Sri Vijaya Puram, July 24:John Robert Babu, President of the District Congress Committee South Andaman, today addressed a critical issue affecting inter-island students residing in the Jawaharlal Nehru Rajkeeya Mahavidyalaya (JNRM) Boys’ and Girls’ Hostels. In a formal letter to the Chief Secretary of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Administration, Babu highlighted the severe hardships caused by the closure of hostel messes during semester examinations and post-vacation periods, calling for urgent intervention to ensure uninterrupted meal services.
The letter details how the mess closures force students, many from remote islands and economically disadvantaged backgrounds, to seek expensive external food options. This not only imposes a financial burden but also disrupts their health, concentration, and academic performance during crucial exam times. Babu emphasized that such recurring issues where messes remain non-functional after vacations or exams exacerbate the challenges for these vulnerable students, who rely on hostel facilities as their primary support system.
“In our islands, education should be a bridge to opportunity, not a barrier riddled with avoidable hardships,” said John Robert Babu. “These inter-island students deserve better; they come from far-flung areas with limited resources, and the administration must prioritize their well-being. I have requested the Chief Secretary to direct the Principal of JNRM College to keep the messes operational at all times when students are in residence, to prevent any further distress.”
Copies of the letter have been sent to the Secretary (Education), Director (Education) of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration, and the Principal of JNRM College, underscoring the need for collaborative action.
