The Sainiks have vandalised Bombay Scottish School saying it ought to be Mumbai Scottish. With Raj and Uddhav Thackeray’s children having studied in the school, Mumbaikars tell Speak Up that the whole controversy is a dated issue
The name doesn’t have any significance
The Shiv Sena is always in search of issues that can help them gain some attention. Their acts are always destructive. Why do they take up such senseless issues like changing the name from Bombay to Mumbai. The name doesn't really matter. When Uddhav Thackeray’s children have been studying in the school, why didn’t he think of changing the name before?
—Krupa Panchmatiya
This is just an act to gain media attention
Raj Thackeray and the Sainiks are always stressing on the name Mumbai. I wonder why they didn't bother to change the name of Bombay Scottish School. Raj's kids have also studied in the same school. Maybe there are some security issues that have stopped them from asking for a name change. I think this is a gimmick. This is the way netas attract attention. Being linked to Bombay Scottish will get them in the news.
—Nishit Rathi
Bombay Scottish is a big name
Raj Thackeray and the Sainiks are always stressing on the name Mumbai. This is the reason why Bombay was renamed as Mumbai. But I wonder why they didn't bother about the name of Bombay Scottish School. Raj's kids have also studied in the same school. Their security might be the reason behind them not objecting to the school’s name. Moreover Raj and even the Sainiks always want to be in the limelight. Bombay Scottish is a big name and being linked to it in any way will get them in the news.
—Sahil Parikh
Memories of my schoolgirl days
Tanisha Chandra
“There stands our school by Mahim Bay…” That’s the first line of my school anthem. I don’t remember the rest of it, even though it was part of my life for 13 years. The school motto is Perseverantia et fide in Deo, Latin for ‘Perseverance and faith in God’. I got that from Wikipedia. You see, I never gave it much thought while I was growing up there. But I say proudly: “I’m from Bombay Scottish”. When I pass those grey walls every day, images flood my mind. The first day of school when I couldn’t stop crying; when my dad picked me up on his scooter in the pouring rain as my mum was at work; the football field where I played hockey; the chipped step over which I’ve fallen many times. There’s nothing to differentiate my hazy memories from anyone else’s. But people – except those from Cathedral —look at me enviously when I tell them that I’m from Bombay Scottish School. It is an elite school — one that every parent, even the Thackerays, wants their children to go to. I do not know the reason for this. Yes it’s old; yes, it’s an institution, and all that jazz. But then, I have no point of reference. I do not think my days as a student were any different from those of my friends. After years of people “oohing” and “aahing” when I give them the name of my school, I automatically say it with pride: “I’m from Bombay Scottish”. It’s public pressure, nothing else. The teachers were great, the faculties superb, the curriculum thought-provoking, and there were plenty of clubs and extra-curricular activities. But that is what I would expect from any educational institution. What’s the big brouhaha about? Oh, and Mumbai Scottish simply doesn’t cut it. So here’s a public request: Please do not play around with the name of my school.
Chandra is an ex-student of Bombay Scottish
