Monthly Archives: April 2015

Azim Premji attends RSS function, creates ripples

April 6, 2015Business & Economy, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, Leadersmpositiveone@gmail.com

Premji said he was "not a political person" but "deeply interested in and concerned about my country". — Premji said he was “not a political person” but “deeply interested in and concerned about my country”.

New Delhi :

Wipro chairperson Azim Premji on Sunday caused ripples of surprise when he attended Rashtriya Sewa Sangam, a meeting of NGOs organized by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

Premji was invited by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat who was present on the dais when the entrepreneur-philanthropist addressed the gathering.

Admitting that “some people expressed apprehension” over his participation at an RSS meet on the ground that it would be “seen as endorsing the ideology of the Sangh”, Premji said that “merely speaking at a particular forum does not in any way mean that one endorses all, or any, of the views that might be expressed at the forum, or which may be held by the organizers”.

Premji said he was “not a political person” but “deeply interested in and concerned about my country”.

Focusing primarily on education as the ultimate game changer, Premji also told the gathering of nearly 500 NGOs – mostly Sangh affiliates – that as a “great pluralistic nation, we must accept our differences”.

“It is vital that we accept them and find a common ground to work together. Negative people only focus on differences. How empowering it would be for us as a nation if we focus on common causes,” Premji said. “If there are differences of views or divergence of ideas, they can only be resolved through discussion and dialogue,” he added.

Detailing the work done by his foundation and university – both named after him – Premji stressed on the need to improve governance, weed out corruption and ensure safety for children, women and disadvantaged sections. Terming government investment in education – 2.8% of GDP – to be “woefully inadequate”, he said it had reached 3.5% in most developing countries and 5%-6% in the developed world. Higher expenditure, he said, needed political will and prioritization.

Premji said based on the experience of his foundation and university, there was a need for government to strongly and visibly reaffirm the importance of quality public education as it was “foundational to democracy and helps beak down social and economic inequalities” so that an equitable society can be built. He also said many excellent policies and intentions of the government were poorly executed on the ground.

The Wipro founder said change in education system was possible only if all stakeholders worked together, especially teachers. He highlighted the critical role of teachers and how they needed to be empowered and given “adequate voice”. Premji suggested reforms in Cluster and Block Resource Centres as well as 600-plus District Institutes of Educational Training.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> India / by Akshaya Mukul, TNN / April 06th, 2015

Off to English teachers’ meet in Britain

April 6, 2015Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, World Opinionmpositiveone@gmail.com

Two teachers from the district will fly to the city of Manchester in the U.K. next week to a participate in the International English Teachers’ conference being organised by the International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (IATEFL), a forum working for linking, developing and supporting English language teaching professionals from across the world.

“We are the only two from the State to attend the conference this time, as far as we know,” said K.T. Muhammed Hashim, one of the invited teachers. While Mr. Hashim is working with the Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Koyilandy, A.K. Syke, is a teacher with the Government Higher Secondary School Chorode, Vadakara.

The conference will be held from April 10 to 14.th. The teachers will be provided free admission to the conference besides food and shared accommodation. The duo was selected from many IATEFL member teachers who applied for the event after due screening process and presentation of assignments, said the teachers. “Both of us have earlier presented papers at international conferences, including the Teacher Educators’ conference (TEC) of British Council held at Hyderabad,” said Mr. Hashim.

The conference, a major English Language Teaching (ELT) event comprising pre-conference sessions, symposiums, interactive sessions and exhibitions will have over 500 talks, workshops and seminars. “

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Karnataka / by Jabir Mushthari / Kozhikode – April 02nd, 2015

MDFA ‘B’ Division Super League : Exciting win for Mysuru Muslims FC

April 6, 2015Sportsmpositiveone@gmail.com

Mysuru :

Mysuru Muslims FC helped by goals from forwards Mudapeer (25th), Muddassir (34th) and Humeer (55th), registered a exciting 3-2 win over Soniya FC in the MDFA ‘B’ Division Super League tie played at the University Grounds yesterday.

Aanid Jain (8th) and Fairoz (15th) reduced the margin for Soniya FC. Rizwan (25th minute) and Zain (38th min) of Mysuru Muslims FC were given yellow cards for dangerous play while Revanth of Soniya FC received a yellow card for a foul in the 54th minute of the game.

Mysuru Muslims have played two games and have won one and lost one, while Soniya FC have played two and have drawn one and lost one game.

Cariappa scores match winner

A match winning goal by right-in Cariappa (10th min) helped Challenge Union FC to register a narrow 1-0 win over Bravers FC in the MDFA ‘B’ Division super-league tie played at the University grounds here on Sunday.

Challenge Union FC secured 3 points from this win. Lallu of Bravers FC received a yellow card in the 15th minute of the game for dangerous play.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports News / Tuesday, March 31st, 2015

A.P.J. Abdul Kalam call for Culture of Excellence

April 6, 2015Education, Leaders, Science & Technologympositiveone@gmail.com

Ignites young minds at the valedictory of SJCE Golden Jubilee celebration

Former President and Scientist Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (second from left) is seen at the valedictory function of the Golden Jubilee celebration of SJCE in city this morning. Others seen are (from left) Mayor R. Lingappa; Suttur Seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji, Education Minister R.V. Deshpande, MLA Vasu and MUDA Chairman K.R. Mohan Kumar.

Mysuru :

There was an unprecedented cheering as he stepped on the dais. His modest appearance, humility and a compassionate smile made an indelible mark on the minds of the young and the old present at the valedictory function of the Golden Jubilee Celebration of Sri Jayachamarajendra College of Engineering (SJCE) here this morning. Former President of India and Scientist Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s presence on the stage was both emphatic and enigmatic.

In his valedictory address, Dr. Abdul Kalam urged the youth of the country to “go beyond religion, region and nationality” and “take up the collective task of overcoming hatred through policy, products, people and ideas.”

He lauded the efforts of SJCE in delivering a robust educational service and for shaping the young minds.

Addressing the students, Dr. Kalam spoke on the topic, ‘Technology and Societal Transformation.’ He opined that what had worked yesterday would not work today and called for a “Culture of Excellence” driven by innovation and creativity. He asked the students not to be deterred by failure and emphasised on the power of knowledge to change the society on the whole.

Dr. Kalam, due to his tight schedule, was not able to interact with the students. However, he asked them to mail their opinions about the question: What do you like to be remembered for?

He asked whether the students wanted to be remembered for their invention, innovation, discovery and the like or was it anything else. He has asked them to mail their opinions to: apj@abdulkalam.com and said that he would present books to the best opinion among the lot.

Speaking on the occasion, Suttur Mutt Seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji said that SJCE is one of the leading technological colleges in the country and acknowledged the efforts of everyone who had been a part of the college over the past 50 years.

Minister for Higher Education and Tourism R.V. Deshpande presided. Mayor R. Lingappa, MLA Vasu, JSS Mahavidyapeetha Executive Secretary B.N. Betkerur, Director (Technical Education) Prof. M.H. Dhananjaya, JSS University VC Dr. B. Suresh, MUDA Chairman K.R. Mohan Kumar and SJCE Principal Dr. Syed Shakeeb-Ur-Rahman were present.

A rare occasion for Ronaldo

It was a dream-come-true for Ronaldo Laishram, a Manipuri student studying Computer Science Engineering at SJCE, when he was called on stage and was honoured by his idol Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

Laishram is credited for discovering Main Belt Asteroid ‘MAUR 397,’ as part of All India Asteroid Search Campaign (AIASC) in December, 2014. Ronaldo and his team — Team Salonivia Conquerors — using exclusive data to look at specific parts of the sky and a complex procedure called “Astrometrica,” tracked objects by looking at the images of the sky provided by a telescope based in the US to see which of the objects moving over time could be a possible asteroid. An elated and excited Laishram sought the blessings of Dr. Kalam by falling at his feet.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Tuesday, March 31st, 2015

PH. D Awardees

April 5, 2015Educationmpositiveone@gmail.com

The University of Mysore has awarded Ph.D in Social Work to C.A. Noor Mubasheer for her thesis ‘A Study on Occupational Stress and Family Environment of Women Teachers (With Reference to Under-Graduate College in Mysore City)’ submitted under the guidance of Dr. R. Shivappa.

H.P. Jyothi has been awarded Ph.D in Social Work by UoM for her thesis ‘A Study on Social Work Education in Karnataka’ submitted under the guidance of Dr. TBBSV Ramanaiah.

P. Vanitha Reddy has been awarded Ph.D in Food Science and Nutrition by UoM for her thesis ‘Morus Indica: Biochemical and Nutritional Studies with Special Reference to Cholesterol Metabolism’ submitted under the guidance of Dr. Asna Urooj.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / March 30th, 2015

Plea to Celebrate Quli Qutb Shah Birthday as State Fete

April 5, 2015Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, Travel & Tourismmpositiveone@gmail.com

Hyderabad :

Fondly remembering Quli Qutb Shah, the founder of Hyderabad City, on his 449th birth anniversary here on Saturday, several organisations have demanded the state government to give him the due respect he commanded.

“On his birth anniversary, we appeal to the government to build a bronze statue of the ruler at one of the prominent locations in Hyderabad,” K Chiranjeevi, convener of Hyderabad Deccan Democratic Alliance, said.

The members of the organisation also requested the government to declare his birthday as a state festival, to create awareness among the people about the accomplished ruler.

‘’Since the government is planning to change the syllabus of schools from next year, the government should ensure that the achievements of Quli Qutb Shah are also included in the syallabus,” L Panduranga Reddy, president, Voice of Telangana, said.

Organisations such as Voice of Telangana, Hyderabad Deccan Democratic Alliance, 1969 Telangana Movement Forum etc have paid tributes to Quli Qutb Shah at his tombs on the occasion. Remembering the erstwhile ruler, Captain Chiranjeevi said that his period of rule was considered the golden period of Qutub Shahi dynasty.

He modelled Hyderabad on the lines of the then legendary city of Esfahan, Persia.

“He was one of the most secular leaders of the times. His style of ruling attracted great leaders like Akbar who sent their men to his embassy,” he said, further adding, “He took special interest in sketching the design of Hyderabad and also, built Charminar when people started dying of plague.”

Speaking of his poetic skills, Panduranga Reddy of the Voice of Telangana said, “He was an accomplished poet who wrote verses in Urdu, Persian and Telugu under the pen name Mani. His poetry is complied in a book under the name Kuliyat Kuli,” he said.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Telangana / by Express News Service / April 05th, 2015

Telangana govt to fund Old City woman’s pilot training

April 5, 2015Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, Science & Technology, Transportmpositiveone@gmail.com

Hyderabad :

The Telangana government is all set to give wings to a girl from the Old City. Poised for flight, Salwa Fatima, who is the first pilot from purana shahar, will be given Rs 35.5 lakh so as to enable her to soar the skies, this time, in a multi-engine aircraft.

Highly placed sources told STOI on Saturday that the chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has sanctioned the funds. A government order (GO) will be issued to the effect next week.

“Taking a keen interest, the CM has treated the case of Salwa Fatima as a “special case,” said Syed Omar Jaleel , special secretary, minorities welfare department. Describing Salwa as a “young girl who shows immense promise”, he added, “The funds will be released in two instalments. They will be given directly to the aviation school where Salwa will be studying. The GO will be released soon.” There exists a precedent of the government granting aid to an individual – to a boy from the SC community, Jaleel observed.

Thanks to the large heartedness of philanthropists, family and her own unbending resolve, Salwa, who already has a commercial pilot license to fly a single engine aircraft, has already clocked over 200 hours of flying. And as a logical conclusion, she wants to upgrade her flying skills to multi-engine aircraft. “In order to do this, I will have to take two courses: the multiengine rating and a specialisation course called type rating. For the former, I will need to have 15 hours of flying in a multiengine aircraft and 10 hours of simulation. The latter will enable me to fly an airbus,” she says. She is still unaware of the CM giving his assent to the release of funds.

The girl, who is a healthy blend of the traditional and the modern, says that she has shortlisted the GMR Aviation Academy and the Telangana State Aviation Academy as her preferred flying schools. “Both courses put together will entail expenses of around Rs 35 lakh,” she says.

Positive about support from her in-laws, she continues, “My husband and in-laws are in fact supportive of my aspirations. There is a tradition of women working here. In fact, my parents wanted me to go to a family which encourages me to work.”

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hyderabad / by Syed Mohammed, TNN / March 22nd, 2015

Clicking his way to glory

April 2, 2015Arts, Culture & Entertainmentmpositiveone@gmail.com

Over the last few years, Sadat Ahmedy, a final year mechanical engineering student at Sri Sairam College of Engineering, has slowly but steadily expanded his resume. While most engineering students in their final year have to compromise on extra-curricular activities, Sadat balances out his schedule to fit in all his interests, which include teaching, modelling, fashion photography and cinematography and fashion stage direction.

The 21-year-old says, “My life is balanced. For the past six years, I have stopped relying on my father for financial issues because I wanted to do something different and something on my own. I have a very planned life, where I know what I have to do and when, so I adjust my college timings accordingly. I make sure my extra-curricular activities don’t clash with my college work”

The journey began with a model hunt. “I auditioned for a model hunt, where I was one of the top finalists from Bengaluru. After this, I started working with a designer from the City. I did my first print ad after this for Wrangler and also worked with a few other brands. I was a print ad model for 11 months but then I realised I want to do something innovative, something related to the fashion industry, because it has been so nice and supportive of me. I really wanted to do something big.”

The next ‘big thing’ came to Sadat in the form of his father and a camera. “I asked my father to buy me a camera and I started clicking pictures. Although I submitted my photographs to a few magazines, I wasn’t happy. So I became the official photographer for Megamart where I clicked the profile photos of over 60 models.” He has also worked with Parvathy Omanakuttan.

Talking about his photos, he says, “I started with landscapes and monuments but I’m the seed of fashion so that’s where I ended up. In most pictures, what people portray is plastic. I believe in earthy beauty and I use models who don’t need a lot of make-up and don’t do a lot of post-editing. I want to redefine the word ‘fashion’,” he says.

He says fashion is something that can’t be constrained and evolves at all times. With this in mind, he took to directing fashion shows recently. His first show was in Mysuru, which saw a crowd of over 2000 people.

He proudly says, “In my second show in Chennai, I was called the ‘Youngest Entrepreneur’ in South India.”

Sadat already has plans for another show and he is trying to make it as innovative as possible.

“I want to use models who aren’t normally seen on the runway, not anorexic models. I want it to be completely different and new. We have adapted the Western anorexic culture which needs to be cut down. Beauty, according to me, is what one feels about themselves and not what another person thinks of you.”

On a mission to break change the fashion industry, Sadat sums up by saying, “A plus-sized lady can wear a gown or a stiletto and still look fashionable…we need to break such stereotypes.”

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Supplements> MetroLife / by Ananya Revanna / Bangalore – DHNS, March 12th, 2015