✍️By Special Correspondent
The Aditya Academy Senior Secondary School, Dumdum, rolled out the COVID 19 vaccination drive for its students aged between 15 and 18 today. The drive was supported by the Dum Dum Municipal Corporation. With the sudden surge in COVID cases in Kolkata that resulted in a grim start to 2022, the academy’s prompt action in kick-starting the vaccination of its students of the requisite age-group has shown a ray of hope to students and parents alike.
With a total strength of 741 students, the immunisation has been scheduled in small batches of 30 starting today. This has enabled smooth execution with enough social distancing to prevent the spread of the Omicron variant which has been spreading like wildfire in Kolkata. Carried out in a calm environment with the help of the school staff and the municipal corporation officials, the program in many ways, has also been symbolic of a beam of light at the end of the tunnel for many students.
Srimanti Mukherjee of Class XII says, “This was a very systematically organised program. I am very excited today because I feel that finally, my generation seems to have taken the first step towards combating the dreaded virus after a drawn-out battle of 2 years!”
Satyabrata Satra, Councillor of the corporation expressed his heartfelt thanks to the corporation officials and the Aditya Academy Senior Secondary School staff for prompt action and execution of the vaccination drive. “Children have remained indoors for a long time with no exposure to a normal student life. As responsible citizens, it is our priority to ensure that we give them some hope and faith that the future is not so bleak. The vaccination camp has also provided a mental boost to the young brigade in many ways,” he remarked.
Debotosh Bhattacharjee, a parent who resides in Kaikhali, has lauded the efficiency with which COVID protocols have been maintained by the corporation and the school staff. “I am delighted that the vaccination has been started in an apt time! My daughter Deboporna has received it today and psychologically, it is also re-assuring for her and all of us as this shows that we have collectively taken the first step towards a hopeful future,” he says.
As a small token of appreciation, the students also presented a goodies’ hamper to each corporation official who was present. Gautam Mukherjee, Assistant Teacher, Aditya Academy Senior Secondary School, Dum Dum, who was in-charge of the entire exercise on the school’s behalf said, “Today, we got 28 students of XII A, B and C sections vaccinated successfully. Students and the parents have expressed great joy and satisfaction over the entire arrangements and appreciate the initiative taken by the corporation and school authorities,” he said.