Educationists debate role of teacher in a
global village
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 20
The Amity Institute of Education (AIE) held a day-long seminar on ‘Internationalization of Education-The Role of Indian Teacher’ at the AIE campus, Saket, on Saturday. Educationists from CBSE, NCERT, SCERT, IGNOU and various schools of Delhi presented their views on the Indian response to international competitiveness in school education.

Entry of foreign education systems in India pose a serious threat to our institutions, and therefore, the transformation of the education system was necessary. We the planners and teachers must plan time-bound steps keeping in mind our positive merits,” said Prof Hari Gautam, the former Chairman of UGC.

Dr G Balasubramanian, Director (Academic), CBSE, mentioned: “The most important aspect of the Indian curriculum is the ethos and culture of our country. One of the constraints faced by the teacher is the denial of access to the last child and we must work towards improving on that.” “Teachers must understand the social psychology of human growth and development,” said Prof. C.N. Nagraju, HOD, Teacher Education, NCERT.

In his remarks on the topic, Prof. Khandelwal, Director, NIEPA, stressed that teaching aids are just supplements and cannot rule out the teacher.

A number of school principals also presented their views on the subject. “Education is not something where the same yardstick can be applied across the globe. The member countries are already committed to trade in education under the GATS (General Agreement on Trade in Services). As a result of GATS, the non-organized private education suppliers would be the first one to gain”, said Ms Kusum Warikoo, Principal, Sardar Patel School, Lodi Estate. “There are five internal pointers which can help us understand globalization: commitment to learner, commitment to society, commitment to profession, commitment to excellence and commitment to basic human values-it is through these that we can address the issue of humane education with globalization”, said Ms Lata Vaidyanathan, Principal, Modern School. Summing up the discussion, Ms Vibha Parthasarthy, President, Gujarat Education Society mentioned that grassroot level research is a must. “In the years to come, technology is going to dictate a lot of things and therefore, science teaching would gain ground”, she added.

Prof Sudesh Mukhopadhyay, of NIEPA, elaborated on the 3 C’s of education-commitment, competence and confidence. Prof. Janaki Rajan, Director, SCERT, said: “Teachers now are also being seen as the creator of textual material, no longer do students like to go through the age-old text-books and therefore, it becomes essential that teachers brush up on their communication skills”.

While addressing the over 200 teachers present, Prof S C Garg, Pro-VC, IGNOU, said: “As an Indian teacher ambassador, you must imbibe the values and ethos that India is known for and must show the flexibility to change”.

Certificates of participation were awarded to the students pursuing B.Ed programmes at AIE. “Amity Institute of Education is recognized by the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE). This seminar is the fourth in a series of seminars organized by AIE to bring teachers on a common platform”, said Dr Ranjana Bhatia, Principal, AIE.

Teachers’ union announces dharnas
against ‘Model Act’
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 20
Upset by the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) proposed ‘Model Act for Universities of the 21st Century’, the Delhi University Teachers Association (DUTA) and Federation of Central Universities Teachers Association (FEDCUTA) have announced dharnas to register their protest.

“The DUTA along with the Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) and Delhi University Karamchari Union (DUKU) will organise a two-hour dharna in every college of the University tomorrow. On the 22nd January there will be a complete bandh as the FEDCUTA has given the call for a complete bandh of all central universities”, said the president of the DUTA, Dr. Aditya N Mishra.

Teacher’s bodies across the country have been vociferously opposing the ‘Model Act’.

The FEDCUTA sees the Act as a means for “paving the way for total privatisation and commercialisation of higher education”.

Academics have pointed out that the proposed Act will discourage higher learning and encouraging distance learning will seriously hamper the growth of disciplines like Social Sciences and Humanities.

“The ‘Model Act’ will discourage the poor from seeking education”, adds Mr Mishra.

The secretary of DUTA, Dr. Jaswinder Singh, pointed out that “through the Act they want to replace classroom teaching with distance learning. They talk of learning through the Internet, but how many people in the country have access to the Internet?”

GLITZ & GLAMOUR
An end to your quest for fashion addresses in
Milan and Paris
Smriti Kak

NEXTT 2000, a fashion label for men and women, is “all set to lend a new look, style and character to the fashion world and rewrite one’s passion for fashion” with their party collection 2004. NEXTT 2000 collection is “for the most sophisticated, yet stylish people of the new millennium in different and innovative fabrics and styles”.

Among other claims the NEXTT 2000 hi-fashion party wear is, according to its makers, “an end to the quest of people frequenting fashion addresses in Milan, France and London for most stylish and sophisticated clothes”.

The collection comprises of men’s and women’s wardrobe, complete with accessories, including belts, ties, handbags, wallets, boots and shoes. A New Kids store has also been added in the recent months.

Announcing the launch of the party collection, Mr. Iqbal Singh Brar, the man behind NEXTT 2000, says: “I travel extensively to all the fashion hubs in Europe to provide our discerning customers in India the best and latest in International fashion. NEXTT 2000 clothes are crafted to perfection, keeping in mind the Indian body chemistry. The entire collection is the most innovative range with a perfect blend of style and comfort .Our collection is replenished and upgraded every month to giver our customers the best in latest fashion”.

He adds, “We have exclusivity in each and every collection. NEXTT 2000 is a fashion statement in itself”. Apart from eulogising the collection, Mr. Singh also offered a few fashion trends, “White and black are really in this season. The fabrics for this season for men, women and kids are lots of cool and light fabric suits for men, skirts, trousers, jackets and trendy tops for women, light pullovers, polo necks, round necks, cool strip suits, lots of nice fitted outfits with new and innovative colours to try”.

Neuron has ventured into kidswear with their line ‘Neuron Kids’.

Neuron has also ventured into kidswear with their line ‘Neoron Kids’. Made from pure cotton, the series “sets the rhythm for today’s `Gen Next kids’. The collection includes various designs to please the little wonders: there are mud washed denim pants with styling of cord pockets and dye cut appliqué. The denims are crafted to provide comfort as well as the cool look.

The colour palette is bright, there are yellows, oranges and blues to brighten the mood.

Lacoste has unveiled its Autumn Winter collection titled Aberdeen. The collection is inspired by Aberdeen in Scotland, a place that brings to the mind the land of flowers and colours.

It is being described as, “a stylish elemental and sophisticated range available in enchanting colours”. The range includes polos, jackets, shirts and trousers for men.

In the accessories section, there are new products from the house of Hidesign. The Tokyo Collection includes a range of “crafted bags made from soft and supple leather”. The collection is inspired by the “soft hobos of the 70s, a trend back in the streets of Tokyo”.

The I- Merc collection from Scullers is shouting, “Checks are back”. A range of shirts in bright, washed yarn dyed checks, the collection comprises of shirts in both full as well as short sleeves. The colours are bright in red, yellow, purple and olive.

Mostrela, a label for women, has also launched its winter 2003-04 collection. Available in various vibrant colours such as fuchsia, lime, orange, red, dark lemon, black and mauve, the collection, claim its makers ``is a fashion statement in itself and is all set to rule the winter fashions”.

Models displaying seamless clothes at a fashion show jointly organized by seamless technology giants CF ITALIA of Italy and ALT of India.

The collection comprises Swarovski and Sequined formal wear, bulky knits and stripes in casual styles, tie and dye and fancy prints in semi-formals. Announcing the launch of Winter 2003-04 Collection, Mr. Sumit Khanna, says, “The Winter 2003-04 Collection is specially made for fashion connoisseurs who only demand the very best. Mostrela’s sensual hi-fashion wear comes in light pastels and bright vivacious colours. Latest International trends are strictly adhered to. The entire collection is the most innovative range of knitwear in the market with a perfect blend of style and comfort, exploring the passion of the young women, who desire to be adventurous and dynamic”.

Donjuan, the self proclaimed “Knits with the ultimate snob value,” have also come out in the show windows. A range of pullovers, zipper jackets and overshirts for men, the collection comprises a host of styles in various colours, shades and yarns.

The collection includes crew neck, T-neck, V-neck, Round-neck pullovers and zippers, zipper jackets and overshirts. They are available in various vibrant colours such as Red, Sage, Orange, Purple, Strawberry, Pale Yellow, Dark Wine, Grey Mélange, Maroon, Navy Blue and Black.

W, the latest winter collection, includes a co-ordinated range of India wear. The range comprises five themes — reversible waistcoats, unbuttoned short coats and striped shawls.

W has also introduced embroidered long coats with lengthy side slits, which can be worn with salwar kameez. In the colour section, deep tones of blue, including midnight and cobalt, have been balanced with earthy shades of rust and brick.

Paris to honour Hemant Sagar

India born international couturier Hemant Sagar and French partner Didier Lacoanet will be honoured at Paris. The duo will receive their award from the Mayor, Mr. M. Delanoe, on January 23, representing the Pret-a Porter Fair as the biggest success story in prêt for 2004.

The 17 trade fairs concerning textiles, home furnishings and fashion held in the city of Paris have been put into a single group by the Mayor of Paris under the name of “Paris Capital of Creation” (Paris Capitale de la Creation). This campaign is an association to promote creations in Paris.

Each of the 17 trade fairs have selected a designer or company to represent their specific profession for 2004, and the ‘Prêt-a-Porter’ has chosen ‘Lecoanet Hemant’.

Says a proud Hemant, “The year has been a challenging one for us and the source of real achievement for us is that we have managed to create the prêt line that won us so much accolades this year from our factory in New Delhi”.

The name Lecoanet Hemant, conjured up between the surname of Frenchman Didier Lecoanet and Indo-German Hemant Sagar, has been a part of the Haute Couture Establishment in Paris since two decades and is now setting up an additional base in Delhi.