The Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD), Government of India, has announced the decision to merge IIT
Joint Entrance Exam (IIT-JEE) with the All India Engineering Entrance
Examination (AIEEE) from 2013. The 'one nation, one test' proposal was a unanimous decision of the IIT
Council taken in accordance with the IIT Act passed by the Indian
Parliament, nearly six decades ago. Some IIT Senates and the Alumni Groups are opposing it. The opposition is unjustified and smacks of elitism.
It is not understood how it will result in the reduction of standard of the entrance examination, when the test papers are to be set by the IIT faculty, as done in current IIT-JEE. The consideration for 50% marks obtained in the Board Examination should not bother IITians as major difference will come from the marks obtained in the Advanced Paper (set by IIT faculty) and the results are declared in terms of percentile score.
The One Nation One Test policy will have the following long-term beneficial impacts
(a) It will lead to the improvement in the standard of syllabi and the teaching in higher secondary schools, across the country.
(b) The burden on the students of appearing for multiple tests and the administrative expenses will be reduced.
The HRD Minister must be congratulated for pursuing the progressive policy.
The Government of India need to take an initiative on robotics. Here is an example from National Science Foundation (NSF), USA
The goal of the National Robotics Initiative is to accelerate the
development and use of robots in the United States that work beside, or
cooperatively with, people. Innovative robotics research and
applications emphasizing the realization of such co-robots acting in
direct support of and in a symbiotic relationship with human partners is
supported by multiple agencies of the federal government including the
National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The purpose of this program is
the development of this next generation of robotics, to advance the
capability and usability of such systems and artifacts, and to encourage
existing and new communities to focus on innovative application areas.
It will address the entire life cycle from fundamental research and
development to industry manufacturing and deployment. Methods for the
establishment and infusion of robotics in educational curricula and
research to gain a better understanding of the long term social,
behavioral and economic implications of co-robots across all areas of
human activity are important parts of this initiative. Collaboration
between academic, industry, non-profit and other organizations is
strongly encouraged to establish better linkages between fundamental
science and technology development, deployment and use.
"Indians are poor but India is not a poor country", said one of the Directors of Swiss Bank. He says, Rs 280 lack crore amount of ill-gotten money is stashed in Swiss Banks, sufficient to fund taxless budget for 30 years. It can yield 60 crore jobs. It is sufficient to build 4-lane roads to all villages from Delhi. Sufficient to pay Rs 2000/- to every citizen for next 60 years. India will not need any World Bank or IMF loan.
Even presuming this report is exaggerated, it should be enough to open our eyes.
There are reasons to believe the Indian government's declaration that the country's nuclear installations are safe is "hasty and technologically superficial". There is a need to appoint an independent agency to investigate the process as well as safety aspects of the existing and future, i.e. Jaitapur, nuclear installations.
Wah kya nazara tha!! 11 Indian tigers dancing with Sachin on their shoulders. ICC World Cup is an achievement of Team India. It was the most precious gift the team mates and we Indians gave Sachin. The match is over; both the teams played their best. We need one Malinga in Indian team; let us appreciate. Remember how Malinga was cheered when he played for Mumbai Indians last year.
Many may not like this comment, but look at it this way. Whole India plays just one game. With an exception of Sachin, could we really make any lasting global mark in cricket? Look at our consistently poor performance in Asian Games and Olympics. What importance do we attach to sports at the national level? The national players of other games do not even get proper remuneration. With this state of affairs, I doubt whether our young generation could be attracted and motivated towards sports. Cricket is always associated with media hype; most of that is associated with commercial reasons. World Cup! Good Luck India!!
Food Food:The celebrity Chef, Sanjeev Kapoor has launched India's first Hindi 24x7 Food Lifestyle Channel 'FOODFOOD'. It will feature, for the very first time, Hinglish content that will be produced and packaged in India, making the shows relevant to the Indian audience. In order to connect to their audience in India, FOODFOOD will feature shows about food and food lifestyle like 'Sanjeev Kapoor's Kitchen', ' Firangi Tadka ', ' Sirf 30 Minute ' and Ready Steady Cook. Prominent personalities form the entertainment and food industry such as Chef Chinu, Chef Harpal, Chef Rakesh Sethi, and more will feature as part of the varied offerings on the channel. FoodFood is also the first Indian channel that's entirely shot in high definition.
It is indeed fun watching this channel. All those who love food must watch FoodFood.
Governance by Mafia:There are three tapping points in a state's distribution chain from where cheap kerosene meant for sale through ration shops is diverted, more often than not, in collusion with civil supplies officials and police.
Although quite disturbing but not surprising. All public dealings appear to be full of rackets. Why not legalize rackets and mafia dealings. That will save trouble of investigations.
(A) Shadow of China: For India, the implications of this Sino-American detente are challenging for two reasons. First, it reinforces the notion that the key geopolitical axis runs through Washington, DC and Beijing. This bipolarity is not rigid, but it is solidifying as the main strategic centre of gravity, leaving India to emerge as a kind of meso-power that cannot disturb Sino-American parity. Thus, US-India relations might not experience significant changes, perhaps resulting in a sense of the drift that worried many Indians prior to Obama’s visit at the end of 2010. In addition, the payoffs from the Obama visit might seem less impressive from an Indian perspective going forward, than they appeared in the immediate aftermath.
Second, India might worry more about how the “new normal” in Sino-American relations affects Chinese calculations vis-avis India and Indian interests in Asia. With parity and core stability achieved with the United States, will China feel more confident and assertive on other issues because the United States might not be prepared to intervene seriously against China? What is emerging between China and the United States might generate negative externalities for India in terms of its relationship with China, specifically an increased Chinese sense that it does not have to acknowledge any kind of parity in how it deals with India. This outcome would have a ripple effect across Asia, perhaps encouraging countries to perceive India as a second-rate power in its own neighbourhood. Not helpful for a country that believes it deserves a permanent seat on the UN Security Council because of its global importance.
The shadow of China is bound to become bigger with the new new normal. The US experience in the past suggests that it is likely to work further in that direction, even at the cost Indian interest in the Asian subcontinent. We should be prepared to see worse of China and as a side effect, emboldened Pakistan in future.
(B) Forestation of Deserts: The Sahara Forest Project, which aims to create green oases in desert areas, has signed a deal to build a pilot plant in Aqaba, near the Red Sea in Jordan. With funding from the Norwegian government, the team plans to begin building the pilot plant on a 200,000 square metre site in 2012. The earth has an abundance of sunlight, seawater, carbon dioxide and arid land that could be used for profitable and sustainable production of food, water and renewable energy, while combating the greenhouse effect through binding CO2 in new vegetation in arid areas.
(C) Mobile Number Portability: The much-awaited mobile number portability has finally become a reality, empowering consumers to change mobile operators conveniently while retaining the same number. Experts view it as a great step forward for the consumer, as it enhances the choice and brings in more competition and better services.
The Clause 69 of Information Technology law has been modified. The police have been authorised to tap email account or internet chatting of those against whom investigations are in progress for serious charges.They only require permission from the State or Central Government. This provision is bound to be misused, going by the previous experience. As a precaution, the law should be further amended. Instead of government, it should be mandatory for police to seek permission from the court of law.
The honorable Supreme Court of India has asked the Government to bring back black money stashed abroad. The news is grabbing headlines since past few days. The Government appears to be reluctant.
The Indians reportedly rank 7th on the global scale in the G-math test. What about the lakhs of below-average engineers and doctors turned out year-by-year by the substandard institutions? The higher education in the country is indeed in poor state.
All elections in India, at national, regional or local levels, are mostly fought (and won) on non-developmental issues. This is the pattern till date. However recently concluded Bihar assembly election is an exception. Nitish Kumar was voted back to power by majority vote. This fact is accepted even by his opponents. How Nitish brought such a sea change in the general pattern and whether that could be a model for issue-based politics for the future, are the questions. In order to arrive at an answer, we need to analyse how the general pattern got established in the country.
Traditionally, Indian society is stratified on the basis of caste, language and regions. The individuals or the group of individuals occupying positions in the front of caste, linguistic or the regional domains, tend to dominate others in the lower rung. Such social injustice is perpetrated over the years and as a result it gives birth to social unrest in different sections of society.
Such social stratification and attendant social injustice are not the phenomena observed in India alone but is also observed in other parts of the world,where people are seen voting on the ethnic lines or express preferences on the basis of skin color.
The democratic system of election provides a legitimate vent for such unrest. Thus the affected individuals tend to choose a party, which at least seemingly, fights for the cause of such socially deprived or aggrieved groups. Thus ushering into issue-based politics shall require mitigation of social injustice in the first place and that is what the Chief Minister Nitish did in the Indian State of Bihar. Once the social factors become irrelevant, individuals shall look towards and vote for development. After all, who does not development!
All IIT, IIM and other brains, beware! All politics is for power. Just get it, whichever way possible! That is the Indian political ethos. So do not waste your time in the corridors of power. If you are genuinely interested, follow Gandhian Model of social service.
The commercial capital of India, was converted into a fortress. Huge police force and every inch of the city was sniffed. The head of the most powerful state on the earth visited the city
The Obamamania is unique, quite unseen during the visit of President Bush and Clinton. The threat perceptions then were quite different.
The relations between the two large democracies were never so good.The beginning has been made by Republicans (Bush) and carried forward now by the Democrats (Obama). Although traditionally Democrats have never been in India's favor. Obama's visit has heightened our expectations. There are many things at stake. The political and media hype is due to these expectations.
We want US to appreciate threats to India's security, both internally and externally. Our recent experience in Hedley's case has not been good. We require free flow of intelligence information, especially on the terrorists.
Sino-Pakistan nuclear deal is worrying India. India wants US to explicitly state its opposition to the deal.
China poses a bigger external threat to India, in comparison to Pakistan. We wanted Obama to visit Tawang. That would have automatically confirmed US support to India's sovereignty over Arunachal Pradesh.
India also wants firm US support for India's permanent seat in the UN Security Council.
We know, finally, Obama would do what is in the interest of USA. Indian leaders should understand. Do not expect others to fight our battle.
Daji kaka was on the morning walk on the street of Pune City. It was a Sunday. The preparations for Ganeshotsav (a festival of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed son of lord Shiva and the deity of prosperity, celebrated in India and particularly in the state of Maharashtra) were in full swing. He saw a pendal (temporary shelter usually made of timber, to install the Ganesha idol) under construction and that put him on the memory lane.
Pune city is traditionally known for its Ganesha festival celebrations. He was just 12 year old when Gandhiji launched Quit India (civil disobedience) Movement in 1942, against the British rulers. The Ganeshostsav in those days used to be different. His father was actively involved in the movement and used to tell Daji that the public celebration of Ganeshotsav was started by Lokmanya Tilak (Indian freedom fighter and social reformer) in 1893 to spread the message of independence from the British colonial rule, among the common people. The ten-day festivities – music, plays, public speeches - in those days were full of fervor for independence. Today he was 80 years old.
He saw some workers were digging the street to fix the wooden pillars. After the festival, these pot holes will be a nuisance for everyone driving or walking on the street. He heard the shrill sound of some movie song being played in front of the pendal site. Even at his age, he was a fan of songs from modern Hindi movies. However he didn’t see any relevance of those songs for the festival. He walked few steps and saw a familiar site. It was a flex-board poster of a local leader, put up by his followers. The poster showed a life size photograph of the leader along with those of his followers, some fifteen in number. Good launching pad! He quipped. Does Ganeshotsav today fulfill the purpose for which it was started by Lokmanya, he asked himself ? The chain of thoughts continued and he reached home.
He saw his grandson, Hemant was playing cricket on the street. Removed his footwear and he entered the drawing room. Jayashree, his daughter-in-law came with a glass of water. He took a deep breathe and said Jaya, I think the Ganshotsav has lost the purpose. Jaya new the angry old man, did not say anything. It has become a launching pad for goons in the politics. He saw his grandson keeping his bat in the corner and run in the kitchen after his mother. He went for bath; as his friend Hari said he would visit in the afternoon.
After the lunch, he and his son Vinayak were watching TV. Daji saw Hari approaching his house. Retired executive engineer and two years older than him, he was a chronic patient of asthma and high blood pressure. How are you? Harry (that was how Daji would call him). Not well, said Hari. These loudspeakers, dB (sound) levels are so high. My B.P. has shot up. Hemant came out of the kitchen and joined them.
Grandpa, why do we sink Ganesha idol in water? I feel so sad. Why can’t we retain it for the next year? That will also save us money. Daji looked towards him. Do you know what the idol is made of ? Plaster of Paris, our teacher told yesterday, Hemant replied. It doesn’t dissolve in water, Hari said. Daji knew, Hari remembers technical details, age notwithstanding. So if we do not sink the idol that will also save us from the huge water pollution. Isn’t it a revolutionary thought? said Daji, as Vinayak and Jayashree watched.
In ancient India, under the gurukul system of education, the pupils used to reside at the teacher’s (guru) place (ashram). Before that the guru used to formally accept a pupil as his disciple (shishya) and after that the education was offered free of cost. In most cases, the gurukuls were supported by the ruling king. At the end of the term and after successful completion of the learning, the pupil would ask the guru, what he would offer him as a gurudakshina (fees). Here is a story of a modern guru who was offered a car as gurudakshina by his students.
Pratap Sir was walking to his college with a mixed feeling of happiness and sorrow. He was happy because he was to retire today after 35 years of his service as a teacher. Throughout his career he was known as an honest and upright teacher. Somewhere deep in the heart he also felt sorrow because he would miss all colleagues and especially the students. He reached the college dot at 0955 h. The send-off function started at 1000 h. And lo ! there was a big surprise. His students offered him a brand new car as a parting gift. They looked so happy. All of them had contributed towards the purchase. Pratap Sir was also happy to note the gratuitousness of the students. He didn’t know driving. After the finale, one of the students drove him home in the car. The car was shining, parked in front of his house.
Sushma, his wife greeted him as soon as he stepped out of the car. Neighbors came one by one and congratulated. His only daughter, Aditi, an engineer, worked in a private company. She came home in the evening. As usual she smiled at baba (father) and asked whose car was that. Pratap told the story. She didn’t seem to be happy. It was quite a surprise for him.
In the evening, he opened the topic on the dining table. He asked Aditi, how did she like the car. Baba you shouldn’t have accepted it, said Aditi forthrightly. We are living in the age when the integrity of the educational institutions and the teachers is in doubt. The other day, did you not read the news of one educational institute assisting the students in copying during the examination. And last year? You remember, some parents took morcha (procession) to your college because their wards were not allowed to copy. Accepting this gift you gave a chance to your detractors doubt your integrity. How will you respond, if someone accuses you accepted the car from the students as a gratification for allowing them to do some illegal work?
The seriousness of the issue was effectively brought home by his daughter. Pratap Sir felt befallen. He couldn’t sleep whole night. In the morning, when he sat in the bed and prayed, something dawned on him. The gloom vanished.
After finishing the morning chores, he rang to one of his students to come home. He asked the student to drive the car to the nearby anathashram (orphan house). He gifted the car to the ashram. His heart was filled with satisfaction and pride, while walking back home.
I heard someone say, “The reason so many protestors are throwing stones in Kashmir is because they truly believe PEACE is only a stone's throw away
And then I also read a twit from H. H. Dalai Lama, “If we continue to approach problems from the perspective of temporary expediency, future generations will face tremendous difficulties”, which I quickly re-twitted
Every time there is unrest in the Valley, conventional measures, like curfew, calling army, are immediately initiated. Nearly two decades have now passed. Number of positive steps, such as declaring a massive financial package, have been taken by the Government in this period. However nothing works. Reason ?
I think people do not appreciate the intentions behind these positive measures and substantial section of population continues to support the militants. May not be for their cause but probably out of frustration. That calls for totally different approach to peace
I think any measure that goes to win the hearts of Kashmirees should work and bring tangible benefits. The Government should be seen doing that.
Give a chance to peace, it is just a stone’s throw away !!
Dr Kaushik Basu, Chief Economic Advisor in the Ministry of Finance, Government of India, is the main contributor to the pre-Budget Economic Survey for 2009-10. The 420-page document, tabled in Parliament on 25 February 2010, has on its cover a diagram depicting the concept of “coupons equilibrium”, a theory that plays an important role in providing the micro-foundations for Keynesian macroeconomics. Dr Basu turned a new leaf, defining the parameters to evaluate the inclusive economic growth, so important for the country like India. Here are the parameters proposed by Basu:
(a)Economic growth: Instead of GDP measure the growth in per capita income of the bottom 20% (quintile) population.
(b)Food coupons: Help the poor directly, instead of trying to control process. He suggests that the subsidy on the food should be given directly to the household or the farmer, respectively, instead of giving to the public distribution system or the fertilizer manufacturer.
(c)Labour rights: Create market conditions that result in greater demand for labor sothat their demands can be realistically met by the market forces.
(d)Food inflation: During the periods of high food inflation, release small quantities of food grains in multiple locations at prices substantially below the market, instead of distributing grains through millers and traders.
(e)Cost cutting: Instead of managing then nitty gritty, create conductive environment to manage the costs.
(f)Social awareness: Spread awareness about the positive social qualities for progress. Societies endowed with personal integrity and trustworthiness have natural advantage geared to progress, as the third party regulation is not needed.
Kapil Sibal, after taking charge as a HRD Minister, revealed his big plans in a short time period and confused the common man. He appeared to be a minister in a hurry and even PMO got scared. As a clever supreme court lawyer, he seems to have pursued over all those who matter and now the policy looks to be taking a shape. The announcement of uniform plus-2 science and math curriculum and a common entrance test for engineering and commerce shows we are moving in the right direction. The common entrance tests for engineering are currently conducted by the respective States, following the Supreme Court ruling on the issue. The standard is not uniform and the applicability is restricted to the State only. Although all the details are not known as yet, the new system will have many advantages.
(a) The results will be acceptable to all the engineering colleges in India
(b) It will give a level playing field to all the aspirants, irrespective of the State Board through which they pass out.
(c) The deemed varsities currently conduct their own admission tests. They should also be asked to conduct admissions as per the common entrance test.
I think uniformity in biology curriculum will also be introduced, leading to common test for medical students as well.
Shiv Sena’s Uddhav Thackeray has been getting shriller in his keep-outsiders-away-from-Mumbai campaign. The new pitch is attributed to the success his estranged cousin and political rival, Raj Thackeray, has enjoyed in recent elections, mainly as a result of his Marathi Manoos campaign.
In the last few days, Rahul Gandhi has taken on the Thackerays over their migrant politics for Mumbai. Gandhi said that "Mumbai belongs to all Indians." He also said that during 26/11, many of the commandos who fought to save Mumbai were from North India. Gandhi's remarks were made in Bihar, a state whose residents have repeatedly been targeted by the Shiv Sena in Mumbai.
It is painful see our leaders engaged in such acrimonious, non-productive but potentially harmful debate, when number of pressing problems directly affecting common man lie unattended. I think both the quarreling parties need to see the light. The constitution of India allows all citizens to move freely, settle and pursue livelihood in any part of the country. The mother India should count first for every citizen; region, state come only next. On the other hand, it should be seen if "Marathi Manus" has a genuine grievance. There is huge unemployment in Maharashtra, despite its rapid growth. The common man thinks outsiders grab jobs which legitimately belong to them. That is the reason why hate campaigns in the name of language, region gain ground.
Being a commercial capital of India, citizens from different regions have settled in Mumbai and also made substantial contribution towards its growth. But why oppose Marathi ? The best way to assimilate with the local population is to learn the local language. The leaders who oppose Marathi should in fact encourage their followers to learn the language. That will only help foster brotherhood and goodwill.
The Supreme Court of India, on 27 January 2010, sought the status of availability of night shelters for homeless all over the country. Living in the open is gross denial of the right to live with dignity is the view expressed by the apex court. Whose job is it anyway ? It is shameful to see that the apex judicial body of the country has to take a note of such aspects. Our leaders may as well trash this as another instance of judicial over activity. More than six decades of independence, where is the Republic ?
The Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act was supposed to be a giant leap towards universalization of education in India. However, it has acquired the dubious distinction of being the only fundamental right that exists just on paper.
More than seven years after the Constitution was amended in 2002 to make free and compulsory education to children in the age group of 6-14 a fundamental right and over four months after the historic Right to Education Bill was passed in Parliament, in August 2009, both the legislations are yet to be notified. Without notification, which is a mandatory step, the right to free and compulsory education remains just a goal.
The school dropouts are maximum in the age group of 6-14 years. The primary reason is economic. The implementation of the bill will help parents who are unable to educate their wards for economic reasons. It will also put a check on the child labor. The amended version of the Bill, makes special provision for the physically or mentally challenged children.
