Now that the series against England is over and Team India got their much anticipated revenge after their stunning win in the recently concluded ODI series, focus has now shifted to their next Test series against West Indies beginning Novembers 6 at Ferozshah Kotla in New Delhi.
The forthcoming series starting next Sunday is crucial for Dhoni’s men not only to heal the wounds they had in Test series against England but also get back into winning ways before facing Australia in their own backward in the last week of December.
The high point is the return of Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh and Sachin Tendulkar. The comeback of the big three in the Test side will not only boost the Team’s confidence but also help the team prepare better before they face Kangaroos.
When India take on Windies later this week all eyes will be on Sehwag as he will be making a comeback in any form of international cricket after recovering his shoulder injury. His form will be crucial for the Team’s fortune. The team was certainly missing his powerful hitting when they were down and out in the four Test series in England.
With an average of 52.41 in 88 Test matches so far, the nawab of Najafgarh is surely hungry to make a run feast comeback. Since the Test series starting in front of his home crowd and the type of aggression he is known for, his fans hope to watch him at his destructive best once again.
A lot is once again expected from Yuvraj Singh who has just played in 35 Tests in last eight years. With the batting average of 35.60 and only three centuries under his belt the left handed southpaw is still to cement his place in the national side in the longest version of the game. Once Sourav Ganguly retired he was given lot of opportunities but he could not make the most of them. A century on debut by Suresh Raina against Sri Lanka last year also kept him out of contentions. After Ganguly is long gone, his position in the middle order is still vacant, and now it is for Yuvraj is grab the opportunity he was long waiting.
As Gambhir also returning to the Test squad, Indian fans will once again have the pleasure to see Gambhir-Sehwag combination opening the innings for India. With the little Master Sachin also back in Test squad the batting line us is looking as strong as before. One hope Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman may not have to fight lonely battles as they had to in England tour.
If the Team performs well against Windies it will be an ideal preparation for them before their series against Australia, which will once again bring them in contention for the top slot in Test cricket.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Thursday, October 27, 2011
All eyes on Schumacher this Sunday
As the wait is finally over and India is going to hold it’s first ever International Formula 1 race in Greater Noida on the Buddha International Circuit next Sunday, all eyes will be on German legend Michael Schumacher.
He may not be as fast as he was on the wheel a decade back, but the seven times world champion racing driver of Mercedes GP team has still got a lot of hunger under his belly to challenge the younger drivers like Sabastian Vettel, Jenson Button, Fernando Alonso and several others. Although Vettel is the current World Champion since last couple of years, he cannot take things for granted here at the Indian Grand Prix, as somewhere down the line experience does matter and the 41 year old German has lots of it, over the years driving and winning all across the globe for the last 20 sessions.
Schumacher might not have won any race since his return in 20009 after the injury of Filip Massa, but it takes only one performance for any champion to get back into the groove. Who knows, the world might once again see the great Schumacher standing on the podium later this weekend.
"I have not met my expectations since my comeback in 2010. We all had different expectations, winning races was my target and that has not been achieved. All in the team (including team principal Ross Brawn) have tasted success in the past," said Schumacher recently in an interview.
All said and done, as they say in cricket, ‘form is temporary, class is permanent’, one hope Sachin Tendulkar will remind him this famous quote to boost his confidence when the two living legends meet in couple of days.
Returning and performing after three years of retirement is easier saying than done. The fact that he still managed to be in top 10 in several Grand Prixes speak the volume of the great man. He may take inspiration from Lance Edward Armstrong, an American ex- professional road racing cyclist who won the Tour de France a record seven consecutive times, after having survived Testicular cancer, he suffered in 1996.
As he has a great number of fan following in this country, a lot is expected of him in the Indian Grand Prix. One hope he won’t disappoint them as he will be rooted from every corner of the stadium on October 30, as they watch their legend race pass before them.
He may not be as fast as he was on the wheel a decade back, but the seven times world champion racing driver of Mercedes GP team has still got a lot of hunger under his belly to challenge the younger drivers like Sabastian Vettel, Jenson Button, Fernando Alonso and several others. Although Vettel is the current World Champion since last couple of years, he cannot take things for granted here at the Indian Grand Prix, as somewhere down the line experience does matter and the 41 year old German has lots of it, over the years driving and winning all across the globe for the last 20 sessions.
Schumacher might not have won any race since his return in 20009 after the injury of Filip Massa, but it takes only one performance for any champion to get back into the groove. Who knows, the world might once again see the great Schumacher standing on the podium later this weekend.
"I have not met my expectations since my comeback in 2010. We all had different expectations, winning races was my target and that has not been achieved. All in the team (including team principal Ross Brawn) have tasted success in the past," said Schumacher recently in an interview.
All said and done, as they say in cricket, ‘form is temporary, class is permanent’, one hope Sachin Tendulkar will remind him this famous quote to boost his confidence when the two living legends meet in couple of days.
Returning and performing after three years of retirement is easier saying than done. The fact that he still managed to be in top 10 in several Grand Prixes speak the volume of the great man. He may take inspiration from Lance Edward Armstrong, an American ex- professional road racing cyclist who won the Tour de France a record seven consecutive times, after having survived Testicular cancer, he suffered in 1996.
As he has a great number of fan following in this country, a lot is expected of him in the Indian Grand Prix. One hope he won’t disappoint them as he will be rooted from every corner of the stadium on October 30, as they watch their legend race pass before them.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Wake up, Mr Prime Minister!!!
The ongoing agitation by Team Anna in the National Capital’s Ramlila Maidan has not only awakened the consciousness of the society at large but also the Government as the agitation had made them realize the importance of being firmly on the ground and not get over the moon after the huge victory they got in 2009 General Elections.
Manmohan Singh Government could have handled the situation in a more matured way. Considering the Congress party is in power for more than 50 yers now in last 64 years of independence one hoped they would behave more elegantly.
An honest prime minister doesn’t always make a good governance. This was proved yet again. Who can forget the era of PV Narsimha Rao, when his Government was always in the news for wrong reasons involving corruptions?
In 1991, when he became Prime Minister, he was considered to be a very wise leader from Andhra Pradesh. Yet in 1993 he got involved in scandal when he was accused of offering millions of rupees to members of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM). Even though he was cleared of the charges in 2002, several of his ministers were involved in corruptions under him.
Same is the case with Dr Manmohan Singh. He might be an extremely honest at the personal front, but that’s not enough. The country has witnessed huge chunks corruptions in his second term at the helm. The 2G scam, CWG scam are just to name few. The many beneficiary of the PM’s quietness were the senior members of DMK Party.
They took Telecom Ministry as their personal fiefdom. The Ministry under ex-Minister A Raja issued 1232 licenses to 85 companies including many new ones with little or no at a price set in the year 2001. The CAG estimated the loss to the exchequer to be 176,000 crore (US$39.25 billion). Both the ex Minister and and DMP leader Kanimozhi are cooling their heels in Tihar jail now.
Not to forget Suresh kalmadi, the former Commonwealth Games Organising Committee chairman who is also in the same jail.
It in under these circumstances that the Civil Society under the leadership of acclaimed social worker Anna Hazare stood up fighting against corruption and calling their agitation as second war of independence.
Albeit no one can question the integrity and honest efforts of Anna, one feel that his group should also understand that agitation and fast is not a solution but they need to talk more with Government, ultimately it’s our lawmakers who will take the final call.
Already we are witnessing some cases of untowered incidents. Few days back a broadcast journalist was hit by a group of bikers who had come to join the protests. In another incident, a 32 year old man from Patna set himself on fire.
Also it’s high time they should put pressure on the Government to remove some corrupt leaders from the standing committee. Unless they succeed , we won’t get proper lokpall or janlokpall bill, whatever we call afterwards.
We must remember that there are several such bills which are yet to be passed including Women's Resevation Bill which is pending in Parliament for years.
The Government should realize it is high time to develop sensibility and need to take opposition and Team Anna along instead of living in their own dream world of power. If they do so they will not only regain confidence of the masses, but also Dr Manmohan Singh’s popularity will also regain momentum.
However if they fail to read the writing on the wall, change is inevitable.
Manmohan Singh Government could have handled the situation in a more matured way. Considering the Congress party is in power for more than 50 yers now in last 64 years of independence one hoped they would behave more elegantly.
An honest prime minister doesn’t always make a good governance. This was proved yet again. Who can forget the era of PV Narsimha Rao, when his Government was always in the news for wrong reasons involving corruptions?
In 1991, when he became Prime Minister, he was considered to be a very wise leader from Andhra Pradesh. Yet in 1993 he got involved in scandal when he was accused of offering millions of rupees to members of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM). Even though he was cleared of the charges in 2002, several of his ministers were involved in corruptions under him.
Same is the case with Dr Manmohan Singh. He might be an extremely honest at the personal front, but that’s not enough. The country has witnessed huge chunks corruptions in his second term at the helm. The 2G scam, CWG scam are just to name few. The many beneficiary of the PM’s quietness were the senior members of DMK Party.
They took Telecom Ministry as their personal fiefdom. The Ministry under ex-Minister A Raja issued 1232 licenses to 85 companies including many new ones with little or no at a price set in the year 2001. The CAG estimated the loss to the exchequer to be 176,000 crore (US$39.25 billion). Both the ex Minister and and DMP leader Kanimozhi are cooling their heels in Tihar jail now.
Not to forget Suresh kalmadi, the former Commonwealth Games Organising Committee chairman who is also in the same jail.
It in under these circumstances that the Civil Society under the leadership of acclaimed social worker Anna Hazare stood up fighting against corruption and calling their agitation as second war of independence.
Albeit no one can question the integrity and honest efforts of Anna, one feel that his group should also understand that agitation and fast is not a solution but they need to talk more with Government, ultimately it’s our lawmakers who will take the final call.
Already we are witnessing some cases of untowered incidents. Few days back a broadcast journalist was hit by a group of bikers who had come to join the protests. In another incident, a 32 year old man from Patna set himself on fire.
Also it’s high time they should put pressure on the Government to remove some corrupt leaders from the standing committee. Unless they succeed , we won’t get proper lokpall or janlokpall bill, whatever we call afterwards.
We must remember that there are several such bills which are yet to be passed including Women's Resevation Bill which is pending in Parliament for years.
The Government should realize it is high time to develop sensibility and need to take opposition and Team Anna along instead of living in their own dream world of power. If they do so they will not only regain confidence of the masses, but also Dr Manmohan Singh’s popularity will also regain momentum.
However if they fail to read the writing on the wall, change is inevitable.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
VCs discuss on GER at WES 2011
The Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) was the main focus of discussion among the vice-chancellors of several universities during a session on ‘Improving Gross Enrollment Ratio in Higher Education: Implications for Higher Education Institutes’, in the World Education Summit 2011.
While speaking at the session Professor Dinesh Singh, Vice –Chancellor, Delhi University, felt that only adding more and more students in different universities is not an answer for development of education in our country. Improvement of education system is the need of the hour. Students run after Oxford. If they stop that, GER will automatically increase.
“Sachin Tendulkar is a kind of role model. He has no degree, yet he is successful in his own field and remains sober by nature. No one say anything against him. Ramanujam, the mathematician never had any degree. We need to re-look on this. There is lot of darkness within educational institutions”, he said
Further he pointed out that people should stop disregarding ODL mode and start acknowledging it as another way to develop skills and education. Mark Twain had once said he never let his schooling interfere in his education. Information and communications technology (ICT ) is another form of broadening education to reach out large number of masses and help in distance learning. Teachers can only show the path. It’s up to students to grab opportunities.
Prof. K. Kannan, Vice–Chancellor, Nagaland University pointed out that it is futile to talk about GER when our country do not have much universities. “In North-East we have not just begin on education. Each area has its own problems. The exam results are declared very late due to which student’s have lost interest in coming to colleges. Earlier it used to take four months now we are reducing it”.
He also remarked that universities also have so many seats available but students from this part of the country want to study in other Delhi or other universities. North-East has so much land where education institutions can be built, suggested Kannan.
Stressing on the point on the need to improve the education system, Dr. C. Raj Kumar, Vice-Chancellor, OP Jindal Globalal University said that its quality is attached to the kind of great facilities that are provided in India.
Raj Kumar also opined that large number of people wants to come into higher education but they don’t want to come into academia. Academicians and the Government need to see how to increase their interest in this field.
“You cannot be a good teacher if you are not a good researcher. Universities must have substantial focus on research and scholarships”, he said.
During his speech the Bengal Engineering and Science University (BESU) Vice-Chancellor Professor Ajay Kumar Ray stated universities cannot rely on government funs. They need help from Private sector. Collaboration with them is necessary as more and more people coming for higher education in India.
While speaking at the session Professor Dinesh Singh, Vice –Chancellor, Delhi University, felt that only adding more and more students in different universities is not an answer for development of education in our country. Improvement of education system is the need of the hour. Students run after Oxford. If they stop that, GER will automatically increase.
“Sachin Tendulkar is a kind of role model. He has no degree, yet he is successful in his own field and remains sober by nature. No one say anything against him. Ramanujam, the mathematician never had any degree. We need to re-look on this. There is lot of darkness within educational institutions”, he said
Further he pointed out that people should stop disregarding ODL mode and start acknowledging it as another way to develop skills and education. Mark Twain had once said he never let his schooling interfere in his education. Information and communications technology (ICT ) is another form of broadening education to reach out large number of masses and help in distance learning. Teachers can only show the path. It’s up to students to grab opportunities.
Prof. K. Kannan, Vice–Chancellor, Nagaland University pointed out that it is futile to talk about GER when our country do not have much universities. “In North-East we have not just begin on education. Each area has its own problems. The exam results are declared very late due to which student’s have lost interest in coming to colleges. Earlier it used to take four months now we are reducing it”.
He also remarked that universities also have so many seats available but students from this part of the country want to study in other Delhi or other universities. North-East has so much land where education institutions can be built, suggested Kannan.
Stressing on the point on the need to improve the education system, Dr. C. Raj Kumar, Vice-Chancellor, OP Jindal Globalal University said that its quality is attached to the kind of great facilities that are provided in India.
Raj Kumar also opined that large number of people wants to come into higher education but they don’t want to come into academia. Academicians and the Government need to see how to increase their interest in this field.
“You cannot be a good teacher if you are not a good researcher. Universities must have substantial focus on research and scholarships”, he said.
During his speech the Bengal Engineering and Science University (BESU) Vice-Chancellor Professor Ajay Kumar Ray stated universities cannot rely on government funs. They need help from Private sector. Collaboration with them is necessary as more and more people coming for higher education in India.
ODL is the way forward, feel experts
The Open and Distance Learning (ODL) is the best way to spread education far and wide as this the only way to reach wider masses even in remote areas, feel education experts during World education summit 2011.
Ifeanyi Paul A, who is Senior Registrar in National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), feels that governments all across the globe prove they don’t have proper education infrastructure. In Nigeria we have 117 universities but they have limited number of seats It is in this kind of scenario that Open and Distance Learning mode should be encouraged. NOUN accommodate more students than universities with regular programmes. Use of online as another mode of education can help in this regard. Once the online form of education is encouraged it will reach far and wide. Location and time has no barrier
“There is no better time than this summit to happen. This conference is timely. However it will be very helpful for spread of education far and wide and even to the needy ones if the governments make use of the outlines gathered from this summit. In most of the countries governments are unable to encourage higher education. There is a need for collaborations. Only ODL can help it to move further”, he added.
Expressing her views on ODL, Pureza Valdeheuza Veloso, President, Cibu International Distance Education College (CIDEC), Phillipines says that governments need to improve the policies on education if they want serve students need. The only problem with ODL is it needs more help from from governments. In ODL there are lakhs of people who can help in development of education. So they need help from private sectors, which also need to reduce taxes and profit making attitudes.
Praising her Government's efforts she states, “In Phillipines our Government is looking to give education to each and everybody. We have 7,200 dialects. English is our common language today. Even though it is a challenges to spread education to people with different dialects Government is focused to fulfill its aim”.
Collince Pence, Coordinator, Tele Education, BOCODOL, Botswana advocates that even though the growth of Distance Learning dynamic, it is also very challenging. In most of the countries people consider it to be a second hand education. The mindset of the people needs to be changed. To spread education govts are required to be sensitised. Universities having only regular courses can’t exceed the number of students. ODL is not only the answer but even better.
Praising IGNOU’s efforts he said, “IGNOU is certainly doing an incredible job in widening education to far and wide, even to remote areas. The study material that they have is remarkable. Private sector need to be part of education as they are the ones who woul hire passouts every year”.
Ifeanyi Paul A, who is Senior Registrar in National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), feels that governments all across the globe prove they don’t have proper education infrastructure. In Nigeria we have 117 universities but they have limited number of seats It is in this kind of scenario that Open and Distance Learning mode should be encouraged. NOUN accommodate more students than universities with regular programmes. Use of online as another mode of education can help in this regard. Once the online form of education is encouraged it will reach far and wide. Location and time has no barrier
“There is no better time than this summit to happen. This conference is timely. However it will be very helpful for spread of education far and wide and even to the needy ones if the governments make use of the outlines gathered from this summit. In most of the countries governments are unable to encourage higher education. There is a need for collaborations. Only ODL can help it to move further”, he added.
Expressing her views on ODL, Pureza Valdeheuza Veloso, President, Cibu International Distance Education College (CIDEC), Phillipines says that governments need to improve the policies on education if they want serve students need. The only problem with ODL is it needs more help from from governments. In ODL there are lakhs of people who can help in development of education. So they need help from private sectors, which also need to reduce taxes and profit making attitudes.
Praising her Government's efforts she states, “In Phillipines our Government is looking to give education to each and everybody. We have 7,200 dialects. English is our common language today. Even though it is a challenges to spread education to people with different dialects Government is focused to fulfill its aim”.
Collince Pence, Coordinator, Tele Education, BOCODOL, Botswana advocates that even though the growth of Distance Learning dynamic, it is also very challenging. In most of the countries people consider it to be a second hand education. The mindset of the people needs to be changed. To spread education govts are required to be sensitised. Universities having only regular courses can’t exceed the number of students. ODL is not only the answer but even better.
Praising IGNOU’s efforts he said, “IGNOU is certainly doing an incredible job in widening education to far and wide, even to remote areas. The study material that they have is remarkable. Private sector need to be part of education as they are the ones who woul hire passouts every year”.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Joshi for more power to PRIs
The Indira Gandhi National Open University organised 16th Prof. G. Ram Reddy memorial lecture on the death anniversary of its founder vice-chancellor at its Convention Centre. Prof. (Dr.) C. P. Joshi, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways was the chief guest on the occasion, who delivered a lecture on ‘Rural Empowerment and Panchayati Raj Institutions’.
Before delivering his lecture he also inaugurated the new administration building. The Union Minister also activated the Remote Access to e-resources (RATE) after the end of the lecture. It authorise users both from on-campus and off-campus to get access to e-resources, e-journals, e-books from home, office, or from anywhere anytime.
Speaking about Dr Reddy the Minister said that Dr Reddy was a man of vision and it was it was through his efforts that students started getting quality education seating at distance places after the launch of this University. He also hoped that Vice-Chancellor Prof. V. N. Rajshekharan Pillai and his team will carry his dream forward.
Prof. C.P. Joshi suggested that Panchayati Raj institutions (PRIs) are playing a crucial role in the execution of educational projects and programmes in rural areas. They can also play a major role in development of distance education programmes in rural India. It is therefore important citizes start the process of communication with PRIs.
The Minister quoted what Prof. Ram Reddy had said in 1993, “Distance education is like the Panchayati Raj in governance. It enables decentralization and hence localisation and empowerment of common man. What is urgently needed is a decision for creating an empowerment system of education that is freed from single-minded persuit of wealth and is dedicated to nurturing the hidden potential within every individual member of society, a system designed to usher in a new and ever advancing civilisation”.
While praising the role of Panchayat , Mahatma Gandhi had said that a true democracy cannot function twenty people seating in the Centre. It should be run from base level and by the people of villages”, the minister added.
He further stated that the constitution recognised and revived Panchayati Raj Institutions through 73rd Constitutional Amendment act which encouraged periodic elections for them. Earlier it was under the disposition of the Government to hold elections or not. Former prime minister Late Rajiv Gandhi had called it “ revolution based on maximum democracy and maximum devolution. It is a revolution to put power in the hands of people”.
Prof. C.P. Joshi further felt that the weaker sections of the society mainly living in villages need proper education, water and electricity. The Government need to work on that and think on alternative mode of governance. The Government has introduced Right to employment, Right to Information Act (RTI). It shortly going to introduce right to food. The Government will also introduce Right to Health Bill.
In some of the state Panchayati Raj system is quite good. One of the example is that of Kerala. In Maharashtra and Gujarat Zila Parishad is powerful. The Minister stressed that economic system need proper panchayat. In cities one can find Ministries and other government offices but in villages there are only Gram Sevaks. The system needs to look and address their issues. The parliamentary system is very important for the progress of panchayat.
Delivering his welcome speech VC Prof. Rajasekharan Pillai said that over the years this country has grown worldwide. We collaborated with industries and defence forces and started degree programme with them.
With the remarkable achievements of Gyan Vani, Gyan Darshan and other internet connectivity sources of the university, it is considered to be the technological university in the country connecting millions of people. With thousands of telecenters soon coming up with the help of the university, it is going to be the national e-governance provider.” He added.
IGNOU also gave certificates to the contributers of ERP system. Describing about the system Prof Prof. Latha Pillai, Pro VC, IGNOU said, “We are the first central university to launch its Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) which now has reduced the manual work of the university officials for the back office operations (like recruitment, leaves, sundry bills etc). Things which are meant to be done on a routine basis are now done with the help of ERP powered by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).”
Prof. G. Ram Reddy’s wife was also present during the Memorial lecture.
Before delivering his lecture he also inaugurated the new administration building. The Union Minister also activated the Remote Access to e-resources (RATE) after the end of the lecture. It authorise users both from on-campus and off-campus to get access to e-resources, e-journals, e-books from home, office, or from anywhere anytime.
Speaking about Dr Reddy the Minister said that Dr Reddy was a man of vision and it was it was through his efforts that students started getting quality education seating at distance places after the launch of this University. He also hoped that Vice-Chancellor Prof. V. N. Rajshekharan Pillai and his team will carry his dream forward.
Prof. C.P. Joshi suggested that Panchayati Raj institutions (PRIs) are playing a crucial role in the execution of educational projects and programmes in rural areas. They can also play a major role in development of distance education programmes in rural India. It is therefore important citizes start the process of communication with PRIs.
The Minister quoted what Prof. Ram Reddy had said in 1993, “Distance education is like the Panchayati Raj in governance. It enables decentralization and hence localisation and empowerment of common man. What is urgently needed is a decision for creating an empowerment system of education that is freed from single-minded persuit of wealth and is dedicated to nurturing the hidden potential within every individual member of society, a system designed to usher in a new and ever advancing civilisation”.
While praising the role of Panchayat , Mahatma Gandhi had said that a true democracy cannot function twenty people seating in the Centre. It should be run from base level and by the people of villages”, the minister added.
He further stated that the constitution recognised and revived Panchayati Raj Institutions through 73rd Constitutional Amendment act which encouraged periodic elections for them. Earlier it was under the disposition of the Government to hold elections or not. Former prime minister Late Rajiv Gandhi had called it “ revolution based on maximum democracy and maximum devolution. It is a revolution to put power in the hands of people”.
Prof. C.P. Joshi further felt that the weaker sections of the society mainly living in villages need proper education, water and electricity. The Government need to work on that and think on alternative mode of governance. The Government has introduced Right to employment, Right to Information Act (RTI). It shortly going to introduce right to food. The Government will also introduce Right to Health Bill.
In some of the state Panchayati Raj system is quite good. One of the example is that of Kerala. In Maharashtra and Gujarat Zila Parishad is powerful. The Minister stressed that economic system need proper panchayat. In cities one can find Ministries and other government offices but in villages there are only Gram Sevaks. The system needs to look and address their issues. The parliamentary system is very important for the progress of panchayat.
Delivering his welcome speech VC Prof. Rajasekharan Pillai said that over the years this country has grown worldwide. We collaborated with industries and defence forces and started degree programme with them.
With the remarkable achievements of Gyan Vani, Gyan Darshan and other internet connectivity sources of the university, it is considered to be the technological university in the country connecting millions of people. With thousands of telecenters soon coming up with the help of the university, it is going to be the national e-governance provider.” He added.
IGNOU also gave certificates to the contributers of ERP system. Describing about the system Prof Prof. Latha Pillai, Pro VC, IGNOU said, “We are the first central university to launch its Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) which now has reduced the manual work of the university officials for the back office operations (like recruitment, leaves, sundry bills etc). Things which are meant to be done on a routine basis are now done with the help of ERP powered by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).”
Prof. G. Ram Reddy’s wife was also present during the Memorial lecture.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
It’s time Left parties pull up socks
It took thirty-four years for people of West Bengal to get rid of Left Front hegemony from the state. Albeit the target was a achieved with a kind of Aila cyclone in the state. the new Government under Chief Minister-In Waiting Mamta Banerjee has to walk on thorny bushes in the state.
By providing such a big margin to Trinamool Congress the masses have vented out their anger against the autocratic rule in the state. However the final coffin was sealed when chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharjee himself lost the Jadavpur seat by around 25,000 votes to Manish Gupta, who once worked under him Chief Secretary of the state. Interesting from this seat he was contesting since 1987 and in the year 2006 he won by margin of 58,000 votes showing the peak of his popularity and the support base that his party had.
But what happened after that? Why did the party which continued to dominate for so long suddenly lost its direction in the wave of tide? Or was it a Singur and Nandigram affect? How can a CM who was widely a popular still a year ago suddenly lost a grip even from his constituency? These are some of the tough questions that Left leaders might be pondering upon these days.
To add fuel into the fire the country had witnessed too much of violence and killings by CPM’s harmad bahini which finally turned out to be our moderate Red leaders greatest blunder of them all. You cannot win elections by terrorizing your own people. They must have realized by now that the ultimate power of democracy lies with citizens of this country.
The only solace for the Left left now is that they are still holding their dome in Tripura and lost quite marginally in Kerala. Perhaps another reason for their shoddy performance this time was the tug of war among its top leaders. It seems there was no unity among their ranks. When Tata was setting up a factory in Singur for the manufacture of Nano cars Buddha babu was more than willing to help them, but inner scuffle within the party and mass protest by Mamta and her supporters forced the Tata group to shift their base at Sachivalay premises in Gandhinagar.
When Prakash Karat was asked to lead CPM it was hoped that he will provide new energy to the leadership as well as party cadres. And so he did in 2004 General elections when the party had won more than fifty-nine seats for the first time in its history and went on to become king maker when they supported UPA-1 Government from outside. But then they soon widraw from the Government as they were against Union Government’s decision to sign a Nuclear deal deal with US. Perhaps that very decision by the comrades was the beginning of Left Front’s downfall, as most of the people were supporting the bill at that time. Then came couple local bodies elections when they were completely trounced by Trinamool Congress members.
Now the so called top comrades need to do some soul searching if they want get back to power in next general elections in West Bengal and Kerala. However if they fail to read the writings on the wall, we might soon see an end of a communist era in India and another in the world.
By providing such a big margin to Trinamool Congress the masses have vented out their anger against the autocratic rule in the state. However the final coffin was sealed when chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharjee himself lost the Jadavpur seat by around 25,000 votes to Manish Gupta, who once worked under him Chief Secretary of the state. Interesting from this seat he was contesting since 1987 and in the year 2006 he won by margin of 58,000 votes showing the peak of his popularity and the support base that his party had.
But what happened after that? Why did the party which continued to dominate for so long suddenly lost its direction in the wave of tide? Or was it a Singur and Nandigram affect? How can a CM who was widely a popular still a year ago suddenly lost a grip even from his constituency? These are some of the tough questions that Left leaders might be pondering upon these days.
To add fuel into the fire the country had witnessed too much of violence and killings by CPM’s harmad bahini which finally turned out to be our moderate Red leaders greatest blunder of them all. You cannot win elections by terrorizing your own people. They must have realized by now that the ultimate power of democracy lies with citizens of this country.
The only solace for the Left left now is that they are still holding their dome in Tripura and lost quite marginally in Kerala. Perhaps another reason for their shoddy performance this time was the tug of war among its top leaders. It seems there was no unity among their ranks. When Tata was setting up a factory in Singur for the manufacture of Nano cars Buddha babu was more than willing to help them, but inner scuffle within the party and mass protest by Mamta and her supporters forced the Tata group to shift their base at Sachivalay premises in Gandhinagar.
When Prakash Karat was asked to lead CPM it was hoped that he will provide new energy to the leadership as well as party cadres. And so he did in 2004 General elections when the party had won more than fifty-nine seats for the first time in its history and went on to become king maker when they supported UPA-1 Government from outside. But then they soon widraw from the Government as they were against Union Government’s decision to sign a Nuclear deal deal with US. Perhaps that very decision by the comrades was the beginning of Left Front’s downfall, as most of the people were supporting the bill at that time. Then came couple local bodies elections when they were completely trounced by Trinamool Congress members.
Now the so called top comrades need to do some soul searching if they want get back to power in next general elections in West Bengal and Kerala. However if they fail to read the writings on the wall, we might soon see an end of a communist era in India and another in the world.
Friday, May 6, 2011
A lot at stake for Pakistan
Our neighbouring country Pakistan, it seems is yet to learn from its mistakes from the past. It is evident from the fact that instead of feeling shame that the world's most dreaded terrorist was caught in its own backyard, the country’s government is busy claiming their contributions in fight against terror.
After Osama was captured and killed on May 2, 2011, inside a secured private residential compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, by U.S. Navy SEALs in a covert operation, Pakistan Government is claiming its innocence and irresolute about his whereabouts inside its own country. The question remains if didn’t know then why it didn’t know, even when he was residing in a place very near to Pakistan Army training camp.
With the result, a lot is at stake for Pakistani establishment, for it has to face a lot of questions about its seriousness for fight against terrorism. Strangely for a country, which is witnessing bomb blasts, killing thousands of innocent people since last couple of years and also fundamentalist Islamists killing people voicing against blasphemy laws, nothing substantial has been done so far.
On the other hand, by turning its back against the wall, they are showing no mood to relent and handover criminals hiding in Pakistan. it seems they country's Government is determined to continue to support terrorism and script its own epitaph.
Even yesterday, two of their senior officials reciprocated the claim by some of India’s top brass officials that they will counter any attack by Indian forces. No doubt, One should respect the sovereignty of the country. Having said that they clearly understands that India, being a peace loving nation did not cross LOC when it got several opportunities for attacks on our sovereignty, be it 26/11 Mumbai Terror Attack, Parliament attack, Delhi serious blasts are some to name a few. If India was eager to cross Loc it could have perhaps done so in several such occasions, but refrained from doing so.
India, USA or any other country do not want to entangle itself in a war against Pakistan. However if Pakistan rise above double game politics and show significant contributions in the war against terror , then it can also save its own citizens from clutches of terrorist attacks. If they fail to do so and continue to harbour terrorists like Osama bin Laden or Dawood Ibrahim, then it find end up losing aids and other support from international community.
Now only Pakistan can help itself and save itself from embarrassing situation and help world community in a more appropriate manner in its fight against terrorism.
After Osama was captured and killed on May 2, 2011, inside a secured private residential compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, by U.S. Navy SEALs in a covert operation, Pakistan Government is claiming its innocence and irresolute about his whereabouts inside its own country. The question remains if didn’t know then why it didn’t know, even when he was residing in a place very near to Pakistan Army training camp.
With the result, a lot is at stake for Pakistani establishment, for it has to face a lot of questions about its seriousness for fight against terrorism. Strangely for a country, which is witnessing bomb blasts, killing thousands of innocent people since last couple of years and also fundamentalist Islamists killing people voicing against blasphemy laws, nothing substantial has been done so far.
On the other hand, by turning its back against the wall, they are showing no mood to relent and handover criminals hiding in Pakistan. it seems they country's Government is determined to continue to support terrorism and script its own epitaph.
Even yesterday, two of their senior officials reciprocated the claim by some of India’s top brass officials that they will counter any attack by Indian forces. No doubt, One should respect the sovereignty of the country. Having said that they clearly understands that India, being a peace loving nation did not cross LOC when it got several opportunities for attacks on our sovereignty, be it 26/11 Mumbai Terror Attack, Parliament attack, Delhi serious blasts are some to name a few. If India was eager to cross Loc it could have perhaps done so in several such occasions, but refrained from doing so.
India, USA or any other country do not want to entangle itself in a war against Pakistan. However if Pakistan rise above double game politics and show significant contributions in the war against terror , then it can also save its own citizens from clutches of terrorist attacks. If they fail to do so and continue to harbour terrorists like Osama bin Laden or Dawood Ibrahim, then it find end up losing aids and other support from international community.
Now only Pakistan can help itself and save itself from embarrassing situation and help world community in a more appropriate manner in its fight against terrorism.
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