Gujarat College News

Dr Preeti’s suicide: 3 months later, Warangal police file 970-page chargesheet against senior Dr Saif
The Indian Express | 2 days ago | |
The Indian Express
2 days ago | |

Three months after Dr Dharavath Preeti, a first-year MD Anesthesia resident at Warangal’s Kakatiya Medical College (KMC), took her own life, the Warangal police of Telangana have now filed a 970-page chargesheet before a local court holding batch senior Dr M A Saif as the lone accused. The investigators found that the first-year resident died by suicide allegedly owing to harassment from Dr Saif.Two days after Dr Preeti was found lying unconscious in the staff room at MGM Hospital, Warangal, while on duty, the police arrested 27-year-old Dr Saif on February 24 for the former’s suicide attempt. Meanwhile, Dr Preeti succumbed to multiple organ failures during her treatment at the Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) in Hyderabad on February 26. The death of the 26-year-old doctor who belonged to the Lambada Scheduled Tribes (ST) community, had evoked widespread outrage at the time.In the chargesheet, the police have recorded statements from 70 witnesses, including the family members, friends, batchmates, seniors, teaching and non-teaching faculty, officials in the administration of MGM Hospital and KMC, besides technical, medical and forensic experts from the police department. The police have relied on the data retrieved from the cell phones used by Preeti, Saif, and their friends and pieces of technical evidence related to the case.In the days leading to her extreme decision, Preeti’s father Narender, an assistant sub-inspector in the Railway Protection Force, had raised the issue of harassment faced by his daughter to her Head of the Department (HOD) and others. The police found that Saif used to harass Preeti ever since she joined the department three months ago by invoking her tribal origin.After her death, the police had altered the FIR with additional sections 306 (abetment of suicide) of the Indian Penal Code in addition to sections related to the prohibition of ragging and those under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act at the Matwada Police Station. The initial probe then found that Preeti felt “persistent targeted harassment” and “deliberate attempts to insult her” by Saif.Warangal Police Commissioner A V Ranganath told indianexpress.com that the police have concluded the investigation and found Saif as the lone accused in the case. According to him, the investigation did not find any role of the professors, head of the department or the administration of the KMC or MGM hospital even though the HoD of the Anesthesia department at KMC Dr K Nagarjuna Reddy was shunted out by the state government soon after Preethi’s suicide. Preeti’s father Narender and others had demanded action against the HoD for not acting on time even after being informed about the alleged harassment faced by Preeti by Saif.On why the teaching faculty was not booked, Ranganath said the official on receipt of the complaint had called both and counselled them and Preethi took her life in less than 24 hours. Meanwhile, the HoD had assured of looking into the case and give his decision after a preliminary inquiry the next day, the commissioner said.The police investigation also found no truth in the delay in providing medical support and treatment to Preeti at MGM Hospital. After Preethi was found lying unconscious at 8.10 am on February 22, the hospital started the treatment. A day later, she was shifted to NIMS Hyderabad as she suffered a multi-organ failure while under treatment at Warangal’s MGM Hospital. Her cardiac, pulmonary and kidney functions had failed and she continued on life support for four days till her death.“We have examined the line of treatment given to her and verified with the experts at Gandhi Hospital. They have found no issues in the treatment given to her,” the commissioner added.According to the investigation, Preethi, who joined the department in December 2022, felt harassed and targeted for the entire time she spent at the medical college. The initial ragging turned into harassment and continued for months because she retorted against all attempts to insult her, and Saif took it up as a personal offence.The commissioner said the messages, WhatsApp chats and photographs, retrieved from the phones of the deceased and the accused as well as from their friends are proof enough of the harassment and humiliation Preeti felt while at work. The investigation concluded that Preeti injected herself with fentanyl drug to end her life.

Dr Preeti’s suicide: 3 months later, Warangal police file 970-page chargesheet against senior Dr Saif
Refugee colonies to UPSC hubs: How Karol Bagh, Rajinder Nagar evolved
The Indian Express | 5 days ago | |
The Indian Express
5 days ago | |

As the train pulls into the Karol Bagh Metro station, a young man inside one of the coaches jokes to his friend, “Come on, brother. Let’s become IAS officers.”The quip aptly sums up what the locality has come to represent over the last few decades. Starting from the name of the Metro station — Drishti IAS-Karol Bagh station, named after a popular coaching institute sponsoring it — to numerous hoardings promising “best UPSC preparation” and hordes of aspirants milling about, the area has become synonymous with the country’s fixation with the ultimate government job: The Indian Administrative Service. One Metro station away is Rajinder Nagar, another hub of UPSC coaching institutes.But not long ago, the twin areas in Central Delhi were largely semi-commercial, residential places known to be home to several Partition refugees.Professor Amar Farooqui, who used to teach History at Delhi University, says that around the 19th Century, Delhi’s suburbs began coming up in its west, in places like Paharganj. “Towards the end of the century, Karol Bagh came up. It’s a relatively older settlement unlike Rajinder Nagar, which is a proper Partition settlement colony,” he says.Karol Bagh had a fairly large Muslim population in the pre-Partition period, he says, and it was a relatively affluent suburb. A few educational institutes like Tibbia college (a 19th-Century Ayurvedic and Unani college) and later, the Khalsa College was established here over time.Among refugees, the slightly better-off settlers such as the Sindhis made this area their home. There was also a significant South Indian population too, particularly of Tamilians, Farooqui notes, with the establishment of Delhi as the British capital in 1911.Rajinder Nagar was one of the more planned colonies, he says, with the more affluent refugees getting 54 sq-yard plots from the government in the 1950s.Dr Rana Behal, former professor of History at DU’s Deshbandhu College, lived in the nearby area and came from Amritsar in 1965. He says, “Many new colonies in Delhi emerged initially as part of the settlement of displaced people who came from West Punjab. Slowly, they began to urbanise. Karol Bagh was a hub of new kinds of markets in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Rajinder Nagar was essentially a residential colony, where the newly arrived middle-class began to emerge as a more literate class than earlier, attending schools and colleges.”Coaching institutes here came along much later. Dr Behal believes the liberation of the Indian economy in 1991 also had a role to play, with growing personal incomes allowing more people to afford fees for institutes.One of the earliest entrants in the UPSC sector here was Vajiram and Ravi, whose lone centre in Delhi is in Old Rajinder Nagar.Elangovan Rajalingam, head of administration at Vajiram and Ravi, who has been associated with the institute for over 30 years, says that initially, the institute was situated close to the nearby Ajmal Khan Road but shifted to its current location in 1997 as that area became congested. “We were the first people in Rajinder Nagar (to come up with such an institute)… we thought we could go for this good, residential area compared to a commercial area,” he says.Before this, Ber Sarai in South Delhi, near JNU, and DU’s North Campus area were the centres for UPSC preparation, says Rajalingam.On how UPSC preparation has permeated all aspects of life in Rajinder Nagar and Karol Bagh, he remarks, “If you meet one bookshop owner, he knows more than the aspirant!”Meanwhile, the coaching hub boom has had a ripple effect on the areas’ economy. Rajalingam says the rent for a PG room, which used to be Rs 5,000 just a decade ago, is now close to Rs 20,000. Fees of coaching institutes have also spiralled, with some even charging Rs 1.5 lakh a year.One of the businesses that seems to have benefitted the most is that of photo-copying. Bhagwaan Singh, owner of Indian Copier Systems at Karol Bagh, who set up his shop in 2013, says his rent has shot up from Rs 20,000 per month to Rs 1 lakh over the years.“The transformation only happened when coaching institutes came up. Before that, there was nothing like this… not even markets, it was mostly a residential colony… Now nearly all of it is developed, both old and new Rajinder Nagar,” he adds.The development also attracted businessmen from other places. One such trader is Vishwadeep Parashar, owner of Tirupathi Book Centre, who has been in Karol Bagh since 2011.It was not business which brought Parashar to the city, though. Hailing from Uttar Pradesh, he came to Delhi for college and then stayed back to give the exam. He set up a photocopying business and later started dealing in books. “Around that time, shops for exam-related books were rare, but there was a supply of study material from Ber Sarai to Central Delhi. This made me realise a new market was coming up,” he says. The advent of Delhi Metro to the area in the mid-2000s also contributed to its growing popularity.For students such as Harshitha, an engineering graduate from Karnataka, the expense is worth it. Staying here since her course began in June 2022, she says, “This area is full of students and the environment is all about UPSC preparation. It’s quite convenient for us… We come, complete the coaching and then decide if we want to continue staying here.”Moreover, Delhi’s popularity in terms of UPSC coaching has further increased with the number of recent exam toppers being from the city. Referring to Tina Dabi, who topped the 2015 exam, Sakshi Bharadwaj, manager at Vision IAS in Karol Bagh, says, “I think this area majorly developed after people like Dabi, who belongs to Delhi, did well.”She adds that her institute sees a greater inflow of people from states such as Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and the South.After Covid-19 struck, many institutes have shifted to online or hybrid methods of coaching.The economy adapted too. Singh’s photocopy business, for example, started online delivery via e-commerce services. But that model does not always work. “Online is not better at all, we have to pay more for pick-ups and sometimes customers read books and return them within seven days,” he says.Rajalingam believes that overall, benefits are reaching students from across communities thanks to online coaching. “It’s a good thing for those with jobs, students in colleges for whom attendance is a must, and for women as their parents might not be ready to send them to other states.” But still, he adds, 80% of people opt for offline classes.And what happens to those who don’t clear the exam? Parashar says over time, students get to know about other government exams, like one for the Combined Defence Services Examination conducted by UPSC for military positions. The subjects are fundamentally the same and only the level of difficulty changes, he says.“No one is a failure. It’s a big exam, and one among a million students make the cut,” he adds.

Refugee colonies to UPSC hubs: How Karol Bagh, Rajinder Nagar evolved
Manipur divide plays out in govt services too: ‘Told my boss transfer me’Premium Story
The Indian Express | 1 week ago | |
The Indian Express
1 week ago | |

The mass movement of Kuki-Zomi people from Manipur’s valley areas to the hills, and vice-versa for the state’s Meitei residents, is being reflected in government services too, with employees seeking transfers and the state government acknowledging the demands.A Kuki employee of the central government’s revenue department, who had been posted in Imphal for the last two years, is set to take up work in Aizawl; a Meitei doctor who had been posted in Churachandpur District Hospital is now on duty in Bishnupur district in the valley; a Kuki sub-inspector with the Manipur police in Imphal is currently in a relief camp in Kangpokpi district in the hills; and a Meitei teacher at a government college in the border town of Moreh is hoping to be  transferred to a college in Imphal.All of them spoke on condition of anonymity since they are still working with the government.The Kuki revenue department employee said that when he was first posted to Imphal two years ago, he was delighted. “I was so happy that after seven-eight years of service, I had finally been posted to my home state. But look how it turned out,” he said.After the violence broke out, he shifted to the relief camp at the 1st Battalion of the Manipur Rifles in Imphal, where he stayed for four days before flying out of the state to Kolkata. He eventually made his way back to his family’s home in Churachandpur on May 14 by flying to Aizawl and travelling to the town by road.“I spoke to my boss in Imphal and at the headquarters and told them I want to be relocated. I said that I prefer Aizawl because I will be able to have a direct connection by road to my family and won’t have to travel through Imphal,” he said, adding that he has now received a transfer order to Aizawl where he will shift next week.The Meitei doctor, who was posted at Churachandpur District Hospital for one-and-a-half years, also spent six days at a relief camp run by the Assam Rifles in the district.“After the violence broke out on May 3, we were taken to the hospital in an ambulance and evacuated from there by the Assam rifles. I finally reached Imphal six days later,” he said.With fresh incidents of violence in Bishnupur district since last week, he has been called to offer his services at the district hospital there.“I have informed my seniors at my hospital that I can’t travel to report for duty there because of the present crisis. I have many friends there but I have seen the violent mob and it will be very difficult for security forces to protect us. If possible, I will submit a transfer application but haven’t thought it’s appropriate to do so right now when everyone is so caught up,” he said.The Kuki SI with the Manipur police was evacuated from Imphal East, where he has been posted for the past 15 years, and taken to a relief camp in Kangpokpi district on May 7, where he has been ever since.“I haven’t even thought about my job because I’m just focused on making life more comfortable for my family in the relief camp. I have only reported to the SP Kangpokpi that I am present in the district… I was born and brought up in Imphal and I hope that I will be able to go back, but if things continue this way, I will not be able to,” he said.The Meitei teacher at Moreh College said she has worked there for around 20 years now but now hopes she can be posted to one of two government colleges near her family’s home in Imphal.“I don’t think the government will send us there, I have heard they will change our posting. Around 80% of the teachers in the college are from Imphal and most will fear going back,” she said.The question of the transfer of staff has also been taken up by government employee associations. For instance, the Manipur Government Higher Secondary Lecturer Welfare Association, an association of government school teachers, has submitted a memorandum to the state education department requesting at least a temporary transfer of teachers to schools close to where they are currently located, after the displacement caused by the violence.“If all teachers are posted in this way, it’s true that there will be a big gap. We would like to mix and be in harmony, but for the time being, for the security of the teachers and to start the academic session, we have requested that teachers posted in different areas be transferred to where they are most comfortable. Once the situation is normal, inter-district transfers can be done again,” said Herojit, general secretary of the association.State government spokesperson Sapam Ranjan Singh acknowledged the situation and said they will make arrangements for employees to work where they are comfortable until “total normalcy” returns and “mistrust is waived off”.“Some people have said to their departments that they want to be posted elsewhere. Maybe there will be temporary arrangements, this will be worked out at a high level because this is a huge task. We will have to do this in a proper, holistic way so that governance is not hampered,” he said.In the absence of formal orders, government departments are trying to work out “temporary arrangements” for their staff at their own level. A senior official at the headquarters of a state government department in Imphal said that while their nodal officer for Kakching district in the valley is Kuki, their nodal officer for Kangpokpi district in the hills is Meitei.“The nodal officer for Kakching is currently taking refuge in Delhi while the officer for Kangpokpi district is in Imphal and is too afraid to go back. We are trying to work out a temporary arrangement so that they can take up work in each other’s postings. One of our Kuki employees in Imphal sent an SMS requesting that he be transferred and has gone to Kangpokpi where he has rented a room. Since he is there, we have been giving him work to do there,” said the official.Amid the current divide, there is a sense of finality among some. “In my service life, I will never go to Imphal again. For us, it’s impossible,” said the revenue department employee.

Manipur divide plays out in govt services too: ‘Told my boss transfer me’Premium Story
Manav Rachna: Inculcating Globality with a Difference
The Indian Express | 1 week ago | |
The Indian Express
1 week ago | |

The global academic landscape has widened its horizons providing international perspective to students across borders. The universities now-a-days emphasize a classroom with diversity allowing students to welcome and respect each other’s perspectives and cultural backgrounds. With a vision to change minds, shape ideas and ensure multidisciplinary learning, the ideals of diversity are defined with a unique purpose of bringing minds and personalities together under one roof.To make most of the possibilities and foster global learning, institutions like Manav Rachna have moved to ‘networking’ by forming global partnerships with the institutions abroad. Understanding that providing an international perspective to students is central to education in the 21st Century, Manav Rachna Educational Institutions have collaborated with more than 84 global institutions to provide relevant exposure to students and help them develop a global outlook.Bringing multiple perspectives to its classrooms, Manav Rachna aims to feature classroom discussions as the one, encompassing viewpoints of students from all walks of life, coming in with their beliefs and experiences. As Nishan Bhatta from Nepal, student of B.Tech CSE (Batch 2022), Manav Rachna puts it, “The diversity of students is one of the best things you find in this college. Students from different states and countries with their own identity are staying and getting knowledge here in a very helpful and peaceful manner.”From bringing significant transformations in the behavior, personality and creativity of the students, global partnerships come with a range of exclusive benefits for the students as well as faculty members which includes Joint Exchange Programmes, Student-Faculty Exchange Programmes, Credit Transfers to the University Abroad, Curriculum Development Support, and Lecture Delivery by International Experts.GLOBALLY RECOGNIZEDAs a unique hallmark of quality education, Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies has been bestowed with the QS 5-Star rating for Teaching, Facilities, Social Responsibility and Inclusiveness. On the other hand, Manav Rachna University is the QS I-GAUGE overall Diamond Rated Institution. Both Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies (MRIIRS, formerly MRIU) and Manav Rachna University (MRU) are Founder members of the prestigious “College Board’s Indian Global Higher Education Alliance”.INTERNATIONAL LEADERS LEAD THE WAY AT MANAV RACHNAGiving a high dimension to research at Manav Rachna, The Institute of Open Innovation has been set up at Manav Rachna. The Institute of Open Innovation is headed by internationally renowned innovation expert, Prof. Solomon Darwin, Director, Haas Centre for Corporate Innovation at the University of California, Berkeley, and International Dean at Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies. In addition to its focus on sustainability, the Institute of Open Innovation will also house the Centre for Health Innovation chaired by Prof. (Dr) Prashant Jha, Head of Affordable Medical Technologies at the School of BEIS at King’s College London, and Professor of MedTech Innovation and Entrepreneurship.BEGIN IN INDIA. GRADUATE ABROAD.Manav Rachna has collaborated with prestigious universities across the globe to enhance learning, research and study abroad opportunities for students. Faculty members and students get a chance to connect with leading experts and catalyse their learning and research. Students get an option to earn extra credits to have them transferred to the university abroad (associated with Manav Rachna) and complete last 2 years of their degree abroad. With these benefits in the basket, these associations are an alliance of ideas and goals.Some of the prominent collaborations include Western Sydney University, Australia for BA Media and Communication, Purdue University North West for B.Tech Computer Science and Engineering, Auckland University of Technology for B.Tech Civil Engineering, Nottingham Trent University and University of Waikato, New Zealand for BBA- International Business Management, University of Waikato, New Zealand for BBA-Banking and Financial Market, University of Winnipeg, Canada for MA Economics, Aston University, UK for Applied Psychology and Microbiology programmes, ISDE, Law Business School for Diploma in Sports Law Management, and Auckland Institute of Studies, New Zealand for BBA (Global) IB. The association makes international education affordable to Indian students as they can complete their first two years at Manav Rachna and the following years of their degree abroad with attractive scholarships.FIRST SPRINGER NATURE ACADEMIC RESEARCH LAB Springer Nature has launched its first Academic Research Lab in India at Manav Rachna Educational Institutions, Faridabad. This lab has been built on the tenets of innovation, science, research and technology and will be the source and hub of innovation, research and education. The lab aims to equip the bright young minds in our country with the latest information, research and technology which can propel their career and give them an edge in today’s fiercely competitive world.Sabyasachi Sarker from Bangladesh (MBA-Dual Specialization, Batch-2016; Ph.D Scholar, Management) shares his experience: “At Manav Rachna, I evolved as a professional with exceptional skills owing to its academic and corporate culture. The professors and the faculties here are exemplary in their teaching style. After 3 years of working experience in Bangladesh I decided to do my MBA from Manav Rachna. During my MBA, I got the opportunity to do my internship with Airtel. In 2018, I started my Ph.D from this institution. I am glad to be a part of Manav Rachna where you are valued as a student and a researcher.”SCHOLARSHIPS ON GLOBALLY ACCEPTED SCORESManav Rachna accepts Pearson and SAT Scores for its UG programmes and offers upto 100% scholarship on qualifying marks. Every year international students with outstanding achievements and academic caliber receive Manav Rachna Scholarship. The scholarship is taken forward to second year onwards on the basis of performance in the respective academic year.Manav Rachna ensures that You’ll learn and grow in ways you never expected!

Manav Rachna: Inculcating Globality with a Difference
38 medical colleges lose recognition, 100 get notice to correct deficiencies
The Indian Express | 1 week ago | |
The Indian Express
1 week ago | |

As many as 38 medical colleges across the country have lost recognition, and another hundred or so have received notice from the country’s apex medical regulator to correct deficiencies.The colleges have been pulled up for issues ranging from staff not marking attendance on biometric system and colleges not being able to implement the new camera, biometric, and health management system-based monitoring to institutions reeling under a shortage of staff and doctors.An official from the National Medical Commission (NMC) said the numbers will keep changing as more hearings and appeals are taken up over the next two months.Counselling for the current MBBS batch is likely to start July onwards; NEET was conducted in the first week of May.The official said, “If a college is unable to correct the deficiencies, it will only impact their intake for the current year. Students already enrolled will not be affected.”The issue came to light after one of the oldest government medical institutions in Chennai — Stanley Medical College — and a couple of others from the state lost recognition. “This is part of an ongoing exercise. Colleges are routinely inspected every year to see whether they are complying with norms,” another NMC official said.The official said that unless the colleges have serious deficiencies — such as missing infrastructure or severe shortage of faculty — they are likely to be recognised again for the current session.The first official quoted said that some colleges that have been de-recognised, or sent notices, had a biometric attendance system in place but the staff had not started marking attendance every day after Covid-19 (all institutions were advised against using biometric attendance systems during the pandemic).With colleges coming under scrutiny ahead of counselling for MBBS courses, would it mean a loss of thousands of seats? Not necessarily. The colleges that have lost recognition will be able to appeal the decision upon correcting the deficiencies — once with the National Medical Commission and then twice with the Health Ministry. If they move quickly, and do it before counselling starts, they will be able to take in students, a National Medical Commission says.However, it also involved more serious problems. “Some of the older medical colleges had a shortage of faculty members and resident doctors. We can make some concessions for new colleges, but why should ones that have existed for years,” asked a third NMC official.Some infractions were egregious still. For example, a private medical college that has lost recognition in Punjab — Chintpurni Medical College — was recognised by NMC without a previous physical inspection by NMC, a senior Punjab government official said. “It was on the state government’s insistence that a physical inspection was carried out,” the official said. “Those who came to inspect found that no studies were going on (and) there were no patients. Many students get lured into enrolling in such institutes and are unable to receive proper education.”Several colleges from Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Assam, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry, and West Bengal have either lost recognition or have been served notices to correct deficiencies. Colleges that are under the NMC scanner reportedly include Gauhati Medical College, Assam Medical College, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Medical College, SCB Medical College, Stanley Medical College, Dharmapuri Medical College, Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, KAP Viswanatham Medical College, and Chintpurni Medical College.

38 medical colleges lose recognition, 100 get notice to correct deficiencies
Scrapping of DU’s B.El.Ed course: The teachers could have beenPremium Story
The Indian Express | 1 week ago | |
The Indian Express
1 week ago | |

There was something in its chemistry of ideas and information that made it different from any other course I had taught. In the mid-1990s, Jesus and Mary College (JMC) in the capital admitted the first batch of young women in this new course. For quite some time, people found its acronym name hard to pronounce, partly because it referred to an unfamiliar territory of knowledge: “Elementary Education”. What does a university have to do with it, people asked when the proposal was placed on the agenda of the Academic Council of Delhi University (DU). The then Vice-Chancellor, Upendra Baxi, was a teacher and theorist of law. He successfully argued for its approval, and a course that gained global fame within a few years started.Every Friday morning, I drove from the north campus to JMC across the city for a double period. I carried on for two years. The excitement of teaching the first batch of out-of-school students whose aim was to become elementary school teachers has survived intact in my memory. It is time to place it on record, when the B.El.Ed course is facing an uncertain future.What is contemporary India like? Once it had settled in their minds, the question never stopped rocking the students. They wanted to discuss every shred of evidence they had picked up from their own life and from the other segments of the B.El.Ed. It was a rollercoaster chemistry of knowledge. An unusual ingredient of this chemistry was the analysis of the primary and upper-primary curriculum that the students were required to do. And then there was an investigative project to study the genealogy of an industrial product. The first year at college could hardly be more exciting.The first batch graduated as the 20th century ended. By then, the course was running in eight colleges. Delhi’s educational world noticed something uncanny as the B.El.Ed trained teachers started to get jobs. Principals felt their spark. Their grasp of school subjects was just as good as their knowledge of the way children think. Teachers trained by other, more conventional, courses also knew child psychology, but the B.El.Ed teacher understood that neither cognition nor learning can be dissociated from a child’s social context.School principals also noticed the indomitable spirit of these teachers. They refused to be defeated by lack of resources or by the gossip culture of staff rooms. Some of them returned to the university for Master’s level studies. They qualified to become teacher educators themselves. In selection interviews, if a candidate used Piaget and Giroux while arguing, you could be sure that she had done B.El.Ed. I am not surprised that Giroux, one of America’s celebrated social analysts of education, has signed a plea seeking the continuation of B.El.Ed. Other signatories include Christopher Winch, England’s best known philosopher of education, Kenneth Zeichner, who holds the Boeing chair in teacher education at Seattle University, and Edward Vickers who holds the Unesco chair in Japan’s Kyushu University. A few months back, Vickers delivered the Gijubhai memorial lecture at JMC. The collective appeal made by these scholars to DU demonstrates the global fame of B.El.Ed.They are puzzled why this world-class course should be threatened. It seems that DU wants to replace it with a course proposed in the new education policy. Why can’t that new course be introduced in other colleges? DU has more than 70 constituent colleges. If B.El.Ed goes, it will be remembered as an innovation that made a mark but could not change the mindset. It made a breakthrough of the kind NCERT and NCTE could only fantasise about. In its short life of less than three decades, B.El.Ed faced every possible bureaucratic impasse. The strangest obstacles had to do with the term “elementary”.With Parliament’s approval of the Right to Education (RTE), one assumed that, at long last, eight years of elementary education would become the norm. This expectation seriously underestimated the burden of history that India’s system of education loves to carry. Every state, including Delhi, was used to the separate existence of “primary” and “upper primary” stages. Their separation is so sharp that a graduate teacher with B.El.Ed can’t get the salary grade that goes with the label “Trained Graduate Teacher”. To jump over this bizarre bureaucratic hurdle, B.El.Ed holders had to approach the courts. Within the university system, too, they had to fight for their right to get admission to the MA level courses of their choice.They fought and they won. A few years ago, I was invited to take a few B.El.Ed classes in Miranda House. One of the activities I recall doing was this: “Imagine that you meet India one day on the road. What question would you like to ask in your brief meeting?” One of the students wrote: “I will ask why do you (i.e. India) make us fight for every little thing?”Perhaps it is too early to write the obituary of this unique teacher education course. I find it strange and sad that the new policy document does not celebrate the B.El.Ed as an outstanding Indian achievement in a moribund field like teacher education. But then, the policy does not acknowledge the past. Struggles and accomplishments are equally ignored, the assumption being that something totally unknown needs to be put in place. But if the policy’s support for innovations is to be taken seriously, it must encourage DU to sustain one of its greatest recent innovations.An international conference on teacher training held in Udaipur a few years ago acknowledged the problems this sector faces in many countries. In India, the late Justice JS Verma led a Commission appointed by the Supreme Court to inquire why teacher education is in such a sad state. His report provides deep insights and guidance for the future. It eloquently supports different routes for preparing teachers. The uncertainty that surrounds the B.El.Ed programme today is not entirely unusual in our “one size fits all” ethos. It has survived all these years despite continuous shortage of funds and faculty. Its life-long struggle gives me the hope that it will continue to win renewed support from DU.The writer is a former Director of NCERT

Scrapping of DU’s B.El.Ed course: The teachers could have beenPremium Story
Raising the Bar: NLU Lucknow's security guard of 8 years is now a lawyerPremium Story
The Indian Express | 1 week ago | |
The Indian Express
1 week ago | |

It was just another day at work for Santosh Kumar, as he stood in front of an exam hall at Dr Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University (NLU) in Lucknow in April 2022. Kumar had worked as a security guard for over eight years at the university.Listening to the students discuss their question paper after the exam that day changed 35-year-old Kumar’s life. He told a student that he too was a law graduate and familiar with the topics they were discussing.Nearly a year later, on May 20, Kumar learnt that he had cleared the All India Bar Examination (AIBE), the qualifying test conducted by the Bar Council of India for law graduates to begin legal practice. An elated Kumar told The Indian Express, “I would see young law students and hope that I too would get a chance to wear a black coat one day.”A resident of Colonelganj in Gonda district, he was barely 16 when he came to Lucknow, about 90 km from his town, to look for work. He took up odd jobs, from welding to working in a factory. Travelling back and forth between his home town and Lucknow, he finished his graduation in political science in 2009 from a Gonda-based college. In 2012, he completed his post-graduation in political science. A year later, Kumar enrolled in a three-year law course at NVM College in Lucknow. He started working at a pizza restaurant chain while pursuing his law degree.Talking about what inspired him to study law, Kumar, who belongs to the Dalit community, said he remembers attending a programme on Dr B R Ambedkar as a child, during which he was given a copy of the Constitution. He said that motivated him to study law. “Another incident that motivated me to study law was our neighbours opposing and filing a case when my grandmother decided to build a toilet on her land,” Kumar added.To ensure he had time to study, he joined a security service company. In a twist of fate, the company placed him at NLU in 2014. He graduated in 2016 but could not afford the fee to register for AIBE. The application fee is Rs 3,500 for general/Other Backward Class (OBC) candidates and Rs 2,500 for Scheduled Caste candidates. “I had joined NLU as a security guard on a salary of Rs 6,500,” Kumar said.In 2016, Kumar’s firstborn, seven-year-old Suhani, was diagnosed with cancer. She died in 2018. “In those two years, I would stay with her at the hospital all day. I would study during the day and go to work at night. While my supervisors would reprimand me if I was caught sleeping on duty, the other guards would cover for me so that I could get 2-3 hours of sleep,” Kumar recalled.When he told a student last year that he had a law degree and wanted to be an advocate one day, many volunteered to help him. Since the university library only has books in English, the students started a crowdfunding exercise to raise money for Kumar. “Around Rs 9,000 was raised within a few days. We bought books in Hindi for Santosh ji,” said Pravesh Shrimal, a student.Kumar said, “It had been about 6-7 years since I got my law degree, so I decided to prepare for AIBE discreetly. I would hide my books when the supervisor would come for rounds.”Talking about his future plans, he said his wife and four daughters will continue to live in Gonda while he starts working for a senior advocate at the Lucknow district court. Kumar said he has already received a job offer to work in the advocate’s chambers.Besides becoming a lawyer, he has also become a role model. After everyone on campus learnt that he had cleared the Bar, Kumar said at least two of his colleagues expressed interest in studying law. “Dayal, who is also a security guard, and Viren, a peon, also want to study law now. I am highly indebted to the students who helped me buy these books. I hope my books help others too,” Kumar said.

Raising the Bar: NLU Lucknow's security guard of 8 years is now a lawyerPremium Story
A year on, Sidhu Moose Wala continues to dominate the musical landscape, public memory
The Indian Express | 1 week ago | |
The Indian Express
1 week ago | |

“Mera na mera na, har passe har thaan. Har galli har mod, lagge paye aa billboard. Feeling like I’m a God, tere Jatt da ni tod (It’s my name, it’s my name in every direction and place. There are billboards with my name on every corner and street. I feel like I am God and no one can compete with me).”These are the lyrics of Sidhu Moose Wala’s last song that was released posthumously on April 7 this year with Nigerian singer Burna Boy. The song talks about the immense global fame that the singer-rapper amassed over his lifetime and how his loyal fans have his name on their lips and he is seen everywhere on billboards and murals.Songs released posthumously get millions of viewsThe song garnered a million views in only 15 minutes, which is telling about his impact and legacy. The singer-rapper was shot dead at Punjab’s Jawaharke village of Mansa district on May 29 last year, a day after the Punjab government reduced his security cover, details of which were made public.Three songs of Moose Wala have been released posthumously. The other two — SYL and a track on Sikh warrior Hari Singh Nalwa titled Vaar — have been embroiled in controversy. While the song SYL, on the riparian dispute between Punjab and Haryana was banned on YouTube, the track on Hari Singh Nalwa was objected to by a section of the Muslim community over a reference to “Muhammad” in the song. Moose Wala was no stranger to controversy, something he referenced in his hit number 295 saying that “everyday a new controversy would be created and there would be debates in the name of religion”.Rise and breakthrough as an artisteShubhdeep Singh Sidhu, popular as Sidhu Moose Wala, was born in a farmer’s family from Mansa’s Moosa village on June 11, 1993. He adopted the name Moose Wala that denotes someone from Moosa village and his surname Sidhu, showcasing his caste (Jatt) pride.The rise of Moose Wala was unfathomable as he caught the popular imagination almost overnight with his song ‘So High’ that was released in 2017. In collaboration with music producer Byg Byrd, the song with lyrics “sirr utto langan fly kar ke, ucchiyaan neh gallan tere yaar diyan” became such a rage that it was blaring in car speakers and discs everywhere.Though it was not Moose Wala’s first song, which was G Wagon, a duet with Gurlez Akhtar and produced by Deep Jandu, ‘So High’ was the song that catapulted him to such immense fame and there was no looking back.Old videos of Moose Wala depicted his simple and shy natureAfter his demise, old videos of Moose Wala performing at his college fest have gained millions of views and it is difficult to predict how a plain looking boy with a shy demeanour became such a big star.Studying at Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College, he appeared on an episode of popular show ‘Canteeni Mandeer’ a few years before he made it big. Introducing himself as Shubhdeep Sidhu to the anchor, he then informed him that his first song ‘License’ was released recently and sung by Ninja. He then showed a glimpse of his singing and was greeted by a rapturous applause from his fellow college audience.However, no one could have predicted that in the next few years, Moose Wala would go on to define a whole new genre of Punjabi music. What made his songs different from others was his ability to connect with the fans with a mix of rustic Punjabi and English words spoken in colloquial ways.Controversies over song lyrics and accused of glorifying gun cultureMany of his songs ran into controversy with religious ‘panthic’ leaders of Punjab. He had invoked the name of 18th century Sikh warrior Mai Bhago in his track Jatti Jeonay Morh Di Bandook Wargi, which didn’t go down well with Shiromani Akali Dal who even demanded his arrest. In another song titled ‘Sanju’ that was released in July 2020, he compared himself to Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt after he was booked under the Arms Act for firing an AK-47.His song Panjab (My Motherland), dedicated to the farmers protest with lyrics like “keh keh ke badle lainda menu Panjab kehnde aa. Delhi vi napp lainda, mainu Panjab kehnde aa” pitted Punjab as fighting for their rights against the tyranny of Delhi. The video carrying the visuals of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale was criticised as pandering to the separatist (Khalistan) agenda.‘Misunderstood and vilified’The singer was often accused of glorifying gangsters and gun culture in his songs, but the people close to him say that he was misunderstood. They say his songs don’t reflect who he was as a person.Sam Malhi, a DOP, who worked along with music director Sukh Sanghera and collaborated for seven videos of Moose Wala like US and GOAT, shared some fond memories of the time they spent together.“Moose Wala was one of the most honest persons I have ever met. Even though he was such a big name in the industry, he never had any starry airs about himself and treated everyone with respect. That is why I think there was such an outpouring of grief all over the world on his demise. People not only loved his songs but connected to his persona,” Malhi said.He sees Moose Wala’s death as a huge loss for the Punjabi music industry that can’t be filled by anyone else. “The way Moose Wala took Punjabi music to an international level can’t be replicated by others. If he was alive today, I am sure he would have collaborated with Drake. He collaborated with UK artistes like Tion Wayne and Stefflon Don and it was no mean feat. Burna Boy came to his village to shoot the video of their song. So, it was evident that international artistes also recognised his genius,” Malhi expressed.Malhi also shared how they have an unreleased song and video with Moose Wala but respecting his parents’ wishes, he has now left it on them when they would like to release his songs.Mandy Takhar, a British-born actress, who worked with Moose Wala in his debut film ‘Yes I am Student’ that released in 2021, remembered him as a “grounded and rooted person who loved Punjab, music and his parents more than anything”.In a chat with The Indian Express, she said, “He dreamt of taking Punjabi music to international platforms. What he achieved in just five years of being in the industry, many couldn’t do in decades. He had an expectational talent and lyrically, he was one of the best the industry has witnessed. I’m glad I worked with him on his first film.” She shared how he was soft-spoken and shy on sets but they built a comfort zone over the days of the shoot.Preferred his songs to do the talkingAnother persona of Moose Wala could be seen in the way he replied to controversies through his songs. Moose Wala stood for Punjab Vidhan Sabha elections from the ruling Congress party but faced a rout from AAP’s Vijay Singla. While Moose Wala polled more than 36,000 votes, he lost by a margin of more than 63,000 votes. His defeat wasn’t ignominious considering that the Congress suffered a drubbing at the hands of Aam Aadmi Party that won 92 seats and reduced the ruling party to 18 seats in the 117-member assembly.Came out with a song after defeat in the Punjab Assembly elections in which he targeted AAPBut Moose Wala after the election drubbing replied to his defeat in his conventional way by releasing a song titled ‘Scapegoat’. He called those who didn’t vote for his party as traitors of the community and even referenced the names of Bibi Khalra (Paramjit Kaur Khalra, wife of Jaswant Singh Khalra, who fought Lok Sabha election as a candidate of Punjabi Ekta Party) and Simranjit Singh Mann (current Lok Sabha MP from Sangrur) in the song.While Moose Wala’s fans come to grips with his absence, it is undoubtable that he would continue to dominate the music scene with his unreleased songs and his legacy will live on for the foreseeable future.

A year on, Sidhu Moose Wala continues to dominate the musical landscape, public memory
Mumbai University admissions 2023: Application process to start tomorrow, first merit list to be out by June 19
The Indian Express | 2 weeks ago | |
The Indian Express
2 weeks ago | |

Mumbai University: Mumbai University Thursday released the admissions schedule for the academic year 2023-24 for the degree programmes following the declaration of the MSBSHSE HSC results. Students can fill out the admission form, both in an online and offline format, from May 27 till June 12 of this year.Irrespective of the course and college in the city, it is mandatory for the students to register for the Mumbai University pre-enrollment as this registration number will then play an important role in the admission process of the affiliated colleges of Mumbai University. With the commencement of the admission process on May 27 of Mumbai University, the pre admission enrollment will also be done in an online mode.The in-house and minority quota admissions will take place at the respective colleges. The Mumbai University admission schedule also states that the first merit list will be declared by June 19 and students will get time till June 27 to confirm their admission. Similarly, the second merit list will be out on June 28 and the students will have to confirm their admission process by July 5 and the third (final) merit list will be declared on July 6.It is mandatory for all the affiliated colleges of Mumbai University to adhere to the schedule.While most of the colleges intake students on the basis of HSC marks, some popular colleges hold their own entrance examinations. The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) is also being considered by Mithibai College and N M College for admissions this year.Xavier’s Entrance Test (XET) will be conducted in the first half of June for admissions to St Xavier’s college and Jai Hind Common Online Entrance Exam, conducted for self-financing programs will be held on June 15.

Mumbai University admissions 2023: Application process to start tomorrow, first merit list to be out by June 19
Karnataka college cancels classes, asks students to watch ‘The Kerala Story’; backtracks after row
The Indian Express | 2 weeks ago | |
The Indian Express
2 weeks ago | |

A day after it issued a circular urging its students to watch the controversial film ‘The Kerala Story’ and cancelled classes to facilitate the same, a private Ayurveda college in Karnataka backtracked and withdrew the notice on Wednesday after it drew widespread flak.The incident took place at Sri Vijay Mahantesh Ayurvedic College in Ilkal in Karnataka’s Bagalkot district.In a May 23 circular, Principal Dr Keshav Das instructed all Bachelor of Ayurveda Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) students and postgraduate students to watch ‘The Kerala Story’ at Srinivasa Talkies in Ilkal on May 24, from 12-3 pm. The students were informed that it was a free screening and classes would only be held from 9 am to 12 noon that day. “All of you must see the movie,” the circular said.Released in theatres on May 5, ‘The Kerala Story’ tells the story of women from Kerala who were allegedly coerced into converting to Islam and recruited by the terrorist group Islamic State (IS).Addressing the media in Ilkal on Wednesday, Das explained that the intention behind showing the movie to students was to “convey an important societal message” and urged people to watch the film. However, he clarified that watching the movie was not mandatory and no action would be taken against students who chose not to attend the screening.After the circular drew criticism, however, Das apologised. “I have withdrawn the order of asking students to watch the movie. Classes will be conducted as usual. I apologise for issuing a circular to watch the movie and cancellation of classes for the same,” he said.The Ilkal unit president of the Students Islamic Organisation of India, Aseef Hunachagi, condemned the move and complained to the district authorities.The college is overseen by a committee headed by a board of directors with Sri Guru Mahant Swami, the seer of Ilkal Math, serving as the honorary president of the Sri Vijay Mahantesh Vidya Vardhaka Sangha, the organisation managing the college. The Sangha operates 13 educational institutions in and around Ilkal.Vijayanand Kashappanavar, the Congress leader who represents the Hungund Assembly constituency where the college is situated, told the media that he had no prior knowledge of the circular.Meanwhile, Veeranna Charantimath, a former MLA and BJP leader, has arranged free screenings of the movie for three days at Chandan Theatre in Bagalkot. The show will be exclusively reserved for students. Charantimath serves as the chairman of Basaveshwar Vidya Vardhak Sangha, a Bagalkot-based society that manages educational institutions.

Karnataka college cancels classes, asks students to watch ‘The Kerala Story’; backtracks after row
‘Low attendance, missed exams’: Teachers say Parambir Singh Dhola, accused in accident case, a no-show in college
The Indian Express | 2 weeks ago | |
The Indian Express
2 weeks ago | |

The main accused in an accident case that left three people dead on the night of May 17, Parambir Singh Dhola, 19, barely attended lectures at his college, The Indian Express found on Monday from officials of Chandigarh’s SD College, where he was enrolled.As per details obtained, Parambir — a BA first year student in SD College, Sector 32 — had so far skipped around 90 per cent of his lectures. A national-level shooter, Parambir had gained admission in the college on Sports Quota.After his arrest on Saturday, he had moved a plea before a local court stating that he wanted to appear for his annual examination, which starts from May 26.SD College mandates a minimum attendance of 75 per cent for students to appear in examinations. An official said that relaxation in attendance is provided to quota admission students only as and when they skip classes to attend events where they represent the college.An official of the college, on condition of anonymity on Monday, said “We checked his college records. He was found to have missed almost 90 per cent of the lectures so far. He is a BA First year student and has subjects like Sociology, Psychology, Physical Education and two compulsory subjects from among English and Punjabi Art, History and Culture. He also has not appeared in any of his exams till now. He got admission under the Sports Quota.”Dr Ajay Sharma, principal of SD College, Sector 32, told The Indian Express, “I spoke to the faculty members of my college’s sports department. Many of them told me that they barely recalled who Parambir was. I checked his records in the college’s software and found his name, and picture there. He had a very low turn out at college. We are yet to receive any kind of communication from the police department about him. I have come to know that he has moved an application in court for permission to attend his exam. If the court gives its nod, then we will take a call accordingly.”A shooting coach at Chandigarh Police firing range, Sector 25, where Parambir is said to have practiced often, said, “Parambir had been practicing at this firing range for the last two years. A policeman had been assigned to him for providing personal training. There were very rare instances when he saw him come in that red-coloured Beetle.Usually, he came in a Fortuner. Parambir and his woman friend, who was with him at the time of the accident, were both enrolled in the firing range.”The coach added, “He was a well-behaved kid. He liked one of the coaches here and often sought him out for advice. However, whenever he came here, he touched the foot of all the coaches present. Parambir and his woman friend had come here for practice on the day of the accident.” The investigation team on Monday collected details of all the people who had visited the shooting range on the day of the accident.Meanwhile, a double storey house in the corner of a road in Panchkula’s Sector 21 continued to wear a deserted look on Monday. The house, which was supposedly owned by Parambir’s businessman father Kamaljeet Singh, is located near the Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Sector 3 and has been almost deserted for the past few days, ever since the news of the road accident surfaced. Though not locked, repeated ringing of the doorbell went unnoticed on Monday.A neighbour, who said she knew the family, later said, “The family has been away from their house ever since the road accident took place. The maternal grandparents of the accused was also staying here with them. But theu shifted to another place last month. I have been told that Parambir may have taken the Volkswagen Beetle car without the permission of his parents. Usually, he preferred the SUV. He has two siblings. One of his sister is married and the other is a student.”Court to decide exam plea on May 25Meanwhile, the hearing on the plea of Parambir Singh to allow him to sit in his annual exam on May 26 has been fixed for May 25.Parambir, through his defense counsel, had on Sunday moved an application in court seeking permission to attend his annual examination. A notice was issued for the police to submit thier reply by Monday by teh court. Sources said that the police had not filed the reply and hence the hearing in the matter was fixed for May 25, a day before the accused’s exam date.

‘Low attendance, missed exams’: Teachers say Parambir Singh Dhola, accused in accident case, a no-show in college
The name's Lal... Mohanlal: A look back at his most underappreciated performances
The Indian Express | 2 weeks ago | |
The Indian Express
2 weeks ago | |

With a resplendent career spanning over four decades… crafting cinematic wonders in five Indian languages… adorned with the esteemed recognition of two Padma awards and five National Film Awards… a multifaceted talent as a playback singer, producer, distributor, television host, spellbinding theatre artiste, and author, in addition to being an iconic film actor… In the realm of the Indian film industry, only a select few can lay claim to such a distinguished tapestry of accomplishments, and Mohanlal reigns supreme among them.Mohanlal Viswanathan stands out as a truly exceptional actor, effortlessly blurring the boundaries between the real and the reel worlds. Undeniably, he holds the crown as the biggest superstar of the Malayalam film industry. However, contrary to actors who rely solely on their looks or physical prowess to captivate audiences, Mohanlal’s illustrious career is built on his exceptional acting prowess rather than superficial attributes. From the very beginning, he has showcased unparalleled talent and remarkable dedication to his craft. Although Mohanlal made his debut in the 1978 Malayalam film Thiranottam, which also served as the debut project for his longtime collaborator Priyadarshan, who worked as an assistant director, unfortunate censorship issues led to the shelving of the film. It was not until 2005 that the film finally saw the light of day. Interestingly, notable individuals who later rose to prominence in the Malayalam film industry, such as actor Maniyanpilla Raju and producer G Suresh Kumar, were also involved in this project. Despite the setback of his first film, fortune smiled upon Mohanlal as he received another opportunity in 1980 with Manjil Virinja Pookkal (Dir. Fazil), and from that point onwards, he has never had to glance back in his remarkable journey.In 1981, the actor was cast in eight films, but it was in the following year, 1982, that his presence truly flourished, appearing in 14 films. Admittedly, not all of them were of high quality. However, Mohanlal’s exceptional performances consistently caught the attention of many and propelled him to become an indispensable figure in Malayalam cinema. This ascent paved the way for his journey from a star to a bona fide superstar. Throughout his career, he never lost sight of his commitment to the craft of acting. Even amidst his involvement in mainstream entertainers, Mohanlal always made a conscious effort to take on roles that challenged him artistically, a dedication he maintained until recently.As time went by, Mohanlal’s star power grew to immense proportions, eventually reaching a point where he seemed to have lost the drive to strive for excellence. Regrettably, he descended into a realm of mediocrity and subpar work. Despite being hailed as ‘the complete actor’ by himself and his fans, he has now reached a stage where he consistently disappoints both himself and the audience with films and performances that fall short of his previous standards. Nevertheless, it is undeniable that there was a time when Mohanlal was a truly remarkable artiste, long before he assumed the mantle of ‘the complete actor’. As the thespian turns 63 on May 21, indianexpress.com takes a closer look at some of the actor’s most underrated and underappreciated performances.(Disclaimer: This article focuses on exploring lesser-known Mohanlal performances that may not include widely acclaimed roles like Kalloor Gopinathan from Bharatham or Sethumadhavan from Kireedam, which have already received ample recognition and extensive discussion.)Manjil Virinja Pookkal, despite attaining cult status over the years mainly due to it being Mohanlal’s debut film, showcased a rather mediocre and occasionally subpar performance by the actor. This could be attributed to the prevailing style of most Malayalam films during that era, characterised by lacklustre dialogues, excessively dramatic moments, and exaggerated performances. It was in Ahimsa (1981), directed by IV Sasi and written by T Damodaran, that Mohanlal first exhibited a commendable performance that avoided cringe-worthy moments. The sixth collaboration between Sasi and Damodaran, Ahimsa featured an ensemble cast including Sukumaran, Mammootty, Ratheesh, Poornima Jayaram, and Menaka. Although Mohanlal played a negative role with limited screen time in the film, he managed to deliver a decent performance, marking a significant improvement in his acting journey.Despite receiving numerous opportunities following Ahimsa, it was not until 1983 with M Mani’s Kuyiline Thedi, written by Priyadarshan, that Mohanlal truly showcased his talent by skillfully portraying the nuances of another villainous character. This performance demonstrated his readiness to tackle more complex roles. On the other hand, in Iniyenkilum (1983), another collaboration between IV Sasi and T Damodaran, Mohanlal excelled in a non-villainous role, while J Sasikumar’s Aattakalasam revealed a deeper side of his acting abilities, as he ventured into characters that defied simple categorisations of good and bad.Another notable performance came in Bharathan’s Kattathe Kilikkoodu (1983), written by T Damodaran. This dramatic film explores the flaws of human nature and how easily individuals can succumb to their instincts and desires. Despite sharing the screen with esteemed actors Bharat Gopy and Srividya, Mohanlal shone brightly. Through his portrayal of a wide range of emotions, including romance, compassion, envy, anger, and helplessness, he firmly established himself as one of the most promising actors in Malayalam cinema.In 1984, Lal continued to impress with notable performances in films like Swanthamevide Bandhamevide (Dir. J Sasikumar), Appunni and Kaliyil Alpam Karyam (Dir. Sathyan Anthikad), Aalkkoottathil Thaniye (Dir. IV Sasi), and Sreekrishna Parunthu (Dir. A Vincent). However, it was in Poochakkoru Mookkuthi (Dir. Priyadarshan) and Uyarangalil (Dir. IV Sasi) that he truly surpassed his previous roles. Poochakkoru Mookkuthi allowed him to effortlessly showcase his humorous side in a screwball comedy, gaining favour with family drama audiences. In Uyarangalil, Lal’s portrayal of the cunning and ruthless antagonist, Jayarajan, set a new standard for future villain characters. Jayarajan remains one of the greatest antagonists in Malayalam cinema history.In 1985, Mohanlal delivered four significant performances, two under the direction of Priyadarshan and the other two by IV Sasi. Aram + Aram = Kinnaram, a slapstick comedy that cashed in on Lal’s charming persona, showcased his impeccable comedic timing and ability to shine amidst a cast of actors known for their humour-based roles. Additionally, Mohanlal ventured into full-fledged family drama with Sasi’s Anubandham, marking his deliberate or unintentional entry into a genre he had previously avoided. Sasi’s Karimpinpoovinakkare, written by P Padmarajan, showcased Mohanlal as a character with complex shades of grey and underlying goodness. With commanding control over his performance, Lal portrayed the rugged and raw role magnificently. Priyadarshan’s Boeing Boeing, on the other hand, proved to be a game-changer for the actor. This romantic slapstick comedy, based on the 1965 American film of the same name, fully utilised Lal’s versatility. His portrayal of a charismatic casanova endeared him to comedy filmmakers, leading to career-defining roles in the future.In 1986, a pivotal year in Mohanlal’s career, he appeared in approximately 34 films, many of which received recognition due to his exceptional performances. Films like Ninnistham Ennishtam (dir. Alleppey Ashraf), Mazha Peyyunnu Maddalam Kottunnu (dir. Priyadarshan), Vartha (dir. IV Sasi), Doore Doore Oru Koodu Koottam (dir. Sibi Malayil), and Sukhamo Devi (dir. Venu Nagavally) highlighted Lal’s growth as an actor and established him as one of the finest performers of his generation. Notably, three films written and directed by P Padmarajan showcased a transformed Mohanlal capable of exploring diverse characters with depth and breadth.Director Sibi Malayil, when discussing his cult classic film Dasharatham (1989), once remarked to Cue Studio: “Concluding a movie solely based on the protagonist’s reaction, particularly in response to dialogue, is an arduous task. This approach is not frequently employed in the Malayalam industry or its counterparts. However, owing to Mohanlal’s exceptional talent, I made the decision to conclude Dasharatham (1989) with an intense close-up shot of him. Observing the emotions portrayed on his face while embodying the character gave me the confidence that his expressions alone would suffice in providing closure for the audience.”Three years prior to Malayil’s Dasharatham, Padmarajan adopted a similar approach, concluding his films Kariyilakkattu Pole and Deshadanakkili Karayarilla with impactful close-up shots of Mohanlal. This demonstrated the immense trust that these master filmmakers had in the actor. In the mystery thriller Kariyilakkattu Pole, Mohanlal portrayed the role of a Deputy Superintendent of Police investigating the murder of a film director. In Deshadanakkili Karayarilla, he played a suspended bank manager who befriended two eloped girls. While these movies primarily focused on other characters, Mohanlal’s subtle and controlled performances as Achuthankutty and Harishankar, respectively, left a lasting impression. Not seeking to overshadow the main characters, he exhibited his mastery in portraying nuanced roles, making his mark in the artistic realm. Furthermore, Deshadanakkili Karayarilla is recognised as one of the early Malayalam films addressing the experiences and hardships faced by the LGBTQIA+ community, earning praise from both the queer community and film enthusiasts.Renowned as a pinnacle of romantic Malayalam cinema, Namukku Parkkan Munthirithoppukal emanates an aesthetic brilliance. Every facet, from its captivating narrative, meticulously crafted screenplay, mesmerising cinematography, enchanting music and background score, and exquisite art direction, to the stellar performances of the entire cast, meticulously choreographed scenes, breathtaking locales, seamless editing, and masterful direction, contributes to its status as a true marvel. While the film has always been revered as one of Padmrajan’s masterpieces, Mohanlal’s portrayal remains unjustly unappreciated. Though many of his admirers laud his portrayal of love, effortlessly emanating an inner depth, it is his breathtaking performance throughout the entire film that truly captivates. His profound conversations with each character, accompanied by subtle nuances in his body language, serve as testaments to his profound understanding of his role. Above all, his portrayal of Solomon is a ravishing spectacle, captivating audiences at every turn.Dr PK Haridas, brilliantly played by Mohanlal in Hariharan’s Amrutham Gamaya (1987), penned by MT Vasudevan Nair, is a guilt-ridden doctor tormented by his past. Despite his commitment to the Hippocratic oath, he cannot escape the haunting memory of a crime he committed during his medical college years. Seeking solace in drugs only worsens his despair, pushing him to the brink of self-destruction. The weight of shame and remorse consumes him as he attempts to lead a ‘peaceful’ life as a doctor while grappling with the life he took. Haridas is a rare multi-dimensional character in the annals of Malayalam cinema, and Mohanlal’s nuanced performance in the film is a testament to his skill. The film gradually reveals Haridas’ sophisticated facade and unveils the extent of his crime. Mohanlal skillfully captures the layers of Haridas’ emotions with subtlety, delivering one of his most composed performances. Although Mohanlal is never considered a method actor and a lot of criticisms have, rightly so, come his way stating that all his characters have a bit of Mohanlal in their mannerisms, Haridas stands as a role where Lal’s presence is absent, showcasing his remarkable range as an actor.In the same year, Mohanlal collaborated with writer-director Venu Nagavally, who also acted in the film, to deliver one of Indian cinema’s finest college movies – Sarvakalashala. His portrayal of an orphaned student deeply connected to his college resonated so profoundly that Sarvakalashala garnered fans across all age groups.While his performances as Eby in Kamal’s Unnikale Oru Kadha Parayam and Ramachandran in Priyadarshan’s Cheppu were equally remarkable, Mohanlal’s portrayal of the cunning and power-hungry Mahendra Varma in Bhoomiyile Rajakkanmar remains underrated. Varma, an affluent individual from a royal lineage, inherits his ancestors’ insatiable greed. Propelled into politics by his family’s manipulation, he starts as a corrupt politician but undergoes a transformation upon witnessing the suffering inflicted on the common people by those in power. Mohanlal’s portrayal impeccably captured Varma’s character development throughout the film.In the subsequent years, two remarkable films – Padamudra (1988) directed by R Sukumaran and Season (1989) directed by Padmarajan – showcased an even more unconventional side of Mohanlal. While movies like Mukunthetta Sumitra Vilikkunnu (1988, Dir. Priyadarshan), Orkkappurathu (1988, Dir. Kamal), Ulsavapittennu (1988, Dir. Bharath Gopi), and Dasharatham (1989, Dir. Sibi Malayil) also featured Mohanlal’s exceptional talent, it was Padamudra and Season that presented him with once-in-a-lifetime characters, which he portrayed with captivating brilliance.In Padamudra, Mohanlal took on the dual roles of Maathu Pandaaram, a womaniser, and his son Soap Kuttappan, who struggles to live a normal life while grappling with questions about his father. The stark contrast between these characters allowed Mohanlal to showcase his versatility, delivering an unbridled performance as Pandaaram and a controlled portrayal of Kuttappan, highlighting his acting prowess.In Season, Mohanlal portrayed Jeevan, a mysterious restaurant owner in Kovalam involved in illicit activities such as smuggling and dealing in foreign currency. His rendition of Jeevan, initially appearing as a predictable but shady character, gradually unravels as unpredictable and unapologetic, adding layers to the role. Mohanlal’s honest portrayal captivated audiences, earning Jeevan a cult status for the enigmatic persona he maintained until the end of the film.The remarkable talents of Mohanlal and Mammootty, which have placed them among the greatest actors of all time, stem from their profound ability to empathise with diverse characters and stories. They possess an exceptional capacity to immerse themselves in the essence and struggles of individuals whose paths seldom intersect with their own. This talent is evident in two films that Mohanlal embarked upon in 1990 and 1991 – Thazhvaram directed by Bharathan and Vasthuhara directed by G Aravindan respectively. In Thazhvaram, Mohanlal played the character of a man driven by the relentless pursuit of justice, seeking retribution against his former “friend” who callously murdered his wife for personal gain. Meanwhile, in Vasthuhara, he played the role of a government official deployed in 1971 Calcutta, entrusted with the arduous task of rehabilitating refugee families on the Andaman and Nicobar islands. These two films eloquently capture the lives of individuals perennially oppressed and abandoned to the whims of fate.Revisit this #NewsArticle, published in Times of India, March 1991, featuring review of G. Aravindan’s last film #Vasthuhara (1990), starring #Mohanlal.@Mohanlal @Jhajhajha @timesofindia pic.twitter.com/nIEaXQkg7G— NFDC-National Film Archive of India (@NFAIOfficial) October 25, 2019Mohanlal’s performances as Venu in Aravindan’s Vasthuhara and Balan in Bharathan’s Thazhvaram were nothing short of extraordinary, as he skillfully channelled the very essence of these characters, seamlessly aligning himself with the profound narratives that unfold. His portrayal of Venu and Balan exemplifies the deep understanding he possesses of their respective stories, leaving an indelible mark on the cinematic landscape.By this juncture, Mohanlal had ascended to the status of a superstar, often undertaking larger-than-life roles. However, amidst his forays into such spectacles, he remained committed to projects that possessed depth and substance. Oru Yathramozhi (1997) directed by Prathap Pothan and Devadoothan (2000) helmed by Sibi Malayil exemplify the calibre of Mohanlal as an actor before he ventured into the abyss of formulaic, male chauvinistic films that offer little beyond a moustachioed hero draped in a mundu, delivering bombastic dialogues. While Oru Yathramozhi delves into the story of Govindankutty, a troublemaker relentlessly in search of his absent father, whom he intends to confront for abandoning him and his mother, in Devadoothan, Lal portrayed the role of a music teacher who returns to his alma mater, from which he was expelled years earlier, to prepare the current students for a national event. Despite sharing significant screen time alongside veteran Tamil actor Sivaji Ganesan in Oru Yathramozhi, Mohanlal ceaselessly seized opportunities to make his mark. With meticulous care, he breathed life into the character of Govindankutty, who may be a source of distress to outsiders but holds a special place in the hearts of those closest to him. Conversely, in Devadoothan, his portrayal of Vishal Krishnamoorthy resonated harmoniously with the rhythm of this enigmatic musical mystery-horror film, thereby elevating its overall quality. Mohanlal’s presence lent a magnetic allure to the character, ensuring that the film captured the audience’s imagination.In the 2000s, Mohanlal’s notable performances were few and far between. This was not only due to his poor script choices but also because the film industry was constantly churning out ludicrous content during that era.In the new millennium, Mohanlal’s first performance that went underappreciated was in the Hindi film Company (2002) directed by Ram Gopal Varma. In this movie, Lal portrayed the character of Veerappalli Sreenivasan IPS, the Commissioner of Mumbai City Police, who is determined to bring the underworld criminals under control. One of RGV’s best films to date, Lal’s portrayal of Veerappallil Srinivasan transcended all expectations, resonating with brilliance. While his co-stars Ajay Devgn and Vivek Oberoi commanded high-voltage sequences, Lal adhered to his trademark style, subtly immersing himself in his character’s depths. This approach created an impression that Srinivasan was a person who believed in catching the fish without getting his clothes wet, regardless of the magnitude of the catch. Through subtle glances, gestures, and a subdued delivery of dialogue, Mohanlal became the highlight of the film.Although Udayon, directed by Bhadran, was not an exceptional film overall, Mohanlal’s portrayal of the 75-year-old farmer Suranadu Kunju, a deceitful and ruthless landlord, was truly remarkable. Lal underwent a complete transformation for the role of Suranadu Kunju, adopting a unique body language and speaking style rarely seen in his other films. Kunju became one of those rare characters that Lal mastered by immersing himself in the role rather than imposing his own persona. Despite being stuck in a string of mediocre films, Mohanlal’s decision to take on Udayon deserves commendation, as it prevented his body of work from this decade from appearing entirely dismal.During the same decade, Lal took on four more unconventional roles that pushed his acting abilities to their limits: Vadakkumnadhan (2006) directed by Shajoon Kariyal, Paradesi (2007) directed by PT Kunju Muhammed, Pakal Nakshatrangal (2008) directed by Rajeev Nath, and Bhramaram (2009) directed by Blessy. All of these characters faced their own personal demons, whether internal struggles or challenges imposed by their circumstances. In Vadakkumnadhan, Lal portrayed Bharatha Pisharadi, a man diagnosed with bipolar disorder who must conceal his condition from his family. Paradesi revolved around Valiyakathu Moosa (played by Mohanlal), who moved to Karachi from Malabar in search of employment but is left without citizenship after India’s partition. In Pakal Nakshatrangal, Lal played Sidharthan, a cynical and self-absorbed intellectual filmmaker. In Bhramaram, he portrayed Sivankutty, a villager who was wrongly convicted of murder, forced to leave his hometown, and now seeks vengeance against those who betrayed him. Mohanlal delivered jaw-dropping performances as Sidharthan, Sivankutty, and Pisharadi who were haunted by mental health issues. Additionally, his depiction of the various stages of Moosa’s life in Paradesi was meticulous and awe-inspiring. He seamlessly transitioned from portraying the younger version of Moosa to capturing the essence of the character in his later years.One of Mohanlal’s most criminally underappreciated films in his career is arguably Pranayam (2011), which may be seen as the last time Mohanlal showcased his astonishing acting skills (although fans would strongly disagree). Pranayam tells an unconventional love story involving three individuals and stands out as one of the rare Indian movies that sensitively portrays romance among elderly people, emphasising their physical intimacy. Mohanlal portrays the character of Mathews, a retired college professor who has experienced partial paralysis due to a stroke. This film serves as a testament to Lal’s ability to excel in romantic scenes, particularly in his captivating interactions with Jaya Prada, who portrays his wife Grace, evoking the true essence of romance.Happy birthday KA! #L2E pic.twitter.com/xatRrA2mTU— Prithviraj Sukumaran (@PrithviOfficial) May 20, 2023While Mohanlal delivered decent performances in his later films like Drishyam (2013) and Villain (2017), with some acclaiming specific scenes in Villain for his impeccable acting, it is difficult to label them as anything magical, considering the spectacular range of characters he had portrayed prior to them. Currently, the 63-year-old actor is involved in a series of ambitious projects, including Lijo Jose Pellissery’s Malaikottai Vaaliban, Jeethu Joseph’s Ram, and Prithviraj Sukumaran’s L2: Empuraan. Hopefully, these upcoming films will offer more astonishing performances from the veteran actor, and he will refrain from accepting mediocre roles solely based on the notion that “this is what fans want,” as the audience response often tells a different story.

The name's Lal... Mohanlal: A look back at his most underappreciated performances
Know Your City: The iconic dome of Vadodara, pride of Maharaja Sayajirao University
The Indian Express | 2 weeks ago | |
The Indian Express
2 weeks ago | |

On the busy road to the Vadodara railway station from Kala Ghoda circle, a huge dome towers over the skyline, joined by several smaller ones around it and along it over ornate red brick buildings, that of Maharaja Sayajirao University’s Faculty of Arts.Known for a long time as the second largest dome in the world after the Gol Gumbaz in Bijapur, Karnataka, this Robert Fellowes Chisholm-designed dome in the Indo-Saracenic style, slipped by a rank to third after the World Peace Dome in Maharashtra broke the Gol Gumbaz record.According to records of the M S University, this dome was the main structure of the erstwhile Baroda College, housing the Premanand Sahitya Sabha, now renamed as the Central Hall, which used to host the university convocation and is now used for exhibitions.Built in 1881 by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad, it continued to function as one of the earliest colleges for education in western India until the last Maharaja, Pratap Singh Rao Gaekwad, founded The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda in 1949 as per the wishes of his grandfather, Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III — also naming the university after him.Over the years, the restoration of the brick dome has become a subject of controversy, but the grandeur of the magnificent structure continues to make heads turn, especially in its glory under floodlights at night. The entire building was constructed at Rs 8.3 lakh and continues to be a landmark and a monument with sentiments attached for students who have spent their years sitting on the steps leading to the Central Hall.For Mayank Patel, a bachelor’s student in the Faculty of Arts, the building exudes “a feeling of royalty”. “We are very proud to be students of a faculty with such magnificent architecture… The Faculty building is more beautiful than the Gol Gumbaz as it has such a harmonious blend of colours, even though many have disappeared. The building will continue to have a special place in our hearts as our ‘second home’, even after we have passed out from here,” says Patel.Shaped as an “E”, the ‘Arts Faculty Dome’ as commonly known, is part of the central arm of the alphabetical design, one of its arms still preserving the room where the famous philosopher Sri Aurobindo spent several years. From serving the erstwhile Baroda state, where he also wrote speeches for the Maharaja, Sri Aurobindo became a teacher of French at Baroda College and later its vice-principal. The two other arms have two similar but smaller domes.The faculty building, notably the Central Hall under the dome, has seen many personalities stage plays and elocution contests. Painted portraits of Aryabhatts, Vishwamitra and Chanakya adorn its walls.Vadodara art historian and conservator Chandrashekhar Patil, who has been part of the recent teams restoring the dome, shares that the foundation of the E-shaped building where the dome stands was raised to a higher level after the floods in 1877.Patil said, “The dome construction started in 1877, and the city faced a flood, in which the foundation of the building was submerged. The Maharaja directed that the building be constructed at a raised level to avoid such flooding, so the foundation was redone at a raised level. The building, with its dome adorned with fresco work, opened as the Baroda College in 1883. The Gol Gumbaz of Bijapur had inspired the architect Chisholm, and because there was an Adilshahi reign in other parts, it was common for many structures to have the influences of that architecture.”Patil claimed that the building was designed in the shape of the letter ‘E’ to stand for ‘Education’. He says, “The halls under the domes are built with a height of 12-18 feet to ensure that they are naturally cool during summers and warm during winters… Like Gol Gumbaz, the MSU dome is also a double-layered exposed-brick structure with an Ashoka Chakra on the top. It is also proofed from lightning strikes as it has a copper rod inserted on the dome in order to absorb the shock in case of any such eventuality. In its days of glory, the dome also flaunted intricate fresco artwork in green, yellow ochre and red colours. But faulty methods of restoration peeled off the layers, and the frescos are no longer visible.”The main dome, fusing Indian and Byzantine arches and domes in brick and polychromed stone, is surrounded by similar eight cupolas of smaller sizes. Be it the stone lattice balconies, the building has designs resembling the crescent of Lord Shiva and Buddhist symbols.The interior also has a layer of painted ceramic tiles. There are ‘Chhatris’ inspired by the Rajasthani style on the exterior first floor below the dome. The main dome, as well as the smaller domes, also have a layer of round windows, with a star-shaped carving in the centre — the main dome has two layers of windows for sunlight. Patil says, “The embellishments remind us of the fusion architecture. There is the Rajasthani influence, as well as Adilshahi and some parts of the local architecture and also influences of British and Baroque art… But although the dome is still intact, despite several restoration activities, after 2010, one has not been able to see the artworks put together by many artists. Apart from symbolic lotuses in the frescos, there were symbols from playing cards — King, Queen and Jack in repeated patterns. In those days, the concept of playing card games was very popular in Europe and also India. The hall bore signs of geometric designs of playing cards too.”

Know Your City: The iconic dome of Vadodara, pride of Maharaja Sayajirao University
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: 19 RRR centres in Ludhiana where you can donate old, used goods
The Indian Express | 2 weeks ago | |
The Indian Express
2 weeks ago | |

The Ludhiana Municipal Corporation (MC) has set up 19 RRR (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) centres across the city under ‘Meri LiFE, Mera Swachh Shehar’ campaign to promote the reuse and recycling of waste materials.The residents can donate used or old clothes, books, electronic items, sports equipment etc at the centres from 7 am to 2 pm till June 5, which is World Environment Day.Local Bodies Minister Dr Inderbir Singh Nijjar inaugurated one of the centres on Jaimal Singh Road at Janta Nagar Saturday and urged the residents to step forward in donating used and old items at the RRR centres.The aim of the programme is not only to manage the waste items but also to develop a culture of depositing used materials or products at RRR centres among the public.The donated items will be further donated to needy persons and NGOs for reusing and recycling.List of RRR centres– Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in Rishi Nagar near Polytechnic College, Haibowal (ward number 78)– MRF Jyoti Kendra, Hambran Road (Haibowal) (ward number 81)– MRF in Sarabha Nagar near MC Zone D Office (ward number 75)– Middha Chowk near Bus Stand (ward number 68)– MC Office on Gill Road (Ward number 41)– MRF Janta Nagar Park on Gill road (Jaimal Singh road – ward number 41)– MRF Cheema chowk (ward number 20)– MRF Bihari colony (ward number 20)– MRF Transport Nagar (ward number 20)– MRF Dhandari (ward number 28)– MRF Kakka Dhaula (ward number 15)– MRF 100 feet road (ward number 22)– MRF Metro tyre road (ward number 24)– MRF near Near Civil hospital (Jail road)– MRF Khwaja Kothi (ward number 64)– Hut number 1 near parking lot of MC Zone A office, Mata Rani Chowk (ward number 64)– SDP College for women (ward number 59)– MC shed near Chand cinema and Aam Aadmi clinic (ward number 85)– Senior Citizen Park, Salem Tabri (ward number 89)

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: 19 RRR centres in Ludhiana where you can donate old, used goods
Murder-suicide at Shiv Nadar University | Woman complained of harassment by accused, say police
The Indian Express | 3 weeks ago | |
The Indian Express
3 weeks ago | |

A murder and a suicide at Shiv Nadar University’s Greater Noida campus has led to the convocation scheduled for May 26 being cancelled and students leaving for home in droves.On Thursday, Sneha Chaurasia (21) was shot dead outside the dining hall allegedly by her classmate Anuj Singh who died by suicide later. A senior police officer said the duo were in a relationship and Anuj was angry that Sneha ended it and was with someone else.In a 23-minute video recorded purportedly before the incident, Anuj had said she had filed complaints against him with college authorities stating that he was harassing her. SHO of Dadri police station Sujit Kumar Upadhyay said the woman had sent an email to the university in March stating that Anuj was allegedly harassing her. The university had called the duo for a counselling session after which they allegedly seemed to have reconciled, he said.Police said Sneha had not spoken about this to her parents.Police said they are also probing how Anuj came to possess a country-made pistol — the murder weapon — and smuggled it inside the university. “There is serious negligence on the part of the varsity,” said a police officer.Police said the university gave differing statements during the investigation. “They initially said it was a case of dog bite, and refused to cooperate with the probe at first,” the officer said.However, the university spokesperson denied the allegations. “The victim was first spotted lying on the ground by some of the students. Since none of them knew what was happening, they didn’t realise that she had been shot. Within a few minutes, a doctor at the site (campus health centre) identified bullet wounds as the cause of injury. We had narrated this to the police clearly. At no point did the university authorities try to mislead or misinform any officials regarding the cause of the death,” he said.Sneha was later taken to a private hospital, where she was declared dead on arrival.Asked why Anuj was not kept under the watch of authorities after he allegedly shot Sneha, the spokesperson said they got an email from him titled ‘Suicide Note’ at 1.20 pm. “On receiving the note, the administrative head immediately initiated a hostel-wide concerted effort to locate Anuj. All possible resources were mobilised and he was found lying unconscious within 10 minutes from the time of being first reported,” he said.The spokesperson also said a high-profile committee has been formed to probe the incident and how the student got the gun and brought it to campus.Police said an FIR has not been registered yet since a complaint was not filed. “We will record statements of witnesses and file an FIR as and when we get the complaint,” said police.Police said Anuj’s phone has been recovered but they have not managed to unlock it.Meanwhile, a day after the incident, the campus wore a deserted look. Arham, a first-year engineering student, said: “The convocation has been cancelled, everyone has been asked to return home.” An official from the college administration said the convocation has been postponed and the date is yet to be decided.

Murder-suicide at Shiv Nadar University | Woman complained of harassment by accused, say police
‘Vikramaditya Motwane is the only one who allowed me the space to experiment’: Alokananda DasguptaSign In to read
The Indian Express | 3 weeks ago | |
The Indian Express
3 weeks ago | |

Jubilee — Vikramaditya Motwane’s fascinating series that juxtaposes the birth and the Partition of a nation with the rise of the Hindi film industry in Mumbai — opens with the blaring whistle of a steam engine, replicated on a bunch of horns that soon merges into clarinets and soaring strings.The title piece came from Motwane’s brief to 39-year-old composer Alokananda Dasgupta, “in which he used the word ‘overture’ a lot”. ‘Overture’ is the dramatic opening in Western classical music, and Motwane asked Dasgupta to watch the introductory credits of classics such as Shree 420 (1955), Aar-Paar (1954), and Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958), to give her a peek into the style of sound that he was looking for. It helped, says Dasgupta, who used brass instruments to translate Motwane’s vision.But the idea of fusing the train whistle came from a distinct childhood memory. Dasgupta, daughter of filmmaker Buddhadeb Dasgupta — a towering figure in Bengali cinema — was a young piano student when she was awed by Crows, a segment in Japanese auteur Akira Kurosawa’s 1990 Dreams, where an art student finds himself inside Van Gogh’s paintings. In it, the Dutch artist compares his work to a locomotive. Kurasawa intensified the moment with the haunting whistle of a steam engine fused into Frederic Chopin’s Raindrop — one of the most well-received preludes by the Polish virtuoso composer. The idea stayed with Dasgupta and, years later, it conceptually culminated in Jubilee’s opening score. “That whistle has witnessed so much. It signifies the journey, the pain, the Partition,” says Dasgupta.A good background score can convey emotions and blur boundaries that even the spoken word cannot. The best kind strikes a delicate balance with the visuals. So, if Dasgupta’s opening transports one into the past in a matter of seconds, the rest of the background score, which is a play on the idea of “classic melodies without any modern instrumentation”, proves her mantle as a narrator in Motwane’s drama. Just like her previous project, Sacred Games (2018-19) did. “Unlike Sacred Games, which came with politics and mythology, Jubilee didn’t have something tangible, those sensational moments, high-intense chases, or a tangible hook. But it was intense to the core. Vikram wanted the score to be timeless and not something that is a caricature or an imitation of that time,” says Mumbai-based Dasgupta.Motwane also used the word ‘ambition’ a lot. Mainly to define the character of Binod Das who turns into the superstar Madan Kumar, from a studio hand. For the sequence, Roy turned to her English literature lessons from college, including the Greek tragedies. “The pride, the mistakes, the insecurity, the hunger for power, the arrogance and the rise and fall (of the characters), this is what came to mind when Vikram spoke of ambition. And these are emotions that still exist,” says Roy, who held on to the word ‘ambition’ and began Madan Kumar’s first visuals as a star with a flute and clarinet and then took it to the eerie world with a large strings section. “I am highly moved by visuals,” says Dasgupta, who is also inspired by filmmaker Satyajit Ray’s use of music in his cinema.Dasgupta grew up in Kolkata, learning classical piano and Odissi, and was fed on world cinema. At home, she heard Bach and Beethoven, Begum Akhtar, Rabindra Sangeet, Simon & Garfunkel, Carpenters and The Beatles. However, public performances were nerve-racking and made Dasgupta anxious. “So much so that I decided not to perform. I realised that I liked to analyse and appreciate music more,” says Dasgupta, who eventually learnt that she could do other things in music. After studying English literature at St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata, she went to Toronto to study composition and musicology at York University, where she heard composer Amit Trivedi’s music in Aamir (2008). She wanted to work with Trivedi and became his assistant. She learnt to notate his compositions and work with music software. She began doing commercials and composed jingles for Pepsi, Apple and Fortis Hospitals, among others. Then there was Sujay Dahake’s Marathi film Shala (2011), and her father’s films Anwar Ka Ajab Kissa (2013) and The Bait (2016), Neeraj Ghayawan’s short film, Juice (2017) and Trapped (2016). But it was Motwane’s Sacred Games, that got her noticed.Working with Motwane allowed her to experiment extensively. “I can say that he is the only one who has allowed me that space to experiment. Of course he is very clear with what he wants. With him, it’s my playground but his boundaries,” says Dasgupta.However, Jubilee, Dasgupta says, was one of the harder scores. “I am not an old timer, but I am also heavily influenced by the cinema of this time, more Bengali films than Hindi. So, eventually, culturally speaking, I found an identification point. I felt a connection with this renaissance chiaroscuro (use of contrasts between light and shade), the real-life detail in Vikram’s craft,” says Dasgupta, who took an instant affinity to orchestral instruments rather than relying on technology. “Everything can be expressed through orchestral music, you do not need artificial computing, and it’s strange because technology is something that I use heavily to create music.”While her inventive score has found attention, it has also typecast her in a nation where the ‘music’ of a film still means the songs in it while the background score is considered a mechanical process. For her, though, they are not separate worlds. “I have done some songs, too. It’s frustrating when people think of the background score as a technical job. I want to do an album with songs just so that people identify me with music, as well. Also, songs feel less laborious. The process of creating a background score is intensely laborious and lonely,” says Dasgupta.📣 For more lifestyle news, follow us on Instagram | Twitter | Facebook and don’t miss out on the latest updates!

‘Vikramaditya Motwane is the only one who allowed me the space to experiment’: Alokananda DasguptaSign In to read
‘How can you let a man roam around with a gun’, asks father of woman killed at Shiv Nadar University
The Indian Express | 3 weeks ago | |
The Indian Express
3 weeks ago | |

A day after Sneha Chaurasia, 21, a student of Shiv Nadar University, was shot dead inside the varsity campus in Greater Noida allegedly by a classmate who died by suicide later, the father of the deceased woman said he will file a police complaint against the university.Speaking to The Indian Express, Sneha’s father Raj Kumar Chaurasia said, “I was informed by the university that my child had gotten into an accident. I quickly left Kanpur and, upon reaching, came to know what had ensued. The college said they will conduct an inquiry. How can you let a man roam around with a gun? Where is the security? It is a university, it is supposed to protect its students. They have these many guards, and the boy managed to shoot her, that too, twice. Where were the people?”He added that Sneha had never spoken about the man, Anuj Singh, to the family. “I don’t know him. Our daughter spoke to us last around 12 pm. We will pursue the case. We need to know how he got the gun,” Chaurasia said. “We will file a complaint against the man and the college authorities. The incident is happening right under their CCTV, how could they not know or check?”Chaurasia reached Noida on Thursday but the body has not yet been released for last rites. “I have been waiting and by (Friday) noon, 24 hours would have passed after her death. I will take the body back to Kanpur, but the post-mortem has not been conducted yet,” he said.The police had said that the university authorities gave different statements during the investigation. “They initially said that it was a case of dog bite and refused to cooperate at first,” said a senior officer.A spokesperson for Shiv Nadar University denied the allegations. Soon after the incident happened, the university said, the woman was taken to the health centre on the campus and later to a private hospital where she was declared dead on arrival. “A committee has been formed to probe the incident and how the student came to possess a gun. We are coordinating with the police probe as well,” the spokesperson informed.The police said Anuj purportedly sent a video clip to the university authorities at around 1.20 am in which he said that he was in a relationship with Sneha but they were no longer together. In the 22-minute video, he said he was “broken inside” and “could not trust anyone”. He added that he had been “diagnosed with third-stage brain cancer” but had not told his parents. Anuj spoke about punishing the woman and sought the forgiveness of both their parents.Asked if the university authorities had seen the video before the incident took place, the spokesperson said he did not receive the video which was allegedly sent out before Anuj shot Sneha dead.

‘How can you let a man roam around with a gun’, asks father of woman killed at Shiv Nadar University
Babri Masjid dispute lawyer and true community leader
The Indian Express | 3 weeks ago | |
The Indian Express
3 weeks ago | |

Zafaryab Jilani was born in 1950 in Malihabad district, Uttar Pradesh. At the time of Partition, his father was an employee of the Indian Postal Services. His father sensed that his service condition might dislocate him and hence, he decided to resign from his job. Jilani’s four brothers were born and brought up in Malihabad; now all are settled in Lucknow. One of his younger brothers, Qamaryab, predeceased him by 15 years. Jilani is survived by his two sons and one daughter. One son, Najam, is a law practitioner in Lucknow.Jilani completed his LLB in 1969 and LLM in 1971 from Aligarh Muslim University and started his law practice in Lucknow in the chamber of Shafiqur Rehman, a well-known civil lawyer of that time. Considering his interest in academics, he started teaching law on a part-time basis at Shia Degree College, Lucknow, where he taught for a few years. Simultaneously, he was also involved in different movements like the minority protection movement in 1971, which led him to be jailed for about 28 days.As a young lawyer, Jilani, as he told me, was very enthusiastic to learn different branches of law, and under Rehman, it took no time for him to emerge as a promising lawyer. This led to Sanjay Gandhi choosing him as his lawyer in 1980 to represent him in a criminal case. That was the time when Arif Mohammad Khan was also associated with him. He told me that, thanks to his dedication to the case, he was offered a ticket from the Congress party to contest the Lok Sabha elections, which he declined for two reasons. One, he wanted to stay away from political groups and two, he had no resources to undertake the election expenditures. Later on, he was also offered a Rajya Sabha membership which again he declined because of the conditions attached to that offer. He was also offered a judgeship in the High Court.He told me that in 1986, Ali Miyan of Nadwatul Ulama requested him to inspect the file related to the Babri Masjid dispute and check as to what was the status of pending litigation in Faizabad. Thereafter, he got actively involved in the case. Later on, in 1989, the High Court transferred all the cases from Faizabad to the Allahabad High Court, Lucknow Bench. After the transfer of the case to Lucknow, Jilani devoted all his time to this litigation, fully committing to the cause.I was introduced to him in the year 2010, when some party had approached the Supreme Court seeking a stay on the proposed pronouncement of judgment by the three-judge Bench of the Allahabad High Court regarding the title of the land in Ayodhya. During this short interaction, he asked me to suggest a few young lawyers who could work on this litigation as and when it reached the Supreme Court at the instance of one of the parties. A few days later, the judgment was pronounced directing the division of the said land into three parts. The very next day, I received a call to start downloading the entire judgment from the website and start reading so that whenever he was in Delhi, I would have some idea about the litigation. Later on, he called me to meet Rajeev Dhawan, a Senior Advocate, and requested him to appear for the Muslim side. I had no prior interaction with Dhawan, but I went and conveyed Jilani’s request. Dhawan responded positively. However, he expressed unhappiness over not having got the request over a phone call from Jilani. It was much later that I understood Dhawan’s fondness for Jilani — quite rightly, he always wanted Jilani’s instructions on any crucial issue to be conveyed directly to him.Jilani was excellent at articulating the legal issues in papers and submissions in Court. Much later in 2012, he was offered the position of Additional Advocate General of the Government of Uttar Pradesh, which he reluctantly accepted and worked for five years in that capacity. He will be remembered as a great lawyer who served humanity in different spheres of life. Apart from being an active office-bearer of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board and the Babri Masjid Action Committee, he was manager of Islamia College, Lucknow, and an NGO which ran an orphanage and a degree college. He was a true community leader, who ignored his personal interest and put his entire life in contesting and defending the issues of the Muslims. In my view, the community at large shall remain indebted to his services, which have no parallel.The writer is an advocate at the Supreme Court

Babri Masjid dispute lawyer and true community leader
After recent murder of medico, man held for attempting to assault doctor
The Indian Express | 3 weeks ago | |
The Indian Express
3 weeks ago | |

Days after the gruesome murder of a woman doctor by a patient at a hospital in Kerala, a man turned violent and allegedly tried to attack a male doctor at a state-run medical college in Kochi, police said on Tuesday.Twenty four-year old Doyal, a native of Vattekunnam in nearby Edapally, was arrested late on Monday night following the incident, Kalamassery police here said.The accused sought treatment at the government medical college after he suffered injuries in a road accident last night, they said.According to hospital staff, he behaved in a strange manner from the time he came to the premises. He tried to manhandle the doctor who came to treat him.In a purported video of Doyal, which went viral on social media platforms today morning, he could be seen arguing and threatening the doctor and other hospital staff.Some other persons, who accompanied him, could be seen trying to calm him down but he continued to behave in a rude manner with the healthcare workers.The man was later controlled by the security personnel of the hospital and the Kalamassery police were informed.Before he was shifted to the police vehicle, the man could be seen apparently threatening the doctor saying that he remembers his face clearly, as shown in the video.A senior police officer told PTI that various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Hospital Protection Act were slapped on the accused.“His arrest was recorded under IPC Sections 332 (voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty), 294 (b) (use abusive words) and 506 (criminal intimidation) besides the sections of the Hospital Protection Act. He will be produced before court today,” the officer said.The incident comes just days after a woman doctor was brutally stabbed to death by a patient she was attending to at a hospital in Kollam district.Dr Vandana Das, a native of Kaduthuruthy area of Kottayam district and a house surgeon at Azeezia Medical College Hospital, was working at the Kottarakkara taluk hospital as part of her training. She was stabbed several times, and later succumbed to her injuries on May 10.Following the attack on her, protests erupted in various hospitals across the state with healthcare professionals, medical interns, students and house surgeons taking to the streets.

After recent murder of medico, man held for attempting to assault doctor
Before Arpit became Arpita in Starbucks ad, Saurav became trans model SiyaPremium Story
The Indian Express | 3 weeks ago | |
The Indian Express
3 weeks ago | |

From being bullied in school to walking the ramp, from long therapy sessions to portfolio shoots, from Saurav to Siya – for the 25-year-old trans model and actor, life so far has been a journey of discovering and now revealing herself to the world.As Saurav, Siya was in her early teens when she was sent to an all-boys’ school in Dehradun. As someone who felt trapped in her body and “felt like a woman”, those were difficult days as she was bullied and called names by fellow students. It didn’t help that those days, there were few conversations around queer experiences.“My father passed away when I was six years old, so I grew up in a house with a single mother and two sisters. Everybody thought I was confused because I was growing up around women,” says Siya, who legally changed her name from Saurav in 2020.The 25-year-old features in a recent Starbucks advertisement, part of its #ItStartsWithYourName campaign – a warm account of parental acceptance as Arpit becomes Arpita, a transwoman, with Siya essaying the role of Arpita. “When I got the brief about this advertisement, I wanted to be the one doing it, so I auditioned in three different styles,” says the Mumbai-based actor.While the advertisement drew praise for its message on inclusion, it also attracted a fair share of trolls. “The first two days were really nice, I received a lot of appreciation. But it is not all roses. Many people are saying nasty things but I try to not let them affect me though sometimes they do.”But Siya had been through worse – and come out stronger for it. Being in an all-boys’ school meant she attracted a lot of unflattering attention. “I would hold my pee for several hours to avoid being bullied inside the washroom. And then, when I was 15, I tried to commit suicide,” she says, adding that she started bunking school.It was when her mother, a lab assistant at a school in Dehradun, found out that Siya had been bunking school, that she decided to share her inner conflict. “When I told her (about my feelings), she said maybe she doesn’t understand me today but she will educate herself to understand me better. That was a turning point in my life,” she says.The next day, her mother met the principal to ensure Siya wasn’t bullied anymore.When it was time to join college, Siya prepared to face herself – she grew her hair and started dressing “in a more feminine way”. “I enrolled for BCom in a college in Dehradun. There, I learnt of a Delhi-based NGO that supported trans people. So I boarded a bus and came to Delhi. By the time I reached, it was evening, so I spent the night outside Mata Chanan Devi Hospital in Janakpuri. A policeman came and started harassing me, assuming I was a prostitute. He checked my bag for condoms. I had to show him my tickets from Dehradun to convince him. I can never forget that night,” says Siya, who started making frequent trips to Delhi for hormone therapy and psychiatry help. By 19, Siya relocated to Delhi and took up odd jobs, including that of a beautician, to keep going, before finding her footing in the hospitality industry.“My family has been very supportive… my sisters are my best friends,” she says.By 2019, she had saved up enough money for a sex reassignment surgery and her first portfolio shoot.Towards the end of 2020, Siya moved to Mumbai. “I sent my portfolio to agencies and soon landed gigs in advertisements for e-commerce sites and catalogue shoots. I also did an audition for (reality TV show) MTV Supermodel of the Year and got selected. They were looking for people with strong stories to feature in their second season,” she says, adding, “The fashion industry doesn’t care who you are, as long as you are confident and can pull off a look. I did bikini shoots too.”After the MTV show, Siya got selected for a part in the Netflix series Rana Naidu where she played a trans-make-up artist.As she soaks in the attention that the Starbucks ad has given her, Siya says, “I don’t want any sympathy. The plan is to hone my craft and entertain people and create more visibility for the trans community.”

Before Arpit became Arpita in Starbucks ad, Saurav became trans model SiyaPremium Story
TN conductor deboards woman student from bus for carrying musical instruments, transferred
The Indian Express | 4 weeks ago | |
The Indian Express
4 weeks ago | |

A Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) bus conductor has been transferred after he allegedly deboarded a college student midway through her journey allegedly because she was carrying musical instruments, including a parai, at Vannarapetai in Tirunelveli district on Wednesday night.While reports suggested that the conductor had been suspended, Tirunelveli Collector K P Karthikeyan said he is yet to receive written clarification on what action has been initiated against the conductor.According to officials, the first-year BBA student from a private college in Tirunelveli had boarded the bus from the Tirunelveli New Bus Stand to reach her house in Sivaganga at around 7 pm after taking part in a competition at her college.The conductor, identified as Ganapathy, reportedly told her to get down saying there is no space for musical instruments in the bus. After an argument broke out between the conductor and the student, the student allegedly said she was ready to pay for a ticket for the instruments but was still deboarded.While speaking to the media, the student alleged that the conductor abused her and threatened to throw the instruments if she did not get down.Speaking to indianexpress.com, collector Karthikeyan said the student was immediately sent to another bus. “Orally, the TNSTC officials have informed me that they have initiated departmental action against the conductor but I am yet to receive a written clarification on what action has been initiated against him,” the collector said, adding that he has directed that such incidents should not occur again.

TN conductor deboards woman student from bus for carrying musical instruments, transferred
A teacher’s letter: Ad hocism and despair in the staff room
The Indian Express | 1 month ago | |
The Indian Express
1 month ago | |

Dear SamarveerI learnt of your death from a WhatsApp message in my college Staff Association group. As a species, like we congratulate for achievements, we also condole for loss. In any case, this will be a long summer of felicitations and sympathies. Since you are beyond the reach of these messages and all our noble sentiments now, I decided to persist in the folly by writing you a letter.First, I do not belong to the ad hoc subspecies. I am a permanent teacher. For years, these terms have become metaphors with a certain instability of reference. “Ad hoc” in our vocabulary means a lowering of the eyes, a twist in the heart, a shudder that goes down to the stomach. At times, an eagerness to please since no one can survive a resentful silence for very long. It also fundamentally alters one’s vision of the world and one’s place in it. Did you experience the same exploitation in an institution of higher learning which you had once thought only education could mitigate? Unkind cuts from learned colleagues? Did no one laugh at your naivete? Did you laugh at the human comedy you saw? Did you try to explain it theoretically, sociologically and try to rescue your passion from the abyss of failure?It broke your heart.You worked for 6 years; I have worked for 16. We both started at the same age. You chose philosophy, I literature. When I read the WhatsApp message on our Staff Association group, I was attending rituals for my aunt who had lived to be 82 and died like a child, laughing and dancing, not knowing she had once been a mother and a grandmother. After the rituals for the dead were over, I mentioned your passing away. People wanted to know about displacements and appointments. Some said, Oh! The young these days lack mental strength! A man I met there, who works with a Construction Company, said: “If you ask me, what is happening is good. It is restoration of balance. Our universities have to be repaired”. Now, Samarveer, your demise isn’t inconsequential. You are collateral damage. It must be a very big deal if the dust of the immense forces of history has touched you.I tried to look at your death through his eyes. I tried to look at your suicide through the prisms of our many loyalties and ideologies. What did they offer to youngsters who chose this profession from an array of other alternatives? After a long hiatus, appointments began. The stakes were very, very high. Colleagues in various colleges now regularly talk about two-minute interviews.—Why did you feel the need to come here? Isn’t your college conducting interviews?There is of course this assumption in such questions faced by the ad hoc faculty that they will be appointed where they belong. This is a cruel sport.Samarveer, do you see what I see? You have snatched our masks and run away with childlike abandon. Those who appoint teachers have a simple yet hard ethical duty. To be not arbiters of destinies nor cogs in wheels but facilitators chosen for their ability to think without prejudices. To identify persons with a spark, a light in the eyes that tells them that they will love what they do, from whom students enkindle their own lives and pass it on to society. When appointments are stalled for so long, human dignity is in shreds. We have fed on the fallen for too long.If the fish’s eye is the most disadvantaged student, then the whole process may be seen as an opportunity. It wouldn’t be picture-perfect. Samarveer, how can ad hoc teacher explain her displacement if she has given all of her in the classroom and to the institution over the years? Perhaps if you had known that you lost in a level playing field you would have not let despair win. You were born to be a war-hero. Shall we call you a martyr, Samarveer?You know Samarveer, if you had ever come to my college, you would have crossed the statue of the Goddess Saraswati, the Buddha and a framed photograph of Ambedkar on your way up the stairs to the Staff Room and the main teaching block. For a week or so, they will hear your name, watch us go up and down, up and down. They have been silent for ages now in our epoch of ventriloquism.Tomorrow, we might know of other reasons for which you took this extreme step. Indeed, we need those now to absolve ourselves, to look at each other without embarrassment. I think of your students. Once they may have wanted to be like you. Today, they will be scared to make choices that lead them to this profession. As for others like us (permanent, ad hoc, permanently ad hoc, guest, and fill in the blanks) who have no links but the spirits and ghosts of this surreal world, tomorrow morning we will reach our classroom, share our night’s toils, look our students in the eye and see the home we have made there.And find peace, Dear Colleague.The writer is Associate Professor, Kalindi College

A teacher’s letter: Ad hocism and despair in the staff room
AP EAMCET admit card 2023 releasing on May 9; Steps to download
The Indian Express | 1 month ago | |
The Indian Express
1 month ago | |

AP EAMCET admit card 2023: Jawaharlal Nehru Technical University (JNTU) Anantapur, will release the AP EAMCET 2023 admit cards tomorrow, May 9. Candidates who are appearing for the AP EAMCET 2023 can download the admit cards from the official website – cets.apsche.ap.gov.inThe AP EAMCET 2023 (engineering exam) will be conducted from May 15 to May 18 and the AP EAMCET 2023 (Agriculture & Pharmacy) will be conducted from May 22 to May 23.AP EAMCET exams hall ticket: How to downloadStep 1: Visit the official website.Step 2: Click on the link on the homepage to download the hall ticket.Step 3: Enter your registration number. Step 4: The AP EAMCET 2023 hall ticket will appear on the screen.Step 5: Download the hall ticket and save for future reference. The EAMCET/ EAPCET result will be based on the final answer key. Those who clear the exam will be eligible to take admissions in Andhra Pradesh based colleges in the stream they had appeared for the exam. AP-based colleges also accept the national entrance exams — NEET and JEE — for medical and engineering admissions, respectively.  

AP EAMCET admit card 2023 releasing on May 9; Steps to download
  • MHT CET Admit Card 2023 Soon: How to download at mhtcet2023.mahacet.org

    • The Indian Express

    MHT CET Admit Card 2023, Hall Ticket Download: The State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra will be releasing the MHT CET admit card 2023 on the official website, mhtcet2023.mahacet.org. While the concerned department officials told indianexpress.com that the MHT CET hall tickets will be out on May 3 evening, however, the link is not active yet.The admit card link for the MBA/ MMS re-exam is already released. The MHT CET exam for PCM is scheduled to be conducted from May 9 till 13 and PCB exams will begin from May 15 to May 20.Step 1: Go to the official website – cetcell.mahacet.orgStep 2: Click on the MHT CET 2023 section.Step 3: Open the link for admit card.Step 4: Enter the asked details and login.Step 5: Download your MHT CET admit card.Step 6: Take a printout for the exam day.The CET cell conducts MHT CET for admission to engineering, pharmacy and agriculture courses offered by participating institutions across the state. Meanwhile, the JEE Main session 2 result is out and NEET UG will be held on Sunday.  

Based in Pak, funded by ISI, Paramjit Singh Panjwar executed high profile killings in Punjab
The Indian Express | 1 month ago | |
The Indian Express
1 month ago | |

The murder of Maj Gen BN Kumar (retd), the then Chairman of Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), in Chandigarh in 1988; the killing of 19 students at Thapar Engineering College in Patiala in 1989; and the kidnapping and murder of Rajan Bains, son of then SSP Batala Gobind Ram in 1989 are some of the crimes for which Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) chief Paramjit Singh Panwar was wanted by Punjab Police.Panjwar (63) was shot dead Saturday by unidentified gunmen while he was out for a morning walk near his residence in Pakistan’s Lahore. He was designated as a terrorist by India under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in July 2020.Senior Punjab Police officials who were at the forefront of the fight against militancy in the late 1980s and the mid-90s recalled the crimes, which were executed by the KCF, led by Panjwar.Maj Gen Kumar was shot dead outside his residence in Sector 35 of Chandigarh. The students who were murdered at Thapar Engineering by College in Patiala were sleeping in a dormitory and had come from different colleges in the region to attend a youth festival. Gobind Ram’s son was killed as a reprisal for the activities of the SSP who was accused of using extrajudicial methods in cracking down on the militants in his area.“At that time, families of police officials were being targetted and Gobind Ram’s sons’ murder by KCF was one in this chain of events. A couple of years earlier, in 1986, the son of a DSP Raj Kishen Bedi was killed in Ludhiana. Another SP’s four-year-old son was also kidnapped in 1989 but was released unharmed,” recalled a senior police officer who did not want to be named but was an SP rank officer during the years of militancy.A senior police official who had served in a several militancy-affected districts in the late 1980s recalled that 10 Rai Sikhs (a Sikh Community) were also murdered in Ferozepur during that period.A former Punjab Police officer, who handled Intelligence and Counter Intelligence while in service, said that it had been well established by the agencies that Panjwar was funded by the sleeper agents of Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) in the western countries, including the USA.“Panjwar, based in Lahore, was getting funds in a roundabout manner from ISI from the US and this information was passed on to us by the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation). This resulted in the arrest of a sleeper agent of ISI named Khalid Awan in New York in the early 2000s,” said the retired officer who did not want to be named for security reasons.A joint intelligence operation led by the FBI had resulted in busting of the syndicate led by Panjwar in New York.Khalid Awan had confessed before the FBI about his role in funding KCF and his direct links with Panjwar. “He was encouraged to make phone calls to Panjwar and his ISI handler on an open line from the prison where he was being held in New York and all these calls were recorded. The ISI officer referred to Khalid Awan as a “khamosh mujahid” or a silent warrior in the cause of Khalistan,” said the officer.Khalid is learnt to have transferred US $ 60,000 to 70,000 Dollars to Panjwar and told the US investigators that he knew the money “was going to be used for bad things…shooting and killing of innocent people…in India”. Eventually Khalid Awan was sentenced by a US court to 14 years in prison for promoting terrorist activities in India.As per Punjab Police officials, Panjwar had been arranging arms training for Sikh youth in Pakistan and remained engaged in supplying of arms and ammunition and subsequent infiltration into India for targeting VIPs and economic installations.

Based in Pak, funded by ISI, Paramjit Singh Panjwar executed high profile killings in Punjab
Delhi University ad hoc teacher suicide: Chronicle of a tragedy foretold
The Indian Express | 1 month ago | |
The Indian Express
1 month ago | |

“One male identified as Samarveer s/o Satyadev r/o Village Molki, Distt. Bara Rajasthan, age -33 years (unmarried) was found hanging from ceiling fan with a bed sheet.” This was how the press release of Delhi Police reported the tragedy. The matter-of-fact banality of the report, of course, was par for the course.However, the tragic death of the young man was not simply a statistic — it was a reflection of the deep malaise that pervades our institutions of higher education, in this case, University of Delhi (DU), which is celebrating its centenary this year. The situation in the university is such that a tragedy like this was just waiting to happen.Samarveer was one of the thousands of young men and women who had been working as ad-hoc lecturers in various DU colleges for years. For various reasons, most of them extra-academic, there had been no permanent appointments in most of the colleges for over a decade or more. And so we had this curious situation of there being more than 5,000 permanent positions that needed to be filled.Last year, the appointments finally started. Obviously, there were thousands of applicants for the jobs. Unlike the usual practice of shortlisting candidates to be called for the interviews based on their credentials, this time everyone who had more than a certain number of regulation-demanded points in their API score was called. API, for the uninitiated, is the Academic Performance Index — a metric devised by the mandarins in the UGC to be the touchstone of academic merit. The fact that a single metric cannot conceivably capture the total capabilities of a researcher or a teacher is lost on the boffins.The lower standards meant that every college had to interview hundreds and in some cases thousands of candidates. One college, for instance, had more than 1,500 candidates in physics. This also meant that each candidate was interviewed only perfunctorily, getting only a few minutes with the board. Based on this limited interaction, candidates were selected for the appointment.What transpired was that in college after college, the ad-hoc teachers who, in some cases had been teaching for more than 15 years, were not selected and were left without a job. This, despite the fact that the college had renewed their contract year after year and thus, it stands to reason, they were found to be competent to teach. If they were not, the college would have replaced them over the years with better and more qualified teachers.One can argue that jobs should be given based on academic merit and so the interview panel chose the best candidates. Alas, this doesn’t seem to be the case. How else would one explain the selection of a candidate in physics, who is still doing his PhD and worse, has not managed to clear his PhD confirmation despite appearing three times? He was chosen over candidates who not only had PhDs from eminent institutions but also had solid research credentials. There are several such cases that one can cite.If academic merit was not the determining factor in the appointments, what distinguished the chosen ones from the hundreds of others? Anecdotal evidence, which has been confirmed by at least some of the experts in the interview panels, suggests that the clincher was whether the candidate was “recommended” by certain “social and cultural organisations”.One can argue that just because someone has been teaching in a contractual position for some time should not automatically guarantee their permanent appointment since that would mean a dilution of academic merit. Nevertheless, a more sympathetic and humane administration could have devised creative ways in which the existing ad-hoc teachers could have been given a leg up. And given the quality of at least some of the appointments, the academic merit bogey is just that.What is worse for these displaced teachers is that the chances of getting a teaching job in the future are very bleak. The government has decided that the expansion of institutions of higher education is no longer a priority. Instead, students are now encouraged to opt for online courses. The fact that many of the front organisations of ed-tech companies who stand to reap a bonanza are advising the government must be a coincidence. That online teaching can at best supplement classroom interaction, though globally acknowledged, is lost on our policymakers. The interaction with a teacher in a classroom, the peer group interaction which plays a decisive role in not just learning but also in developing the so-called “soft skills” like working in a team, are an integral part of education. A video, no matter how slickly produced, can never replicate that experience.It is this bleak future that the displaced teachers face, possibly led Samarveer to take the extreme step. Unfortunately, his death will soon be forgotten and it will be business as usual without any assessment of institutional failure and even culpability.Just a day after this tragedy, I noticed a serpentine line of students waiting to enter the very college where Samarveer had taught for over five years. It turned out that the college was having its annual cultural festival. The irony of this temporal juxtaposition was presumably lost on the college authorities. Or maybe it is a sign of times when if you cannot provide a good education, at least provide a good circus.The writer is professor of physics and astrophysics, University of Delhi

Delhi University ad hoc teacher suicide: Chronicle of a tragedy foretold
GUJARAT WEATHERGUJARAT WEATHER