Distinguished football writer, a well-known sports commentator and former DU Professor Mr. Novy Kapadia has been housebound due to ill-health and is not being able to avail pension benefits. The veteran professor has served Delhi University for more than forty years. Mr. Kapadia was Deputy Proctor of DU from 2003-2010, served in DU open day committee from 2003-2012. He was a member of the DU Sports Board (2010-2013) and a part of the Arts Faculty Committee.
He corrected university examination papers for 40 years and was the head examiner for many papers for over 15 years. For 10 years, He was in the Department of English moderation committee for exam papers and even served there after retirement. Recently, an online post by Executive Council member Rajesh Jha surfaced online which stated the plight of the situation Mr. Kapadia is in.
“WE DEMAND JUSTICE FOR NOVY, A case of the travesty of justice….. Shabby treatment to Novy Kapadia by the same University which he served for more than 40 years. In a sudden turn of events, a lively person full of zest and gifted skill of oratory, knowledge, and passion for sports is confined to wheelchair and bed for life, which appears to be uncertain and short. Delhi University is sitting over a bunch of files relating to pensionary benefits of superannuated teachers. Novy Kapadia is one such victim of apathy and indifference of a cruel administration, who has been denied regular pension since he retired almost two years ago. His critical medical condition owing to Auto-Immune Disorder has rendered him partially disabled and confined him to the four walls of the small rented apartment, where he spends the rest of the days left in his tormented life torn apart by this unfortunate encounter with destiny. The huge cost of treatment and the solitude of being the lone survivor of the Minority Parsi family, he is surviving with the help of former students and professional attendants.
How dare a system treat us like this after superannuation and force us to be left in the lurch? We demand justice for Novy,” the post read.
Professor Novy Kapadia had retired in April 2017. In a telephonic conversation with DU Express, Mr. Kapadia explained how such apathy and indifference from the very institution he served for many years has made life tough for him in financial terms.
“There are more than 300 files regarding the same issue lying in the DU office. There are more than 300 people who retired after 2015. I wish everyone’s files get cleared. In my case, my medical expenses go up to Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 70,000 per month which is a huge amount. I require 24 hours of medical attention. Someone to take care of me all the time. I’m not in a state to bear all these expenses. I have served here at DU for more than 40 years. There are no efforts on the part of the authorities. This is what upsets us” Mr. Kapadia elaborated on his health and the pension issue.
“I’m unmarried and I don’t have any relatives around. I’m solely dependent on my students and former colleagues. It’s been 2 years and 10 months since I retired. We all have our pride, to live life, earning a little and making ends meet. 2-3 months ago I was on my feet. I haven’t given up trying even then,” he added
It is indeed unacceptable to see such behavior being extended to Professor Novy Kapadia. Many teachers took to social media to demand justice for him.
Image Source – The Quint
