'Unworthy' Deemed Universities

The Human Resource Development Ministry has sent final notices to the 44 deemed universities that were found “unworthy” of the tag by P.N. Tandon review panel. Centre has asked all these universities to give a satisfactory explanation on the deficiencies pointed out by the review panel. Many of these universities have inadequate infrastructure and faculty and do not qualify for the deemed university status. This is the last chance for these institutes to retain their 'deemed university' status.

Source: www.indiaeducationreview.com, January 28, 2011

A very welcome step from the HRD Ministry!

The strength of a nation is its youth. Quality of education cannot be compromised if India has to make an impact on the global power map. We need good technologists, economists, businessmen, thinkers and policy makers to take the country to a leadership position in the world.

Strong and fair regulating bodies are necessary to ensure smooth functioning of all national development sectors. The eduction sector comprises of government and private run institutions. Both should be under the scanner. Regulating bodies must take a physical audit of all the institutions rather than be satisfied with data provided by them.

Any university has to get approval from the UGC before starting its operations. The fact that 44 deemed Universities have been served notices is an eye-opener on the manner in which they would have got approval to conduct their business and issue degrees. In India, most deemed universities are started by private trusts constituted by politicians. An investigation needs to be carried out on the approval committee that gave a go ahead to each of these universities. This will sent a strong message to future experts on the committee that they should not be working under political or other pressures.

India will reap the benefits of good governance in its education sector in the long run. The key to it is stringent criteria, regular audits and appropriate action. Let us hope that the HRD ministry is now able to take action in a reasonable time frame, without letting dubious institutions slip out of any loopholes!

© Sujata Khanna. All rights reserved.

Resilience

If you are going through a tough phase in your life, it is time to brace up to one fact. You and only you can make your fortunes turn. Is there any successful person who has not had to face adversity? Ask them how they handled it, and you will get one answer- resilence.

Here is some food for thought!

“Put three pots of water on a fire. In the first pot put some carrots. In the second pot, put some eggs. In the third pot, put some ground coffee beans. Boil all the pots for 15 minutes.

The carrots went in hard, they are now soft. The eggs went in soft inside. They are now hard inside. The coffee beans have imparted the water with colour and a wonderful smell.

The problems of life are like the boiling water! What happens to us when we face difficulties in our life? 

We can be like carrots. We go in tough and strong, we come out soft and weak. We get tired. We lose hope. There is no more fighting spirit left in us.

We can be like eggs. We start with a soft and sensitive heart, expecting to do good and get good. We end up hard and unfeeling inside. We hate others, we become embittered. We don’t like ourselves anymore.

We can be like coffee beans. The water does not change the coffee beans, the coffee beans change the water. See it! Smell it! Taste it! The hotter the water, the better the taste. We can adapt. We can learn from the problems we face, garner new knowledge, get new skills…. We can grow in experience. We can make the world around us better!"

How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?

It is important to understand that success is, among other things, a function of your ability to respond effectively to adversities. Remember, all setbacks are temporary and every failure is a lesson. Do not lose sight of your goals. Review your approach to handle the current situation and just keep doing things you need to do. When the going is really tough, it is all the more important to take care of yourself. Eat right, read inspirational material, listen to motivational songs. Believe in yourself and surround yourself with people who have a positive outlook. Negative people can de-motivate you…disassociate from them if you can.

When the hours are the darkest and trials are their greatest only patience, perseverance and tenacity can help you get on top of the situation.

© Sujata Khanna. All rights reserved.

Another terror alert!

Indian authorities have deployed thousands of security personnel following warnings that Lashkar-e-Taiba, the Pakistan-based militant group, is planning an attack over the New Year weekend. Police officers and paramilitaries were on high alert across the country, including in India's financial capital, Mumbai, Indian officials said. House-to-house searches were under way in some areas of the city, which was attacked by Lashkar-e-Taiba in November 2008. Airports and railway stations, the city of Ahmedabad in the western state of Gujarat and the popular beach resort state of Goa were also on high alert following the warning, said to be based on "human" intelligence and received in recent days. Most of the locations covered by the alert had been visited by David Headley, a Pakistani-American and member of Lashkar-e-Taiba who travelled widely in India before the Mumbai attack.

Source: www.guardian.co.uk, December 28, 2010

India has been plagued with myriad problems, but none as devastating as the problem of cross-border terrorism. No simple solution can be offered. The government must be on high alert at all times, improve intelligence and tighten security processes.  But these are only reactionary measures. Countering terrorism requires a comprehensive solution, one that involves policy changes, systemic reforms and tough implementation.

Police and other security forces reforms

• Improving the salary and benefits of security forces is extremely important. Facilities like good schooling for children, housing and adequate retirement benefits will enhance the ‘national sense’ in the people who are going to cover our backs. Patriotism and the sense of sacrifice cannot be cultivated on an “empty stomach”, especially when you can see your political bosses stuffing themselves!
• The police force must be equipped with high quality armour, weapons and other gear so they can effectively counter well-funded and techno-savvy terrorism.

Legal reforms

• A strict law must be passed to control and bring to book the activities of every organisation in the name of religion or charity. Security agencies must be empowered to periodic review and monitor these organisations.
• We, as citizens, must also co-operate in the processes that provide us security. Every citizen must have National Identification Card with a biological code, and produce it on demand without any ado.
• Where terrorism is concerned, quick judicial action and severe punishment are necessary. Once caught and interrogated, judicial action should be finished as quickly as possible. Quick deliverance of justice will ensure that terrorist organisations do not get the opportunity to free their imprisoned fellows through routes like hijack or kidnap.

Education system reforms

• The entire nation must have a common education syllabus up to high-school. This way, a common history, compulsory languages and a common ethos can be cultivated among children.  Religious bodies should not be allowed to open institutions of basic schooling, and religion should not be taught in schools; religious education must, entirely, be a personal and private matter, to be dealt with at home.
• Ideally, every adult youth, male or female, must be conscripted in to the army for a minimum period. However, there are infrastructural and resources issues involved in this. Hence, at least NCC training during the three years of college must be made compulsory.

Policy Reforms

• Vote bank politics must take a back seat to long term perspective on this issue. When it comes to national security, investigating agencies should be given complete independence and support by the all political parties.
• After the Mumbai Terror attacks, we have seen the lack of co-ordination and brick batting among the top security and intelligence spy agencies of our country (Navy, RAW, etc.) There has to be a common framework designed for these different authorities to come together on sharing information, planning and action, including disaster management.

Terrorism must be eliminated wherever it exists. It is an on-going process and cannot be successful without the support and everyday involvement of all the citizens of the country.

© Sujata Khanna. All rights reserved.