Page 5 - Moravain Messenger December 2020
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are not on campus right now). However, there is variation in the rates of contribution, and overall, these contributions are not sufficient to cover the full costs. The Supreme Court heard the case on 10th July and ruled in favour of the schools as directed by the high courts. However, it continues to be difficult for us to collect fees from Day Pupils, and right now we are facing a major cash flow problem. We are not sure if the Uttarakhand High Court will not direct schools to reduce fees. In addition, the central government got Parliament to pass amendments to the Foreign Currency Regulation Act on 23rd September. This Act governs how charities in India can get funds from overseas, etc. The laws were made much stricter all of a sudden, and we have had to scramble to get expert legal advice and comply.
On 6th October, Moravian Institute hosted eight candidates from five other schools for a Year 12 External Examination of CISCE (our affiliating/ accrediting body) in Delhi. We were able to conduct the examination successfully and with all safety precautions in place - by disinfecting the building and the exam hall, sanitising all the furniture, entry and exit of candidates at 5-minute intervals, maintaining 5 metres (well over the minimum 2 metres) distance between candidates' tables, handwashing and using hand sanitiser, everyone wearing masks at all times, paper handlers wearing gloves, etc. It was quite a challenge for everyone, especially the exam candidates. We hope they did well.
In May our 16 College Students on campus did a free online course offered by Tata Consultancy Services. In July they did three more courses each offered by various universities in the UK and the US through Coursera. Four students had gone to Chennai and Bangalore for a 5-month Discipleship Training School. They were able to return to Dehradun on 7th June after the lockdown was partially lifted. Another Nursing student from Bangalore was able to return on 9th June. All had to quarantine for at least 2 weeks before being allowed to interact with others.
We also have nine alumni training as nurses: two in Bangalore and seven in Dehradun. Six have just started training as nurses in Dehradun this month [October]: and another five have got admission into other bachelor's degree courses.
Everyone is safe at the Moravian Institute Binnakandi Campus (Cachar, Assam). Most pupils do not have smartphones. Some are out of mobile phone range. A few pupils in the village visit the school campus or teachers' homes for lessons.
At the Moravian Institute Chiktan Campus (Kargil, Ladakh), everyone is safe. Some Shia Muslims from Ladakh contracted the virus when they went on pilgrimage to Iran. They got treatment in Rajasthan or Ladakh in March-April. Some were from the Chiktan area (where our campus is situated) and the
whole area was in quarantine for a long time. Kargil district had 500 cases by the end of July. Some pupils do not have smartphones and/or are out of mobile phone range. But about 20 out of 89 have been attending Online Lessons. From August some pupils of Classes 6-8 have been visiting the campus on alternate days for in-person lessons with our 2 teachers from Manipur residing in Chiktan.
In-person services have been cancelled since Palm Sunday at Rajpur Moravian Congregation (RMC). Since December 2018, the congregation has been served by Br Bir Bahadur Rana (alumnus and student minister). The congregation committee recorded worship songs and Br Bir Bahadur Rana's sermon and shared these on WhatsApp every Saturday evening for each family to play the next day. Since Sunday 13th September onwards, the congregation has been meeting virtually on Zoom. This has enhanced the sense of fellowship. Only the sermon is pre-recorded and uploaded on to the congregation's Youtube page. 8th-9th July we participated in the Unity Prayer Watch.
Covid-19 is spreading day by day to alarming proportions in India, including in Delhi, Dehradun, Assam and Ladakh, even though the rate of increase has declined somewhat this month. In September, India became No.2 in the world, behind only the USA. By the grace of God, the fatality rate is lower than some other countries. However, hospital (and bed, ICU, and ventilator) capacity is limited. Most patients are being sent home to isolate and recover. At Moravian Institute: Rajpur, even though some people on campus feel confined, we are trying to take the necessary precautions as strictly as possible. Fortunately, we have a large enough campus with plenty of space and fresh air, with facilities for games and sports. Even with 80+ people, the campus feels rather empty sometimes.
A lot of poor people in India, especially migrant labourers and pavement dwellers, are facing severe problems due to loss of employment and lack of shelter and food. Most went home from cities, across state boundaries, even on foot. Some of them were unable to practise physical distancing due to panic and have spread Covid-19 without intending to.
Kindly pass on our greetings to all our sisters and brothers in the British Province (and in the wider Unity). We hope they are all safe and healthy. Please let us know if there are people for whom we can pray. Please pray for us, as we pray for you.
Br Thsespal Kundan
Rajpur
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