Indore- A Tourist’s Paradise.
Every one knows that our beautiful city of Indore is a pensioner’s paradise. But very few know that it has vast potential to become the country’s leading tourist destination, thanks to the untiring efforts of our civic authorities.
In fact, many Indoreans are ignorant of the facilities created by our city-fathers for encouraging adventure tourism. Instead of appreciating and encouraging their efforts, the residents of our city criticise them and grumble constantly about their poor services.
I, for one, am sure that many of the city folks are not aware of the beauty of the city in summer months, when it is enveloped in a cloud of dust ,surpassing the beauty of Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer Fort.
Which tourist would like to get roasted in dust storms to see the magnificent forts and palaces in Rajasthan, when he has the alternative of experiencing the same effects in the heart of this town, courtesy the specially constructed and maintained roads of the municipality.
In the rainy season, the city can be called the ‘Venice of Central India’, thanks again to the carefully planned and executed highways criss-crossing the city. Sheets of water flowing right through these roads, many times spill over to the courtyards, providing an unforgettable vision to tourists. With the help of flat-bottomed boats, these tourists can visit places of interest, an opportunity many cities cannot offer.
Another facility offered to tourists in rainy season is fishing in the large number of stagnant pools dotting the city roads, an arrangement specially made to attract discerning tourists.
Whatever be the reason, if the tourist is a keen student of bacteriology, then he would certainly have his money’s worth, for studying the growth of bacteria and the like in the city’s backyards as well as near its commercial centres. Mounds of garbage are being maintained for this purpose even in the face of stiff criticism against such collections.
If the tourist is an experimental biologist , he could have enough rat samples to carry on with his study, even while on a sight seeing trip. The city hospitals have been kept geared to meet this contingency. The tourist needs only to show his enthusiasm and, hey presto, like a magician taking rabbits out of his hat, the hospitalwalahs would provide the necessary numbers in no time.
Why should one go all the way to visit the lost city of Pompeii to see graffiti on its walls, when right in this town and that too in the heart of it, compound walls present an idyllic view of the creative minds of Indoreans.
Or for that matter, why should one travel all the way to Sarnath to see and marvel at the ingenuity of the workers of a bygone era who could construct buildings and pillars centuries ago without using cement, when in this city we have any number of builders still involved in such constructions.
To conclude, if this city is not able to attract adequate tourists, in spite of all facilities provided by the civic authorities, the fault lies squarely with us.
2-
We are not able to properly project the good things our city fathers are doing to attract the tourists. Instead, we are, day in and day out, criticising them, calling them lethargic and in the process discouraging them in their efforts to make this city a true tourist paradise.
(Garha Chronicle, February,1998)
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Friday, January 9, 2009
Proposals for a new University
The University of Corruption Technology.
Recently, there was a news item in the Hindusthan times that the University of Buenos Aires will include a new course on “perverse systems” (corruption) in its syllabus for Master of Business Administration, to focus on the causes and nature of corruption, and to discuss ways to combat it. The course would be based on case studies of 100 episodes and the team would be led by Prof. Jorge Etkin who had authored books on corruption. The Faculty would include businessmen, judges and government officials including the present Mayor of Buenos Aires whose predecessor was charged with fraudulent administration last week.
The news set me thinking. It came as a shocking revelation to me that in our country, where corruption has become a part of life, nobody has ever thought of giving due attention to this subject. If small countries like Argentina could start a course on corruption, a vast country like ours, backed with years of experience, could certainly establish a university for developing the technology and to facilitate the transfer of the latest know-how available for use within and abroad. When millions are spent on education, distant type, or otherwise, I am certain that a small amount could always be found for this noble cause.
You may be wondering why a university is required for studies on such a common subject, when many here could be considered as post graduates on the subject while some could even be conferred doctorates. But the fact is that there is no institution in this country bestowed with the requisite authority to coach the inquisitive learner the latest trends in this specialised field. Such a training would enable him to practise value-based, result oriented and environment-friendly techniques to achieve the desired objective without failure.
You may point out that even without having this facility, people know how to deal with such situations. I agree; but many times they get exposed unwittingly, just because they could not anticipate certain events, with the result, the media come to know of it and get it publicised. If one is trained in the subject, the entire operation would be smooth and effective, without any one becoming wiser about it. Is it not worth the trial?
A quick evaluation of the published data on corruption in the country indicates that there is an urgent need to take steps to improve the requisite skills of people engaged in the political and government sectors, where many failures have been reported causing embarrassment to all involved due to inexperienced players indulging in such practices
In view of the disturbing media revelations, you would agree that even the present well-established bribing system in our country needs to be revamped to compete with international standards. Hence the syllabus to be followed in such a university has to be the cynosure of all universities in the world. The curriculam should meet the needs of all sectors where deficiencies have been noticed in the operation of the existing well-greased corruption machinery. Apart from the history of corruption and present practices in the field, the syllabus could also include latest technologies to be adopted for trouble free performance. The syllabus and methodology to be adopted for teaching have to be crafted carefully with the help of eminent persons in the field both within the country and abroad.
The candidates to be admitted to this centre of excellence have to be preferably literates and should have adequate basic knowledge in the field chosen for specialisation. Some past experience would be desirable. The selection, as usual, would be on “merits”, except in the case of candidates ”otherwise well qualified”.
Attendance in classes need to be compulsory and could be marked either by the candidate or his proxy. Semester system of examinations allowing copying and consultations among students , practical tests etc. would be held to assess the progress of the candidates in the course duration.
As the University has to be a model in corrupt practices, the procedure to be adopted in filling up the various faculty positions and other vacancies , has to be ideal. For this purpose, it is felt that the teaching posts could be filled through call of tenders with the requisite earnest money, paid partly in 'black'. The highest bidder would be given the posting of his choice. The post of vice-chancellor could be given to the highest bidder, provided he has proven muscle power. Posts of Registrar and other administrative staff could be filled through public auction.
Any comment?
Recently, there was a news item in the Hindusthan times that the University of Buenos Aires will include a new course on “perverse systems” (corruption) in its syllabus for Master of Business Administration, to focus on the causes and nature of corruption, and to discuss ways to combat it. The course would be based on case studies of 100 episodes and the team would be led by Prof. Jorge Etkin who had authored books on corruption. The Faculty would include businessmen, judges and government officials including the present Mayor of Buenos Aires whose predecessor was charged with fraudulent administration last week.
The news set me thinking. It came as a shocking revelation to me that in our country, where corruption has become a part of life, nobody has ever thought of giving due attention to this subject. If small countries like Argentina could start a course on corruption, a vast country like ours, backed with years of experience, could certainly establish a university for developing the technology and to facilitate the transfer of the latest know-how available for use within and abroad. When millions are spent on education, distant type, or otherwise, I am certain that a small amount could always be found for this noble cause.
You may be wondering why a university is required for studies on such a common subject, when many here could be considered as post graduates on the subject while some could even be conferred doctorates. But the fact is that there is no institution in this country bestowed with the requisite authority to coach the inquisitive learner the latest trends in this specialised field. Such a training would enable him to practise value-based, result oriented and environment-friendly techniques to achieve the desired objective without failure.
You may point out that even without having this facility, people know how to deal with such situations. I agree; but many times they get exposed unwittingly, just because they could not anticipate certain events, with the result, the media come to know of it and get it publicised. If one is trained in the subject, the entire operation would be smooth and effective, without any one becoming wiser about it. Is it not worth the trial?
A quick evaluation of the published data on corruption in the country indicates that there is an urgent need to take steps to improve the requisite skills of people engaged in the political and government sectors, where many failures have been reported causing embarrassment to all involved due to inexperienced players indulging in such practices
In view of the disturbing media revelations, you would agree that even the present well-established bribing system in our country needs to be revamped to compete with international standards. Hence the syllabus to be followed in such a university has to be the cynosure of all universities in the world. The curriculam should meet the needs of all sectors where deficiencies have been noticed in the operation of the existing well-greased corruption machinery. Apart from the history of corruption and present practices in the field, the syllabus could also include latest technologies to be adopted for trouble free performance. The syllabus and methodology to be adopted for teaching have to be crafted carefully with the help of eminent persons in the field both within the country and abroad.
The candidates to be admitted to this centre of excellence have to be preferably literates and should have adequate basic knowledge in the field chosen for specialisation. Some past experience would be desirable. The selection, as usual, would be on “merits”, except in the case of candidates ”otherwise well qualified”.
Attendance in classes need to be compulsory and could be marked either by the candidate or his proxy. Semester system of examinations allowing copying and consultations among students , practical tests etc. would be held to assess the progress of the candidates in the course duration.
As the University has to be a model in corrupt practices, the procedure to be adopted in filling up the various faculty positions and other vacancies , has to be ideal. For this purpose, it is felt that the teaching posts could be filled through call of tenders with the requisite earnest money, paid partly in 'black'. The highest bidder would be given the posting of his choice. The post of vice-chancellor could be given to the highest bidder, provided he has proven muscle power. Posts of Registrar and other administrative staff could be filled through public auction.
Any comment?
Friday, January 2, 2009
Examination Reforms
Report of the Committee on Examination Reforms.
FOREWORD.
The Board of Secondary Education had set up a Committee under my chairmanship to find out the reasons for the sharp decline in the pass percentage in this year’s examination, to identify the factors responsible for the unprecedented fall in the number of privately appearing students who had enrolled for the examination and to suggest the reforms needed to improve the pass percentage. As per the Terms of Reference, the Committee is to submit the report within six months. Accordingly, I am glad to enclose herewith the said report in 20 volumes for further action.
The Committee held discussions with a cross section of students, union leaders, teachers, experts and other interested parties to facilitate in the preparation of the report. The Committee also took this opportunity to visit U.S.A, U.K and some European countries to get a first hand knowledge of the approach adopted abroad in tackling similar issues.
In the course of various meetings and discussions held with experts and stake-holders within and outside the country, it was brought to the notice of the Committee that the examination results were poor because the authorities were strict with the students who indulged in copying during the examinations and took severe action against them under the existing ‘Anti-Copying Act’. Some political leaders have also given written submissions to the Committee stating that the present examination system produced only ‘xerox’ machines capable of reproducing the notes given by the teachers and hence has failed to assess the knowledge level of the students. To improve the results, they have suggested that the present draconian ‘Act’ needs to be replaced with student friendly rules.
The valuable suggestions received from all concerned have been very useful in compiling the report.
Based on the inputs received, and taking into account the ground realities, the Committee has come to the conclusion that there is an urgent need to revise the present examination system which gives weightage to the cramming capacity of a student rather than testing the application of acquired knowledge. Since it would be ‘Utopian’ to have an educational system without tests/examinations, what is needed is to remove the fear of failure which is every student’s nightmare and this can be achieved by making the examination a ‘team event’.
To facilitate the revamping of the system, it is necessary to replace the existing ‘Anti -Copying Act’ with a modified one, and sober rules framed there- under for conducting future examinations. A draft for the proposed modified Act is given at Annexure. Some changes in the definitions of ‘student’, ‘ reference material/guide book’, etc. have also been suggested in the draft to remove any lingering doubts the authorities may have in this regard. Whenever any examination is notified by the Board, it shall be the duty of the concerned authorities to educate the students the facilities provided under the Rules to help them in writing the examination without any tension .
I am sure that the reforms suggested , if accepted and implemented, would give a pleasant, stress free, experience to candidates appearing for an examination and would bring about a better pass percentage. This would also enable the government to attract many students to appear for examinations and achieve the targets set for the literacy drive planned.
The members of the Committee have fully agreed with the Report.
The help and guidance received from various individuals and organisations have been separately acknowledged.
Sd/- Chairman.
ANNEXURE .
‘Copying Act’,1969(Draft)
(An Act to encourage consultations and sharing knowledge among students appearing for the Board Examinations.)
Preamble.
Whereas , of late, it has been recognised that the present system of Board examinations is not serving the purpose for which it is intended ie., of assessing the acquired knowledge level of a student;
Whereas, the need to replace the existing system by a suitable method has been examined and recommended by a Committee of eminent persons after due consultations;
Whereas, the existing procedures have to be amended for the efficient conduct of such examinations to achieve better results as recommended by the Committee;
And whereas, the Committee’s recommendations have been accepted by the government;
Now, therefore, it is enacted as under:
1 Name-Short Title- This Act shall be called the ‘Copying Act’ or the ‘Act of Copying’, whichever is better in the enveloping situation and in the developing circumstances.
Long Title-This Act shall have the appellation -‘An Act to regulate consultations and copying in examinations’.
2.Commencement.- This Act shall come into force on a day to be fixed by the Representatives of students in the respective areas.
3. Extent.- This Act shall extend to all states and union territories where board examinations are conducted for students.
4. Definitions.- In this Act, all words and expressions, except those mentioned below, shall have the meanings assigned to them in Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary.
(a) ‘Student’ means anyone who enters the premises of an educational institution with the intention of appearing for an examination, and excludes those who come to provide administrative and other support in the institution.
(b)’Invigilator’ means any teacher entrusted with the conduct of the examination in a peaceful manner and also includes police officials, para- military or military personnel or other staff deputed specially for the purpose.
(c)’Guide book or material’ means any document, printed or written, which may be in the form of bound books, loose sheets or anything written or drawn on the body or on the dress of a student, but shall not include, transparencies, slides , films etc. used for projecting on a screen.
5. In any Board examination ,every student shall be permitted to bring his/her own guide books or reference material into the hall in addition to pen, pencil etc. In case any student forgets to bring such material, the invigilator shall endeavour to arrange the same, if available, in the library and also provide requisite guidance to the student to clear his doubts. However, the invigilator is not allowed to write the examination on behalf of the student.
6. A student needing additional material from another seated within a reasonable distance, may be permitted to do so, provided the latter agrees to spare the same. In no case, a student who refuses to part with his /her material be forced to do so.
7. Outsiders shall not be allowed to enter the hall to guide the students in copying. However, they may be permitted to help the students in getting the needed material, or to prompt their wards from outside, so long as they do not shout or use mikes.
8. Consultations among the students are permissible, so long as they do not leave their respective seats and , provided further that the noise level does not exceed the prescribed limits.
9. Any student caught writing the examination without referring to any book or material, or not taking any help from friends, etc. is to be treated with suspicion, as he/she may be trying to sabotage the intended reforms . In such a situation, after initially warning the student, a note to this effect shall be made in the concerned answer sheets at the end of the said examination. Further, in subsequent examinations also if he/she persists with the practice, such students shall be expelled.
10.This Act shall not be declared ultra- vires of the Constitution, nor shall it be amended, abridged, abrogated, abandoned or annulled.
FOREWORD.
The Board of Secondary Education had set up a Committee under my chairmanship to find out the reasons for the sharp decline in the pass percentage in this year’s examination, to identify the factors responsible for the unprecedented fall in the number of privately appearing students who had enrolled for the examination and to suggest the reforms needed to improve the pass percentage. As per the Terms of Reference, the Committee is to submit the report within six months. Accordingly, I am glad to enclose herewith the said report in 20 volumes for further action.
The Committee held discussions with a cross section of students, union leaders, teachers, experts and other interested parties to facilitate in the preparation of the report. The Committee also took this opportunity to visit U.S.A, U.K and some European countries to get a first hand knowledge of the approach adopted abroad in tackling similar issues.
In the course of various meetings and discussions held with experts and stake-holders within and outside the country, it was brought to the notice of the Committee that the examination results were poor because the authorities were strict with the students who indulged in copying during the examinations and took severe action against them under the existing ‘Anti-Copying Act’. Some political leaders have also given written submissions to the Committee stating that the present examination system produced only ‘xerox’ machines capable of reproducing the notes given by the teachers and hence has failed to assess the knowledge level of the students. To improve the results, they have suggested that the present draconian ‘Act’ needs to be replaced with student friendly rules.
The valuable suggestions received from all concerned have been very useful in compiling the report.
Based on the inputs received, and taking into account the ground realities, the Committee has come to the conclusion that there is an urgent need to revise the present examination system which gives weightage to the cramming capacity of a student rather than testing the application of acquired knowledge. Since it would be ‘Utopian’ to have an educational system without tests/examinations, what is needed is to remove the fear of failure which is every student’s nightmare and this can be achieved by making the examination a ‘team event’.
To facilitate the revamping of the system, it is necessary to replace the existing ‘Anti -Copying Act’ with a modified one, and sober rules framed there- under for conducting future examinations. A draft for the proposed modified Act is given at Annexure. Some changes in the definitions of ‘student’, ‘ reference material/guide book’, etc. have also been suggested in the draft to remove any lingering doubts the authorities may have in this regard. Whenever any examination is notified by the Board, it shall be the duty of the concerned authorities to educate the students the facilities provided under the Rules to help them in writing the examination without any tension .
I am sure that the reforms suggested , if accepted and implemented, would give a pleasant, stress free, experience to candidates appearing for an examination and would bring about a better pass percentage. This would also enable the government to attract many students to appear for examinations and achieve the targets set for the literacy drive planned.
The members of the Committee have fully agreed with the Report.
The help and guidance received from various individuals and organisations have been separately acknowledged.
Sd/- Chairman.
ANNEXURE .
‘Copying Act’,1969(Draft)
(An Act to encourage consultations and sharing knowledge among students appearing for the Board Examinations.)
Preamble.
Whereas , of late, it has been recognised that the present system of Board examinations is not serving the purpose for which it is intended ie., of assessing the acquired knowledge level of a student;
Whereas, the need to replace the existing system by a suitable method has been examined and recommended by a Committee of eminent persons after due consultations;
Whereas, the existing procedures have to be amended for the efficient conduct of such examinations to achieve better results as recommended by the Committee;
And whereas, the Committee’s recommendations have been accepted by the government;
Now, therefore, it is enacted as under:
1 Name-Short Title- This Act shall be called the ‘Copying Act’ or the ‘Act of Copying’, whichever is better in the enveloping situation and in the developing circumstances.
Long Title-This Act shall have the appellation -‘An Act to regulate consultations and copying in examinations’.
2.Commencement.- This Act shall come into force on a day to be fixed by the Representatives of students in the respective areas.
3. Extent.- This Act shall extend to all states and union territories where board examinations are conducted for students.
4. Definitions.- In this Act, all words and expressions, except those mentioned below, shall have the meanings assigned to them in Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary.
(a) ‘Student’ means anyone who enters the premises of an educational institution with the intention of appearing for an examination, and excludes those who come to provide administrative and other support in the institution.
(b)’Invigilator’ means any teacher entrusted with the conduct of the examination in a peaceful manner and also includes police officials, para- military or military personnel or other staff deputed specially for the purpose.
(c)’Guide book or material’ means any document, printed or written, which may be in the form of bound books, loose sheets or anything written or drawn on the body or on the dress of a student, but shall not include, transparencies, slides , films etc. used for projecting on a screen.
5. In any Board examination ,every student shall be permitted to bring his/her own guide books or reference material into the hall in addition to pen, pencil etc. In case any student forgets to bring such material, the invigilator shall endeavour to arrange the same, if available, in the library and also provide requisite guidance to the student to clear his doubts. However, the invigilator is not allowed to write the examination on behalf of the student.
6. A student needing additional material from another seated within a reasonable distance, may be permitted to do so, provided the latter agrees to spare the same. In no case, a student who refuses to part with his /her material be forced to do so.
7. Outsiders shall not be allowed to enter the hall to guide the students in copying. However, they may be permitted to help the students in getting the needed material, or to prompt their wards from outside, so long as they do not shout or use mikes.
8. Consultations among the students are permissible, so long as they do not leave their respective seats and , provided further that the noise level does not exceed the prescribed limits.
9. Any student caught writing the examination without referring to any book or material, or not taking any help from friends, etc. is to be treated with suspicion, as he/she may be trying to sabotage the intended reforms . In such a situation, after initially warning the student, a note to this effect shall be made in the concerned answer sheets at the end of the said examination. Further, in subsequent examinations also if he/she persists with the practice, such students shall be expelled.
10.This Act shall not be declared ultra- vires of the Constitution, nor shall it be amended, abridged, abrogated, abandoned or annulled.
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