Sowmya and I have decided to participate in the Great Driving Challenge organised by Mitsubishi. It is a very interesting format and we hope to collect as many votes as possible and have a chance of securing the final nominations. It promises to be a great drive and we are very excited. Please support us by voting for us at http://www.greatdrivingchallenge.com/application/Sowmya/
Also, please write a testimonial. Thanks!
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Kapil Sibal's 100 day plan to revamp Indian Education system
Yesterday, Shri Kapil Sibal, Hon'ble Minister for Human Resource Development, Government of India announced his ministry's 100 day programme. This was much anticipated and has already attracted very diverse feedback from various cross sections of the society. Here is the plan as announced by the Minister.
Legislative
1. All steps will be taken to enact the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Bill. This will be followed by notification of the 86th Constitutional Amendment in the official gazette.
2. Evolve consensus for establishment of an All India Madarsa Board.
Policy
3. Attempt to formulate a policy framework for PPP in school education, evolve a variety of PPP models, and apply them as feasible.
4. Further the use of ICT in secondary schools and in open/distance schooling through broadband connectivity.
5. Evolve a National Curriculum Framework for Teacher Education in consultation with all stakeholders and in accordance with NCF, 2005.
New Initiatives/Expansion
6. Explore possibilities of setting up independent, accreditation body in the area of school education.
7. Push the process of examination reform in accordance with NCF-2005. This will include making the class X examination optional, thus permitting students continuing in the same school (and who do not need a board certificate) to take an internal school assessment instead.
8. Introduce a system for replacement of marks by grades in schools affiliated to the CBSE for the secondary classes i.e. IX and X.
9. Recast the National Literacy Mission to focus on women.
10. Awareness generation and intensification of efforts in the area of Madrasa/Maktab modernization and skill development for Muslim children.
Legislative Initiatives
1. An autonomous overarching authority for Higher Education and Research based on the recommendations of Yashpal Committee and National Knowledge Commission;
2. A law to prevent, prohibit and punish educational malpractices;
3. A law for mandatory assessment and accreditation in higher education through an independent regulatory authority;
4. A law to regulate entry and operation of Foreign Educational Providers;
5. A law to establish a Tribunal to fast-track adjudication of disputes concerning stake holders (teachers, students, employees and management) in higher education;
6. A law to further amend the National Commission for Minority Educational Institute Act, to strengthen the Commission;
7. A law to amend the Copyright Act, 1957 to address the concerns relating to copyrights and related rights of the various stake holders.
Policy Initiatives
1. Formulation of a ‘Brain-Gain’ policy to attract talent from across the world to the existing and new institutions;
2. Launching a new Scheme of interest subsidy on educational loans taken for professional course by the Economically Weaker Students;
3. Strengthening and expansion of the Scheme for Remedial Coaching for students from SC/ST/minority communities, in higher education;
4. ‘Equal Opportunity Offices’ to be created in all universities for effective implementation of schemes for disadvantaged sectors of the society;
5. A new policy on Distance Learning would be formulated;
6. Regional Centre/Campus of Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak to be started in the state of Manipur;
7. Model degree colleges would be established in 100 districts with significant population of weaker sections and the minorities;
8. 100 women’s hostels would be sanctioned in higher educational institutions located in districts with significant population of weaker sections and the minorities; 9.
Administrative Other Initiatives
1. Review of the functioning of the existing Deemed Universities;
2. Operationalsing newly established 12 Central Universities and 2 new IITs;
3. Academic reforms (semester system, choice-based credit system, regular revision of syllabi, impetus to research, etc. which are already mandated under the Central Universities Act, 2009) to be introduced in other Central Educational Institutions;
4. Modernisation of Copyright Offices;
5. 5000 colleges/university departments to be provided with broadband internet connectivity under the “National Mission on Education through ICT”;
6. Assistance would be provided to States to establish at least 100 new polytechnics (over and above assistance already provided for 50 polytechnics in the last financial year) in districts without any polytechnic at present, States would also be assisted for the construction of 100 women’s hostels in the existing polytechnics and for upgrading 50 exiting polytechnics;
7. Approvals would be obtained for establishing 10 new NITs in the un-served States so that every State has one earmarked NIT;
8. Operationalising 700 revamped Community Polytechnics for skill development of rural youth;
9. Direct credit of scholarship into the bank accounts of 41,000 boys and 41,000 girls every year, under the new Merit Scholarship Scheme for students in the universities and colleges.
Source: PIB, GoI
Legislative
1. All steps will be taken to enact the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Bill. This will be followed by notification of the 86th Constitutional Amendment in the official gazette.
2. Evolve consensus for establishment of an All India Madarsa Board.
Policy
3. Attempt to formulate a policy framework for PPP in school education, evolve a variety of PPP models, and apply them as feasible.
4. Further the use of ICT in secondary schools and in open/distance schooling through broadband connectivity.
5. Evolve a National Curriculum Framework for Teacher Education in consultation with all stakeholders and in accordance with NCF, 2005.
New Initiatives/Expansion
6. Explore possibilities of setting up independent, accreditation body in the area of school education.
7. Push the process of examination reform in accordance with NCF-2005. This will include making the class X examination optional, thus permitting students continuing in the same school (and who do not need a board certificate) to take an internal school assessment instead.
8. Introduce a system for replacement of marks by grades in schools affiliated to the CBSE for the secondary classes i.e. IX and X.
9. Recast the National Literacy Mission to focus on women.
10. Awareness generation and intensification of efforts in the area of Madrasa/Maktab modernization and skill development for Muslim children.
Legislative Initiatives
1. An autonomous overarching authority for Higher Education and Research based on the recommendations of Yashpal Committee and National Knowledge Commission;
2. A law to prevent, prohibit and punish educational malpractices;
3. A law for mandatory assessment and accreditation in higher education through an independent regulatory authority;
4. A law to regulate entry and operation of Foreign Educational Providers;
5. A law to establish a Tribunal to fast-track adjudication of disputes concerning stake holders (teachers, students, employees and management) in higher education;
6. A law to further amend the National Commission for Minority Educational Institute Act, to strengthen the Commission;
7. A law to amend the Copyright Act, 1957 to address the concerns relating to copyrights and related rights of the various stake holders.
Policy Initiatives
1. Formulation of a ‘Brain-Gain’ policy to attract talent from across the world to the existing and new institutions;
2. Launching a new Scheme of interest subsidy on educational loans taken for professional course by the Economically Weaker Students;
3. Strengthening and expansion of the Scheme for Remedial Coaching for students from SC/ST/minority communities, in higher education;
4. ‘Equal Opportunity Offices’ to be created in all universities for effective implementation of schemes for disadvantaged sectors of the society;
5. A new policy on Distance Learning would be formulated;
6. Regional Centre/Campus of Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak to be started in the state of Manipur;
7. Model degree colleges would be established in 100 districts with significant population of weaker sections and the minorities;
8. 100 women’s hostels would be sanctioned in higher educational institutions located in districts with significant population of weaker sections and the minorities; 9.
Administrative Other Initiatives
1. Review of the functioning of the existing Deemed Universities;
2. Operationalsing newly established 12 Central Universities and 2 new IITs;
3. Academic reforms (semester system, choice-based credit system, regular revision of syllabi, impetus to research, etc. which are already mandated under the Central Universities Act, 2009) to be introduced in other Central Educational Institutions;
4. Modernisation of Copyright Offices;
5. 5000 colleges/university departments to be provided with broadband internet connectivity under the “National Mission on Education through ICT”;
6. Assistance would be provided to States to establish at least 100 new polytechnics (over and above assistance already provided for 50 polytechnics in the last financial year) in districts without any polytechnic at present, States would also be assisted for the construction of 100 women’s hostels in the existing polytechnics and for upgrading 50 exiting polytechnics;
7. Approvals would be obtained for establishing 10 new NITs in the un-served States so that every State has one earmarked NIT;
8. Operationalising 700 revamped Community Polytechnics for skill development of rural youth;
9. Direct credit of scholarship into the bank accounts of 41,000 boys and 41,000 girls every year, under the new Merit Scholarship Scheme for students in the universities and colleges.
Source: PIB, GoI
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Monday, August 15, 2005
Yet another Independence Day!
I woke up this morning early enough to catch the DD live telecast of the Prime Minister's address to the nation from the Red Fort. Well, for those who cared there was the usual address from any Indian Prime Minister rehashed to suit the current trends.
I also went and bought a copy of the lastest issues of India Today, The Week, Outlook to go through their I-Day specials. Interesting reading, they make!
Amongst a lot of resolutions that we hear during this particular week of intense patriotic display, there is one I personally wish to see happening and that is the entry of youngsters like you and me into politics! Whoever, said 'Politics is the last resort of a rascal'!?
I read of the MIT Pune's initiative in launching a one year programme in governance for those who want to get a formal qualification to get into politics (that's the last thing you ever want in today's politics, probably). T N Seshan is the chief advisor and the initiator of the idea along with Dr. Karad of MIT. That was a couple of months ago. This is one iniative to watch for!
Political parties must take it upon themselves to have a succession plan for encouraging young blood into the party affairs. They do have something like that - a 70 year old pary veteran taking up the reigns from a much younger person.
Well, what am I doing new this Independence day? I just bought Khushwant Singh's 'India An Introduction' and hope to see history through the eyes of one of my favourite writers!
I also went and bought a copy of the lastest issues of India Today, The Week, Outlook to go through their I-Day specials. Interesting reading, they make!
Amongst a lot of resolutions that we hear during this particular week of intense patriotic display, there is one I personally wish to see happening and that is the entry of youngsters like you and me into politics! Whoever, said 'Politics is the last resort of a rascal'!?
I read of the MIT Pune's initiative in launching a one year programme in governance for those who want to get a formal qualification to get into politics (that's the last thing you ever want in today's politics, probably). T N Seshan is the chief advisor and the initiator of the idea along with Dr. Karad of MIT. That was a couple of months ago. This is one iniative to watch for!
Political parties must take it upon themselves to have a succession plan for encouraging young blood into the party affairs. They do have something like that - a 70 year old pary veteran taking up the reigns from a much younger person.
Well, what am I doing new this Independence day? I just bought Khushwant Singh's 'India An Introduction' and hope to see history through the eyes of one of my favourite writers!
Mediocre But Arrogant
Mediocre But Arrogant is a story about love and life in a business school set in the Management Institute of Jamshedpur. It is a story of Abbey, but not an autobiography says Abhijit Bhaduri an alumnus of XLRI (PMIR 84). He was in Hyderabad yesterday to promote his book that was released earlier this month in Kolkata.
Abhijit is currently in the US and this is his first book. It surely is set to get a good look and has a dialogue / narrative feel to it. I got a personally signed copy of the book free (sponsored by an XLerin Hyderabad) and Abhijit read a few pages for the small crowd of XLers that had gathered at the Country Club, Begumpet. I have just started reading the book and cannot seem to put it away.
Shall write again after I complete the book!
Abhijit is currently in the US and this is his first book. It surely is set to get a good look and has a dialogue / narrative feel to it. I got a personally signed copy of the book free (sponsored by an XLerin Hyderabad) and Abhijit read a few pages for the small crowd of XLers that had gathered at the Country Club, Begumpet. I have just started reading the book and cannot seem to put it away.
Shall write again after I complete the book!
Friday, August 12, 2005
World Left-handers Day!
Did you know that August 13 is World Lefthanders Day!
On August 13, 1976, an organization called, Lefthanders International (LI), launched International Left-Handers Day, an annual event. This day was (apparently) chosen because it was Friday the 13th and a way to poke fun at the superstitions that surrounded left-handed people for years. (the Latin word sinister actually means left!).
This event is now celebrated worldwide so left-handers everywhere can celebrate and increase public awareness of the advantages and disadvantages of being left-handed.
Famous left-handers include (in no particular order of priority) -
Marlon Brando,
Fidel Castro
George Bush (not Dubya, but his dad)
Charlie Chaplin
Julius Ceasar
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
Phil Collins
Tom Cruise
Pierce Brosnan
Jim Carrey
Isaac Newton
Bill Clinton
Winston Churchill
Bill Gates
Henry Ford
Michelangelo
Goldie Hawn
Helen Keller
Sachin Tendulkar
Nicole Kidman
Amitabh Bachchan
Jay Leno
Saurav Ganguly
Demi Moore
Prince Charles
Queen Elizabeth II
Ronald Reagan
Mark Twain
H G Wells
Oprah Winfrey and
Yours truly :-)
On August 13, 1976, an organization called, Lefthanders International (LI), launched International Left-Handers Day, an annual event. This day was (apparently) chosen because it was Friday the 13th and a way to poke fun at the superstitions that surrounded left-handed people for years. (the Latin word sinister actually means left!).
This event is now celebrated worldwide so left-handers everywhere can celebrate and increase public awareness of the advantages and disadvantages of being left-handed.
Famous left-handers include (in no particular order of priority) -
Marlon Brando,
Fidel Castro
George Bush (not Dubya, but his dad)
Charlie Chaplin
Julius Ceasar
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
Phil Collins
Tom Cruise
Pierce Brosnan
Jim Carrey
Isaac Newton
Bill Clinton
Winston Churchill
Bill Gates
Henry Ford
Michelangelo
Goldie Hawn
Helen Keller
Sachin Tendulkar
Nicole Kidman
Amitabh Bachchan
Jay Leno
Saurav Ganguly
Demi Moore
Prince Charles
Queen Elizabeth II
Ronald Reagan
Mark Twain
H G Wells
Oprah Winfrey and
Yours truly :-)
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
What am I reading?
Well, nobody asked me this question. If I were a CEO, may be Business World or Business Today would have asked me to share with their readers as to what books inspires me! But then, I can blog...
A month ago, I read Amitav Ghosh's The Glass Palace. Simply superb, it is a novel that takes you through the narration and gives you a place in the whole story. One of my key take away from this book was the fact that I got a lot of insight into Myanmar. Till reading this novel, it never struck to me as to how little I know of Myanmar or the erstwhile Burma excepting the struggle for democracy led by Aung San Suu Kyi. Link to the author's personal web site - http://www.amitavghosh.com
This morning I finished reading the much acclaimed The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (http://www.paulocoelho.com) It took me more than a month to finsh this book - read it more like five pages a day kind of thing. You could start reading the book from anywhere in between and there is a certain essence in it!
Happy reading!
A month ago, I read Amitav Ghosh's The Glass Palace. Simply superb, it is a novel that takes you through the narration and gives you a place in the whole story. One of my key take away from this book was the fact that I got a lot of insight into Myanmar. Till reading this novel, it never struck to me as to how little I know of Myanmar or the erstwhile Burma excepting the struggle for democracy led by Aung San Suu Kyi. Link to the author's personal web site - http://www.amitavghosh.com
This morning I finished reading the much acclaimed The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (http://www.paulocoelho.com) It took me more than a month to finsh this book - read it more like five pages a day kind of thing. You could start reading the book from anywhere in between and there is a certain essence in it!
Happy reading!
Monday, August 08, 2005
What is Elevator Speech?
What is an “elevator speech”? It's what you say in the elevator during your ride down to the lobby when someone asks, "What is a Senior Manager - Dean's Office?"
On the other hand, when you are the one trying to make use of the elevator ride to generate interest, what you say construes Elevator Pitch
On the other hand, when you are the one trying to make use of the elevator ride to generate interest, what you say construes Elevator Pitch
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