Bringing Smiles Back to the
Children through New School Buildings
There were sounds of laughter, sight of
happy faces, smiles of joy, as children jumped around
with excitement and zeal and organized themselves for
the inauguration programme of four permanent schools in
Car Nicobar. To them it was not just an event, not just
a function, but in their own words, “We are all so
happy today, because now we have our own schools, a
place of our own.”, says Celina even as one of their
teachers adds, “A proper school building means better
space for children, and also a safe place where children
spend maximum hours of their day besides their home. We
are indeed happy to get back to normal school life.”
The Church of North India as a part of its intervention
in the tsunami affected Andaman and Nicobar islands is
constructing sixteen schools in Nicobar District on
behalf of the Department of Education, Andaman and
Nicobar Administration and in partnership with the
Episcopal Releif and Development, USA and the Uniting
Church in Australia. The first four schools namely
Government Primary School Kimyus, Government Primary
School Kinyuka, Government Secondary School Mus and
Government Senior Secondary School Big Lapathy were
inaugurated by The Rt. Rev. P. S. P Raju, President,
Disaster Management Committee, Church of North India and
Bishop of the Diocese of Calcutta on 22nd July, 2006 in
the presence of Mr. Uddipta Ray, Secretary, Education, A
& N Administration, Ms.Ankita Mishra, Deputy
Commissioner, Nicobar, Mr. Rajkumar, Director, Education
and Mr. Sudipta Singh, Secretary, Disaster Management
Committee, Church of North India, Director Programmes,
CNI and several other dignitaries and over hundreds of
children and community people.
In his Inaugural Address, The Rt. Rev. P. S. P Raju
re-affirmed CNIs commitment in investing in the
development of children that has a long term impact,
specially in a post disaster situation when the
well-being and the education of children gets affected.
He thanked the Department of Education for their faith
in CNI, even amidst adverse situations though Tsunami
got newer challenges, but together it has been possible.
Mr. Uddipta Ray, while delivering his speech thanked CNI
and the community for taking up this gigantic task. He
added that these four school building are the first
permanent structures for the people of Car Nicobar.
While thanking CNI for their contribution to the
community and for joining hands with the Department of
Education, he said that even though several NGOs
approached to take up this task, we invited CNI
considering not only their capability, commitment and
credibility but also for the dynamic leadership and for
their strong presence and excellent relationship with
the community and its organizations. Today as we see the
fruits of the work, we are happy that our faith and
trust in CNI has borne excellent results even amidst
challenges of lack of support in terms of
infrastructure, transportation, labour, etc. in these
islands.
Ms. Ankita Mishra, in her address thanked CNI, for their
commitment in their work, not only in the construction
of schools but in all areas of interventions in the
community specially for the cause of children. She
re-affirmed the support of the Administration to CNI for
the well-being of the community.
Mr. Raj Kumar congratulated CNI for accomplishing such a
colossal task. He added that CNI has tremendous
experience in the field of education and has made
remarkable contribution in the country, the same essence
is seen even in its reconstruction process thorugh
remarkable contribution to the children in particular
and the community at large by strengthening the arms of
the Department of Education, A & N Administration with
this partnership as a beginning. He also requested the
CNI authorities to strengthen the partnership in the
area of quality enhancement of education through
training of teachers and alternative education of
children.
While proposing the Vote of Thanks, Mr. Sudipta Singh
thanked the Department of Education and the A & N
Administration for their faith in CNI and for their
continuous support even in difficult situations, the
community and the Tribal Council for their commitment
and co-operation at all times, Episcopal Relief and
Development, USA and the Uniting Church in Australia for
their generous contribution for the cause, for their
solidarity and continuous support in terms of
encouragement, patience and prayer and for being
sojourners with us in restoring lives towards normalcy
of the tsunami affected people in Andaman and Nicobar
islands.
Mr. Ranjit Singh, Assistant Commissioner, Mr. Bundela,
Superintendent of Police, Mr. Thomas Philip, Secretary,
Tribal Council, Mr. Apolos Christtopher, Diocesan
Secretary, Mr. Wilson Amos, Managing Director EHL were
also present prominently during the inauguration of the
schools.
