for decades.

All these have been taking place in front of the huge police barricade in front & Higher police officers eager to know about the next move of our association. Following the "Bratya Puja", Mrs Elora Biswas along with Mr. Haripada Pradhan, were escorted by the police to Writers Building, Kolkata to present their deputation. The impact of the movement, as reported by Mrs Biswas later, on the total atmosphere of the Writers Building, The Administrative Headquarter of the State, has been quite astounding. The Govt has been intimated in clear terms, that until the legitimate demands of these exploited teachers are met, the teachers will take to the streets time & again against the Govt policy of torment & exploitation.