http://www.telegraphindia.com/1130913/jsp/frontpage/story_17344687.jsp#.UjNClsamj-W

Helen Sircar. She was my class teacher during the first half of class IX and English teacher in class X. A wonderful teacher, a nice and fun person, someone I have admired all my school years for the excellent command over the language. I remember how she explained the Adam Eve story with new depth and dimension to it one day. And of course. Daffodils!

The reason why I want to be a teacher somewhere someday is partly because Mrs.Nandi told me so once and partly because I was filled with respect for Mrs.Helen Sircar on 23^rd June 2006 and I wanted the same from many. The St. John’s Day is celebrated in the St.Pauls Cathedral every year on the 24^th of June. Helen Sircar always guided the school choir with the hymns and songs and entry and exit sequences. On 22^nd June 2006 it was announced over the speakers during the morning assembly that Mrs. Sircar’s father expired. That happened to be the first day of stage rehearsal and without Mrs. Sircar, the choir girls did not know what to do and where to stand and how to move. Nothing much happened on that day. On 23^rd morning, we were shocked to see Mrs.Sircar on the school grounds, just a day after her father passed away, with her customary list of students, her plan of action and stuff. She knew without her the programme would lead nowhere. She conducted the entire programme wonderfully. Tremendous hit that choir was. Later I got a glimpse of Mrs.Sircar crying her eyes out at the staff room. That was then. And I knew that being a teacher is fun and an extremely wonderful job with a lot of responsibilities. I was filled with respect for this woman.

The same woman was arrested yesterday. Helen Sircar resigned from school and joined the Christ Church School during 2011. A student of class V died and she was arrested. Reason? The principal is supposed to know about every time any student has loose motion and hiccup. I mean seriously? The child’s death is unfortunate and everything I understand. But the near and dear ones should be held equally responsible for not understanding and reacting to the medical and psychological needs of the child. They say that Helen Sircar had strict rules, devised tough syllabus, did not allow mobile phones in campus, did not meet parents randomly, and had specific dates for the parents of every class. Parents!? What is wrong with you all? Please take your child to some Pathshala where the Principal would chew paan and talk to you all in person and Bangla. Why a convent school? The photographs that came out of the senior students rejoicing at the resignation and arrest of the principal are disgraceful. There is no principal who is loved. This is a general rule. But that does not take away the respect that the principal deserves. If people had complains, they could have done something earlier rather than taking advantage of the death.

And as for Helen Sircar, no matter what the media and fools say, I am neither ashamed nor afraid to say that the child who died had careless people around who should blame themselves for improper environment and lack in medical care of the child rather than blaming a single, strong and independent woman who looks after her child, mother and the entire school efficiently.  Shame on you all for the false accusation.