IELTS workshop at Ludhiana

A special seminar held for the students by Kapri Institute
Ashwin Pandey of British Council taught the key secrets of English speaking

Life is not easy according to our dreams and imagination. In real life we have to rise and work to fulfill our dreams. We can change our life...and the world also but skill of English speaking is an urgent condition for the success. A seminar cum special training held at Ludhiana by the Kapri Institute of English speaking. Mr. Ashwin Pandey market manager, examination service British Council was the key speaker in the seminar.More than 150 students benefited from this special session. 

Mr. Ashwin Pandey announced that two new British Council IELTS test centresare started in Punjab. From 16the May students can also take tests in Moga and Bathinda with the British Council. He also announced scholarships given by the British Council. He told the students about road to IELTS which is free online training session for all IELTS aspirants. he also guided the candidates about all the steps and modules of IELTS. 

Speaking on the occasion, Anjali Chawla, Head of the Department of IELTS at the Kapri Institute said that teachers are trained by British Council. She said that Kapri has also a test registration centre for the British Council and has already trained more than 16,000 students.

Nitin Chawla, director marketing Kapri Institute said kapri held such workshops every year to help students to update skills. He also thanked Mr. Ashwin Pandey and Miss Harjot Kalsi for delivering the wonderful presentation to the students. 

10th Convocation at NIT Kurukshetra

09-April-2013 18:15 IST
I am delighted to be here
Speech by the President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee 

1. I am delighted to be here today to address the 10th Convocation of the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Kurukshetra. I congratulate the graduating students on this momentous day of their lives. I compliment the Institute for completing 50 years of rendering engineering education in the country. 

2. I am told that as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations, the Institute is organizing seminars, workshops, lectures and training programs in the emerging areas of engineering and technology, science, humanities and management. NIT, Kurukshetra, has built for itself a reputation for delivering quality professional education in the country. It stands tall amongst the technical institutions of higher learning. 

3. Over the last five decades, it has produced outstanding engineers who have become an asset for the profession and the country. The dedicated service and tireless efforts of the faculty and staff of the Institute, in pursuing excellence in teaching and research is laudable. 

4. Ladies and Gentlemen, knowledge is a true enabler of human empowerment. The contribution of education to the development of a nation is second to none. The famous poet, William Butler Yeats had said, (quote): “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire” (unquote). 

5. The evolving demographic profile of our country, with two-third of our population expected to be in the working age group by 2025, presents us an opportunity for high economic growth and prosperity. This demographic dividend is ours for the taking, but for that, the youth must be qualified and trained to participate in national progress. 

6. As is well known, India is poised to be an economic power. In terms of purchasing power parity, the size of our economy is the third largest in the world. A growth rate of 9 per cent per year has been envisaged during the Twelfth Five Year Plan period of 2012 to 2017. Such scales of economic expansion need several enabling factors prominent among them being education. We have, over time, created an infrastructure of good educational institutions for imparting quality education at all levels. In the higher education sector, India is endowed with 659 degree awarding institutions and 33,023 colleges. The number of Indian Institutes of Technology has increased from 7 in 2006-07 to 15 in 2011-12. The enrolment to higher education institutions in the country has similarly increased, from 1.39 crores in 2006-07 to 2.18 crores in 2011-12. Engineering comprised 13 per cent of the total enrolment in 2006-07. This figure has since increased to 25 per cent. The growth rate of enrolment in Engineering, which was close to 25 per cent annually during the Eleventh Plan period, is the highest for any field of study. 

7. The Government of India’s 12th Plan Strategy includes a series of initiatives in the field of higher education. These include the establishment of more Central Universities, greater emphasis on technical education and distance learning, academic reforms, interest subsidy on education loans, establishment of innovation universities, expansion of existing institutions and a focus on better quality in research, infrastructure, faculty and curriculum content. The strategy gives due emphasis to greater outreach and more opportunities for all sections of our society. Governance reforms and restructuring is also a priority. 

8. Our institutes of higher learning continue to be challenged by problems of quality. An international survey indicated that there is not a single Indian university amongst the top 200 universities in the world. This calls for drastic action to reform the way education is imparted in our universities and academic institutes. A culture of excellence should be embedded in the thought process of our higher education providers. 

9. Quality, affordability and accessibility should become the mainstay of our higher education system. Wide regional variations should not be allowed to persist. We must take higher education, including technical education, to the doorstep of our people by innovations in the delivery system. 

10. Ladies and Gentlemen, shortage of faculty is assuming serious proportions across all types of higher education institutions. Existing vacancies must be filled up quickly. Along side, technology should be marshalled for learning and collaborative information sharing. In this regard, the facilities extended by the National Mission on Education through Information and Communication Technology should be utilized to the fullest extent. For instance, important lectures could be shared with students belonging to geographically-distant institutions. 

11. Continuous progression is a defining feature of knowledge in today’s world. Unless our teachers are up-to-date with the latest information in their respective academic disciplines, they will not be able to disseminate knowledge of contemporary relevance to their students. Our universities and institutes must encourage and facilitate their teachers participation in international seminars, refresher courses and project work. Benefits of wider perspective and knowledge reciprocity would flow automatically. 

12. Every academic institute must recognize their outstanding teachers who have inspired the young minds to gather knowledge beyond text books. Such teachers are catalysts for holistic learning and new thinking. Such ‘inspired teachers’ could be encouraged to mentor junior teachers and students. 

13. Topics of national relevance such as water, environment, health, education and urbanization require in-depth analysis and research. Our institutes of higher learning must provide an academic framework that will facilitate a better understanding of these issues by our policy makers. 

14. Ladies and Gentlemen, in a world of depleting natural resources, future growth will have to be secured by innovation and constant technology up-gradation. India’s innovation balance sheet is not very encouraging. In 2011, 42,000 patent applications were filed in our country compared to over 5 lakh applications filed each in China and US. As per a recent ‘Forbes’ survey, only three Indian companies have been listed amongst the world's most innovative companies. This number will increase if the process of innovation is made a permanent feature in our institutions of learning. Our universities, engineering colleges and research and development centres should be the hotbeds of innovation. Setting up more incubation parks, building linkages with grass-root innovators, enhancing the number of research fellowships, and driving inter-disciplinary research are some of the immediate measures required to be taken. 

15. In our engineering colleges and technical institutes, there is also need to proactively pursue the scaling up of research in cutting edge technologies such as nanotechnology, biotechnology, embedded system design and technologies for sustainable development like renewable energy. 

16. Some studies have shown how alumni interest in the affairs of academic institution has done wonders. Alumni are associated in the affairs of an overwhelming majority of the top American universities like Harvard University. I am confident that the alumni of NIT, Kurukshetra, would also engage themselves fruitfully to the cause of this Institution. 

17. I am happy to note that NIT, Kurukshetra, has made notable progress by establishing dedicated schools of post graduate studies and research. I am confident your endeavour to establish closer research and development linkages with reputed national laboratories and organizations like Defence Research and Development Organization and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research will succeed in developing useful and frontier technology. 

18. Talent in academic and research positions in our academic institutions are difficult to retain due to lack of adequate flexibility in our systems. Our system must be geared to discourage any loss of intellectual capital and at the same time welcome scholars overseas including NRI and Persons of Indian origin to return to the country. Such an initiative will enable transmission of ideas and new methods of teaching and research from abroad to India. Academia-industry linkages must also be strengthened to include industry’s perspective in research and to derive market benefits from innovations. 

19. Ladies and Gentlemen, India is beginning to emerge as a knowledge economy. Our pool of qualified manpower will be the backbone of this new age. I hope NIT Kurukshetra will lead the way in transforming domain knowledge and skill into new competitive technologies for national reliance.

20.  I am sure the young men and women graduating today will face challenges in their life with confidence and bring sincerity, devotion and professionalism in all aspects of their professional work. Tolerance, discipline, humanism, and service to the society with all humility should be the guiding philosophy for all those who graduate from here. Your institute is located in the holy land of ‘Mahabharata’ where ‘Lord Krishna’ enunciated these principles through the ‘Bhagvad Gita’. The teachings of ‘Bhagvad Gita’ are perennial and relevant to the human civilization for all time to come. Carry this message with you always. 

21. Let me conclude with the words of Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya, who, in a convocation address to the Banaras Hindu University, said, (Quote) “Continue your studies throughout your life. Be just and fear none. Fear only to do that which is ill and ignoble. Stand up for right. Love to serve your fellow-men. Love the motherland. Promote public weal. Do good wherever you get a chance for it. Love to give whatever you can spare.” (Unquote) 

22. I wish all the graduating students a fulfilling life and career ahead. I also wish the management and faculty of NIT, Kurukshetra, all success. 

Thank you. Jai Hind. 
****
SC/SKS

57th Annual Convocation

The Union Minister for Railways, Shri Pawan Kumar Bansal gave away the prizes, at the 57th Annual Convocation of Government College of Education, in Chandigarh on April 06, 2013.

Nose to Nose:During Training

03/27/2013 07:42 PM CDT                    Thu, Mar 28, 2013 at 5:37 AM

Marine Corps Sgt. Chesty XIII, right, official mascot of the U.S. Marine Corps, stares down his successor, Recruit Chesty, during training on Marine Barracks Washington in Washington, D.C., March 20, 2013.

Annual Convocation of CMC & Hospital

43 Medical Graduates were awarded the degrees

Ludhiana, 16th March, 2013(Shalu Arora and Rector Kathuria):Annual Convocation of Christian Medical College, Christian Dental College, College of Nursing and College of Physiotherapy, Ludhiana was held on   16th March 2013 with traditional grandeur today in the College Campus, Dr. Harvinder S.Luthra, MD. Gill, John Finn Professor, Professor of Medicine, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Medical School, Rochester, USA was the Chief Guest. He said, “At the outset, let me thank the Institute for inviting me here to participate in this memorable occasion and to distribute the Convocation credentials to merit holders. This profession is prestigious, with ample scope for growth. You are part of the educated class that society looks up to, for guidance and awareness. On this convocation day, I wish all the young Doctors & Nurses the very best in life and a wonderful future with achievements and I wish they should also treat the poor people Christian Medical College has a long tradition of pursuing excellence in teaching and research in science. He also appreciated the Christian Medical College & Hospital for its exceptional services in the field of Medical.

Dr. Abraham G. Thomas, Director welcomed the gathering, Dr. S. M. Bhatti, Principal administered the Hippocratic Oath to the Graduates and Postgraduates. Forty three (43) Medical Graduates were awarded the degrees.  Students excelling in various academic activities were awarded Prizes and Medals by the Director CMC Ludhiana. 

Dr.Bir Inder Kumar chathley First Prize for best work during internship in SPM was given to Dr.Shipra Rachna Singh, Dr.Rejul K.Raj and Dr.Shyma Markose, Vipin Khanna memorial gold medal for best intern goes to Dr.Sebastian Marker. Dr.Jaswant kaur Gill Memorial award for best out going Medical Resident goes to Dr.Deepti Joy, out going Orthopaedics Resident award goes to Dr.Prince S.Khan, and Dr.Abraham G.Thomas Award for the best outgoing resident in Surgery goes to Dr.Kamal Nabh Negi. Dr.Eileen B.Snow- CMC Alumni Prize for best all round graduate goes to Elizabeth Wilson and Gayatri Bhattia. Overview of faculty achievements was presented by Principal, Dr. S.M.Bhatti. The Association of Medical Alumni awarded Life Time Achievement award to Dr. Arindra Nath Chatterjee. Dr. V. K. Satija Award for best Clinical Teacher went to Dr. Arpit Jacob Mathew while batch of 1976 Excellence in Teaching Award went to Dr. Nitin Batra.

Dr. Abi M. Thomas, Principal presented the college report. There were 40 BDS graduates to receive their degree.  13 students received gold medals.In the report the Principal highlighted the achievements of the faculty and students in the last year.  Ms. Shinu Koshy was the topper in the Final Prof. BDS exam in the college.  The passing percentage of the students in final Prof exam was 95% who completed BDS course.  Last year there were 21 publications, 24, paper presentations by the dental college faculty nationally and internationally.  At present there are 10 research project works undertaken during the last year. The student’s council actively supported the administration in co-coordinating difference programmes.  He expressed his gratitude to the CMC administration, Baba Farid University, Dental Council of India, Director of Medical Education and Research and Govt. of Punjab.

Nursing education has completed 124 years. Today 56 B. Sc. Nursing graduates awarded the degree on 37th Convocation. The Chief Guest awarded the prizes and medals to the academically outstanding graduates. Christina Benjamin B. Sc. Nursing 1st year, Gurwinder Kaur B. Sc. Nursing 2nd year, Damanpreet Kaur B.Sc. Nursing 3rd year, Navpreet Kaur B. Sc. Nursing 4th year secured 1st position in the College. Navpreet Kaur secured first position in B. Sc. Nursing Aggregate. Special prizes were awarded to Smitha Sebastian for the Best Community Health Student Nurse, Jainy K. for Best Bed Side Student Nurse and Sonia Mattu for the All Round Best Student Nurse. Dr. Usha Singh received THORPES (Special) AWARD for the successful completion of her Doctorate.

This was the second Convocation of the College of Physiotherapy, Christian Medical College. 15graduates were awarded the degree. Students of 1st, 2nd,3rd  & 4th years received  prizes & certificates for their achievements in the University examinations. Nine students had achieved University ranks. 20 distinctions in different subjects in University examinations held in September 2012. Divita Arora stood 2nd in the Final professional examination. Sukhampreet Kaur stood 1st in University in second professional examination.    

CMC, Ludhiana celebrated Alumni Day

Alumni newsletter was also released

Ludhiana, 15th March, 2013:College of Nursing, CMC, Ludhiana celebrated Alumni Day on 15th March, 2013. The induction ceremony was started by the word of God followed by presentation of mementos and badges to the new members. Prof. Ponnamma R. Singh, Principal welcomed and introduced the Chief Guest Mrs. Taramani Johnson.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Guest laid importance on the association. Dr. Abraham G. Thomas, Director and senior members of the profession felicitated the new alumni members. 
Alumni newsletter was also released on this occasion. The program ended with variety entertainment. It was a home coming for many of the senior alumni members. The scientific session on “Occupational Hazards” chaired by Mrs. Ritu P. Naihar, Asst. Professor.

Prevent screening in admissions

Tue, Feb 26, 2013 at 9:20 PM
To
The Lieutenant Governor
Government of NCT of Delhi
Raj Niwas Marg, Delhi-110054
25.02.2013

Subject: Representation requesting for amendment in the Recognised Schools (Admission Procedure for Pre-Primary Class) Order, 2007 to prevent screening in admissions to pre-primary/Nursery classes in unaided private recognised schools
Sir
I wish to draw your attention to the various categorical observations made by the Hon’ble Delhi High Court through its Division Bench comprising Hon’ble Chief Justice Shri D. Murugesan and Hon’ble Mr. Justice V.K. Jain in a Public Interest Litigation entitled Social Jurist V. Government of NCT of Delhi and anr. [W.P. (C) 8533/2010]. A copy of the said judgment is attached herewith. In its judgment dated 19.02.2013 in the said PIL, the Hon’ble Delhi High Court has held that in view of non-applicability of the RTE Act for the purpose of pre-primary classes admission, the Recognised Schools (Admission Procedure for Pre-Primary Class) Order, 2007, still holds the ground for admissions to general category seats in pre-primary/nursery classes in unaided recognized private schools and observed as under:

“The Lieutenant Governor of Delhi in exercise of the powers conferred upon him by Section 3(1) of Delhi School Education Act and Rule 43 of Delhi School Education Rules, 1973 is competent to give such further directions or to make such modifications to the existing order as the Government may deem appropriate, to prevent any possible misuse or malpractice in making admission to pre-primary and pre-school classes by these private unaided schools.   The petitioner may, if so advised, represent to the Lieutenant Governor, Delhi, to make such amendments to the aforesaid order, which, in their opinion, are required to be made, to rule out any possible misuse of the liberty given to the private unaided school, in the said order, in the matter of laying down the criterion for admission to pre-primary and prenursery classes”

Further, the Hon’ble High Court has observed in Para 43 as under:
“43. Though we have held that Right to Education Act is not applicable to nursery schools, in our opinion there cannot be any difference yardstick to be adopted for education to children up to the age of 14 years irrespective of the fact that it applies to only elementary education.  It is the right time for the Government to consider the applicability of Right to Education Act to the nursery classes as well, as in many of the States admissions are made right from the nursery classes and the children so admitted are automatically allowed to continue from Class-I.  In that sense, the provisions of Section 13 would be rendered meaningless insofar as it prohibits screening procedure at the time of selection.  Importance of education is per se applicable to every child right from admission to nursery classes till it completes the  eighth  standard. It is common knowledge that though the there is obligation on the State to provide free and compulsory education to children and the corresponding responsibility of the institution to afford the same, educational institution cannot be allowed to run as „Teaching Shops‟ as the same would be detrimental to equal opportunity to children.  This reality must not be ignored by the State while considering the observations made in this judgment. Hence, we only observe that to avail the benefit of the Right to Education Act to a child seeking for nursery school as well, necessary amendment should be considered by the State.  We hope and trust that the Government may take the above observation in the right spirit and act accordingly.”

As rightly observed by the Hon’ble High Court, in view of the fact that most of the private unaided schools start from pre-primary level, and admit most of the students at pre-primary level itself, from which they are promoted to elementary level, the norms governing pre-primary admissions need to be in conformity with the Right to Education Act, failing which, the entire purpose of some key provisions of the Act would be defeated. The private schools are at liberty to start the school from pre-primary level, but this liberty should not be allowed to be misused as a device to frustrate the purpose of the provisions of the Right to Education Act, 2009.

The Recognised Schools (Admission Procedure for Pre-Primary Class) Order, 2007, in its present form, so far as it allows the schools to formulate their own criteria for selecting children, including sibling, transfer case, single-parent, minority etc. and further allows them to keep a management quota upto 20%, is arbitrary, non-child centric, unconstitutional and inconsistent with letter and spirit of the Right to Education Act, which, by virtue of Section 13 read with Section 2 (o), not only clearly prohibits adoption of any preferential criteria for discriminating amongst children seeking admission, but also makes it punishable. The said Sections are reproduced as under:

“13.(1) No school or person shall, while admitting a child, collect any capitation fee and subject the child or his or her parents or guardian to any screening procedure.

(2) any school or person, if in contravention of the provisions of sub-section (1), ---

(a) receives capitation fee, shall be punishable with fine which may extend to ten times the capitation fee charged;

(b) subjects a child to screening procedure, shall be punishable with fine which may extend to twenty-five thousand rupees for the first contravention and fifty thousand rupees for each subsequent contravention.”

“ 2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,--

(o) screening procedure means the method of selection for admission of a child, in preference over another, other than a random method.”

Thus, it is clear that under RTE Act, only random method is permissible to be adopted. Only draw-of-lots should be used as a means for children for admission. This method would not only ensure an equal opportunity to all the children, since they all have an equal right to education irrespective of their backgrounds, but also ensure transparency in the process if open draws-of-lots are conducted.

The 2007 Order was passed prior to the enactment of the Right to Education Act, 2009, which became functional from 01.04.2010. Thus, after the commencement of the RTE Act, there is a pressing need for amending the 2007 Order to bring it in line with the RTE Act, in order to give meaning provisions contained in Section 13 of the Act, read with Section 2 (o) thereof. Moreover, the unguided powers given to the schools under the said Order are open to all sorts of misuse by private schools who are engaging in rampant commercialisation and adoption of non-transparent and irrational criteria in the name of Nursery admissions.

You are therefore requested to forthwith make the necessary amends in the 2007 Order, so as to extend the protections contained in Section 13 read with Section 2 (o) to the children in the process of admissions to pre-primary/nursery classes in general category.

Yours Sincerely

Ashok Agarwal, Advocate
Advisor, Social Jurist