Way to go Rev. Thampu

The Dalit reservation in St. Stephen is definitely a right step forward; the shocking part is why it was not implemented till now. St. Stephen is quite a prestigious college with a majestic building to match, this blogger had the chance to visit many a times as part of job. The contribution of Christianity to Indian education system is quite significant. Unfortunately almost all the elite schools and colleges in India were ransacked by licker’s children, and since defining competence. The reason for demand for Christian missionary school and college has also to do with ethos of serving and compassion associated with Christianity which has contributed in the form of some very dedicated and sincere staffs who take it as part of their mission. Of course with commercialization things have changed but the core of setting these institutions was not about profit but an extension of service which Christianity holds very dear. Religion has lots of negative things but the positives can be counted more and one being this. The demands for missionary schools have also to do with quality of English language education.

Clearly till now most prestigious schools and colleges run by missionaries were contributing to very narrow section of elite-direct beneficiaries of colonialism, so the benefits haven’t reached to marginalized section. Further these colonial style environments have bred some very arrogant set of people who unfortunately also formed part of policy making and other significant positions. The reason why people from marginalized section couldn’t be in these positions has to do with lack of opportunity than the so called competence of elite. The contribution of Indian elite is a joke. Some arrogant have even written books on how Indian literature in India is irrelevant without contributions from Stephenites!. To be fair the overwhelming mediocrity in English literature (surprising how they get publishers!!) has to a large extend to do with alumni circle of Stephen. Many excellent English writers are not from Stephen is not a coincidence. Not denying few of my favorite authors like Amit Chaudhri and Amitav Ghosh (our man though has become very market savvy recently. Turd influence?) are from Stephens, but the arrogance is what I am questioning, since very few are great, most others used these facilities to propagate a mindset that has been the curse on Indian society. Success of most peoples from these (social science, literature etc subject offered without all India competitions or other considerations) ‘prestigious colleges’ around the country (writers included) have also to do with synergizing with elite mindset and lifestyle. Why is that education facilities in metros reserved for students from within cities thus usurping all the development benefits?. They should learn to migrate to different places, rather than ensconce in the comfort and then teach us competence or other ideals (moving their arse in studios). There should be consideration given to students from outside as also poorer sections within cities in prestigious colleges.

The reason why these measures of insuring access to poorer and marginalized sections to quality education has not been taken so far puts a question mark on people who are running these institutions. Many instead of following the beautiful aspects of Christianity have been using this for personal benefits by serving and fulfilling the desires of a narrow section in the name of merit. As clear are some on merit and competence, this blogger still don’t know what merit is, quite confusing!!.

St Stephen has taken a step that is long overdue. The problem here seems to be the question whether dalit do remain dalit after joining Christianity?. As suspected there is elitism in Christianity too, probably the reason why these inclusive steps not taken till now. Not ‘as suspected’, caste and other socio-cultural divisions are as acute in Christianity. It is not only a personal experience but I have read in some sociology text that Nadar Christians in TN are socio-culturally more closer to Nadar Hindus than Christians!!. Dalit reservation in prestigious colleges (need be extended to Mass Media) will definitely fill up the huge lacuna in representation of these sections (like the tribals) in articulating their views not only in national but international level in a constructive way unlike being ‘represented’, particularly by the hypocrite comrades. In this context the blogger express pleasure on learning that October 2^nd is to be declared as Non violence day by UN. How about April 14^th (Ambedkar jayanthi day) as Day against Discrimination (or even Racism)???. I guess the move lacks enough clout (what about India’s prestige??!!).

Rev. Thampu is quite a sensitive man, and I have had the opportunity to interact with him (of course I was disappointed with his comments on grammar in poems…but I guess things I do has large element of disappointment from inception so cannot blame him!!). Further he gave me breakfast!!! Now this might sound quite insignificant to some but for me these are very defining. To allow a complete stranger this access and to be treated with dignity was a surprise. Shock would be the correct word, since those days (I guess it was1997-98) abuse was quite common so was maintaining sanity. He even dropped me to bus stop in his car despite my very vehement protest. If you look from my perspective you will realize how significant these are. Of course he does have a patronizing handshake (typical of pallile achan!), so there was a bit of wriggle when I attempted to rectify!!. I have tried to follow his views in media for sometime; I did like the columns with Swami Agnivesh (i have a reverence for him). I also have been to church few times and have read few chapters from Bible (Genesis is sheer poetry), have attended many Christmas parties and get together. More than a decade back I used to be friendly with a “father’’ from Velloppally dioceses (I used to stay in beach front flat marine drive and used to drop in to watch sunset regularly- in cochin, he was also involved in AIDS awareness those days). Many of my close friends were Christians, frankly we never really thought on these lines except when it was getting some treat during festivals. During those days we also had some collection of jokes on “pallile achan”. But yes I don’t have much liking for Bandhi christhus nor the screaming cold eyed evangelist particularly from American subcontinent, they sometimes speak like Marketers!!.