The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

NCERT books out, Russian ‘coup’ intact
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 7
Almost six months after the beginning of the current academic session, the students of History will finally get to see the books drafted by the NCERT, as part of their revised curriculum.

The ‘Ancient History’ textbooks, meant to be a part of the curriculum for class XI, were released here today. The printing of these books was earlier stayed by the Supreme Court after a writ petition was filed by activist Aruna Roy, journalist B. G. Verghese and others, alleging that the contents of the books supported the government’s communal agenda.

The apex court, however, spelt relief for the NCERT when it gave the council a go ahead to publish the books in September. The students bore the brunt of the delay and were made to study from old books and study notes drafted by the teachers.

Apart from the text of Ancient India, the Social Science book for classes VI and IX had also run into controversy. First, they were delayed on account of the stay order and later academicians slammed the books for containing factual errors.

Excerpts from the books revealed not just printing errors, but serious factual misappropriations like the Russian Revolution being described as a “coup” and Fascism and Nazism described as “a sort of counterpart of the dictatorship of the proletariat imposed by Stalin”.

The NCERT, however, denied the allegations and sought to make amends. In a statement issued here, the council’s Director, Prof J. S. Rajput, said that the references made were flawless and thoroughly researched. He also added that the publication of the new evidence (read reference to Nazism and Fascism) would serve to “break down the ideological iron curtain”, which hitherto prevented presentation to the public.

What remains to be seen however is how many schools will be opting for these new texts. “We will continue with the old books since most of the portions have been already covered. It makes no sense to opt for the new syllabus in class XI though we are following the new texts in classes VI and IX,” said Mr S. S. Minhas, principal, GHPS, Vasant Vihar.

Plan to set up business varsity in Noida
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 7
Industrialist Suresh Nanda has announced an investment of Rs 40 crore in setting up a business university in Noida as part of his proposed education plan for the state. The current project envisages the setting up of a business university of international standards that specialises in offering masters courses in Business Administration and Engineering with a focus on information technology.

This top-of-the-line university would offer state-of-the-art facilities, including rooms equipped with Internet connections. Visits of international faculty will be a regular feature at the university. To ensure that the benefits of the university percolate to even the economically weak sections, Mr Nanda proposes to introduce a number of scholarships so that qualified students can avail of these world-class facilities.

The UP Government has shown keen interest in the proposed project. Mr Nanda was recently in Lucknow in connection with the allotment of land for the proposed university. Elaborating on his plans, Mr Nanda said, “Education is the only tool towards the development and modernisation of any country. The state of UP will benefit immensely by establishing centres of higher education of global standards.”

CULTURE

ARTSCAPE
They leave lasting beauty at the Art Forum
Garima Pant

The playful moments of nature: The workmanship of Prem Singh.

The Art Forum organised an exhibition titled ‘The Principals of Art’. It is on display till November 20, involving the works of Niren Sen Gupta, Paramjeet Singh and Prem Singh. Niren Sen Gupta is the former principal of College of Art, Delhi.

According to him, “The feelings which I express in my work evolve and develop my emotional attachment affected by the happenings around me. The world finds itself and myself mirrored in my works formed by experience and reflection.”

An ardent observer of the monks at the Ramakrishna Mission, he has seen and felt them live out the philosophy propounded by Swami Vivekananda. He has found lasting beauty in the serenity of their total surrender to the mission.

Paramjeet Singh, the former principal of College of Art, Delhi, also has gained tremendous experience from the environment and the things happening around in life.

An emotional bondage: A painting by Paramjeet Singh.

According to the artist, “The transition has been repeated many times. Straight symbolic works to meditative exploration through the time. Human figures are placed in my composition, which position themselves in deep emotional and intimate surroundings. These human figures in my paintings have strong emotional bondage between the external and internal forces. The quiet relaxed looking figures relate each other yet remain sensitive individuals.” Prem Singh, the third artist of the group, is the former principal College of Art, Chandigarh, has based his inspiration on the endless source of nature. Nature is united by a chorus that is being continuously sung without a break for him and these sounds weave designs and patterns that create a spell on him. These moments are being reflected with their utmost sincerity in his latest collection of works.

A must read for girls

An artwork of Arup Das.

The well-known Tamil work of Anantanarayana Madhaviah has been translated and presented for the first time in English in the form of a novel ‘Padmavati’. He was an initiator of not only the Tamil novel but also of Indian writing in English. His early initiation in the art and craft of fiction spurred him to write a Tamil novel of ampler proportions. This became Padmavati Charithram. Part one of the novel was published in 1898 and part two will be published the next year. It is imperative for the young girls to read this novel, as it is like a preparation for their nuptial life. Madhaviah was tempted to write a sequel and began part three around 1924, but it was left incomplete because of his death.

‘Padmavati’ is an engaging story about the maturing personality of a young and cheerful girl, born into the unyielding precincts of Brahmin domesticity. The other characters include the high-minded and self-correcting, Narayanan; his mother, who is illiterate and widow but holds a great deal of self-respect; Gopalan, who is Narayanan’s best friend with whom he temporarily drifts apart due to the mischief of Gopalan’s younger brother; Sangu, a very colourful villain and Savithri, Gopalan’s elder sister, who is wise and mature beyond her age and is idealised by all. This novel symbolises the beginning of a new genre - the novel of existing life and society in Tamil prose of supple vitality, simplicity and lightness of touch.

Traditional lamps

The festival of lights, Divali, was celebrated with all its gaiety and fervor in the Capital. Numerous programmes and exhibitions were organised in the Capital to mark the festival. The Crafts Museum organised an exhibition “Traditional Lamps”. On the propitious occasion of Devali, special candles and diyas were on sale. The exhibition will be on view till November 27. The Gallery Freedom has organised an exhibition of paintings and sculptures titled ‘The Grand Divali Show’. It included the works of artists like Jatin Das, Arup Das, Dhiraj Choudhury, Jogen Chowdhury, Nandgopal, Paritosh Sen, Ramananda Bandhopadhyay, Suhas Roy and Sunil Das.

The exhibition will be on view till November 20. Divali melas and cultural programmes were held in various parts of the city and attracted hordes of people.

An inventive artist

An exhibition titled ‘Mahabharat Series’ is on view in the Capital at the Vadehra Art Gallery till November 20. The paintings are the work of noted artist Arup Das. Born in Bengal, Arup Das trained at the Government College of Arts and Crafts, Calcutta. Since his first solo exhibition in 1954, he exhibited more than 20 one-man shows and participated in many group exhibitions both in India and abroad.

A Delhi-based figurative painter, he is also a noted muralist. He shows great skill in handling aqueous medium and oil, and he is particularly happy and inventive working with mixed media. A must watch for all ardent art lovers.