Skip to main content

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

TRENDING

Sengol imbroglio suggests reason why Modi, BJP don't respect modern Indian history

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*  The new parliament building opened on February 28. It looks it is not the Parliament but part of #Pratinidhisabhas ' started by earstwhile #princelystates in India. The #BJP for long has been acting as if India is a #Kingdom and Modi ji the new #King of India. Even at the coronations of Kings, you find a large number of people, and dignitaries but look at the opening ceremony we have only one face as if he build everything. Is it the dream of a republic.

Cave of Spleen - a feminist perspective: Status of women in early 18th century England

The Cave of Spleen: Aubrey Beardsley's illustration for Pope's “The Rape of the Lock” By Pragya Ranjan  "The Rape of the Lock" by Alexander Pope published in 1712 is a mock-heroic narrative which satirically glorifies trivial incident of cutting of locks of protagonist Belinda. This poem was written in the Augustan Era (1660-1784) which is marked by the period of scientific reason and rationality, whose effect can be seen on the writers of those times. This timeline is particularly important to analyse the episode of the Cave of Spleen.

Abrogation of Art 370: Increasing alienation, relentless repression, simmering conflict

One year after the abrogation by the Central Government of Art. 370 in Kashmir, what is the situation in the Valley. Have the promises of peace, normalcy and development been realised? What is the current status in the Valley? Here is a detailed note by the People’s Union for Civil Liberties , “Jammu & Kashmir: One Year after Abrogation of Art. 370: Increasing Alienation, Relentless Repression, Simmering Conflict”:

Release of dabang neta: Rule of law can't be allowed to be slave to political rhetoric

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*  When we look to politicians for solutions and politics as the 'final solution' for every evil then we are disappointed most of the time. In politics, we knowingly or unknowingly become part of the propaganda tool of the ruling elite which exists everywhere across different castes. We often provide issues and talk about them in binaries which suit our elites. The minorities among the marginalised who have no political space and representation rarely get heard by these majoritarian parties whose agenda remain power communities. Every political party in today's time is following the 'successful' formula of 'democracy' which is keeping the 'powerful' 'jaatis' with them leaving aside the marginalised one. The BJP started this but yes they cobbled together all other communities too through a diverse narrative.

Discussion on making school education meaningful to vulnerable communities

ActionAid note on workshop to boost National Curriculum Framework operations: *** Leading educationists and activists striving to make education meaningful to vulnerable communities gathered in Delhi to discuss the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE). Acting in response to the call of the NCF Steering Committee appointed by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, ActionAid Association had organised the meeting to gather feedback on the draft NCFSE. This is part of ActionAid Association’s commitment to promote inclusive and gender-responsive education. The two-day national workshop titled ‘NCF Perspectives: Seeking Feedback on National Curriculum Framework (NCF)’ on May 30 and 31, 2023, was held at India International Centre, New Delhi. The workshop aimed to ensure a structured approach to gathering feedback from key stakeholders and enhancing their active participation in shaping the response sought by the Government of India. Stakeholders representing e

Why are 17 Indian cos, including Sterlite, blacklisted by Norway bank

By Venkatesh Nayak* Readers may recall the gory incidents that took place at Thoothukudi (Tuticorin) in Tamil Nadu in the southern part of India on 22 May, 2018. Thirteen protesters died on the spot when the police opened fire to disperse an assemblage of thousands of local residents and representatives of civil society groups. They were protesting against the adverse environmental impact of the industrial operations of Sterlite Copper which runs a copper smelter plant in the area. Accusations against the company have ranged from polluting local water resources to plans for expanding the installed capacity of the plant without the necessary environmental clearances. A ground report published in The Wire recently, mentions the decision taken by Norges Bank a few years ago to not invest funds from Norway’s Government Pension Fund Global (GPFG) in Sterlite “due to an unacceptable risk of complicity in current and future severe environmental damage and systematic human rights violations

J&K RTI activist denied opportunity to address audience, bring forward critical issues

Statement by Er. Irfan Banka, Founder of J&K RTI Foundation and convener of the Nalae Ferozpora Bachav Movement, regarding the incident of official misconduct during the My Town My Pride Jan Abhiyan Program and communication to Raj Bhavan: *** Er. Irfan Banka, a prominent RTI Activist and advocate, has come forward to address an incident of misconduct that occurred during the My Town My Pride Jan Abhiyan Program held at Mugam Town Hall in  Budgam. Additionally, Er. Irfan Banka has communicated the matter to Raj Bhavan, seeking appropriate action. During the event, Er. Irfan Banka was denied the opportunity to address the audience and bring forward critical issues concerning the people and services in the community, including waste management, traffic management, and the achievement of sustainable development goals. The incident involved the Additional Registrar Co-operative Kashmir, who not only prevented Er. Irfan Banka from speaking but also subjected him to public humiliation. E

Danger ahead: Smartphones making teens sexually smart, but mentally disturbed

By Harasankar Adhikari  We live in a digitally globalised society. Bombarded consumerism and imitation of foreign cultures and practises reshape our everyday lives. Life choices and lifestyles are the driving forces of modernity at present. People of almost all ages are within this realm and rhythm of consumerism for happiness.

Big challenge for environment movement: How to link with justice, peace movements?

By Bharat Dogra  The biggest hope for resolving life-threatening environmental problems of our planet increasingly rests now not with the world-level political leadership, which has failed miserably in many critical contexts, but instead with those highly committed environmental activists who have many significant achievements to their credit despite working in the middle of many difficulties. Alas, even they too are often grim today instead of being enthused because of the rather overwhelming conditions of world which force environment protection to go two steps backward even when the activists and movements achieve the difficult task of moving one step ahead.

Worship practice of Hindu religion in official functions should be considered appropriate

By NS Venkataraman* The new Indian parliament building was inaugurated with much fanfare, pomp and show by Prime Minister Modi befitting the occasion. While the magnificent building with several technological features was built in just over two years , the style and structure of the building has been acclaimed by millions of people who saw the inaugural programme. Those who saw this programme in person or in visual media could not miss the fact that the installation of Sengol ( Sceptre) was the hall mark of this elegant programme . In India, historically, Sengol is considered to be the symbol of justice and good governance.