Except translation, this story has not been edited by achinews staff and is published from a syndicated feed.
Guwahati’s Basista’s College of Arts and Crafts, which is as old as independent India itself, is confused
GUWAHATI: Art, in its purest form, requires a nurturing environment to flourish – a place where creativity is encouraged, tools are plentiful and guidance abounds. For decades, the College of Arts and Crafts in Basista, Assam, was expected to be that haven for aspiring artists. Established on August 15, 1947, the college stood as a symbol of post-independence artistic rebirth in Assam. It is seen as a melting pot of talent, where the country’s rich tribal, folk and cultural traditions can come together with contemporary art forms to create something uniquely beautiful. Today, however, the institute is iron-clad, its promises to young artists unfulfilled, and its halls resound with calls for help rather than inspiration.
Students, who have to draw their futures on blank canvases, find themselves embroiled in protests, raising their voices against crumbling infrastructure, understaffing and government neglect. For an institute that once held the potential to shape Assam’s artistic future, the current state of ruin feels like a betrayal of its mission. It is no longer a place that fosters creativity; Instead, it is a battlefield where students fight for basic needs like clean water, functioning classrooms and enough teachers to even hold a class.
However, despite its historical significance and being the only institute in the country that offers these programs, it faces severe neglect, both in terms of infrastructure and personnel.
The students, who have been demonstrating for over four days, express their frustration and deep disappointment with the conditions at the college. One of the protesters, a student, told GPlus, "Despite being one of the oldest colleges to grant a degree in fine arts, it is sad to see the severe underdevelopment and lack of basic facilities throughout its 75 years of existence."
The students on Friday, September 13, observed an eight-hour fast as their next protest step, and demanded that their needs be addressed. The peaceful demonstrations that have now become in addition to a hunger strike until death is indeed an unfortunate situation for the students to be in, given the many educational facilities that the state government always talks about.
The college is currently facing a major shortage of faculty. "There are only 5 permanent professors out of 20 required to manage all departments, resulting in two departments not functioning. The college has difficulty functioning at a minimum," lamented that student. The departments that remain non-functional include applied art and art history, while departments such as sculpture and graphic art have only one professor each. The painting department, undoubtedly one of the main areas of study, operates with three professors, although this is still far below the required staffing levels.
The ongoing crisis at the College of Arts and Crafts has severely affected the quality of education, especially for final year students who are now speaking out about their struggles.
One student from the batch of 2020 shared his frustration saying, "It was the worst for us. We lost a whole year to the epidemic, and then when the situation improved, there were no teachers or classes. It’s been five years, and now we’re about to graduate, but we’re nowhere near where we need to be academically."
The lack of appropriate guidance and direction during crucial years has left many students feeling unprepared as they approach final exams and graduation.
These basic infrastructural gaps have persisted for years, and students feel their complaints have fallen on deaf ears. Many claim that the government’s neglect of the institution is evident in the lack of response to these basic needs. One student added, "How can you run such an old government college with only five professors? We are neglected by the government, and that is why we protested."
However, in a conversation with GPlus, an official from the Department of Cultural Affairs defended their position and stated that the students had not raised the issue of the poor infrastructure in the past. "They never mentioned the poor infrastructure, but somehow they managed to run," the clerk claimed.
According to the same official, teachers are required to appear for the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) examinations before they can be hired. However, the official admitted it "Not many teachers appear for these exams. If they show up, we can recruit them." This bureaucratic delay contributes to the crisis, as the departments are left without the necessary personnel for proper functioning.
The clerk acknowledged the long process and added, "It’s not as simple as just making repairs. It involves many steps, and it takes time. Unfortunately, we won’t be able to move forward until all of these steps are cleared."
This response was met with frustration from students and faculty alike. The idea that the college has "somehow managed to escape" Talks about the chronic neglect that befell him. The students claim that they should not be expected to operate under such low conditions, especially when they are studying for degrees in a field that requires proper facilities for their growth as artists.
(Except translation, this story has not been edited by achinews staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
source link https://guwahatiplus.com/exclusive-news/guwahati-students-of-government-college-of-art-crafts-stage-protest-demanding-better-facilities
