‘Rahul seeks pointed queries at Visva-Bharati session’

SANTINIKETAN - Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi has let it be known that he was looking forward to tackling pointed questions on any topic during a 40-minute interactive session Tuesday at the Visva-Bharati University founded by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, a university official said Monday.

This has led to worries among the university authorities whether the students can fulfil his expectations.

“Rahul Gandhi’s office has communicated to us that he will answer all difficult questions including those on political, educational and other national issues. As there was no instruction from Gandhi’s side, we did not frame any question for the students,” said Udaya Narayana Singh, director of Rabindra Bhavan Museum.

“The students have been informed that they can pose any question to Rahul regarding any issue. Questions must be spontaneous and there should be no pre-censorship. So we are now depending upon them whether they will be able to uphold the prestige of the university,” he said.

A senior officer said as the programme was organised in a short time, the teachers of the Patha Bhavana and Sikha Satra (schools of the university where primary, secondary and higher secondary standard education are imparted) did not have enough time to help the students in preparing their questions.

Singh said: “As it is quite impossible to allow all 7,0000 students to participate in the interactive session, we have asked all the principals of the departments to select 100 students from every subject in their departments.

“We have only asked the departmental head to nominate those students who can ask meaningful questions. Now it’s up to the students what they will do there to retain the prestige of the university,” added Singh.

Rahul’s visit has generated a keen interest among the student community.

Rahul’s maternal great-grandfather Jawaharlal Nehru, grandmother Indira Gandhi and father Rajiv Gandhi - all of whom served as India’s prime minister and also discharged their duties as the central university’s chancellor - have been great draws in the past among the students, teachers and other staff during their frequent visits to the Santiniketan which houses the university.

Particualrly, Rajiv Gandhi’s lively interactions and the great rapport with the students is still talked about in glowing terms by oldtimers.

Ujjwal Chaterjee, a first year Sangeet Bhavan student said he would ask Rahul Gandhi why he had completed his higher education abroad even though he always spoke of the rich Indian culture and heritage.

Somnath Sarkar, a post graduate final year student of Geography said if he got a chance to put in a query, he will ask about his view on political activities in academic institutions.