80th Anniversary Celebration of Pei May Chinese School , only chinese school in India.
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Pei May Chinese School – 80th Anniverasy Celebration
- on 02.10.10
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by puja, on 02.19.10 @ 12:32 am
Wow this is news for me. My best Wishes for them. May they celebrate 180 yrs in the future. All the best!
by AHFOOOKO, on 03.30.10 @ 12:09 am
Very soon it will call “LiuKouZhao Building” if he has his way.
by ycl1688, on 03.30.10 @ 12:39 am
This school is built by the forefathers of the community, can a person own a public property, no way, not in a thousand years, this person knows all the well connected, still will fail.
by Li, on 03.30.10 @ 4:14 pm
What’s all the politics about…..It’s a disgrace to a community so small to dog fight.
SHAME, SHAME, SHAME………..
by AHFOOOKO, on 03.30.10 @ 6:45 pm
Yes. He will not succeed, our forefathers were much stronger than he is and they didnt even dare to think about it let alone this guy is nobody when he stood at 2nd row in an archieve picture of 1967 in front of PeiMay on Chinese Youth Club 1st anniversary celebration. We will push him out in the next round of meeting.
by ycl1688, on 03.30.10 @ 8:24 pm
Let not be this person that could repeat the same tactic that sold the Chinese journal of india, as his own property. You know who that individual is.
We are not here to attack individual, yet any intent to treat public property as his own, will not be tolerated, every action will be dealt with reaction.
by Richard, on 03.30.10 @ 9:41 pm
Calm Down Ahfoooko. Lets not fight each other. all ready the population is getting less, he must be trying to do good. maybe he need advice?
by ycl1688, on 03.30.10 @ 10:05 pm
Richard,
I am not here to defend anyone, the fact of the matter is that certain individual owns restaurants along the main drag that leads to Dhapa, customers
must pass his businesses first. One day find the no entry sign put up by the Kolkata police not to allow vehicles drive pass his businesses. So the restaurants after the no entry sign suffer without customers. I can understand why Ahfoooko is being frustrated at this moment.
by ling, on 04.01.10 @ 8:07 am
Cannot understand the infighting of its own clan – the Hakkas. The Chinese community is already so small and further dwindling in Kolkata. While being so fragile, I wonder if it will withstand any new political upheavals.
If there is no unity among the clan members, how would the community fend off any external intrusions and attacks.
SHAME, SHAME, SHAME……
by Ycl1688, on 04.01.10 @ 10:21 pm
Ling,
It is the attitude of certain bad apples of the community, they want to show that they are one up on others, with better houses, furniture, cars and all the best things in life.
by Richard, on 04.02.10 @ 11:23 am
Yes Ycl,
You are right, these kind of attitude is common in the community and if the surrounding is like that, people naturally pick up these attitude unconsciously while growing up. There is a need to set example, somebody got to learn to be humble and set the example. That somebody also needed to be taught. Hoping god will send a angel!
by ling, on 04.02.10 @ 1:36 pm
To: Ycl1688 and Richard
To whoever is concerned who wanted to show off and be the lead of trouble-making in the small community among Hakka Chinese in Dhapa, he or she should feel ashamed that he or she is not yet up the mark to be there.
In any community, big or small – within all living things in this world, leaders emerge and is acknowledged by others (not self-claimed). It takes time to earn that respect. It is not by having alot of monies and wealth that count. Remember, everyone in this world wants to be the leader and aspires to be one sometime in their career or life – so he or she should demonstrate it humbly instead of dog-fighting to reign on it.
I just hope that somebody is reading this and is now feeling remorse for causing these hiccups in the community which already weathered alot of hardships to come to what it is today.
by ycl1688, on 04.02.10 @ 7:52 pm
To: Ycl1688 and Ling
Do not worry, Ahfoooko is here to help. All the 20th century style dog-fighting should be gone. How much longer people have to see all the shows ?
by ycl1688, on 04.03.10 @ 10:24 pm
correction to previous post, should read to Ling.
by tomtom, on 04.03.10 @ 11:20 pm
Talk and solve this problem.Every story has two sides.
by ycl1688, on 04.04.10 @ 10:22 pm
Ladies and gentlemen,
Someone has to raise their voices, it is no longer a society always under pressure from some leaders, living under constant threat and under white terror. Let us learn from the Jews during pre-wwII Germany, it was under the impression that one vote and one voice was not enough until Hitler and Nazi came to power and the rest is history.
by Li, on 04.10.10 @ 12:04 pm
Can someone update if the dog fight ended and who is the winner ?
by ycl1688, on 04.10.10 @ 5:29 pm
no one, usually give the community a black eye.
by Li, on 04.11.10 @ 4:54 am
So, the winner is ……….
And the loser is ……….
by Li, on 04.28.10 @ 4:09 pm
The happy atmosphere in the above video is no longer in sight.
Watch video below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPjOsxsHv7w&feature=channel
Anybody know latest developments ? Please advise. Thanks.
by ycl1688, on 04.28.10 @ 6:07 pm
Why does not the school run by a committee? that way no one can have absolutely power, as the politic science says absolute power corrupt absolutely.
by henry, on 05.13.10 @ 2:30 pm
is there any update of the winners and losers here ?
heard that the name change or sale of the school premises is to build a large carpark complex or to turn it into a large chinese restaurant expansion.
if that can happen, then nanking restaurant in old chinatown can also be sold and turned into a city centre shopping mall anytime.
the community must stay united……
by Jordon, on 05.27.10 @ 9:02 am
Looks like it’s high time for the name change of Pei May Chinese School to Liu Kou Zhau Building to happen sooner than later, as AHFOOKO said that if he had the way.
The ugly Youtube dog fight does not seem to have any impact on development.
God only knows who is right or wrong.
by Mercedes, on 06.14.10 @ 12:57 pm
What the Fxxk! It’s out in the vineyard that Pei May School is shut down.
Check it out at today’s Telegraph – http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100614/jsp/calcutta/story_12562992.jsp
Lone Chinese school shuts down
By: ZEESHAN JAWED
Pei May Chinese School in Tangra that is closed since January.
The lone Chinese school in Calcutta has stopped functioning following infighting in the city’s Chinese community.
The 80-year-old Pei May Chinese High School, in the heart of Chinatown in Tangra, hasn’t opened since the Christmas vacation which ended on January 7.
It had been the only Chinese school in the city for years after Moi Kwang on CR Avenue closed down because of lack of students.
Pei May Chinese High School, which had six teachers and around 50 students the day it closed for the winter recess, was run by a committee of the Chinese Tannery Owners’ Association which had built it 80 years ago.
A committee source said Liu Kuo Chao, one of the members, had formed a separate panel last December and declared himself the principal and president of the school.
“He is trying to usurp the property. We won’t let it happen,” said Chen Khoi Kui, a member of the Chinese Tannery Owners’ Association.
Liu, on the other hand, alleged that the earlier committee had no authority to run the school and his was the genuine panel. Liu has also moved court against the other panel.
Pei May school, spread across three bighas and 18 cottahs, had basketball and badminton courts on the premises.
Lee Kuo Leong, 90, who cherishes blurred memories of the school’s initial years, said the Chinese who were settling down in Tangra after the tanneries came up felt the need for an institution where their children could learn their language and culture.
“The members of the tannery association started donating saw dust, scrap and leather pieces to the local Chinese club, which sold the items to raise funds for the school,” said Lee.
Initially, the school had faced problems with the curriculum because there were not enough Chinese books in India.
“The members of the tannery association tried hard and managed to get books from China,” said Lee.
by Richard Lee, on 06.14.10 @ 11:36 pm
Thanks! for sharing the latest development on the only chinese school in India. It’s very sad to know that a community of few thousand cant find a way to live in unity. As Han has mentioned in the other post, why thes guy find himself wiser in spending his wealth on suppressing fellow Indian Chinese(their own people) than using those fund to develop the education level ofthe community.
He must be seeing a greatfuture where all other fellow Indian chinese in poor state begging for alms from him, he will be a proud man. Hail LiuKamBo.
Just pray Mr. Liu that faith wont make you pay back. bcos only an IDIOT can think he’s immortal.
by guest6786, on 06.15.10 @ 10:38 pm
Dear Richard n mercedes, It’s sad to know resources are being wasted when others in the community are struggling to make a living. just have faith in the judicial system and democracy of India. Im sure good will prevail.
All the best.
by ycl1688, on 06.15.10 @ 11:04 pm
When it comes to Indian judiciary system means a long years of fighting in court and the school will close down, the desks will collect dust and a lifeless building stands. I had the same feeling when I visited the Mei Kuang school in the city, I had the same sinking feeling. At least Mei Kuang closed down of lack of students, not human induced. How could certain people sleep at night ? A talent is too good to be wasted. Someone better wake up and do the society one good deed. Keep the school open !
by Han, on 06.15.10 @ 11:27 pm
Well sorry to interrupt you people but why will somebody want to close this school? I mean what profit one might earn by doing this? is there any definite motive behind this? does anybody want to buy that land or something like that?
by Han, on 06.15.10 @ 11:41 pm
If this is the only Chinese school in India and West Bengal then I don’t think even we Bengalese would like to loose it! I am sure!
by TangraBoy, on 06.24.10 @ 6:07 pm
Han, sure U r interupting us go find the chinatown for your breakfast. What do you know about the proceeds from the sale of that property ? Its worth millions (even in US $)Its only the protest can stop that dealing, as a community member we will work hard for that goal in the days to come.
by Manchu, on 07.01.10 @ 9:42 am
Can someone put the Pei May’s infighting in perspective ?
It is utterly confusing to determine who actually were the good boys and who were the bad…..now that the school is closed down, which is a reality.
Click on links below to read a letter written in Chinese from a past school mate:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=923869&id=73507919958#!/photo.php?pid=923869&id=73507919958&fbid=283093179958
by ycl1688, on 07.01.10 @ 6:50 pm
Manchu,
Anyone can write an open letter on internet, yet the truth is majority of the crowd at the youtube crowd was directed at that individual to hand over the key. It does not take a rocket scientist to figure out, who is at fault.
At this juncture it is the good cat who can catch the mouse is the hero, the question on everyone’s mind is why shut down the school ?
by Liang, on 07.04.10 @ 11:29 pm
Thanks Munchu for the link!
After reading the article it seems that Mr. Liu is in desperate situation.
I have been chatting with few friends from dhapa, there are mix views , Some had anti Liu expression, many avoided to express their views seem to be afraid to talk against Liu.
Mr. Kwi doing the right thing coming forward setting example and taking this Liu head on.
All the best wishes to the community. I hope every one will stand up against any evil n selfish people.
Will Good prevail ????????????????????????
Indian chinese you got the answer!
by ycl1688, on 07.05.10 @ 5:48 pm
Liang,
Definitely some in the community did want to keep silence, it is definitely a down side of the community, he and his family has the power to put away people.
Remember these words (this what hitler did)
First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak out for me.
–Martin Niemöller, “First They Came … “
by tangraboy, on 07.05.10 @ 8:25 pm
Its the daughter. thats influential in this circumstances with the thanas, I did not know her personally but some of my fam members know her well. Just hope she will back off in course of time, its not nice to gulp such public property that big, should let go while there is still time and save face. Our forefathers did a tremendous job in providing education to all the tangra boys and girls, this monument should remain as such.
by Ku, on 07.06.10 @ 4:41 pm
Im sure everything comes at a price.
They are setting a good example of the Indian Chinese community, courtesy to the mother who I think has set the standard.
I wonder if they are gaining anything ?
What extent they can go to grasp the power for nothing im sure.
To me they are the beggest fools.
by ycl1688, on 07.07.10 @ 3:53 am
Sounds like the mafia or godfather saga continues.
by manu, on 07.23.10 @ 12:14 pm
to: ycli688
is an end to the power struggle of Kolkata Chinese in sight ?
can you update us on status of the mafia / godfather saga ?
the most important thing to know is what is now being made of Pei May.
by ycl1688, on 07.23.10 @ 7:18 pm
Manu,
your guess is as good as mine. There is a silver lining though looks like Tangraboy has some clout (see side bar) to keep the school open somehow. If thing goes well, the light at the end of the tunnel is coming soon. Just have to keep your fingers cross.
by manu, on 07.24.10 @ 9:31 am
Thanks ycli688.
So tangraboy subdued and kicked the mafia /godfather – Liu Kou Zhao out from Pei May and got back the keys returned to the community.
That’s good news…….. The Pei may site can now returned to normalcy with school children running around, kung fu students practising and BBQ site socializing for the Chinese.
Not long from now, the above happy picture will re-emerge once again.
by ycl1688, on 07.24.10 @ 7:36 pm
Manu,
Amen. Hopefully we are living in a perfect world.
Hopefully we will see the shinning city on a shinning mountain, this is the goal we want to reach.
by Bhartya Cheena, on 08.03.10 @ 11:55 am
to: tangraboy
has Mr Liu handed back the keys of Pei May ? if not, you should grease the palm of the thanas to end the godfather saga once and for all.
by keema, on 08.03.10 @ 12:10 pm
to: ycli688
so the saga is still continuing…….what’s causing the hiccups ?
any latest development updates. thanks.
by ycl1688, on 08.03.10 @ 6:49 pm
Anyone wants to know the saga progress will learn a lesson taking matter to court will only make yourself a public enemy number 1. Feed the judicial bloodsuckers more food and money. And bring more harm and ill feeling to the community. That is all I can say. The court doors are always open and if you have the money you are welcome and bring reasons in will not be welcomed.
by manu, on 08.06.10 @ 9:41 am
to: ycli688
tangraboy was overly confident to get the public enemy no. 1 to bend to his knees but now it seems that it is not in anywhere close – with the godfather saga is still ongoing….uh!!!!
to: tangraboy
can you update please……
by Ycl1688, on 08.06.10 @ 4:47 pm
Let some take this matter to Chinese consulate in kol
by ycl1688, on 08.06.10 @ 6:05 pm
correction.
Let someone take this matter to the Chinese consulate of Kolkata, I am sure they will not tolerate this kind of act. It is a matter concern the future of a community, something got to be done.
by ycl1688, on 08.06.10 @ 6:07 pm
chinese consulate contact is
Email:chinaconsul_kkt@mfa.gov.cn
by manu, on 08.07.10 @ 2:25 pm
To: ycli688 – thank you for your strategic directions. hope it will help to put an end to the prolong godfather saga.
To: tangraboy – please take up the mega task to contact the Chinese Consulate of Kolkata and report the case, so that the Hakka Chinese community can live happily ever after……..
Amen and Amen.
by ycl1688, on 08.07.10 @ 6:13 pm
Manu,
Thanks for your kind words and concern. Yet the whole matter is not a personal thing. I know those government officials in the consulate are trained career officials, chinese govt spend public fund to train and educate them. They are not being posted overseas to vacation or relax in their posts. They have a duty to do. What was lacking during the absence of the consulate during the border conflict, the chinese in India was left unprotected, only protected by certain local leadership, who are corrupted in nature and doing public work for their own good. This is an open secret.
To make a long story short, the youtube clip shows there is a right side and a wrong side, it is a matter of letting the consulate know what is happening, if they do not know already. The best approach will be to write a petition to the consulate, which will be ready in a few days.
To let the consulate know to beautify a chinatown, with a school under lock, leave a bad taste in the mouth. They will not look good either.
by ycl1688, on 08.07.10 @ 6:40 pm
So the petition is here and the email address is
chinaconsul_kkt@mfa.gov.cn
If someone can draft a better petition please do so. A chinese version will be published soon.
Please do it if you feel the school should be opened.
Petition against closing Pei Mei School in Tangra, Kolkata, India
Dear Consulate General,
I would like to draw your attention to forced closing of Pei May School by an individual. How does one close a school owned by the community and acquiring right to close it down without reasons ? A school meant to teach education and train the future generation. What is wrong with that ? Despite appeal by the community that individual does not compromise, using court order to shut down the school. How can this be tolerated ? Please use your good office to get this matter solve.
by ycl1688, on 08.09.10 @ 7:52 pm
I was told the consulate is very much aware of the problem. Just have to sit tight and watch.
by tangraboy, on 08.09.10 @ 9:02 pm
Thats what I meant. wait and see and things will be ok…Its been like that for the last 80 years. I just consulted with an old Hakka senior (who lived near Nanking restaurant years ago) with thorough knowledge of our history in Calcutta. For Manju just hang on there, & dont stir any shit.
by ycl1688, on 08.09.10 @ 9:26 pm
Tangraboy,
You are absolutely right. As long as you get advise from wiser senior, things will turn out alright. Just as the annie song says ‘Sun will come out tomorrow.
hang on till tomorrow’. Take it easy. Life is worth living.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nnjkb4q6FKU
by Bhartya Cheena, on 08.12.10 @ 12:22 pm
to: tangraboy
things need to move on, whether for better or worse; are not only meant to be seen but make happened. the waiting game needs tactics and watchfrul eyes for if not pursued will mean “forever” in the indian context. just look at nanking today.
on the higher levels, the chinese consulate office will exert the necessary pressures, but at the grassroot levels of the community, there ought to be a positive message to the individual in question, so that no repeat will ever happen again or any attempt to make happen by someone else in the future.
it is a lesson to be learnt by the community as many past old school mates in tangra and abroad overseas are sadden to see what pei may has become today.
in summary – as rightly said by ycli688, the only chinese educational institution for the small community should not be shut down in the first place.
by ycl1688, on 08.12.10 @ 4:07 pm
BC,
It a sad commentary on the school, it was glad to see the community raised their voices, yet come up with short. Meantime the school is shut and sounds like a second cultural revolution is on with human hand closing school. The reality is a public affair, how many more dramas do we have to see ?
by Li, on 08.17.10 @ 9:48 am
is tangraboy in charge or just an observer ?
by Liu T.Moi estate, on 08.17.10 @ 6:43 pm
You don’t have to be sarcastic to pick on “tangraboys” they are neither charge’d’affaires nor observers ! He is only a spokeperson for our family on this topic. Our grandfather (1930) was one of the earliest founders of PeiMay together with LiuChienPak ( land title owner PeiMay) and my late father also a committee member and had contributed many “amounts” over the years to maintain and upkeep of this school with many others as well. It’s the bond that kept us going for years. 2 years ago I had a chance of visiting the school quietly on my own and wanted to give but there was nobody in the office ? The chaprasi got a big “boxi” so was the dorowan, as the school was open at the time with 20 to 30 odd number of students.
As YC says keep the school open and let it run its course, that’s what the community wants
by ycl1688, on 08.17.10 @ 6:54 pm
Li,
I do not speak for Tangraboy, yet the main character wants to find his ID. So to avoid this volatile issue turning worse, write to chinese consulate to resolve the issue, this cannot be resolved with individual effort.
by Li, on 08.19.10 @ 12:14 pm
to: Liu T Moi estate
thanks for clarification. you should not read the ‘one liner’ with harshness as there was no ill motive.
so, tangraboy is the good apple who sided with majority of the community to keep the school running despite his lineal affiliations with some elders at the opposing end.
by ycl1688, on 08.19.10 @ 7:49 pm
Liu T Moi estate,
Thanks for you and your family kindness and generous to the school.
The school started out with great celebration, dancing to the wee hours of the morning and left everyone with smile on their face. Little did we know that was the farewell party. Here is certain angels to look at the situation.
To the consulate general my source reminded me they suggested the school to be ran by the committee. So Mr Consulate General keeps attending the parties and banquets enjoying the best of his stay in his post. Same old same old little difference except those darkest hours of Sino indian relations the school was opened by the fund from across the Strait.What good will be your post if you cannot keep a school open ?
To the well to do in tangra itself, their offspring attends elite schools like La mats, Loretos and so on. Nothing bother them.
To the gallant men and women who tried to keep the school open, get the order to stay out of school campus.
Who are the losers? the future generation of this community. So only a mere 20 to 30 students, at the school best of time a class population is bigger than that. So it deserves a slow death ?
What a tragic end to the celebration and can something better to be done ?
I do not think it has to end this way, yet it is.
After all a public affairs, who cares ?
by desi cheena, on 08.20.10 @ 9:09 am
well said ycli688.
looks like it is more of a james bond’s plot than a high street broadway musical drama.
by keema, on 08.20.10 @ 9:43 am
benjamin Kuo’s poem on tangra should be rewritten now that the old school (pei moi) is closed……a closing chapter for hakka chinese in india.
the ghost town has lost its faintest heartbeat with the pei moi school closed down.
the sights and sounds of red lanterns and cheena restaurants everywhere with wuu qui all around.
by ycl1688, on 08.20.10 @ 6:47 pm
with asterisk
the school closed down because of a senile individual wants his name on the building.
You will find the neighborhood, with his street name also.
by Li, on 08.21.10 @ 2:56 pm
to: ycli688
can tangraboy do something to stop the name change? why should the name be changed when pei moi had such significance to the hakka community and it is such a beautiful and unique name, meaning literally “nurturing the children of moi yuan”.
thought tangraboy is on the side of the majority community to prevent this from happening ?
tangraboy, please advise.
by Tangra Hakka Cheena, on 08.21.10 @ 3:25 pm
Why should anyone shut down the school just because he wanted to change the name of a community property of historic name, value and significance to his own name. Why Pei Moi.
If so desirous of having his name scribbed on some buildings and streets, he should go elsewhere and do it on private property owned.
By greasing the palm of KMC, he may be successful to have a street named after him. But WHO CARES……..Not on Pei Moi.
by manu, on 08.21.10 @ 3:39 pm
to: tangraboy
where is that so called “bond” mentioned in Liu T Moi estate comment gone ? Has that vanished in thin air ? That was also what the community want to continue.
Why should the school be shut down in the first place…still not convincing.
by ycl1688, on 08.21.10 @ 7:08 pm
Ladies and gentlemen,
This school looks like will shut forever, as much as the community tried.
Another public affair, another frustrating ending,what do we learn ? nothing. Can we do something ? zero.
This is the tragic end of a great institution. To the individual who shut down the school, it is a disgrace and it shows human dignity at it lowest form. So put your statue in the school for others to spit at. Since the babus will obliged to your name changing, they have done to change Kolkata from Calcutta and so many street names in that city.
Few years ago, there was another senile individual, who donated to different communities public places with furniture on one condition with his name on the furniture. It is a laughing stock.
Li,
Obviously pei moi is a fantastic name. It signified a lot.
as for tangraboy if he does not response, please excuse him.
by Li, on 08.23.10 @ 8:43 am
can the hakka chinese of tangra still claim united in efforts for the good and welfare of the small chinese community in kolkata ? is there still a conscience around ? while telling the whole world that they’re nothing but a bag of loose sand…….
when the elders do not behave righteously, we should see the bad trend set continuingly with the younger generations.
the biblical story of sower and the seeds says: as you sow, so shall you reap.
by hakawala, on 08.23.10 @ 9:11 am
current situation in pei moi gives all reasons for wuu qui to manipulate the community for its division. Lxx is equally a loser.
by ycl1688, on 08.23.10 @ 7:31 pm
Li and Hakawala,
All said and done, it is the unity that is rear in this particular incident. We saw the youtube clip, at least some have raised their voices. That should be a good sign and a ray of hope. Long years of infighting and greed have sipped this community.
First the parties and then clans. Just have to watch with clinched fists, teeth cringe and think of the brighter future. Meantime the bad guy still on the loose, doing evil deeds with the backing of babus that are corrupted to the core.