Dear Editor

I am writing in response to a letter from a concerned citizen in your newspaper on Tuesday about the alleged littering of the beach by a student on the pretext of fulfilling a vow to their ‘god’.

At the outset, I would like to state how appalled I was to read of the incident. I am an Indian physician who has lived most of my life in India and am familiar with the customs and beliefs of all the religions that peacefully co-exist there. I have never come across such a ridiculous custom in any religion.

The defense claimed by the offending student was perhaps just a lame excuse to get away with what he was doing. Secondly, if he was really fulfilling a vow (I am pretty sure he wasn’t), it doesn’t warrant the need for filming it on video. This very act speaks volumes of the student’s arrogance.

I and all my fellow Indians working here in this beautiful country of Antigua & Barbuda share my sentiments when I say this. This despicable act has not only tarnished the reputation of the medical profession but also of Indians in general.

It is indeed shameful that a student who is going to become a physician tomorrow can behave in this audacious manner. A student who does not realize the value of acquiring sound scientific knowledge through books is not only insulting those who impart that knowledge to him (teachers) but also setting himself up for failure in life.

One can only hope the student has realized his mistake and corrects himself. I do hope that if he reads this letter of mine, it will provide food for thought.

Once again, I would like to reiterate that we Indians realize that when we are in a foreign land, we take it upon ourselves to be the best ambassadors of our country and the values that it upholds.