Keya Sarkar: Build fences for openness

PEOPLE LIKE THEM

Every visitor to Santiniketan invariably visits what is known as the Ashram "" an area that encompasses all that Tagore had established. His personal residences, a community prayer hall, the school, the university, and various designated areas for cultural activities.

Although the university has spread beyond what was originally established, the Ashram area still represents much of what Tagore believed in and encouraged.

As visitors take cycle rickshaw rides in and around the complex, what draws their attention are boards that say "Heritage Complex". If the dilapidated state of the buildings lacking the basic coat of paint doesn't fit in with their image of a heritage complex, most visitors do not comment.

Or rather, the Bengali visitors do not, almost as if a rude remark would hurt Tagore's soul, but the not-so-Tagore-loving tourists do comment on the sorry state of things.

As the rickshaw drives through the ashram area, tourists cannot say much, busy as they are just holding on to the rickshaw as it manoeuvres the two feet-wide road full of pot holes and the increasing number of tourists in Sumos that are incessantly honking to overtake.

That the tourists get otherwise engaged is a good thing since they would really suffer at the sight of plastic-strewn gardens and the towels/ gamchas drying on sculptures by some of Bengal school's most famous artists.

A place that tourists do not go to, but students do, is the library. I have had students tell me they have to take a flashlight to the library and a bath once they are back.

That's because in many corners that do not stack books generally recommended by professors, the library authorities have dispensed with lighting. Many books crumble on touch, strewing dust on the unsuspecting, who need to have a bath.

The plight of foreign students is particularly pitiable because though the university prospectus states that the medium of instruction is English, it is not. When in Bengal, speak the language or at least listen to it, is what the professors firmly believe in.

I thought the university lacked the funds and not the will to set things right. Especially when I saw that the authorities were trying desperate ways to raise money. A local hosiery company was permitted to host a flower show in the "Paus Mela" ground, normally not used for commercial purposes.

If the university authorities were getting market savvy and trying innovative fund-raising efforts, it may be a good thing, I thought. Till I saw the hoardings that went up for the show "" Siddheswari group sells its vests and underwear under a brand called Phantom.

Now I am not so sure whether the issue is funds, or will, or a different set of priorities. For suddenly, regulars to the university see fences being erected between the school and the university, between departments, everywhere.

Since I am not privy to the minds of the powers that be in the Viswa Bharati administration, my information source is the grapevine. And the reason for this security consciousness is apparently the theft of the Nobel, rare pictures and manuscripts from the Tagore museum.

So along with the real medal (replaced by a duplicate), the administration deems it fit to dispense with Tagore's philosophy of harmony with nature.

But the grapevine has it that Viswa Bharati has been granted Rs 5 crore for fences. Whatever the amount, with so many expenditure heads to choose from, why the fences?

Long live Santiniketan, long live Tagore.