2G Spectrum, A Raja and a few eminent men of Chennai

The whole country is on the boil. People were dumbstruck when the media explained how many zeroes were there for Rs 1.76 lakh crore. At this juncture, a couple of days back, I happened to view a program aired 'Live' by Kalaignar TV, DMK's mouthpiece.

A conglomerate of 'eminent persons' including Dravidar Kazhagam president K Veeramani, Blackshirt Suba Veerapandian, Media man AS Panneerselvan, father Jagath Gaspar, television anchor Ramesh Prabha and others were speaking in defence of A Raja, the epitome of corruption.

These people virtually gave a clean chit to Raja and went a step ahead describing him as an 'icon of efficiency and honesty!!!'. Stating that the English media was hunting Raja just because he was a dalit, these 'eminent people' said that the democracy itself was in big danger. They wanted immediate regulation on English news channels.

One is at a loss to understand why the media was hunting Raja alone while there were countless dalits who are in hot seats of power in the country. 

After each passing day, the magnitude of the 2G spectrum scam is becoming increasingly clear. But, these 'eminent people', who have risen to safeguard democracy, not only say that Raja is a honest politician, but also want the media to portray him so!  

However, I was not surprised to hear such a 'great' argument from these 'eminent men'. Most of them have already come in open support of 'great' personalities like sandalwood smuggler Veerappan, LTTE's Prabhakaran and other notorious elements. These people will talk about 'human rights' only in the context of these 'greats'. Their hearts bleed only when they think about the plight of Rajiv killers languishing in jails.

These 'eminent men' do not have any shame. They will defend Raja even if the court convicts him after a detailed enquiry.

YET ANOTHER CHILDREN'S DAY ....

This is that time of the year again! We are celebrating yet another children's day (Nov 14). While the schools in cities and towns are busy organising various programmes, events and talent shows, there are thousands of schools in rural areas where the children are not even aware of any of these celebrations. Leave alone the celebrations- the quality of education out there is so bad. As I hail from rural background, I am very well aware of what is being taught in our villages. When I think about the poor quality of education in rural areas, my heart bleeds. Excerpts from an article I wrote in 2003 ... 

YET ANOTHER CHILDREN'S DAY ....

We dream of making India a developed Nation. To become a developed Nation, the 5,11,000 villages in India must attain rapid development.  This is possible only through education - good quality education. We talk of 'Sarva Siksha Abiyan', but fail to care about the quality. While the 'haves' are able to get high quality education, the have-nots in rural areas poorly fail to get even primary education, I mean proper primary education.

How bad is the quality of primary education in rural areas?

As part of the work of the social service organisation of my village in Nagapattinam district of Tamilnadu, we, a group of educated and employed youth spend our weekends teaching the poor students of the underprivileged sections of the society. All the students who attend our classes are studying in Government and Government-aided schools. Though I had fairly a good idea about the 'quality' of education imparted in the rural schools, I never even imagined that the quality would be so bad!

I was casually talking to a group of fifth standard students. I just asked that group to start writing the spelling for natural numbers from 1 to 50 - a question which we should be asking a pre-KG child in city areas. One smart boy in that group who normally shows very good grasping capacity answered : 'Sir, if you want us to write it in English, we know only upto 10. If it is in Tamil, well, we can go up to 50'. But, he was not able to write the numbers correctly in Tamil itself. There were lot of mistakes and still worse, after 21, he went to 24. This answer left me in a state of total shock. More than five years of schooling has not even taught him the numbers!

The above incident is a classic example of the 'quality' of education being imparted by our elementary schools in rural areas (rural areas all over the country, not just Tamilnadu). It may be noted that the schools I am talking about are the ones run by the Government and not the mushrooming Matriculation schools.  Students who attend these schools are the wards of the have-nots. 

The kids who do not have even a good shirt to wear, come to these schools with a worn-out book, and a slate. For most of the students, the noon-meal served in the school is the major attraction and a great hope. But the teachers serving there do not feel the sincerity of purpose.  Most of the teachers do not have the intention of lighting the education lamp in the lives of the poor students - the hallmark of the noble profession.

For those of you who have seen the urban children carrying a truck load of books in a huge bag on their backs, the details about the daily routine of these unfortunate children would be a substance of surprise. These children would not rush to their schools as their counterparts in Matric schools do. The school bell would ring sharply by 9 AM even in the absence of teachers, because ringing the bell is the responsibility of school boys themselves on turn basis. 

Many schools do not have adequate number of teachers and even the one or two available would not care to come on all days. On turn basis, they would be off from the school, but would sign the attendance register without fail on the days when they come. In the school, one or two teachers would be looking after all the five classes. 

He would simply write a few words on the black board on all the classes and would ask the students to copy the same in their slates. He would be sipping the tea brought from a nearby tea stall by a student and reading the news paper of the day and conversing with his colleague on varied matters.  Simply, they would do everything except teaching.  In most of the schools, the students would be asked to play during the noon session. By 4 PM, they will be packing up to their home. No lessons, no home work!

After passing five crucial years in useless elementary schools, these students enter the high school. As they do not have even basic knowledge of English, Science, Maths and even their mother tongue, most of the students are unable to cope with the lessons in the high schools. As a result, after pulling on for a few months or years, they ultimately drop out from the school. Thus a full stop is put to their education.

I myself is a product of an elementary school not much different from the one  I have been talking about, but I could land up in Engineering and subsequently a decent job in the software industry, solely due to the social and educational status of my parents. 

Just have a look at what many of my elementary schoolmates are doing now:  One Nagarathinam has become a 'Samosa' vendor in a local cinema theatre (following the tradition of his father's profession); Murugesan who studied upto 8th standard is now a construction labourer;  Sivakumar, is now a temple priest, and the list goes on.... All of them are from very poor families and still they remain so. Had they been imparted proper education, at least one among them might have become prosperous. Whenever I meet my unfortunate elementary school mates, I feel the pain in my heart.

I vividly remember two of my classmates - Mohan and Natarajan, who were very brilliant despite their family background. They were far ahead of all of us in General Knowledge - they used to regularly hear the radio news.  But, due to the lack of proper foundation at the elementary level, these two dropped out somewhere during the high school days. I do not know what they are doing now. 

It is reported that the effective student strength in Government-run elementary schools is rapidly decreasing. Only the very poor admit their wards in these schools. Of course, there are a few dedicated teachers here and there. But, the majority of the teachers are not like that. 

Private Matriculation schools train their students in extra-curricular activities like singing, dancing, painting etc., What the poor students of Government schools require is a reasonably good quality basic education. Our teachers are certainly qualified and capable of imparting it. A change in the mindset of the teachers can light the education lamp in the life of the underprivileged. It is time our Government takes action in this regard.

SOME MEASURES TO IMPROVE QUALITY

1. Establishing one model school in each district headquarters. The model school should reallly be a model school in all respects. The school should offer eduaction of the quality of Delhi Public School. Every year, 100 poor children should be admitted to the school irrespective of caste or religion. Economic status should alone be the entry criteria. The children should get everything in that school itself. If 500 such schools are established in 500 district headquarters, every year 50,000 poor children will get high quality education.
   
2. In other rural schools, each class should have a dedicated teacher. The system of two teachers  (Or aasiriyar palli in Tamil) for five classes should be immediately done away with.
   
3. Primary School teachers should be imparted training once in two years on the latest trends in teaching.
   
4. 'Play school' type of schools should be encouraged in rural areas.
   
5. Private Corporate giants should be persuaded to establish model schools in rural areas. Income Tax concession may be given in such cases.
   
6. The students should study their Mother Tongue as a subject, social science subject in their mother tongue and Science and Maths in English Medium. They should also be encouraged to learn new languages. Lack of proficiency in English is the major handicap of rural students.

---------------

As I mentioned at the beginning, I wrote this article in 2003.  Seven years later, I do not find much difference in rural areas. The situation has worsened - even the poorest of the poor want to admit their wards in private schools.

Liberal funding through Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Activity Based Learning etc have created some positive impacts here and there - not everywhere.  We have a dynamic School Education Minister in Tamil Nadu  - Mr. Thangam Thennarasu.  This man has taken some sincere  efforts to improve the quality of education in rural areas, but we can't say it has brought the desired effect everywhere.  

The present Deputy Chief Minister MK Stalin's initiative during his tenure as Chennai Mayor has helped improve the quality of Corporation schools in Chennai significantly. The present Mayor of Chennai Mr. Subramanian has taken the initiative of  establishing the 'Chennai School' chain. These are definitely laudable steps.

Union HRD Minister Kapil Sibal seems to be a man of action.  He can do wonders if he is given a free hand.

All these leaders should focus their attention on the elementary education in  rural areas. Only when such a step is taken, it will be a true tribute to Pandit Nehru. Children's day is an occasion to initiate that!

Bala

Mobile phones and my journey in a train!

Long time back, I wrote this article for 'Youth Express', a supplement to the New Indian Express. When I wrote this article, mobile phones were just becoming popular in India, but they were not all pervasive as they are today. Today, in this facebook age, this story is much more pertinent!!

Mobile phones and my train journey! 

Before getting into My Diary, the contents, a quick question: Are you a Mobile Phone User?


I know this question is absurd. Mobile phones have become a part and parcel in the life of urban 'elite'. The answer for this question is obvious : A resounding "YES". So, putting this question to the urban elite like you, is certainly absurd. But, I am firing this absurd question only with a purpose!!


Let me ask a sensible question now : Do you disturb others with your Mobile?? I am afraid, the answer for this question too might be "YES". Knowingly or unknowingly, we do disturb others through our Mobile.


A month back, I boarded a train at Chidambaram bound for Chennai. It was a day-time train fondly called as the 'Day Express'. The total journey time was 6 hours. Not having the mind to kill the day in travelling, I had decided that I would spend the time reading a book on Yogic Wisdom to Life Management by Swami Sugabodhanandha (yes, the author of the famous tamil book 'Manase Relax Please').


The train started and I opened the book. There were around 30-40 people in the open compartment. I had just started reading... completed not even a single page. One of my co-passengers picked up his Mobile and called someone dear to him. The conversation started... The person was blessed with a baritone voice. He started with "hmm, train Chidambaram thandidichu..." He discussed a lot of subjects, including enquiries about the day's menu at the other end "Enna Sambaar Innikku??", about someone who suffered a minor illness a long time back - "Raju Kaalla rendu masathukku munnadi adi pattudhe, ippa thevalayaa?" or enquiries about family members "onga son Americala vera job mariyaachaa?" the celebration of some or other religious festival. He went on speaking in the loudest possible voice, perhaps assuming that the person on the other end could not hear him properly if he spoke in normal voice! My mind preferred hearing his conversation than reading the excellent book on hand!


After nearly half-an-hour, his mobile conversation ended. I started reading the book. But, that experiment was short lived. In my opposite row, a very good looking girl was sitting. Her mobile started ringing. Her conversation lasted for nearly an hour, interspersed with giggles, whispers and  episodic screams. Though she did not speak in a louder voice as the previous caller did, I could still make out what she spoke! My eyes were on the book, but my mind was centered on her conversation (by the bye, she is a doctor-in-the making doing IIIrd year MBBS in KMC. Info source courtesy : Her mobile talk with someone on that day!).


This way, I successfully completed my six hour journey without reading even a single page (but heard the one-sided conversation of several people and thereby gauged their moods). You might think, the mistake lies on my part - overhearing the conversation of others. But, as human nature goes, we tend to do that only.


There can be no denying the fact that the invention of mobile phone is a boon, helping us communicate with anyone, anytime, anywhere. But, should this not be put to judicious use in such a way that it does not disturb others? Certainly, Mobile phone was not invented for enquiring "innikku enna saambaar" from a public place, in a loud voice.


From your landline phone, you may talk with anyone leisurely on a loud noise in your house. But, the same need not be done on Mobile. Whenever, you need to make a call or you receive a call in mobile at a public place, make sure there is enough distance to keep the content private. You may even move to a corner and talk in a husing voice.  Be considerate to the people standing or sitting near you. Moreover, by making others listen your conversation, you are giving out details about you. And next time you find yourself in a public place, watch the reaction of non-mobile users to those who speak loudly in their Mobile phones...


The popularity of mobile phones has created a 'mania' that people tend to take out their mobile the moment they settle themselves on the seats in buses or trains and start making unnecessary calls. Do not fall under that category. Use your mobile phone as judiciously and quietly as you can. Mobile technology would really prove to be a boon.


Shall I ask the same two questions now - Are you....??

-----------------
Bala

P.S: I intend to post the excerpts from my columns in Youth Express in the forthcoming posts ..

SaaS model help desk software market hots up

The entire IT market is exited about cloud computing. Industry analysts have predicted that the spending on the services based on cloud computing will grow over $ 40 billion in about two years from now.

Evidently, cloud computing is witnessing an era of rapid growth. SaaS-based applications crowd the market day in and day out.

Among the various sections of the IT market, the Help Desk software market is very mature and very crowded. Almost all popular service desk vendors are turning towards the cloud. Just about six months ago, there were only very few credible players in the SaaS model of Help Desk. Today, there are quite a lot of offerings in this space.


The latest entrant into this on-demand model of Service Desk software is ManageEngine, makers of a globally renowned suite of cost effective network, systems, applications and security management software solutions. ManageEngine has released ServiceDesk Plus On-Demand, a SaaS-based, ITIL-compliant help desk and asset management application for businesses of all sizes.

ManageEngine is not a new name in the help desk space.  Its on-premise help desk software - the ServiceDesk Plus is quite a familiar brand globally. ServiceDesk Plus On-Demand is the cloud version of ManageEngine's flagship product and the trusted on-premise Service Desk software, the ServiceDesk Plus.

ServiceDesk Plus On-Demand has remained in Beta for over six months and it is Generally Available now.

More info: http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/ManageEngine-Delivers-Hosted-ITIL-Ready-Help-Desk-Asset-Management-Suite-SaaS-Model-1345488.htm

http://ondemand.manageengine.com/service-desk/index.html