This is the third blog I have posted about the relentless and never-ending strike in Darjeeling. For the first time in two months Sister Andrea, the Principal of St. Mary’s (our sponsored school), has been able to briefly get in touch with us by email over the last couple of days. Here are some extracts from her emails, in her own words, which give a flavour of how it must be to live through such a desperate situation.

“Hellow Friends in England, Greetings from Andrea.
Since ages we have not contacted. But our situation is still not good. Today I came to Namchi - Sikkim, to one of our communities to answer a few queries. In Singla we are not able to attend to any internet connections. Now the situation is something like this: All the schools are closed since 12th June. The children are not seen anywhere. Some of our senior students left for jobs elsewhere. Tea gardens are closed. They look like forests. People are suffering due to lack of food shortage. But at the same some of the NGOs are bringing food materials and distributing to the people here and where ever the need is. Nett connection is shut down since long. That is the reason I cannot contact you all”

“Greetings from Andrea, once again
Thanks a lot for all the concern during this time of our trouble.
As you know our situation in Darjeeling and the surrounding areas is not good right now. The situation is getting bad to worse, so it looks like.
Regarding schools: All the schools are closed since 12th June. The schools authorities were worried about the registration of the students, as the time had elapsed for the registration. After much request they were allowed to be registered last week. It was all a tensed time. It was difficult to collect the students as they had dispersed to four corners. Now the schools are teaching the students of classes 10 & 12 here and there. We, St. Mary's is having classes for 10 in the school itself. Most of the teachers come for the classes. No one can come or go to Darjeeling. People are scared to move around”

“There is a lot of food shortage in the village. But the kind-hearted people are bringing food materials to the village and distributing it for the needy ones. Thanks a lot for all the willingness to help and the concern. We really are in a fix, not knowing what to do. There is a terrible fear of the security personnel among the people. These days there are bomb blasts here and there. The situation is not improving. If and when I can I shall be in touch. With love and gratitude, Andrea”