Of the other side of Colleges . .

A College is an institute where education is given. Think of the places we study at. Some of us study Engineering, understanding the funda’s of industry and learning the science of survival with the fittest of competition; Some engross their minds in Arts and humanities, giving the edge to their creativity, cultivating their opinionated ideas and perhaps taking forward the legacy of different literary and colorful cultures of the world. While some extract the juice of economics of markets and model the administrations of business as well as governments across the worlds.

But then there is an essential part to college life other than what oxford dictionary says. Its actually a journey from our from ambitions to realizing them in true sense. Its actually that search inside oneself of what he/she really aspires to do. Its the search for love for some. Its the best factory for producing real friends. A place where we understand the meaning of group work. Perhaps see fights, enmity and rivalry for the first time. Perhaps even the politics at a certain scale for power and friendship.  Of course it would have been a common occurrence and recurrence of regular sentimental messages on your cells off late. But my topic actually doesn’t trigger that nostalgic sense of thinking. I am trying to bring out the importance of Student Unions.

These are official or unofficial student groups per university or colleges which are by the students, for the students to cater their needs and demands and avail necessary facilities by interacting with the administration. This is a global phenomenon. Even in India there are some on national level and mostly university based. ABVP(Akhil bharatiya vidhyarthi parishad) and NSUI(National students union of India) are national based which take part in elections whereas Delhi University Students Union is perhaps the largest comprising all colleges of Delhi University.

The Importance as i should explain lies in the following aspects related to students. 1. They are the main organizers and look into the work of many an events held in colleges as a part of curriculum.  2.  They report of any problems in colleges faced by the students and get the administration to work on it. 3. They are pro active such that they induce energy into the campus and make the living very enjoyable with regular entertainment and learning oppurtunities. 4. Its the basic model for any organisation. To have competition and have a leader.

Yes maybe unions prove to be violent in many cases, take power and misuse it, but then that is because they have got a lot of liberty or sense of casualty. You need to form an effective way to select them or elect them in a better way.

Now coming to the hitch. I believe its really necessary to encourage them. While some colleges do not feel  the necessity for such. It actually prevents the students from first hand experience of many management skills and doesn’t encourage them to take  up administration work or politics for that matter in future. While others do instate a student union, but do not accept their election but selection on Merit. This is actually not the measure of a stable student cooperation. The good administrators may not be allowed to come ahead. What happens in turn in discontent among people and reduction of interest among people for administration or politics. The events and unity suffer which is a strong observation. Many a time even the timing of these is important. You cant form them at the end of a year, neither can you do events without months of planning and hardwork.

Well unions like ABVP, NSUI are too active. They fight elections and are recognised at national levels. DU elections are the most interesting times in DU.  My college gets to have its Union comprising of academic geniuses who have greater memory cells, of those whom many dont know and arent introduced till the end of year even. Events are not planned till the last moment because they also lack either experience or do not get support from establishment. This is, my friends not how Unions must be treated. An able, proactive leader is what a college needs with full support from faculty.

Furthermore, we shouldnt forget,

“A College is effectively a prototype of the meticulous, competitive world out. If the model works well, only then would plans or designs succeed. “

The Times to tell ~~ India, as we are.. Part 1

I express my emotions for the series of tragic events that took place on 26 Nov and the days to follow. These feelings have been an amalgamation of anxiety and anger altogether. Even though exams were due in a couple of days we took up every chance to be in front of the TV and hear news about whats happening. What happened then, we all know.

Taj Mahal Hotel..

I specially want to condole the losses that have incurred. I talk of losses that aren’t repairable or repayable, that lie in mind and souls. those are forgotten by historians and yet mark the change and act as the lifeline of society.Those 2 days, some have been unfortunate to lose their dearest ones and we have been unfortunate to bear an act like this on our soil. I feel at this juncture one must name them as Martyrs of Nation. Special accolades to the security personal and late police officers who acted to their duties and have raised the head of the Motherland. Although one may feel I am saying all this as a hypocrite and would not understand the loss, I feel I could relate to one’s losing some dear one.

From the past fortnight our nation has seen a time it hasn’t seen from a long time. The long peace march in Mumbai, the outburst of public sentiment, the cohesiveness of the Government and the opposition in action, the way we have shown our maturity and great values in dealing with Pakistan and International community and of course the way we have dealt with the recovery. This biggest attack on the nation from a foreign soil has brought the above actions to act in our favor in disguise.

I feel a little embarrased by the way the electronic media specially has covered the whole incident. Well the issues like classified operations, sensivity of the issue and the fact that making speculations too hard and too vague at a very premature time is dangerous both for the society as well external affairs. Rightly so i agree with the govt and public that the media should be curtailed and have restrictions on during this type of operations.

India.

I again applaude the way the Govt has gone about handling the situation and think that War eventually should be the option that could be considered at the last, not to avenge but prove a point that we are not weak, meek or a dummy.  The fact that no country should interfere in the issues related to naitonal interest or even mediate between Us and Pakistan has been voiced loud and clear which is right. The last week in parliament where the Anti Terror bill was kept and passed within a few days and the fact that all voices echo together is a good sign for us. Rarely have I seen a unanimity and similar tripartisan views in the Parliament. If you get time, do have a look at the speeches made by Mr LK Advani (www.lkadvani.in), Mr. Chidambaram and Mr. Pranab Mukherjee.( The debates you can get on www.loksabha.gov.in ).  We aren’t a piece of wood which is being eaten by termites( alias the internal problems.), we can unite a bigger enemy, an enemy which is no state but a disease, a phenomenon known as Terrorism.

History’s question, Is Present answering for the Future ?

22 July 2008. This day will be one of the landmarks in Indian Governance. It can well be probably only the 2nd time in History of India that a PM may get defeated in a Trust vote in the Parliament. Well let me put in my view on it. This past 2 months although turning out to be much boring and worthless but were surely interesting following the daily news on the Deal and the Politics in general.

I have read many views, both supporting, inimical and negation of the deal. And actually surprisingly enough i have been successful in forming my pt. of view.

Somehow i believe i have managed to almost form a conviction that would impress the BJP, Dr. Manmohan Singh, CPM and my chemistry teacher.

Does India need a civilian nuclear energy agreement with the US? – Prob. ya but not with an Arrogant, Self structured, Hypocrytic and utterly nonsensical administration like USA. The only thing is no one gives a damn on my view. Well its just that its a risky business having US documents in your drawer. They may anytime come up and ask for something !! Having probably plundered most of the Oil countries and accelerating a global Terrorism phenomenon, it is now setting its eyes on an Asian superpower to stand against China and perhaps the most vulnerable soft super economic power like India.

As far as Energy needs and crisis are concerned. Stats show we will be having around 7% of power generation by 2020 from 3.@@% presently. Staking billions and country’s Defence rights is a Blunder. I dread we won’t be in an Invisible debt to US after it. I did read about the Int’l pressure one may get once in a tight situation.

Why is the Bush administration trying so hard to push India into signing this deal? Que no 2. Definitely not to reduce the oil demands. If our production doesnt go up a significant no. in 15 yrs then how can it satisfy their’s at a greater rate ? One important reason may evidently be of the Report card Bush needs to show at the end of his tenure. In reality it doesnt affect their internal system because a very few % of people actually know about it. Its not a big deal there. For us it may be a deal to Self Respect, Self Esteem and Self Confidence.

I also appreciate the the intrepidity of Dr. Manmohan Singh to take such a step so as to go ahead with the deal drafts and negotiations even when he is facing a massive opposition and his chair is in danger. Although i am fully aware this may be a political stunt but in years to come this will be taken as an example. The fact remains, whether it will be remembered as the Government that took the right step or made the Gravest mistake.

“It would be more honest to admit that the Indo-US nuclear deal is a three-in-one document comprising a civilian energy cooperation agreement with the US, de facto NPT and de facto CTBT.” This is what i read in a column of a leading Newspaper. The write up percolates from a Rajya Sabha member. President Kalam is backing the deal. The Govt. has also given Ads in leading papers with the AEC chief quoted saying something very positive abt the deal and motivating people to stand up for it. Thats good. But may possibly and likely enough be vote bank politics.

Mark Twain has wonderfully said, “It is better to deserve honors and not to have them than to have them and not deserve them.“

So we will see what happens on 22nd. Politics and Governance taking turns it seems but who knows the blanket is still in the air. Anyone can wear it.