PANAJI
The world is celebrating ‘World Day of Social Justice’ on February 20 and the theme for 2026 is ‘Renewed commitment to social development and social justice’ – that emphasizes overcoming structural inequalities, promoting decent work, and strengthening social protection in the post pandemic context.
The goal is to foster inclusive and sustainable development, ensuring that no one is left behind in a changing global landscape. The focus area is addressing poverty, labour market informality, gender disparities, and building resilient social safety nets. The commemoration focuses on translating political commitments into concrete action to bridge economic and social gaps.
On this backdrop, as if to commemorate the day, Goa witnessed a heart-touching incident on February 18 that underlined the importance of being impartial, inclusive and compassionate towards all, while carrying out our respective duties and roles in the society. This incident matches the goal of World Social Justice Day, of fostering inclusive and sustainable development and ensuring that no one is left behind in a changing global landscape.
A compassionate teacher Chandralekha Mestri who was the chief conductor at the class 12 exam in Canacona centre stepped ahead, showing presence of mind and empathy towards a student who was to answer his 12th exam, but did not reach the exam centre as he lost his father the same morning due to multiple organ failure.
“On February 18, while inspecting exam halls and ensuring students reported by 9 am instead of 9.20 am for better attendance and pre-exam settling time, I noticed one Class 12 vocational (Food Production) student absent. After contacting him, Tanish Ranganath Pagi informed me his father had passed away at 5 am,” said Chandralekha Mestri to The Goan.
Losing his father just four hours before the exam and soaked in utmost sorrow, Tanish was not in a state of mind to appear for the exam. Upon learning about this sad and shocking incident Mestri acted swiftly. “I didn’t waste time and spoke immediately to the principal of the Government Higher Secondary, Canacona, where the boy studied, and told him what had happened. I requested the principal, Damodar Gaonkar, to visit the home of the boy with two of his teachers and to console, counsel and convince Tanish and bring him to the exam centre as soon as possible,” added Mestri.
Time was running. A vehicle was arranged and the trio rushed to Tanish’s home, consoled his family, and after counselling both the family and the grieving boy, they succeeded in motivating him to come and answer the exam. It was indeed a difficult time for the boy who had just lost his father, but the teachers succeeded in convincing the importance of 12th exam.
“Ultimately, Tanish decided to come to the exam centre despite his emotional turmoil. He remained composed and completed his paper on time. I arranged a separate seat, kept a counsellor on standby, and assured him of extra time if needed. His cousin waited outside for support.
I also informed his family to delay the cremation, as Tanish would perform the last rites, and they agreed. He has two more papers—on Friday and Monday—which he has assured me he will attend.
To ensure he does not lose an academic year, I also permitted him to wear a cap during exams following the post-cremation ritual,” Mestri said.
This is one of the rarest examples in the recent past in Goa that re-imposes our faith in the education system as well as humanity, kindness and compassion. Mestri proved to be an angel and a catalyst who stepped in at the right hour to make this happen. It became possible also because the Pagi family was mature enough to understand the gravity of the situation, willing to cooperate and support Tanish to step out of the home to appear for the exam. If Tanish had skipped the exam he would lose a year, and answer the same exam in February next as the ATKT/internal repeat exam system is no longer followed now.
Canacona celebrated the World Day of Social Justice two days ahead of time, in a unique, humanitarian way because the day is more than just a date on the calendar. It is a call to action. It is a reminder that as a society we all must work together to build a harmonious world. It is a time for nations, organizations, and individuals to look at how we treat the most vulnerable among us.
As a society, it is our commitment to equity, inclusion, solidarity, harmony, and equality of opportunity within and between societies. Let us all be the light that shines for others, and show the right path to the lost, neglected and forgotten.
