Sister Cyril

Sister Cyril is mother personified for many hapless street children in Kolkata. She is the Principal of Sealdah’s Loreto Day School, and being an educationist, she has a very clear idea about what ails our multi-layered cast-ridden society and what prevents the poorest-of-poor children to avail a modicum of basic education.

Unlike most politicians, she doesn’t wear a mask, which means she is always able to do what she preaches and wants to do. Since there is no pretension, Sister Cyril Mooney comes across as an affable person to her numerous students and well-wishers, who in turn share a good amount of responsibility to help the needy children.

In her missionary zeal, she has done a lot of good that remain glorious examples. Way back in 1994, she abolished admission tests for taking in kindergarten students, and instead initiated a lottery system, which the state government emulated 2 years later. This singular act continues to relieve the small children of the trauma of tests in such early age.

Sister Cyril Mooney.
Picture source : http://www.changemakers.net/journal/03october/cyril2.jpg .

But Sister Cyril is not one to rest on one or two laurels. Of the many plans she envisioned and put into action, there are one or two that appeal greatly. Since her school remains empty from late afternoon until early morning next day, she decided to let local street children – specially the girls – take shelter inside the campus during that time. Once there, the children are provided food and of course some teaching. It’s such a novel idea that no amount of praising seems sufficient. And now she has invited principals of 65 schools from across India to a workshop tomorrow and day (Aug 11, 12) after to discuss and make the scheme a success at all places.

To the accusation that her organization converts (see here), she says, “Yes, I do convert. I convert you to a better Hindu or a better Protestant, or a better Jew, better Sikh, and then it’s for you to what you want with God.” I cannot but agree to that, for notwithstanding government efforts, in a country where 64 million children do not attend school, it is the visionary pursuance of persons like Sister Cyril Mooney that make a big difference.