VC's Tea Party Marred by Students Protest
Patna: July 4, 2007
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VC's Tea Party Marred by Students Protest
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Photo by Shashi Uttam |
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Patna University Vice Chancellor Dr. Y. C. Simadri, at the Wheeler Senate Hall on Wednesday, organized a tea party for the college principals, teachers, and other staff to review the functioning of the university and all colleges under it though the spirit was dampened a little due to a protest staged outside by student leaders with different political affiliations.
The VC, in his speech, said a fresh wind was blowing at Patna University as he lauded the 'improved educational environment' at all college campuses. He listed several achievements at the university level including a marked improvement in the attendance of teachers and students, removal of illegal occupants from college hostels, regularization of the academic session, timely holding of the exams and the declaration of their results without any inordinate delay that had been the case with the university for last several years.
Outside Wheeler Senate Hall, however, the atmosphere was different.
Dozens of student leaders and their followers staged a dharna chanting anti-VC slogans and accusing him of squandering university money on parties and other unnecessary schemes.
"The VC has an incessant appetite for remaining in media limelight which explains these frequent so-called tea parties. The fact of the matter is that colleges do not have adequate canteen, restrooms, or water fountains. Instead of spending money on these items, the VC chooses to spend the university money on parties and get-togethers," said a Janata Dal (U)-backed student leader.
An attempt to placate the students by the VC, Secretary Vibhash Kumar Yadav, and Dean Dr. Ejaz Ali Arshad went unheeded as students continued to chant slogans while refusing to disperse despite large number of police officials present outside the building.
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