Kolkata: RG Kar alumni seek to reclaim college image
Times of India | 9 September 2024
KOLKATA: Around 500 former students of R G Kar Medical College and Hospital participated at a convention on Saturday to discuss how to reclaim the glory of their 138-year-old alma mater, whose image had been marred by the rape and murder of a trainee doctor last month.
The members of R G Kar Medical College Ex Students’ Association urged all the undergraduate students, interns, house staff and PGT doctors, who have been demanding justice for the victim, to raise their voice for a “reform of the institution’s operating system to bring its lost glory back”.
Tapas Francis Biswas, secretary of the association and a 1988-batch alumnus, said, “It is one of the premier medical institutions in eastern India. But the untoward incident, which occurred on Aug 9, has tarnished its image. And the incident has blown the lid off corruption that took place here in the past four years. We are demanding dismantling of the syndicate that runs the institution. Steps should be taken to reform Patient Welfare Committee.”
Subir Ganguly, an executive committee member of the alumni association and an alumnus of the 1974 batch, said, “It is a matter of shame how my alma mater has been de-glorified by the crime, which results from a corrupt system. Since it is a state hospital, we look forward to the wilful gesture of the govt to take corrective measures and change people’s perception about this institution.”
The alumni of the hospital launched a scathing attack on the former principal Sandip Ghosh, who is now in jail custody. Trinamool leader Shantanu Sen, an alumnus of R G Kar, also joined the convention.
“While demanding speedy justice and stringent punishment for the accused, we need to ensure that the glory of our institution is not lost,” said Sen.
Sanjay Sarkar, a doctor at R G Kar, rued, “Now, many parents will fear to send their girls to study here. We are fighting to make it a safe place for women.”