Category Archives: Education

Three Dalit students from ‘Super 30’ bag medical seats

June 28, 2015Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, Leadersmpositiveone@gmail.com

Collector (in-charge) Madhusoodhan Reddy congratulating the ‘Super 30’ group students who have been allotted seats in medical colleges, in Perambalur on Saturday.

Standing on the threshold of realising his childhood dream of becoming a doctor, B.Prasanth, an Arunthathiyar student from a poor family of agricultural labourers from Irur in Perambalur district, is not sure whether his mother would be able to raise the fee for the course.

He is one of the three Dalit students who have secured MBBS admission from a group of 57 students who were handpicked from government schools of the district for special coaching in Plus-Two under the ‘Super 30’ initiative of the district administration. A Dalit girl has bagged a BDS seat, bringing acclaim to the district and the special initiative.

With a Plus-Two score of 1,108 marks and a cut-off of 193.25, Prasanth has been allotted a seat in the Chenglepet Government Medical College. Prasanth is supported by his mother, a farm hand. His father, also a farm worker, spends most of his earnings on liquor.

“I have to pay a fee of Rs.11,000 now. My mother is trying to raise the money and officials have promised to arrange for a loan. But I am not sure whether these will materialise. I am looking for sponsors,” he said speaking to The Hindu over phone.

P.Prakash of Ladapuram, with 1,140 marks in Plus-Two, and T.Aravindaraj of Kolathur, with a score of 1,119, have been allotted seats in the Stanley Government Medical College and Tuticorin Medical College, respectively. M.Manjula of Nattarmangalam, with a cut-off of 191.75, has been allotted a BDS seat in the Chennai Government Dental College and stands a chance of getting a MBBS seat as she is on the wait list. Inspired by District Collector Darez Ahamed, Prakash wants to enter the Civil Services after MBBS.

All the four students belong to poor families of agricultural labourers, says N.Jayaraman, district coordinator, ‘Super 30’. There are about 15-20 other students from the group with good engineering cut-off marks and are hopeful of getting BE seats, he said. A brainchild of Mr.Darez Ahamed, the ‘Super 30’ idea is being implemented over the past couple of years in the district.

All are from poor agricultural families and need assistance to pursue studies

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Tamil Nadu / by S. Ganesan / Perambalur – June 28th, 2015

For the love of teaching

June 27, 2015Education, Green Products, Leaders, NRI's / PIO'smpositiveone@gmail.com

A Full circle

Tasneem Fathima Khaleel has had a successful career in academia. However, quite remarkably, she came back to where she started – teaching. M A Siraj reports.

Few people end their careers where they first began; Professor Tasneem Fathima Khaleel is among those few. “I am excited about the opportunity to finish my career in the classroom. And, with a little help, I will be teaching in a new state-of-the-art facility,” says Tasneem, the first-ever woman to have obtained a doctorate in the State of Mysore in 1970. Prior to returning as a professor of Botany, she served as the dean of faculty at College of Arts & Sciences for a decade at the Montana State University at Billings (MUSB).

Paving a new path

Tasneem has been teaching Botany in the United States for over 40 years and has received many awards for her teaching and research. She has headed, or has been a member on as many as 23 different academic bodies or advisory councils in the US. For her contribution to research, with nearly 50 research publications on subjects ranging from cyto-embriology to plant reproduction, she was awarded the ‘Outstanding Research Award’ in 1995 by the Montana Research Academy and has also won the Faculty Excellence Award five times.

The year 2014 was a special year for Tasneem – she had the rare honour of an award being named after her, for mentoring at the MUSB. Reno Charette, director for American-Indian Education, was adjudged the winner of the first ‘Prof Tasneem Fathima Khaleel Award for Mentoring’.

Tasneem studied in Bengaluru, before heading to the US in 1975 after marriage. An alumna of Central College, Bengaluru, she has coveted every opportunity to visit her ‘City of Gardens’ – which she ruefully admits is more a part of nostalgia rather than reality.

A passionate researcher, she recalls that very few women could be seen in higher studies in those days. Only a couple of them were pursuing PhD while she was registered in Bangalore University as well as teaching biology as an assistant professor at the University of Agricultural Sciences at Hebbal between 1968 and 1975. Her study of ‘Flora at the GKVK Campus’ and ‘Weeds in Karnataka’ are still quoted as seminal works.

Writing her own destiny

Tasneem had finished her BSc and MSc by the time she was barely 19 years old. Wanting to be a teacher, she had put in her application, but was rejected, as the dean told her, “You look like a school girl, how would the students take you
seriously?”

Instead, he directed her to register for a PhD programme, which had just been started in the Bangalore University. The Doctorate took longer than usual to complete because there was lack of guidance and direction, and the programme had several fits and starts.

Finally, at 26 when she got her her doctorate, she was being looked as ‘a confirmed spinster’ in her own cultural surroundings. Marriage was nowhere on her mental radar. It took her brother several sittings to convince her of getting married.

Tasneem travelled a long and twisted path – one shaped by her culture and her drive to excel, to become the distinguished professor that she is today. For most Americans who had only preliminary idea of Islam, a woman with covered head and such drive for excellence and perseverance was a combination of incongruities. “Women have rights in Islam. Muslim women didn’t even have to fight for those rights. The religion has given them those rights,” she says.

Dr Stn Waitr, her successor, says, “Dean Khaleel has raised the level of rigour, excellence and success in the College of Arts & Sciences to a standard that should serve as a model for the entire institution.” Interestingly, Tasneem even built a herbarium at the MUSB, which has around 17,000 specimens and is currently engaged in digitising it. She recalls with pride that she was the most productive member on the faculty of science at the MSU, which has nearly 22,000 students today in two campuses. Tasneem’s most significant discovery was the finding of mammalian steroids in plants, which she says, are responsible for sex expression in plants.

Author of four books, 10 external and 17 internal grants at the MSUB, Tasneem is excited about beginning her teaching career once again. “It had never ended. I had maintained a room in my department building, even while I headed the faculty,” she says.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Supplements > She / by M.A. Siraj, DHNS / June 27th, 2015

This Boy From Kashmir Got Into IIT, But Can’t Afford The Rs 10,000 Counselling Fee

June 27, 2015Community Involvement / Social Issues, Educationmpositiveone@gmail.com

Not many possess the willpower to overcome obstacles and emerge victorious against all odds. But Zahid Ahmad Qureshi is one who has fought life’s several battles – living without parents, poverty etc, to accomplish his dream.

At 21, Zahid made his grandparents proud when he cracked IIT.

Zahid’s father was killed by suspected militants when he was just two months old. His mother remarried and he was left at the mercy of his old grandparents, who themselves needed attention and care. But guess destiny was in Zahid’s favour and he was lucky to have such grandparents who supported him even while facing extreme impoverishment.

Until 10 years back, his 96-year-old grandfather Azizullah Qureshi ran a small makeshift tea stall in Kupwara town to make ends meet. Despite facing extreme poverty, Zahid’s grandparents sent him to school and he did not let them down. A bright student since his childhood, Zahid studied hard and his efforts and struggle paid off when he secured an enviable 89th rank in the IIT.

But Zahid’s struggles were far from over. Inspite of achieving such a rank, what’s discouraging is that he can’t arrange money for admission to secure a seat in the prestigious engineering institute. Unlike the Saroj brothers, who got help from all quarters to get through IIT, this Kashmiri boy has still found no help.

Zahid received several calls to congratulate him for his achievement but none offered any help. Even the banks refused loan without an admission letter. With luck and money not in his favour, Zahid is losing all hopes of getting admitted to the IIT.

“We don’t have even Rs 10,000 to pay my counselling fee. If not paid, my admission will be cancelled. I thought of selling my cell phone, but it is fetching only Rs 5,000,” Zahid, who hails from remote Dudwan village of Kupwara district, was quoted telling DNA.

For someone who doesn’t even have counselling fees, to arrange money for admission to the IIT is next to impossible. Therefore he is now contemplating to let go his IIT dream and join a local degree college to complete his graduation.

We are hoping that the Ministry of Human Resource and Development takes cognizance and helps this young boy too just like it helped the Saroj brothers fulfill their dreams.

source: http://www.indiatimes.com / India Times / Home> India> News /by Mugdha Kapoor / June 26th, 2015

Jamia Millia Islamia Alumni Association, Riyadh, offers its sincere condolences on the sad demise of Professor Mujeeb Rizvi to his family members

June 20, 2015Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Educationmpositiveone@gmail.com

The Jamia Millia Islamia Alumni Association, Riyadh offers its sincere condolences on the sad demise of Professor Mujeeb Rizvi Sb to his family members and stands by their side in this difficult time. May the Almighty bless him with a choicest place in Jannat and grant patience to his family members.

Prof Mujeeb Rizvi passed away on Sunday, 24 May 2015 at Max Hospital in Delhi after a short illness and kidney failure.

Prof Rizvi, son-in-law of renowned Urdu poet Ghulam Rabbani Taban, left behind his wife, Mrs Azra Rizvi and two daughters, Ms Meera Rizvi and noted Film Director and Screenwriter Ms Anusha Rizvi.

Professor Rizvi, around 80, was the founder of Hindi Department of Jamia Millia Islamia and served as its head for nearly forty years. He had been the Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Languages, Proctor and Pro Vice Chancellor of Jamia. Notably, he was the first teacher to introduce NCC to Jamia. He was an expert of medieval Awadhi and Braj poetry with a focus on Sufi Kavya-Akhyans of the pre-Mughal era. Professor Rizvi wrote at length on Kabir Das, Tulsi Das and Ameer Khusro. He was an authority on Malik Muhammad Jayasi, a renowned Hindi poet of 16th century.

source: http://www.okhlaheadlines.com / Okhla Headlines / Home> Community Matters> Community Voice / May 25th, 2015

Muslim man offers land for Modi aide’s university

June 19, 2015Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Educationmpositiveone@gmail.com

Lucknow :

A Muslim educationist has offered 20 acres of land in Lucknow district for the proposed campus of Hyderabad-based Maulana Azad University. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s pointsman Zafar Sareshwala, who has been trying hard to make inroads into Muslim intelligentsia and electorate, is the vice-chancellor of the university.

Zafar Sareshwala (above), PM Narendra Modi's pointman, is the vice-chancellor of Hyderabad-based Maulana Azad University. — Zafar Sareshwala (above), PM Narendra Modi’s pointman, is the vice-chancellor of Hyderabad-based Maulana Azad University.

Speaking to TOI, Maulana Yusuf Hussaini, who has offered the piece of land in Malihabad, said: “We all welcome and should compliment Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s moves for socio-economic welfare of the community.” Hussaini, a kin of renowned scholar Ali Mian, former rector of Nadwa Islamic seminary, runs several madrassas and other educational institutions in the city.

When asked whether association of Modi’s name with the proposed institution would put him into trouble, Hussaini said there was no issue at all. “We would whole-heartedly welcome any initiative of the Prime Minister for the socio-economic upliftment of Muslims, who need government’s support,” he said, adding “Modi is the Prime Minister of the country and not of the BJP.”

He said that Sareshwala was due to visit the city soon to finalize the proposal for the land transfer and if all goes well the city could soon get another national-level university.

Sareshwala told TOI on Sunday that Hussaini had offered the land and a building at Malihabad, on the outskirts of the state capital, without any cost. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants speedy growth of Muslims and for this reason he has increased the budget for minority welfare by nearly 12%,” Sareshwala said.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> India / by Subhash Mishra, TNN / June 15th, 2015

Hyderabad girls outshine boys in CBSE exams

June 13, 2015Educationmpositiveone@gmail.com

Hyderabad :

City students performed exceedingly well in the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) class XII results that were announced on Monday with most institutes securing 100% pass percentage. Incidentally, the overall pass percentage in the state stood at 92.96%, higher than that of neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, which stood at 87.84%.

The top score in the Science stream was achieved by Pranjal Pathak from Delhi Public School, Nacharam, with 98.6%, whereas in Commerce, the top scorer was P Amukta from P Obul Reddy School with 96.8%. Many students from Chirec Public School, Meridian School, Silver Oaks, Kennedy High School, etc., crossed the coveted 90% mark.

“Almost 32% students in our school have scored 90% and above. Although the papers were a little application-based this year, our students performed well,” said Iffat Ibrahim, principal of Chirec Public School in Kondapur.

According to students, the question paper for Maths, English and Chemistry were tougher this year. “The English and Chemistry papers were lengthier this time. However, I am glad I scored well in both the subjects,” said Yadavalli Susan, who scored 81 in Chemistry and 80 in English.

Among the high scorers in the Science stream were GS Satwik from P Obul Reddy School with 96.8%, Naila Fatima from Meridian School in Banjara Hills with 95.8%, Dhruvika Sahni from Chirec Public School with 95.8%, Arica Moirancthem from Kennedy High School with 94.6%, Yadavalli Susan from Silver Oaks with 92.5% and B Simren from Jubilee Hills Public School with 91.8%.

In the Commerce stream, Vishesh Agarwal from Meridian School with 96.4%, Mahitha Samyukta from Chirec Public School with 96% and Ankita Agarwal, Sharath Sonti and Utsav Badra from Delhi Public School with 95.8% were the top scorers. A total of 3,856 students from Telangana appeared for the exams conducted from March 2 to 26 this year. The pass percentage of girls in the state was higher than boys at 94.8% as compared to 90.93%.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hyderabad / TNN / May 26th, 2015

Doon’s bonds with Hyderabad

April 6, 2015Education, Leadersmpositiveone@gmail.com

The Nizam was one of the principal donors to the school prior to Independence, and it continues to have a house named after the city

One Prime Minister, several Chief Ministers and prominent politicians, exponents in art, drama, film and literature, sporting icons and top bureaucrats and militarymen – The Doon School has all of them and more on its list of alumni.

Interestingly, the prestigious Dehradun-based school has a Hyderabad connection. The Nizam was one of the principal donors to the school prior to Independence, and the school continues to have one its houses named after Hyderabad.

Students from Hyderabad were a prominent presence till the 1960s, while now the school has only a dozen students who hail from the city.

However, Doon is now trying to reconnect with students from the Telugu-speaking States. “We find that students from AP and Telangana flourish and thrive with us intellectually, creatively and sportingly and we want to further strengthen it,” the school’s headmaster Peter Mclaughlin told The Hindu .

Headmaster Peter Mclauchlin says the prestigious school is trying to reconnect to students from theTelugu-speaking States.– Photo: Special Arrangement

Dr. Maclaughlin, who was in Hyderabad to speak to parents and students on the education Doon offered, said efforts had been made to make the school more democratic and meritocratic.

“The educational landscape is changing dramatically in India, and historic schools cannot sit on past glory. Such an attitude is a great enemy,” he said, revealing that school has students from diverse social and economic background.

To maintain such diversity, the school has consciously made efforts to admit meritorious children from economically backward sections of society. Around 40 per cent students get some scholarship, including a 100 per cent concession on fee. After the Central Government discontinued its scholarship scheme, it is the school’s alumni who are supporting such students.

‘An all-India school’

Dr. Maclaughlin reminds that India is fractured by regional, religious and ethnic mindset.

“They take pride in their identity, but are rooted to their Indianess. An all-India school like ours offers precisely such an atmosphere, where students thrive on learning from each other and respect other’s values.”

Dr. Maclaughlin felt students from southern India gravitate more towards science and math, while those from the north have interests in commerce and economics. Southern students also show a keen interest in creative arts like music and dance. They are more focussed too, he said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by R. Ravikanth Reddy / Hyderabad – April 06th, 2015

On a poet’s land, a skill centre for differently-abled

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

Pallavaram Municipality to use defunct school building for it

The dilapidated building that once housed the Parali Su. Nellaiyappar Municipal Primary School in Chromepet will soon be developed as an integrated skill development centre for differently-abled and aged persons.

Pallavaram Municipality has allocated Rs. 1 crore from its education fund for the purpose. Announcing this at a recent meeting, municipal chairman, K.M.R. Nissar Ahmed said the centre would impart skills to differently-abled and senior citizens.

The land was donated by freedom fighter-writer-poet, Parali Su. Nellaiyapper, who lived in Chromepet from 1950s till his death in 1971. The philanthropist was awarded 3.16 acres of land by the State Government in 1954 from which he donated about 5000 square feet for starting a primary school in 1968.

After several years of its existence the school lost its sheen and was closed more than a decade ago.

“After several representations, the municipality felt the importance of such a donation and allocated Rs. 1 crore for the development of a training centre. The purpose of donation by the late poet should be preserved and if expedited it will be a boon to the downtrodden,” said PMK councillor J.M. Sekar.

Residents recalled that the school was functioning well, but patronage dwindled after the proliferation of private schools. The municipality decided to close down the school after enrolment dipped, they said. Some years ago when the civic body wanted to use the premises for performing birth control surgeries on community dogs, residents protested, stating that a building in the memory of a freedom fighter should be put to use for better purposes.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by T. Madhavan / Chennai – April 06th, 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