Sibbal Education?

HRD Minister Kapil Sibbal has pitched for uniform examination at national level to reduce trauma of students of 10^th grade. It makes you wonder why we have to take decisions whichnever touch deeper aspects of issues?

People are crying foul about hazards of Board Exams. But why don’t we address the true problems. Is our standard of the education good enough? Is our standard of education keeping pace with the lightening changes? Are teachers all over India providing same standard of education? Well, answers to all this questions are definitely negative. So why to provide only ostentatious relief without recognizing real and deeper problems?

We have to first radically reform our education system. We have to enrich our students with better knowledge then only we can test them with better exams.

- N.D.K. Nikhil

Nilekani’s New ID!

The need for the Universal IDs throughout India was felt for a long time now. And finally, the Government has acted. Not only we have some initiative from the Government but the head of the project is one of the best brains of our country. Nandan Nilekani has done the country proud. It just makes us aware that even the corporates of our country are socially responsible. The corporates of our country are not some money hungry and anti-national forces but are readily willing to share national responsibilities. Just imagine how much better it will be if top brains of our country are employed to serve the country. The PM has taken one of the best decisions of his tenure.

The project will help to weed out Bangladeshi living illegitimately, fake ration cards, better statistics at national level. But more importantly it will help tackle issue of money laundering head-on.

Let’s hope finally our country will employ professionals to solve our problems.

-N.D.K. Nikhil

90:10 Quota: Justice finally!!!!!!

90:10 Quota: Justice finally!!!!!!

Quotas always invite some controversies…….it just matters which side of the coin you are watching.

When Government announced 90:10 quota in FYJC admissions it was regarded as populist announcement, with the elections in next few months, it is claimed Maharashtra Government is trying to woo “Marathi” voters!

So, our discussion point is how far this quota is fair? I am an avid advocate of quotas in all their forms except employment and higher education. The quota of 90:10 is definitely fair.

Why-

1. The interests of the in-house students should always come first.
2. This reservation is not parochial; why not take admission in Non-Maharashtra Board even for higher education?
3. The examination pattern is definitely tilted in CBSE/ICSE students’ favour.
4. Lenient checking of Non-SSC Boards against stricter checking of SSC Board.
5. Best of 5 gives unjustified edge to Non-SSC students.
6. SSC Board students face 3 language papers against 2 for Non-SSC Board.
7. When parents are willing to pay lacs of rupees on schooling then what stops them in sending their children in Non-SSC colleges?
8. If the standard of SSC is poor, then at college level why would anyone prefer Maharashtra Board over Non-Maharashtra Board?

The reasons above represent prima-facie case of SSC students.

But, the reason my attention was drawn on this issue as 26/11 war hero- a Maharashtrian signed petition against the quota. In a comment, a principal said during 26/11 no one thought of being Maharashtrian and Non-Maharashtrian. Now, I think this is all misunderstanding and misquoting the facts. Is it that Maharashtra Government is forcing Non-SSC Board schools to forcibly admit SSC students-“No”. The only reason I can see here is that in-house students, now that means either from vernacular medium or not, should be assured of their seats. Is it that Maharashtra Government has tried to help only vernacular medium students?-“NO”. So where is the question of being Maharashtrian or not?

Even the proportion of 90:10 is more than balanced. There are over 15 lac SSC students against merely 15 thousand of Non-SSC Board. So where is the injustice? One thing I agree, the Government should have declared the decision much earlier to avoid unnecessary burden to students, as a result now they will be dragged in unnecessary delay.

I am strongly in favour of 90:10 quota system. Those who do not agree should better find colleges outside Maharashtra to please their own better standard.

My heartiest congratulations to all those who have successfully cleared Board Examinations (irrespective of their Boards)!!!!

NB: IIT had to keep aside more than 1000 reserved seats, as the students are not good enough!! Well, we can argue both sides here. But, isn’t it a national waste and national tragedy? All these seats could have benefited needed and talented youth of our country.

Links:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-4694288.cms

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Pune/10-quota-may-suffice-for-non-SSC-students/articleshow/4698910.cms

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-4698957.cms

The French Indian

Bravo!!!!! Leander has done it again!!!!!! Just when we would thought the old magic and charm is fading, Paes has done it again!!! Third French Open title!!! Wow!!!! In 3 set thriller Paes showed glimpses of his genius. But what struck me most was the intensity he showed after winning crucial points during the match and that’s not any rookie, the man has won in all 9 Grand Slams!!!

We Indians tend to be emotional and may be an antidote for it is our short memory. When I was a kid a little rendezvous with sports was our newspaper, even though flooded with our National Sport (!) –cricket; tennis and chess were perhaps freshners.

I don't really recollect when I heard the name “Leander Paes”, but surely it remained there always. Lee, what we call him and Mahesh Bhupati-hesh, the INDIAN EXPRESS has given us many moments to cherish. Their famous celebration style will always be remembered.

I particularly remember when one time Lee had beaten Pete Sampras in singles. That was the moment I will always remember, cause Sampras is the best player I have ever seen. Lee has also given us some amazing moments in Davis Cup ever since he made his debut aged 16!(Yes, that should remind us of Sachin) Who will forget the famous picture of Lee when after a Davis Cup win, Lee was in tears as he carried the Indian flag. Lee also paired with Martina Navratilova to win two Grand Slam titles.

Lee will always be remembered and will be forever in our hearts for his amazing performance in Atlanta Olympics when he won Bronze in singles. The Goa borned maestro had great synchro with Hesh ofcourse winning 3 Grand Slam titles out of Lee's 5.

It was sad to see his downturn last year in February when our Davis Cup team revolted against him, this made his personal relations with Hesh sour which ultimately costed us at least a medal in Beijing Olympics.

I feel age may just catch up with him, but even then this tiger still has a lot of roaring to do!!!!!

But everyone’s attention is on today’s match of Roger Federer, Can Federer finally turn French? Well that’s what all of us are waiting to see…………



-N.D.K. NIKHIL