In a heartfelt gesture of solidarity, a primary school on the outskirts of Kolkata held a special prayer session for peace and stability in Venezuela, a nation currently facing deep uncertainty. This act of compassion was deeply personal for the institution, which once received generous financial aid of Rs 12 lakh from the South American country during the presidency of the late socialist leader, Hugo Chavez.
A Prayer for Peace Amidst Political Turmoil
The special assembly was organized at the Bagu Junior Basic School in Rajarhat on Tuesday. Led by headmaster Sandip Baidya, approximately 30 students gathered for the morning prayer, focusing their thoughts on the people of Venezuela. The assembly also observed a minute of silence in front of a portrait of Hugo Chavez.
Headmaster Baidya explained the sentiment behind the event. He stated that while the students are familiar with Chavez's name and his country, they are not fully aware of the current complexities there. "We held a prayer for the people of Venezuela, from whom we once received generous funds for the school’s development," Baidya said, highlighting the enduring connection.
The Lasting Legacy of a 2005 Visit
The school's unique bond with Venezuela was forged on March 6, 2005. The then Left Front government arranged a visit by President Hugo Chavez to the school to showcase the successful implementation of West Bengal's midday meal scheme. Deeply impressed by the initiative, Chavez, upon his return to Venezuela, approved a grant of Rs 12 lakh for the school's development. The funds arrived in 2007.
The school administration utilized the money for crucial infrastructure upgrades. A portion was used to construct two additional classrooms—one on the ground floor and another on the first floor. The remaining funds were used to fill a small pond located in front of the school building, a move aimed squarely at enhancing student safety. Baidya confirmed that a representative from the Venezuelan government visited the school in 2020 to review the work completed with their grant.
Memories of a Historic Day
Most staff present during Chavez's historic visit have now retired. The sole remaining witness is Kalyani Mandal, now in her late 60s, who continues to cook the midday meal at the school. She vividly recalls the menu prepared for the special day with the help of her mother-in-law and sisters-in-law: rice, dal, sabji, and boiled eggs.
"The guest (Chavez) served the meal to the children. There was a huge crowd. People from other villages had come to see him," Mandal recounted, painting a picture of the excitement that surrounded the visit of the international leader to their humble school.
The recent prayer session underscores how a single act of international generosity nearly two decades ago has fostered a lasting sense of gratitude and global kinship within a small Indian school community, prompting them to look beyond their borders in a time of need.
