Sankarankovil: Tiny tots from a neighbouring school were deployed to count the hundi collections of the famous Sankara Nainar Kovil here Tuesday. Shortage of temple staff was cited as the reason for this strange occurrence.
“I got to know about this only now. I have ensured that such a thing will not happen again”, joint commissioner R. Lakshmanan of state Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department told this correspondent when asked about the incident. “This elementary school is run by the HR&CE department.
The temple officials had taken the services of only a few of the students as well as teachers. Besides, the students came out of their own enthusiasm”, the official added. Locals were not quite impressed by the spectacle of kids counting the hundi collections, instead of spending time in the playground or with their books. “Majority of students studying in this HR&CE school come from poor families. It is not proper to misuse them for such jobs”, said a local trader, requesting anonymity. He said the temple officials declared holiday for the school so as to use the students and staff for the hundi work.
The famous temple draws devotees from all over the world. “We count the hundis once a month, starting at around 10 in the morning. We must finish the task before sunset and if there is a staff shortage, we have no option but to use others for the counting of the collections”, said deputy commissioner R. Pon Swamin athan of the temple, adding, “This practice of using students and other outsiders for counting hundi collections is seen in other temples also”.
