Investigators on a search of the premises at Santiniketan after the medal theft

If I were in charge of finding Tagore’s stolen medal, I would…’ was the question we posed in Time To Talk. International smuggling rackets to in-house foul play — Young Metro readers’ opinions stretch to conspiracy theories. But they are all in agreement about one thing — find Tagore’s Nobel to restore the country’s honour.

First, investigators should co-operate with each other instead of fighting. Internal disputes are not only futile in recovering the lost treasures, but also questions the credibility of the security personnel. Refusing to co-operate with the CBI may also raise eyebrows about the involvement of insiders in the theft. VIPs may be visiting Santiniketan, but they are diverting attention from and hindering the investigation.

Vivek Mukherjee

I would begin by taking fingerprints from the Bichitra window, which was used by the burglars to enter, and the scene of the crime. I would then search for clues. Next, I would interrogate the security team and the faculty. I would alert police forces across the country, especially in the border areas, to minimise the possibility of the medal falling into the hands of international organisations. I would also fabricate a story about a prime suspect. This would make the actual criminals lax, thus making it easier for the police to catch them off- guard. A reward should be announced for any information.

Rimli Datta,
Salt Lake

I would start from the grassroots level. It is clear that the blue print of the loot was well chalked out, with the possibility of the involvement of international gangsters. Such a criminal act cannot be successful without the involvement of in-house people, who have knowledge of every inch of the museum.

Tanmoy Ghosh,
Asutosh College

Since elections are in the air, the inability to find the medals points to political conspiracy. It is impossible to imagine how such prestigious belongings, kept under tight security, cannot be recovered. I would have pushed the government for a detailed and speedy inquiry.

Linda Lopa Ashok,
Class XI, K.V.O.F Dum Dum

Had the onus of the investigation been on me, I would point the needle of suspicion towards the security system of the museum. The ease with which one could walk away with such valuables is astonishing. The lapses in the security arrangements leave a lot to be desired, and one can only wonder about the role of the ‘caretakers’.

Rajdip Dey,
2nd year B.Sc, Chemistry (Hons), St Xavier’s College

In the wake of the recent pillaging of Gurudev’s medal and other priceless artefacts, everyone is casting doubts on international trafficking rackets. But had the onus of investigation been on me, I would have suspected the so-called caretakers -— the securitymen of the museum.

Ruchika Dhanuka,
2nd year, B.Com (Hons),
Shri Shikshayatan College

I would first make a detailed examination of all the clues. Then, I would interrogate the security guards. It is very difficult to fathom how the culprits could gain access to the room without internal assistance. Next, I would question the university authorities. I would also go through police records to search for possible suspects. Finally, I would submit all the findings to the press.

Subhobrata Basu,
Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan

 

A scene from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Picture by Rashbehari Das

Summer on stage

The newly-formed Dramatics Club of St James School took centrestage with their first production this weekend, playing to a full-house. The Shakespearean comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream was their first attempt, and a successful one. The hilarious antics of Theseus, Hippolyta, Lysander, Demetrius, Hermia, Helena, Oberon, Titania, Puck, Bottom and the rest thoroughly entertained the audience.

This was the first major venture for director Gaurav Khanna, after a hit musical with the St James’ teams at the British Council One Act Play Festival. The costume designing, sets and backstage work for the play, sponsored by TTIS, ITC, Emami and Café Coffee Day, were done by the cast and crew of 32 students, including four girls from LMG.

The background score by Neel Adhikari, of Krosswindz fame, the makeshift forest and the lighting effects proved to be huge hits, and Sudarshan and Suresh, playing Puck and Bottom, were the favourites. Daily rehearsals from January ensured a polished production.

As events coodinator of the production Sagar Daryani (along with Barnik Bardhan) puts it: “Though it may not be midsummer yet, the production is definitely the beginning of summer.”

— Sangeet Shirodkar

 

Magic memories

No postcard or phone call can substitute the call of the heart, announced an ex-student, of the 1987 batch, during the second alumni meet of Shri Shikshayatan College on April 26.

The annual reports and schedules of the institution were read out and plans made. The schedule of Paribariki, a social organisation under the Shri Shikshayatan Alumni Association that educates under-privileged children, was also decided. The announcement that the NAAC team had allotted the college a good grade was greeted with cheers.

Next was the most-awaited part of the evening — ex-student and Mumbai-based singer Ritika Sahani’s performance with the Beat Buster dance group. Apart from Hindi and Bengali, she also belted out Tamil, Rajasthani, Punjabi and Bhojpuri numbers, rocking the campus.

— Asif Salam,
1st year, Asutosh College

 

Good turn

The Interactors of Chowringhee High School pitched in to save a man’s failing vision this week, by organising a free cataract operation for him. Md Qamruddin, a saloon-keeper in Chowringhee Lane, had almost lost the use of an eye. A week ago, he had gone for surgery, which had to be abandoned due to high blood pressure and irregular heart beat.

Finally, Interactors Vishal Khatick and MD Zahid Ashraf, with the help of P.B. Dasani, administrator of the school, helped him get treatment. With financial assistance and post-operative care expenses paid by the school’s Interact Club, Md Qamruddin is on his way to recovery.

— Parveen Khan,
Class IX, Chowringhee High School

 

Prized moment

Mahadevi Birla School, junior section, held its prize distribution ceremony on April 23. The chief guest was minister Mohd Salim, and the guests of honour were inspector-general II, CID, Bhupinder Singh and joint secretary of the human rights commission N. Waris.

Salim presented the Cancer Aid Society shield to principal Malini Bhagat, along with top donors Neha Jain of Class IV and Minal Bajaj of Class III. The junior section collected a whopping Rs 17,000 in two weeks.

 

Nature’s cradle

Nurture Nature was the theme at the 23rd chapter of Creation, the awareness festival of the nature club of La Martiniere for Girls (LMG), held on April 30 and May 1. Creation saw 10 city schools like Modern High, St. Xavier’s, Ashok Hall and Birla High participating.

In Impact, the teams had to incorporate lines like Twinkle twinkle little star is doomsday near or far, Think big act small start small act large, Man aisa chhaya ke nature phisla jaye, Who came first the chicken or the egg, etc, in their acts. A Western music contest and a nature quiz were also held.

Day II commenced on a healthy note, with two doctors conducting a health awareness seminar on cancer, HIV/AIDS, the effects of smoking and other issues for the young audience.

‘Preventing species from being extinct is interfering with nature’ was the motion discussed on the platform of Creation Controversy. Iram Hacq’s argument for the motion led the team to victory and earned her the best speaker award. The tortoises, dogs and gold fish were in the spotlight for the Pet Presentation, making its debut as an on-stage event.

Antiques comprised dumb charades and pictionary. Just a Word was up next. Play the games for existence, action speaks louder than word, colours of life and dance to nature’s rhythm were the themes for the western dance event, which wrapped up the festival.

Birla High won the quiz, Modern High topped Impact, LMG bagged the top honours in Pet Presentation, La Martiniere for Boys (LMB) conquered Antiques and western dance. Overall, LMB took the trophy, with Modern High and Ashok Hall coming in as first and second runners-up.

— Sangeet Shirodkar

 

One year up

Established in India in 1981, AIESEC has grown to an 11-city network. Last year, the city’s AIESEC chapters, one of the oldest in the country, had decided extend to Visakhapatnam. A group of five AIESEC members — Yousuf Rangoonwala, Aditya Jaiswal, Anamika Gupta and Vinay Jaju, accompanied by Andrew Morgan from Birmingham, UK — led the mission. This month marks the end of the preparations with the Vizag chapter kicking off last week.