Teacher of values
H K Manmohan Singh
WHEN I was teaching at the University of Sydney (Australia) some 40 years ago, I was interviewed by a television reporter who was headmistress of a school. Of many interesting questions she asked one related to whether in India it was a common practice for schools to include Father’s Day and Mother’s Day as special occasions in their calendar as in Australia.

Spreading green consciousness
Shelly Walia
THERE are times in history when we need to awaken to the danger to environment. Climate change is taking place and human activity is a factor. This potential global crisis requires a coordinated response in view of the threat to the future of humanity. We have before us irrefutable evidence on the extent of damage done to the environment.

ADMISSION DEADLINE

CAMPUS NOTES

Teacher of values
H K Manmohan Singh

WHEN I was teaching at the University of Sydney (Australia) some 40 years ago, I was interviewed by a television reporter who was headmistress of a school. Of many interesting questions she asked one related to whether in India it was a common practice for schools to include Father’s Day and Mother’s Day as special occasions in their calendar as in Australia. After the interview I often wondered, how come a society characterised by rugged individualism had such high filial regards for parents. Later, I learnt from a book on marketing that such special days were thought of by the business community to promote the sale of their products as gifts.

It is the same with Teacher’s Day. Set apart from other occasion, its programmes were initially intended to underline the importance of values alongside of curricula. Rather than internalising values, the system has, in the course of time, altogether broken loose from its ethical moorings. The consequences are there for all of us to see—a turmoil in society where everyone is floating aimlessly.

India is a home of world’s major religions. She has produced numerous seers and sages who held her people together as a community based on camaraderie and brotherhood. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, whose birthday is celebrated as Teacher’s Day, belonged to that rare class which “worked for the reconciliation of mankind at the deepest level”. He wrote extensively on Hindu faith and philosophy, but not as a partisan. Jawaharlal Nehru, who had no place for conventional religion in his scheme of values, read Radhakrishnan’s The Hindu View of Life twice while in prison and regarded it of prime importance in understanding matters of spirit and faith. Expatiating on this point, he spoke in his Azad Memorial Lectures (1959) as follows: “Can we combine the progress of science and technology with this progress of the mind and spirit also? We cannot be untrue to science because that represents the basic fact of life today. Still less can we be untrue to those essential principles for which India has stood in the past throughout the ages. Let us then pursue our path to industrial progress with all our strength and vigour and, at the same time, remember that material riches without toleration and compassion and wisdom may well turn to dust and ashes.”

The rating of leaders of thought is a matter of dubious balancing. However, considering the last hundred years or so, Radhakrishnan, along with Swami Vivekananda and Mahatma Gandhi, belongs to that trinity of savants whose life’s work wove into a wider historical context what is of lasting value to mankind.

No one knows Radhakrishnan’s actual birthday. He himself believed it was September 20, though September 5 is the official version. To celebrate it as Teacher’s Day was the decision of the Union Government, but it was taken on the request of the National Federation of Teachers that wanted the nation’s attention to be focused on the teachers as the pivot of society. Simultaneously, it was to remind the teaching community that sustaining India’s time-honoured values was as important as the pursuit of knowledge and as the system was driven forward by the phenomenal growth of science and technology, it did not become value-neutral, which it unfortunately has.

Radhakrishnan held Chairs of Philosophy at Calcutta, Banaras and Oxford universities. However, it was his appointment at Oxford University as Spalding Professor of Eastern Religious and Ethics that made him a legendary figure. He was a teacher par excellence and an embodiment of values that defined human culture. His greatest anxiety was to ensure that materialism and individualism did not overtake India and made educated classes indifferent to the suffering of the poor and the indigent.

Radhakrishnan once wrote that “None who has not suffered to the utmost gets to the foundation of reality”. There is a graphic account of what he himself went through in S. Gopal’s biography of his father (Radhakrishnan, 1989): “In 1910, a few months after he had begun lecturing, Radhakrishnan was deputed to the teacher’s training college at Saidapet on a monthly half-salary of Rs 37.50 to obtain a diploma in teaching. This was of year of real hardship and the time when Radhakrishnan’s household, on one occasion, unable to afford even the banana leaves on which food is served, washed the floor and ate off it. He auctioned his university medals and in addition borrowed more money. Unable in the following years even to pay the interest on these debts, Radhakrishnan found himself dragged to court in 1913 in a civil suit. To earn extra money he, apart from continuing private tuition, took on as many examinerships as he could get and went through vast piles of answer papers in Logic for the university.”

Radhakrishnan’s stress was on moral rather than on religious education, though he regarded scriptures as the main source of moral and social values. This is also one of the major recommendations of the Education Commission (1964-66), headed by India’s pre-eminent scientist Professor D. S. Kothari. The commission thought that “stress on moral education and inculcation of a sense of social responsibility” will go a long way “in facilitating the transition of youth from the world of school to the world of work and life”.

Of all sectors of India’s economy in need of rearranging themselves in face of rapidly changing technology and the out-flanking of nation-states by the forces of globalisation, the need of the education sector to do so is both urgent and imperative. The main challenge it faces is, to strive to reclaim people’s cherished values as its essential component, and Teacher’s Day provides the teaching community an opportunity to reflect on this issue. Whether they will rise to the challenge or not is difficult to say. One cannot be very hopeful in a situation when things are not on the mend.

The writer is former Vice-Chancellor, Punjabi University, Patiala

Spreading green consciousness
Shelly Walia

THERE are times in history when we need to awaken to the danger to environment. Climate change is taking place and human activity is a factor. This potential global crisis requires a coordinated response in view of the threat to the future of humanity. We have before us irrefutable evidence on the extent of damage done to the environment.

We at Panjab University feel that we have the ability to confront the crisis and with concerted efforts over the past two months, we have taken bold and decisive steps to raise an environmentally conscious public and shake off complacency.

As part of the campaign, a group of teachers and students, under the guidance of Vice-Chancellor R. C. Sobti, have planted over 3,000 neem trees, besides other varieties of plants and trees, on the campus in Sectors 14 and 25.

Members of the newly formed Panjab University Ecological Society not only cleared the campus of garbage, but also succeeded in raising the “green consciousness” of residents who have been requested to keep the campus free of plastic and smoke.

The two-month campaign is a wake-up call to the residents of Chandigarh to come forward to help in maintaining the ecological balance. We owe it to ourselves and the future generations which will not forgive us if timely action is not taken to prevent global warming and the depletion of natural resources.

The campaign at the Panjab University is novel as nowhere else have academics taken on themselves to generate a culture of concern for environment so seriously and with a resolution to adopt values vital to save the earth.

The initiative taken by Prof Sobti and his team will go a long way in promoting a healthy and a greener environment. The Panjab University Ecological Society feels that if each one of us uses bare hands to pick garbage in our residential areas, we can all contribute towards the development of a keen civic sense.

We have to understand that nature does not need us. It is we who need nature.

ADMISSION DEADLINE

Agriculture

Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Krishak Nagar, Raipur 492006 (CG)
www.igau.edu.in

Common Entrance Test
1) MSc Agriculture
(Agronomy / Plant Breeding & Genetics / Soil Sc / Horticulture / Entomology / Agricultural Extension / Plant Pathology / Agricultural (Economics / Statistics) / Plant Physiology / Agrometeorology / Biotechnology / Microbiology)
2) MSc Forestry
3) MFSc Inland Fisheries
4) MTech (Agricultural Engg): Farm Machinery & Power / Soil & Water Engg / Agricultural Processing & Food Engg)
5) MTech (Dairy Engg / Dairy Technology)
6) MSc Dairying (Dairy Microbiology / Dairy Chemistry)

Age limit: 30 years (on 31 December ’08)
Selection: Common Entrance Test: 22 September 2008

Application Form: Download from website and to the Registrar at the above address

Details: Website

Application Deadline: 16 September 2008

Engineering

University of Pune, School of Energy Studies, Pune 411007 (Mah)
www.unipune.ernet.in

MTech in Energy Studies (2 years)

Eligibility: MSc / BE / BTech (any subject)

Application Form: Download from website.

Details: Employment News (23 – 29 August 2008) / Website

Application Deadline: 10 September 2008

Languages

Jamia Milia Islamia, Maulana Mohd. Ali Jauhar Marg, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi 110025 (Central University)
http://jmi.nic.in/FHum/Uccform.pdf

Certificate Course in Urdu (1 year)

Application Form: Send stamped (Rs 10/-), self-addressed envelope (24cm x 12cm) to the Hony. Director, Urdu Correspondence Course, Arjun Singh Centre for Distance & Open Learning at the above address / Download from website

Law

Delhi High Court, Sher Shah Road, New Delhi 110003

Delhi Judicial Service Exam 2008

Eligibility: Indian Law graduate / Advocate / qualified to be admitted as Advocate under the Advocates Act, 1961
Age Limit: 32 years (on 01 January 2009)

Selection: Preliminary Written Test: 02 November 2008;
Main Written Test: 21 – 22 December 2008

Application Form: Send Rs 600/- by DD favouring “Registrar General, Delhi High Court, New Delhi”, payable at New Delhi with a stamped (Rs 90/-) self-addressed envelope (38 cm x 25 cm) to the Joint Registrar (Vig.) at the above address.
Superscribe: “DJS Examination 2008”

Application Deadline: 30 September 2008

Management

Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science & Technology, D/o Management Studies & Humanities, Murthal, Sonepat (Har) (Govt of Haryana)
www.dcrustm.ac.in / www.crscem.ac.in

MA English & Communication Studies (2 years)

Eligibility: Bachelors degree / Masters Degree with English as compulsory subject at graduation, 50%

Application Form: Rs.600/- in cash from the office at above address / Download from website

Details: Website

Application Deadline: 15 September 2008

Protective Services (Police)

Office of the Inspector General of Police, RAF/CRPF, East Block 2, Level 6, R K Puram, New Delhi 110066

1) Assistant Sub-Inspector (Stenographers)
2) Head Constables (Ministerial) in CRPF

Eligibility: 10+2 pass+
Typing: For 1: 40 wpm in English & 30 wpm (Hindi)
Shorthand: 80 wpm (Hindi / English)
For 2: 30 wpm (English); 25 wpm (Hindi)
Age: 18-25 year (on 19 September ‘08)

Selection: Physical Measurement; Written Test; Type Writing / Shorthand Test; Interview; Medical Fitness.

Application Form: Send Rs 30/- by crossed IPO favouring the officer of the respective centre / zone, with a stamped (Rs. 5/-) self-addressed envelope (25 cm x 12 cm) payable at Head Post Office at the same location.

Superscribe “APPLICATION FOR THE POST OF ASI (STENO) / HC (MIN) in CRPF” on the envelope.

Details: Employment News (23 – 29 August 2008)

Application Deadline: 19 September 2008

Scholarships

University Grants Commission, Bahadurshah Zafar Marg, New Delhi 110002
www.ugc.ac.in

PG Indira Gandhi Scholarship Scheme for Single Girl Child (2 years)
Eligibility: Single girl child admitted to a Masters programme in any recognized University / College.

Scholarship:  Rs 2000/-pm for 2 years.

Application Form: Send application in prescribed format with attested documents to Dr. C S Meena, Joint Secretary (SA-III) at the above address / Download from website.

Details: Employment News (23 – 29 August 2008) / Website

Application Deadline: 20 September 2008

Sciences

Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Homi Bhabha Road, Colaba, Mumbai 400005 (Mah) (Deemed University)
http://univ.tifr.res.in / www.tifr.res.in/admissions

PhD
1) Physics
2) Science Education
3) Chemistry
4) Biology
5) Computer & Systems Sciences

6) Maths

7) Integrated PhD & MSc (Biology)
8) Integrated PhD in Maths (Bangalore)

Eligibility: For 1 & 3: MSc / MTech / BE / BTech / BSc with good academic record
For 4: MSc / BTech / BE / MBBS / BPharma / MPharma / BVSc / BDS / MSc (Ag.)
For 5: BE / BTech / ME / MTech / MSc / BSc with good academic record

For 6: MSc / BE / BTech / MTech / MA / BA / BSc with good academic record
For 7: BSc / BSc (Agriculture / Horticulture / Fishery)
Selection: Written Test: 07 December 2008

Application Form: Send Rs 350/- by DD favouring “Tata Institute of Fundamental Research,” drawn on SBI, payable at Mumbai with stamped (Rs 20/-), self-addressed envelope (25 cm x 17 cm) and relevant documents to the University Cell at the above address. Mention your name, address, DoB, e-mail ID & subject choice on plain paper.
Superscribe “GS-2009 (Subject)” on the envelope.
For Biology Courses: Send Rs 350/- by DD favouring “National Centre for Biological Sciences” drawn on SBI, payable at Bangalore to the Admissions Section, NCBS, TIFR, GKVK, Bellary Road, Bangalore 560065.

Details: Employment News (23 – 29 August 2008) / Website

Application Deadline: 14 October 2008

Sciences Social

National Museum, Janpath, New Delhi 110001 (M/o Culture, GoI)
www.nationalmuseumindia.gov.in

Intensive Training Course in “Care of Paintings” (3 months)

Eligibility: Bachelors degree preferably BSc with 1-year work experience in art conservation. Candidates from Art Academies, D/o Archaeology, Museums & Archives, practicing conservators preferred.

Application Form: Send in prescribed format with required documents to the Director, (Conservation) at above address. Superscribe “Training in Care of Paintings” on the envelope.

Details: Website

Application Deadline: 22 September 2008

University (Distance)

Anna University, Directorate of Online & Distance Education, GCT Campus, Coimbatore 641013 (TN)
www.annauniv.ac.in

1) MBA (Various), 2 years
2) MCA (Call Centre Mgmt / IT Enabled Services / Networking / Software Quality Assurance), 3 years
3) MSc (Computer Sc / Computer Tech / IT / Software Engg / Software Project & Quality Mgmt), 2 years
4) PG Diploma (1 year)
5) Advanced Diploma (1 year)
6) Diploma (1 year)

Eligibility:
For 1 & 4: Bachelors degree

For 2: Bachelors degree with Maths in 10+2 / Maths / Stats / Computer-oriented subject at Degree level.

For 3: BSc (Maths / Computer Sc / IT / Software Engg / Electronics / Physics /  Applied Sc / Computer Tech / Computer System Maintenance & Networking) / BCA
For 5: Diploma in Polytechnic College (3-yr) or equivalent
For 6: 10+2

Application Form & Details: Website

Application Deadline: 20 September 2008

Bharati Vidyapeeth University, School of Distance Education, Bharati Vidyapeeth Bhavan, Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg, Pune 411030 (Mah)
www.bharatividyapeeth.edu / www.bharatividyapeethdistance.com

All India Entrance Tests for Admission to:
1) Bachelors Degree: BA / BCom / BLib & ISc / BBA / BCA
2) Masters Degree: MA (English / Economics) / MLib & ISc / MMS / MBA / MBA-IT / MCA / LLM
3) PG Law Diploma: (Taxation Laws / Labour Laws / Intellectual Property Law)
4) PG Diploma in Mgmt (Business / Finance / Marketing / International Business / HR)

Application Form: Send Rs.600 by DD favoring " Bharati Vidyapeeth University, School of Distance Education " payable at Pune to the above address.

Details: Website.

Pervin Malhotra, Director, Career Guidance India (CARING)
(www.careerguidanceindia.com)

CAMPUS NOTES

Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak
Earn while you learn scheme launched

With a twin objective of training the MDU students for various university jobs and providing financial assistance to the needy students, the Student and Youth Welfare Department recently launched an “Earn while you learn" scheme.

Under the scheme, the MDU administration will not only utilise the services of university students for certain proposed jobs, but also pay them a fixed remuneration of Rs 50 per hour, not exceeding Rs 1,200 per month. A budgetary provision of Rs 2 lakh has been made for the purpose from the Youth Welfare Fund during the current academic session. The students interested in it can apply for such jobs by approaching the selection committee constituted by the Department of Student Welfare. The committee will shortlist the names of students and prepare a panel to engage 10 students at a time. Job works related to computer, accounts and research projects will be assigned to the selected students.

The standing committee of Dr Radha Krishnan Foundation Fund had recommended the matter to the MDU Executive Council, which approved the scheme.

Special lecture on water management

A community-driven decentralised model of water management is the need of the day. Water conservation should be made a community and societal concern to make it a mass movement. This was stated by renowned environmentalist and Magasayay Award winner Rajender Singh during a recent special lecture programme at the Institute of Management Studies and Research (IMSAR) of the university.

In his inspiring address, Rajender Singh observed that the future of planet Earth could be termed safe only if there was a symbiotic relationship between nature and mankind. He exhorted the youth to spread the message of water conservation. He shared his experiences related to the water-conservation movement in Rajasthan.

The IMSAR director, Prof A. K. Rajan, delivered the welcome address while Prof Dalip Singh proposed the vote of thanks. Dr H. J. Ghosh Roy conducted the programme. MDU Vice-Chancellor, faculty members and students of IMSAR and local intelligentsia were present.

Seminar-cum-training programme

Foreign direct investment (FDI) is necessary for growth and economic development of the country. This opinion was reflected in a one-day seminar-cum-training programme organised recently at IMSAR. A panel of experts from Trade and Corporate Jurists conducted the programme.

IMSAR alumni and chairperson of the Trade and Corporate Jurists Pradeep Dhingra inaugurated the seminar. He threw light on various aspects of economic growth and development in India. The other experts, including Shilpi, Shashen, Sonal Singh, Ravi and Arun, spoke on FDI and other related issues.

— Contributed by Sunit Dhawan