There is no perfect society and what is ok to me may not be so to another person. Being judgmental and critical about others beliefs and customs has become a norm in our society , not just with the majority but with the minorities as well...I have seen how Hindu students are treated in Convents since I studied in one and we were asked to pray in their style kneeling down etc and not wear a bindi or a chain with Hindu gods pendants etc...It is these rules that made Hindu organisations revolt and become more rigid about their own customs and vice versa ! If both sides become leniant and adopt a give and take policy , the atmosphere would be far more  peaceful ..

I too studied in Convents. To be specific, It was Methodist Boys High school in Hyderabad. But never faced any problems. We are free from restrictions of any kind. A student is allowed to wear any religious marks that speak about their religion. Of course attending morning chapels was mandatory.

I too studied in an Christian run school and was never forced into any religious practice of any sort. I have pleasant memories of the dedicated Christian teachers. Pseudo nationalists are responsible for hatred between communities.

While I have the highest regard for the standard of education and the disciplinary aspects of Convent schools, I have some bad memories as well because of the unfairness of it ! Christian girls were allowed to wear crosses whereas Hindu girls were asked to remove any religious pendants on a chain, it happened to me and when I questioned them, they were quite insulting about Hinduism. There were several other such minor incidents which left a mark on me and others as well. I met the nuns many years later and we spoke on the same subject and they did feel that they could have avoided it.This changed view was probably because of the changed atmosphere in Mangalore and Bangalore where Hindus had begun to strike back by then and were not ready to take such things lying down ! 

Surely, our reactions are based on our experiences. But they have to be tempered with changing times to reflect new realities.

usha manohar wrote:

While I have the highest regard for the standard of education and the disciplinary aspects of Convent schools, I have some bad memories as well because of the unfairness of it ! Christian girls were allowed to wear crosses whereas Hindu girls were asked to remove any religious pendants on a chain, it happened to me and when I questioned them, they were quite insulting about Hinduism. There were several other such minor incidents which left a mark on me and others as well. I met the nuns many years later and we spoke on the same subject and they did feel that they could have avoided it.This changed view was probably because of the changed atmosphere in Mangalore and Bangalore where Hindus had begun to strike back by then and were not ready to take such things lying down ! 

I am agree with, I studied in Khalsa collage. It is belongs to Sikh community. They always prefer to appoint only Sikhs. One teacher at my time was follower of Acharya Rajnish. Administration removed him from service because he was wearing paddent of Rajneesh and saffron clothes.

I agree that intolerance is very much part of our life, not just here in India but elsewhere as well, where Indians are being attacked simply because of fear phobia and racism ,,

@Usha. You are right, but Hindus will bow only to westerners or those who have the sword. They wont bow down to blacks and negroes. We Hindus have a fetish for white skin.

Now the topic has changed to wearing religious symbols on body or clothes. Many Hindus have tattoo of 'OM'  on their arms. Many wear caps or other things specific to their religion.  I personally feel that religion is a personal matter and we should not display religious symbols while in office or schools. The schools run by religious institutions are likely to display pictures relating to their own religion and also encourage their students to use particular symbols and discourage other faiths symbols.  As long as don't give undue significance to these, all is well.  I daily use auto to travel to my office. The autos also display symbols- Hanuman, Rama photos,  muslim symbol 786, sai baba photo.  But this is all routine and passengers don't bother. They have only to travel- whatever be displayed- sai baba or 786. 

In all the public transport system like Buses and Autos many quotes pertaining to religions appear. As long as these religious symbols or marks do not stop you from reaching your destination, it matters little.

usha manohar wrote:

While I have the highest regard for the standard of education and the disciplinary aspects of Convent schools, I have some bad memories as well because of the unfairness of it ! Christian girls were allowed to wear crosses whereas Hindu girls were asked to remove any religious pendants on a chain, it happened to me and when I questioned them, they were quite insulting about Hinduism. There were several other such minor incidents which left a mark on me and others as well. I met the nuns many years later and we spoke on the same subject and they did feel that they could have avoided it.This changed view was probably because of the changed atmosphere in Mangalore and Bangalore where Hindus had begun to strike back by then and were not ready to take such things lying down ! 

The Christian educational institutions which are run by Parish Priests are all right because they give necessary freedom to all children. But in convent schools, the nuns are always very strict and rude and do not give freedom to children. They do not know the feelings of children because they are not mothers. Rejecting children from wearing their own religious symbols are too much. Never do like that. But there is one plus point for convent schools that the children who studied in convent schools are always seemed to be so smart as a result of their proper training. 

All religious based run schools have a bias towards their own religion. This cannot be helped. But in the process feeling of other religions should not be hurt. These were practiced in early days of freedom not now. admission in missionary schools is much sought after. They do build all round personality.

Jincy Aby wrote:

usha manohar wrote:

While I have the highest regard for the standard of education and the disciplinary aspects of Convent schools, I have some bad memories as well because of the unfairness of it ! Christian girls were allowed to wear crosses whereas Hindu girls were asked to remove any religious pendants on a chain, it happened to me and when I questioned them, they were quite insulting about Hinduism. There were several other such minor incidents which left a mark on me and others as well. I met the nuns many years later and we spoke on the same subject and they did feel that they could have avoided it.This changed view was probably because of the changed atmosphere in Mangalore and Bangalore where Hindus had begun to strike back by then and were not ready to take such things lying down ! 

The Christian educational institutions which are run by Parish Priests are all right because they give necessary freedom to all children. But in convent schools, the nuns are always very strict and rude and do not give freedom to children. They do not know the feelings of children because they are not mothers. Rejecting children from wearing their own religious symbols are too much. Never do like that. But there is one plus point for convent schools that the children who studied in convent schools are always seemed to be so smart as a result of their proper training. 

Absolutely ! Even today Convent and Christian schools are known for their quality education and some of the best institutions in the country are run by Christians . They have also become much more accommodating now which is a plus point and in my own case , I was definite about sending my children to Christian institutes for their basic education which was done and I feel that it has helped them a lot !

Christian or missionary schools have done great service in India and that cannot be overlooked. I studied in my early years at the ST Marys in Bombay and I still rememeber the period. There were some aberrations, but remember no Hindu went and set up schools in places like Shillong.  People like the Bajrang Dal and Hanuman sena need a " Danda".

I studied in an English medium school, run by a group of Anglo Indians and Christians. Not by Missionaries. This school imparts good standards in education to the students. Such schools do not impose any of the religious practices. Students are free to follow any of their  religious practices. There are Chapel sessions. But they are optional.

Double stand on Tolerance vs Intolerance in India!

Politicians everywhere change their colors suiting to the occasion and situation. This trait in a politician is normal. If this trait is not there, he is not a politician.

well i don't think that India is very much silent and tolerant and its not like that also that India is not intolerant. in some of the cases India is tolerant but when India becomes intolerant then it seems that this is not India it is something else where war is going on. 

Jincy Aby wrote:

usha manohar wrote:

While I have the highest regard for the standard of education and the disciplinary aspects of Convent schools, I have some bad memories as well because of the unfairness of it ! Christian girls were allowed to wear crosses whereas Hindu girls were asked to remove any religious pendants on a chain, it happened to me and when I questioned them, they were quite insulting about Hinduism. There were several other such minor incidents which left a mark on me and others as well. I met the nuns many years later and we spoke on the same subject and they did feel that they could have avoided it.This changed view was probably because of the changed atmosphere in Mangalore and Bangalore where Hindus had begun to strike back by then and were not ready to take such things lying down ! 

The Christian educational institutions which are run by Parish Priests are all right because they give necessary freedom to all children. But in convent schools, the nuns are always very strict and rude and do not give freedom to children. They do not know the feelings of children because they are not mothers. Rejecting children from wearing their own religious symbols are too much. Never do like that. But there is one plus point for convent schools that the children who studied in convent schools are always seemed to be so smart as a result of their proper training. 

Fortunately, I never had such a bad experience neither in my school nor in college life in Carmel. I never heard that any student faced such a discrimination. Thank God! Carmel in Patna was not like that.

 

Shampa Sadhya wrote:

Jincy Aby wrote:

usha manohar wrote:

While I have the highest regard for the standard of education and the disciplinary aspects of Convent schools, I have some bad memories as well because of the unfairness of it ! Christian girls were allowed to wear crosses whereas Hindu girls were asked to remove any religious pendants on a chain, it happened to me and when I questioned them, they were quite insulting about Hinduism. There were several other such minor incidents which left a mark on me and others as well. I met the nuns many years later and we spoke on the same subject and they did feel that they could have avoided it.This changed view was probably because of the changed atmosphere in Mangalore and Bangalore where Hindus had begun to strike back by then and were not ready to take such things lying down ! 

The Christian educational institutions which are run by Parish Priests are all right because they give necessary freedom to all children. But in convent schools, the nuns are always very strict and rude and do not give freedom to children. They do not know the feelings of children because they are not mothers. Rejecting children from wearing their own religious symbols are too much. Never do like that. But there is one plus point for convent schools that the children who studied in convent schools are always seemed to be so smart as a result of their proper training. 

Fortunately, I never had such a bad experience neither in my school or college life in Carmel. I never heard that any student faced such a discrimination. Thank God! Carmel in Patna was not like that.

 

 

It also depends on how concentrated the place is with a particular community. North India does not have the same density of Christian population as south India has. Mangalore has a very large number of Christians both Catholic and Protestants who have contributed a lot for the betterment of the city and also have many educational institutions run by them. This used to makes them a little arrogant and behave in a high handed manner, not any more though !