LEARN TO LEARN

21^st Century is an era where information is being unleashed at an explosive rate and the challenge is to find relevant content that can be used to construct learning.

To picture the 21^st Century Learning Tools to the students and teachers of Institute of Professional Studies, University of Allahabad, with the initiative of Mr. G.K Rai Director, IPS on 27^th August 2011 a workshop “21^st Century Learning Tools” was organized.

Prof. M.M Pant, the Former Pro-Vice Chancellor, IGNOU is an internationally renowned expert specializing in pedagogy, technology and the development of tools and curricula for 21^st century education along with Mr. K Sachdeva and Mrs. Rakhi Wadhwa Sachdeva were present to preside over the workshop.

Prof. Rai rendering the epitome of the workshop stated that in spite of breathing in the 21^st century our educational institutions are not contemporary whereas they are working in old models of higher education. We enroll huge number of students, and at the end of the day degree is our ultimate aim. India was once considered a land of snakes, fakeers and elephants but today we stand in a position where Mr. Obama the President of The United States warns their youth to study or else their jobs will be snatched away by Indians. Our objective should be to encourage creativity rather than learning things by heart and reproducing it on answer sheet in 3 hours. World is changing in an accelerating pace, its complex and challenging and demands lot from us. So we should develop an attitude which inspires us to learn. The aim of conducting this workshop was to give the staff and students an exposure of 21^st century learning tools and how to use it creatively for their betterment.

Prof. M.M Pant continued by highlighting on the Aim of the workshop “Learn to Learn”. To make your learning quality and world class you need to learn from many sources. And this is the age where there is explosion of information it’s up to your caliber how you use it effectively. Thinking and analytical power should be increased by utilizing the facilities you have. It is required to cultivate a spirit of effective learning and widening the horizons of your applicable knowledge. If you can only do what you are thought to do then it’s a mere work of a robot. The aim is to make you do what is unexplored. The sorry state of our educational system is that we cannot or we don’t try to think beyond what we have been thought, so the aim is to trigger you to think. To summarize the ultimate aim he stated- “Collectively use 21^st century tools to acquire knowledge which is not with us”.

Speaking technically, Mr. K Sachdeva and Mrs. Rakhi Sachdeva Introduced the students and teachers with New Age Learning. This included three steps.

Step 1: Planning and Information Mining.

Step 2: Curation and Making Sense.

Step 3: Collaboration and Presentation and Sharing.

They introduced various tools and applications which could ease and accelerate our projects or similar planning and group activities.

A term Mind Mapping was coined which is a multi utility tool for Planning and Presentation. Brainstorming was another effective concept which included taking ideas from different people without indulging in disapprovals and conflicts, thus saving quality time. Mind mester and freemind are examples of tools which can be used for mind mapping.Information on tools like Gliffy, moneymoon.com, Coolins.com etc was also imparted. Emphasis was laid on search location and defining your need well when it comes to information mining. For the authenticity of the data the concept of Plagiarism was dealt with.

Workshop was very interactive and included activities like mind mapping. Also projects have been assigned to students and teachers.

The brochure says “Investing time and effort in acquiring the skills imparted in this program is perhaps the best decision one can make in preparing oneself for flourishing and thriving in the 21^st century”. Being a participant in the workshop I would definitely agree with it.

Richa Tiwari
Student
B.A in Media Studies
University Of Allahabad

I can’t be Anna Hazare…

I

t’s creepy being Anna Hazare. To even utter an utterance against Anna Hazare is corresponding uttering against divinity in current circumstances. But I am enforced to articulate and analyze being a media studies undergraduate. But before analyzing the awful features of this movement I should first let know the fine came out of this agitation. The best thing of the movement is after more than decade’s youths, students have come out in groups agitating with precise energy. These roads demonstration are not against or in favor of Aarakshan but against a malignant that is fine too. This time oomph can be sited, a reflection for our nation and with Tricolor in hands plus shouting slogan ‘Vande Matram’ is palpable.

Anna has lighted the lamp in youths for homeland at an epoch when no being thinks beyond itself. Agitators are juveniles who have not sited the real nation which was exclusive of mobile phones, internet. Credit goes to private news channels too, who helped Anna in this lightening by showing him on air 24/7. In Doordarshan era Anna wouldn’t got this much exposure.

Anna is a simple man who is giving off beam message to his followers that’s the major dilemma with this movement. On one hand articulating that whosoever becomes Member of Parliament becomes by Political larceny is bizarre statement in prime democratic nation. This proclamation is not only wrong but treacherous too, as the listeners are by and large from an era who doesn’t comprehend democracy and polity. Democracy is the charm of our nation and to question that is erroneous.  Parliament is the rising star of this democracy. Whose chief aim is to build laws. If awful members becomes part of this Parliament you can certainly question that but to question wholly credibility of Parliament is wacky. So after coming to Ramlila from Tihar Anna announced that his fast would last till Parliament passes his Jan Lok Pal Bill is merely an act to downstream Parliament. The solution to India’s melanoma problems is not Anna. And this is where authentic assemble is building a pricey mistake.

All this followers of Anna have believed that JanLokPal is the magic band which would exterminate corruption. Anna Hazare himself knows that nothing would happen in a nation where corruption is there in the DNA’s. The magic band for the citizens of the country is ‘vote’ not ‘hazare’. Anna’s decision to start fast in Tihar was the smash which Television Channels didn’t highlight. The channels which were pronouncing supporters of Anna as masses and broadcasting the agitation as mass movement changed the language in less than two days.

Regrettably, Anna Hazare is surrounded by aides who believe that they are the only honest creatures on this planet.  All aides of Hazare run non-governmental organizations. What is the source of their income should also be barbed. In our nation most of the beings knows to point fingers on others not on ourselves.  Country is clamouring for change. I would end by stating Anna Hazare has alienated rather than amalgamated. Anna Hazare is no JaiPrakashNarayan. He is not Gandhi of 21^st Century. But those people who didn’t surge over Anna were dubbed unpatriotic.  

Prateek Pathak

Student

B.A in Media Studies

University of Allahabad

ARE WE REALLY FREE???????

Freedom!! What do we mean by freedom? Freedom is the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint. According to democracy government is BY THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE, TO THE PEOPLE! But do the actual definition of democracy is implemented in today’s scenario??

We have only got the freedom to breathe. We can’t talk, we can’t demand. It is a very selective democracy.

65^th year of independence but, Are we really free?? This question is actually as complicated to answer as it sounds simple!

Are we free from poverty?

Are we free from child labour?

Are we free from hatred?

Can all the people of india manage to get at least two square meals a day?

Are we free from caste wars?

Are we free from politicians who never put forward the things he will do for the citizens of india, but in turn deceive the other party during elections for their own profit..??

Are we free from corruption, scams and fear??

Are we free from bribes? Even legal and legitimate works are done through bribes!!

Are we free to see the movies on sensitive topics?? They are banned!

Are we free to protect our dignity?

Are we free from biases?

Are we free from stereotypes and superstitions?

Are we free from prejudices?

Are we free from un-explained encounters?

Are we free from custodial deaths?

Are we free from banned internet sites, hacking, and cyber crime?

Are we free from personal incursions?

Are we free from honour killing?

Are we free from fear of being killed anytime with no reason?

Are we free from meaning-less bomb blasts?

Are the women of our nation free enough? Can they walk out at night without fear in our cities and even villages? Can they file a case against their uncle, boyfriend, high profile peoples, commoners or even their father who have molested them?? Can they revert the comments or abusive behaviour of teasers against them without the fear of the acid being thrown on their faces?? Can they wear jeans in the colleges without the fear of being beaten up?

Are the muslims of our nation free? Can they step forward and name and shame hindu-born terrorists like hindus do in the reverse?

Are the minorities of our nation free?

Are the media persons and lawyers of our nation free to write anything, to say anything,to fight a case against any sensitive issue , to say “no, I can’t take this case “to the plaintiff of criminal background and who per se is wrong , without the fear of shot dead anytime???

Are we free from increasing population and illiteracy rates??

Are we free from female infanticide?

The answer is ‘NO’.... we aren’t.

Freedom doesn’t merely means driving the british out and hoisting our flag, freedom means establishing a fear free society, to feel free from inner self , to move ahead with a new self confidence , and without fear facing new challenges with positive attitude towards life and this can’t be done if there will be burning of books , announcement of bharat bandh , burning buses , blocking roads , vandalizing of libraries etc.

We have to transform our india to live a life without fear, without religion wars , and without corruption which is full of liberty , dignity and integrity.

We still have to go far away to attain real ....... FREEDOM , to lead a life worth living.

So that we’ll never ever ask again that ....... ARE WE REALLY FREE????

Arushi Sharan Tiwari

Student

B.A in Media Studies

University of Allahabad

                                                                                                                             

Corruption is the not a disease instead an indication

S

ixty four years, not at all a less period for any country. The era when India got independence was a interlude of vulnerability. The ambiance at that point of time was jam-packed with perils. Country was not only facing tribulations like illiteracy, unemployment, problems at medical frontage, number of underprivileged furthermore much other peril identically but there was economic crises too and chop down that how to move to the fore. On each stated border in these six decades lots of development has been precisely executed. But the execution is not satisfactory since the problems had not been evacuated. Moreover in this stretched time the situation utters itself that we have not shot enough. And the enough which our politicians articulate is zilch. Our nation has not been relinquished from the gloom of the ‘English Raaj’. This is the biggest problem of our democracy.

Furthermore after India attained independence it adopted democratic form of governance but this didn’t benefited the populace. The ‘English Laws’ had not been tainted. And the principal reason is all authorities of the nation didn’t esteem each other. For the development of the country this should be major motive but this is bizarre for the biggest democracy of the world. The prevalent predicament of our nation is our politicians’ sense that they are the most superior creature. Politicians deem that since parliament is the chief body so they might get in amid the functioning of other establishment. But this is not authority of parliament being boss. Secondly the ‘babu-raaj’ still exists in our nation for any implementation of the file at a government office a being has to invest couple of years. Computers have arrived but quandary still exists.

Better administration is an important point for country’s development. ‘Corruption’ an issue which has been highlighted this point of time is also connected to the former point. Undoubtedly, whether it is Anna Movement or Ramdev Movement it is a key hazard in view of the fact that it is hazarding greater number of the commoners. The question is how to take on this to vacate. In 1974, in the leadership of JaiPrakshNarayan a major movement was delivered but subsequently the situation has not been malformed. Corruption is not a malady but it’s a symptom of that so called disease.

Countless times because of corruption questions are put on management of our government. But we can articulate it as setback of our democracy. Furthermore India is credited for coming out as an excellent example for democratic nations. If we take a glimpse of Pakistan and from that the novel nation Bangladesh which attained independence with us, Indian Democracy is solid.

Globe is chatting that India is coming out as an economic power but the irony is greater number of populaces of our country lives in less than 20 rupees a day. The prime difficulty is merely this. If we work well this point of time then only we can think of healthier tomorrow, or else the future would be blurred.

Prateek Pathak

Student

B.A in Media Studies

University of Allahabad

Discussion on ‘Honour Killing’...

I

t was a bravura chance for the students and facalty of Centre of Media Studies to thrash out, an important transgression “Honour Killing”. An honour killing is the murder of a family or clan member by one or more fellow family members, in which the perpetrators believe the victim to have brought dishonour upon the family, clan, or community. Honour killing is different from the dowry deaths that are prevalent in India.The film show on ‘Khap’ a movie followed by interactive session and panel discussion was organized in the collaboration of Centre of Media Studies, Institute of Professional Studies, University of Allahabad and Human Rights Law Network. The superb panel had Advocate K.K Roy, Ex-Registrar of High Court Pancham Rai and Social Activist Padma Singh. The convener of the event was Dhananjai Chopra, Course Coordinator of Centre of Media Studies, Institute of Professional Studies, University of Allahabad and Intern of Human Rights Law Network Agrima Dubey.

The evening started with opening address by Dhananjai Chopra Course Coordinator of Centre of Media Studies and Agrima Dubey student of Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Patiala. After that the presentation of ‘khap’ recently released bollywood movie commenced which showed that administration and Khap Panchyat both act as a pool resources to murder youngsters if they marry to their own choice. To be young and in love has proved deadly for many young girls and boys in parts of  India where Khap has influence, as an intolerant and bigoted society refuses to accept any violation of its rigid code of decorum, especially when it comes to women.

Subsequent to this the question-answer session started numerous queries were put to the panel inquiring- Why there is no separate law for this crime? What are the other causes for this crime other than love marriage? How youngsters can try to create awareness against this crime? And why this crime is present etc…Answering the questions Mr. Roy and Mr Pancham articulated that there is need of a specific law. And this offense is ghastly for our society seeing as it is damaging the freedom of the youth to come to a decision of their own future. The two teenage girls who were shot dead in June 2010 by a cousin in Noida for daring to run away to meet their boyfriends are the latest victims of honour killings, a euphemism for doing away with anyone seen as spoiling the family’s reputation. Many such killings are happening with regularity in Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh. These are socially sanctioned by caste panchayats and carried out by mobs with the connivance of family members.

Social Activist Padma Singh focused that there is an instantaneous need for sex education and parents should themselves take an initiative to educate their own kids about sex. And Honour Killing is awful for the state. She also articulated that there is a need for introspection. And youngsters should work to create awareness on their frontage. In 1990, the National Commission for Women set up a statutory body in order to address the issues of honour killings among some ethnic groups in North India. This body reviewed constitutional, legal and other provisions as well as challenges women face. The NCW’s activism has contributed significantly towards the reduction of honour killings in rural areas of North India.

The show ended with end words by Dhananjai Chopra, Course Coordinator of Centre of Media Studies, Institute of Professional Studies, University of Allahabad expressing gratitude to everyone for excellent discussion.  

Prateek Pathak

Student

B.A in Media Studies

University of Allahabad

What I’ve learned in life

I’ve learned that money is a lousy way of keeping score…

I’ve learned that talking can ease emotional pains…

I’ve learned that you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life…

I’ve learned that it takes years to build trust, and only seconds to destroy it…

I’ve learned that true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance…

I’ve learned that you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them…

I’ve learned that it’s not what you have in your life, but who you have in your life…

I’ve learned that good friends are family members that we are allowed to choose…

I’ve learned that we don’t have to change friends if we understand that friends change…

I’ve learned that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for ourselves…

I’ve learned that the people who care most about in life are taken from you too soon…

I’ve learned that you shouldn’t compare yourself to the best others can do, but to the best you can do…

I’ve learned that it’s not where I am that is important. It’s where I am going…

I’ve learned that no matter how thin your slice is, there are always two sides…

I’ve learned that it takes a long time to become the person I want to be…

I’ve learned that it’s a lot easier to react than it is to think…

I’ve learned that you can keep going long after you think you cannot…

I’ve learned that either you control your attitude, or it controls you…

I’ve learned that heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences…

I’ve learned that patience takes a lot of practice…

I’ve learned that there are people who love you dearly, but just don’t know how to show it…

I’ve learned that my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time…

I’ve learned that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you’re down will be the ones to help you get back…

I’ve learned that there are more of my parents in me than I thought…

I’ve learned that sometimes when I’m angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn’t give me the right to be cruel…

I’ve learned that just because someone doesn’t love you the way you want him/her to doesn’t mean she/he doesn’t love you with all she/he has…

I’ve learned that maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you’ve had and what you’ve learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you’ve celebrated…

I’ve learned that you should never tell a child his/her dreams are unlikely or outlandish. Few things are more humiliating, and what a tragedy it would be if she/he believed it…

I’ve learned that it isn’t always enough to be forgiven by someone else. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself…

I’ve learned that no matter how bad your heart is broken, the world never stop for your grief because there is no market of sorrows so we shouldn’t advertise our feelings…

Ankita Banerjee,

Student

B.A.M.S 1^st Semester

University of Allahabad

"Three Sisters"- an artistic vision of creative realism

Shekhar Hattangadi, Chief Associate Director of “ Three Sisters “mesmerized the students and staff at Centre of Media Studies, University of Allahabad with his presence.

Mr. Hattangadi was here to interact with students on his movie “Three Sisters”.

 

"Three Sisters", based on the suicide by three unmarried sisters in Kanpur in 1988, which transports a message of hope and optimism so that no girl seeing the film should ever contemplate ending her life.

 

This film is not a docu-drama, "but an artistic vision of creative realism".

"The film makes three sisters as its main protagonists who're about to commit suicide and concentrates on events in the last six hours of their lives." 

 

Three unmarried sisters aged 22, 20 and 18 years jointly committed suicide in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, in February 1988 to lighten the burden of dowry on their parents. This was followed by the suicides of four unmarried sisters in Kerala in the same year. Three more sisters from Nagpur followed the same path in 1990 and four more in Bhilai, Chhattisgarh, in 2000. 

 

"The film ends on a great hope that no such suicides may happen again in the future. Moreover, the treatment explores all the joys and sorrows of the lives of these three sisters, their ecstasies, their agonies and their zest for life even when death is virtually knocking at their door. All these together help to make the film a great human document. 

Mr. Hattangadi articulates "I, as a filmmaker, want to assure that the memory of these three sisters will stay imprinted in the minds of the audience for a very, very long time to come. It is the film's noble purpose and its deepest wish that no such girl in the audience should ever contemplate suicide for the reasons of the dowry, or for that matter, for any reason.

"The message of hope and optimism is the solemn aim of this film," he further explained. 

Replying on will such a film have an audience? He articulated "Absolutely, certainly and without any doubt! Not only every Indian but every human being in the world is its potential audience...not only in cinema houses but on television channels all over the world. It is with this fervent hope, with this fervent prayer and with this fervent wish that this film has been conceived." 

As we know, ‘no good movie is too long’ likewise we felt his presence was too short. He promised to visit us again with this the gala came to an end.

But the glorious memories will ever remain..

Prateek Pathak & Richa Tiwari

Students

B.A in Media Studies

University of Allahabad