IIM-Indore students anonymously compain: Authorities ignore their Covid concern

An email alert received by me from a 2020 batch alum of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM)-Indore has forwarded a mail received by this person regarding "concerns of the current students towards the top business institute's Indore branch's authorities' alleged "disregard" towards the management of the Covid-19-related situation on-campus.
The email alert states, "I am writing this to you on behalf of students who do not wish to disclose their names fearing administrative action. I request you to respect their and my request for complete anonymity in this disclosure." This is what the e-mail alert says:

***

This disclosure is with reference to the "The Ken" article that highlights the abuse of administrative power in the midst of a covid-19 outbreak at IIM Indore.
I am writing this to bring to light the present conditions and abuse of administrative power that is happening at IIM Indore in the midst of a Covid-19 outbreak on the campus that is being denied by the administration in a bid to ensure that online examinations do not have to be conducted.
A) Instance 1: The end-term examinations for PGP-1 were scheduled for the period 25th March - 2nd April. On 26th March a batch email was sent to the PGP 1 batch that stated that all exams of PGP-1 were going to abruptly conclude on the 31st of March (this entailed a sudden change of schedule whereby there were 2 end term exams scheduled on each day). This email was sent soon after there
were reports of students testing positive on campus. The administration continues to falsely deny the occurrence of the Covid-19 outbreak on campus.
B) Instance 2: Over the course of the past few days, nearly 50-60+ students reported symptoms - fever, cough, running nose - etc. These students have been quarantined basis their symptoms and the institute has taken little to no effort to conduct contact tracing. Furthermore, many of these students who had symptoms were present in several packed exam halls during the start of the end-term examinations. The institute has taken no steps to ensure contact tracing of other exam writing participants.
C) Instance 3: In certain instances, students who had been shifted to quarantine were not provided with online examination links and as such these students were forced to walk out of their quarantine blocks to answer the examinations and then were asked to return to their quarantine block post writing the examination.
D) Instance 4: There are several instances where students in quarantine who have been showing symptoms have asked for Covid-19 tests and the administration has outrightly refused to offer Covid-19 tests to them. When some students and their parents contacted the college administration, the administration replied by saying that the students are young, and hence even if they get infected, nothing will happen to them.
E) Instance 5: The PGP-1 batch was sent a forwarded email which stated that due to the "present circumstance" in Indore city, it is not possible to get lab technicians to the college to conduct any tests for people who want themselves to get tested. Some students then asked for names of labs that had supposedly declined to come to campus and if it was possible to bring a government lab technician to campus. To this, there has been no response or clarification.

F) Instance 6: On 12th March, the PGP-1 batch was sent an email stating that weekly excursions to any place outside the campus would be banned and that if any student were to visit any place outside campus that they would be required to be quarantined for 5 days upon their return to campus. Immediately after this email was sent, the Placement Committee of IIM Indore, along with the Director and other members of college administration went out of campus to a restaurant, following which they returned to campus and are visible in a group photo where no one is wearing masks or practising social distancing. None of these people (students or Director or administration) who went out, were quarantined upon arrival. Following this, there were Placement Committee members who were quarantined due to symptoms, and some of them have tested positive as well.
Throughout the entire duration of the past few days, the administration of the college has been completely opaque in their communication and has not replied to any public student query emails. At the same time, the college refuses to contact trace or even allow students to get tested citing 'non-availability of technicians. The college still maintains an official stance stating that only 4 students are positive, whereas the reality is very much different.
In communication with certain members of the student bodies, the administration has said that they will not care about what the students have to say since they know what they are doing is correct.

Comments

Towards 2024: Time for ‘We the People of India’ to wake up before it is too late

By Fr Cedric Prakash SJ* It is Constitution Day once again! We, the people of India, gratefully remember 26 November 1949 when the Constitution of India was passed and adopted by the Constituent Assembly. The Constituent Assembly comprised women and men of distinction, who were able to represent the heart and soul of the people of India without fear or favour. They gave of their best, so that we may a visionary Constitution, which would be the mainstay for and of democracy in India!

Regretful: Kapil Dev retired not leaving Indian cricket with integrity he upheld

By Harsh Thakor Kapil Dev scaled heights as an entertainer and a player upholding the spirit of the game almost unparalleled in his era. In his time he was cricket’s ultimate mascot of sportsmanship On his day Kapil could dazzle in all departments to turn the tempo of game in the manner of a Tsunami breaking in. He radiated r energy, at a level rarely scaled in his era on a cricket field. Few ever blended aggression with artistry so comprehenisively. Although fast medium, he could be as daunting with the ball as the very best, with his crafty outswinger, offcutter, slower ball and ball that kicked from a good length. Inspite of bowling on docile tracks on the subcontinent, Kapil had 434 scalps, with virtually no assistance. I can never forget how he obtained pace and movement on flat pancakes, trapping the great Vivian Richards in Front or getting Geoff Boycott or Zaheer Abbas caught behind. No paceman carried the workload of his team’s bowling attack on his shoulders in his eras muc

How the slogan Jai Bhim gained momentum as movement of popularity and revolution

By Dr Kapilendra Das* India is an incomprehensible plural country loaded with diversities of religions, castes, cultures, languages, dialects, tribes, societies, costumes, etc. The Indians have good manners/etiquette (decent social conduct, gesture, courtesy, politeness) that build healthy relationships and take them ahead to life. In many parts of India, in many situations, and on formal occasions, it is common for people of India to express and exchange respect, greetings, and salutation for which we people usually use words and phrases like- Namaskar, Namaste, Pranam, Ram Ram, Jai Ram ji, Jai Sriram, Good morning, shubha sakal, Radhe Radhe, Jai Bajarangabali, Jai Gopal, Jai Jai, Supravat, Good night, Shuvaratri, Jai Bhole, Salaam walekam, Walekam salaam, Radhaswami, Namo Buddhaya, Jai Bhim, Hello, and so on.

Critical factors that determine, contribute to the success and effectiveness of NGOs

By Rohit Rakshit Over the last few years, I have been fortunate to work with numerous non-governmental organizations (NGOs) across various states in the country. This experience has allowed me to gain insights into their diverse areas of work while also enabling me to analyze the key attributes that contribute to the success of a good NGO. According to my observations, the following are the critical factors that determine the effectiveness of an NGO.

Polytechnic Uprising 50 years ago even today inspires radical Greek youth movement

By Harsh Thakor* On November 17, progressive sections in Greece marked the 50th anniversary of the Athens Polytechnic Uprising of 1973. A massive rally from the Athens Polytechnic passed through various parts of the city, including the US Embassy. Thousands of activists from the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), Communist Youth of Greece (KNE), Students Struggle Front (MAS), Federation of Greek Women (OGE), Hellenic Committee for International Detente and Peace (EEDYE), and All Workers Militant Front (PAME), among other groups, participated in the march denouncing imperialism, fascism and military dictatorship.

Delhi labour chowk workers get work for 15 days a month, 10% get grain on ration cards

By Bharat Dogra* It is around 10 in the morning and the number of workers at the Sigalpur labor chowk in Shalimar Bagh area of Delhi is increasing. As a worker Munna says: “The hope of getting any work is much lesser now due to pollution related ban on construction but still workers assemble here in the hope of getting at least some minor repair or other work.”

How adamant Bellsonika management is continuously robbing workers' livelihood

By Harsh Thakor* On September 27th, earlier this year, the Bellsonika Workers’ Union was stripped of legal status or registration. The Haryana government's labour department cancelled the registration of the Bellsonica workers' union over granting the membership to one of the 'contractual workers'. It was major breach on Constitutional Rights of workers, to enable the contract labour system to flourish, and tighten the noose on any form of workers resistance.

Day to remember hardship, sincere efforts of Dr Ambedkar for framing Constitution

By Dr Kapilendra Das The 26th of November, the day of an important landmark in India's journey as an Independent, Sovereign, socialist, secular, and Democratic, Republic is celebrated as National Constitution Day in India, also known as Samvidhan Divas. On this day the constituent Assembly adopted the constitution of India in 1949 to secure the Indian Citizen's justice, liberty, equality, and union which came into effect two months later, on January 26, 1950, and India became a Republic.

TERI researchers outline ways for robust, equitable and flexible outcome at COP28

By Sanya Hans Researchers at The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) launched two crucial policy briefs ahead of the much anticipated 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) scheduled from November 30 to December 12, 2023 at Dubai, UAE. Former climate negotiator, Ambassador Manjeev Singh Puri, a Distinguished Fellow at TERI emphasized, “Adaptation is an imperative and absolute must in present times for the Global South. COP28 needs to make the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) integral to climate commitments and action”. “Climate change demands that energy use must be sustainable; the development imperative of the Global South demands it to be inclusive, just and fair," Mr Puri added. Outcome on GGA will be a key determinant for the success of COP28 The policy brief titled ‘Road to Dubai and The Global Goal on Adaption’ reviewed the discussions around the GGA framework to provide perspectives on what could be a robust, equitable, and flexible outcome of the GGA process at CO

Raising temperature of frozen foods by 3 degrees from -18°C to -15°C can slash carbon emissions: Study

By Payel Sannigrahi Frozen food temperatures could be changed by just three degrees to save the carbon dioxide emissions of 3.8 million cars per year, research suggests.

Search This Blog