Thursday, May 30, 2013

Private Universities In Maharashtra: Delivering Baby On Seventh Month?

I like to see private sector companies competing with each other and public sector in majority of business areas. In fact, government should open up more sectors (and remove the upper cap to foreign capital – both FDI and FII - as well) which are currently out of their limits. However, Universities shouldn’t be there – at least for time being.

According to a recent report in Business standard, "Establishment of private universities (self-financed universities) in Maharashtra will soon be a reality as the state government today issued government resolution (GR) in this regard". In order to facilitate this, "...April had already withdrawn the Maharashtra Self Financed Universities (Establishment & Regulation) Bill, 2011, passed by both the houses of legislature in August 2011."

My question is, do we really want to create a situation where private universities offering graduation certificates to students in India?

This is not an easy question to answer, before reaching a conclusion we need to look into various points. Indeed a lot of arguments favour private players’ entry at University level.

1. Private players will add more seats in educational sector; this will help more students to choose their favourite fields in graduation and post-graduation courses. If I can put this point in another way, current universities are not able to cope up with increasing demands from students.
2. Private players make tremendous improvements in terms of quality. They will bring better qualified people in to the system with higher packages and other incentives.
3. Private capital will add more resources for conducting research in basic and applied sciences.
4. There universities will work more efficiently as they are free from red tape.
5. Private universities, with collaboration from foreign universities will bring best minds to teaching sector.
6. Many well known universities across the world, for e.g. Ivy league institutions are ran by private funds.

Let’s look in to these arguments one by one,

1. Definitely, they will add more seats. But, will it go to the people who really deserve those? How many private players will come to the field with the aim of educating the nation? In fact, in order to increase capacity, one need not have to open a university. They can always create an excellent college and affiliate to existing universities.

2. Will they? If yes, how many of them will do that? What will be the amount students have to pay for that? If they are so eager to bring quality, why don’t they establish colleges and bring in the faculty? May be one or two players will enter the field with the aim of improving educational system. But many others primary focus will be making profits – if it can be achieved by cutting the corners, then so be it.

3. How many names you can remember from private field, who are investing heavily in basic research? Just take a look at the list of 50 companies who constitute S&P CNX Nifty (NSE) or 30 companies in BSE Sensex. How many important patents they have?

4. We need to face this scenario and make necessary changes in to the system. If this is the reason then, there may not be any area left with government to run.

5. Foreign universities can collaborate with existing universities as well.

6. All the eight Ivy League institutions, including Cornell, Harvard, Princeton, Pennsylvania, Yale etc are private. But, there is little surety that private Indian university will live up to that spirit. Many existing private engineering and medical colleges are not sending out positive signal.

Now let’s take a look at some major problems with private universities.

If one allows private institutions to establish universities, India may soon have more universities than rest of the world combined. But who will regulate them? Does an explosion in number automatically mean an explosion in quality as well? I don’t think so.

What about the validity of certificates given by those numerous - many can be one room universities as well - universities? I don’t believe that, majority of private players will come to education field with an aim to educate the masses of India. Experiences in private and coop engineering and medical colleges are big examples for the same. The idea is profit. Education - awarding medical and engineering degrees - is one of the fields to make a quick profit.

In India, nothing stops private players in building one or more collages. Already there are many deemed universities and autonomous colleges as well. But I strongly believe that, giving certificates should be reserved for public universities for time being. At the same time, private players if they are really serious about education should invest in building more colleges under the guidance of UGC, NAAC, MoHRD, State Education departments etc.

Sajeev.

PS: By the way, why everyone is interested in creating universities? Why not invest in building capacity in lower and upper primary? When we are already facing problems in primary educational sector, where a fifth class students can't read what he/ she studied in 2nd class, I strongly believe money should go there as well.

When we don't have enough teachers in primary educational sector, where there is no separate toilets for girls and boys, where teachers rarely comes to schools, where there is single primary school for many villages, where students go to school more to get mid day meal than to study, where hostels are deprived of cooks and basic facilities, I believe money should go there.

References


Because of the Government or In spite of the government?

Economy to grow 5-6% regardless of any govt: P Chidambaram - Business Standard

When I read the statement, first thing came to my mind was the title of Gurucharan Das's book - 'India Grows at Night'. Chidamdbaram trying to prove Gurucharan Das right? 

Dakshinayana Part Fourteen – U shaped Ajanta


Me in front of the cave complex
On that eventful day of April 1819, when John Smith (Company officer from Madras Presidency of Colonial India) woke up in the morning, he may not even imagined that, what he was going to see is one of the icons of ancient India. His tiger hunting party, accidently found out the caves which were abandoned long time ago, covered by re-grown forest. Inside a cave (No. 10), he scratched his name, date and left the place. But, it opened the finest mural paintings of Ajanta to modern world.


After checking out from a hotel in Aurangabad city, I hired an auto to reach central bus stand. In bus stand, I didn’t have to wait for a long period. Around 9 in the morning, I boarded an old government bus to Ajanta (103 INR). We crossed Delhi,  Bhatkal gates and then entered to rural areas. In many places, both sides were almost empty. At some other places, men wearing white dress and matching cap were working in the fields. After a brief stop at Sillod, we regained the momentum. At one point, our bus started the ascent of a hill. At first, I thought caves may be on top of that hill. However, bus didn’t stop. It crossed the top and started the dissent. After waiting for some more time, driver announced – Ajanta caves. Yes,  It’s the place!!!


Caves were not near. After paying 10 INR to development board, I walked towards the bus stop. To reach there, one has to go through a number of shops selling various items. Here, shop keepers persuade visitors to buy something. Some asked me to visit their store on my way back. However, one guy walked with me almost to the bus parking area and even offered a stone in whitish colours as free gift. We talked, but I couldn’t accept that free gift – as it would oblige me to visit his store and buy something. I could not afford to increase the weight of my luggage any more.

One of the bus stand on the way
From this bus stop one can board buses, fuelled by the power of CNG (Compressed Natural Gas), to reach the caves. For AC buses charge was 20 INR (per person), for normal buses it was 10 INR (per person). After a 4km long journey we reached at the bottom of the cliff, which houses the caves. From there, steps were neatly cut in to the hills for climbing, ramps are also available. If someone can’t walk, they can sit in a chair and porters will carry them. Many old age people were using this facility.

Bus powered by CNG
At the entrance of cave one, there was another ticket counter (Indians - 10 INR; foreigners – 250 INR). Usage of still camera is free (flash is strictly prohibited inside the caves); for video cameras we have to pay.

Ajanta Caves

ASI tablet detailing the history of Ajanta cave complex
In total, there are around 30 Buddhist rock cut caves dating from 2nd century BC to 7th century AD. Murals insides the caves are considered as finest examples Indian paintings. Caves are located on the slope of a cliff at the side of a ‘U’ shaped gorge in Waghora River. River was in name only, at the time of my visit – in January – there was no running water. It is assumed that, earlier caves were built during the reign of Shatavahanas and the later ones during the administration of Vakataka dynasty.



I moved through the caves one by one, thinking about the days when Buddhist scholars and monks spent their time here, probably debating on various theories. At the end of the path, there were two monks – probably from Tibetan Buddhism - sitting in the ground and praying. I also sat there for some time, watching the caves from a distance.

Monks going inside Cave 26
Finally, it was the time to say good bye to Ajanta. On the way back, I met the same Korean group along with whom I left yesterday from Ellora caves. They smiled, I too.

After getting down from the bus, I took a small opening in the fence to reach the road quickly. At bus stop, I again met that shop keeper, who earlier tried to give a free gift. His first question was, whether I visited his shop? I had to say no. I think he anticipated that answer. He tried to say something, but at the same time I heard the groaning sound an old engine. I told him bye and left.

I reached Aurangabad around 5 in the evening. Unfortunately, it was too early for me. My bus to Pune was at 10.30pm. What I could do till then?


Sajeev.



















Various paintings in side the caves

Caves from a distance

Wagora River and Bridge
For reading rest of the articles please visit,

Dakshinayana Part One – An Introduction
Dakshinayana Part Two – Bangalore to Bhopal
Dakshinayana Part Three – Sanchi
Dakshinayana Part Four – Bhopal: The city of lakes
Dakshinayana Part Five: Ujjain – The Holy City, hearing the sounds of forefathers
Dakshinayana Part Six: Indore – Trade hub of Central India
Dakshinayana Part Seven – Jabalpur: Kalchuris, Gonds and Narmada
Dakshinayana Part Eight – Kanha National Park and Mandla
Dakshinayana Part Nine – Chhattisgarh and Raipur
Dakshinayana Part Ten: Nagpur – The Orange City
Dakshinayana Part Eleven – Sevagram: Walking with Gandhi
Dakshinayana Part Twelve – Aurangabad: The City of Gates
Dakshinayana Part Thirteen – Ellora Memories
Dakshinayana Part Fourteen – U shaped Ajanta
Dakshinayana Part Fifteen – Pune: The Maratha heartland

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Dakshinayana Part Thirteen – Ellora Memories

A view from a distance
On that morning, from Aurangabad central bus stand, I boarded an old government bus to historic Ellora caves (29km). City’s traffic slowed us down; after city limits we gained speed and passed through the lanes which were once frequented by armies of Devagiri, Delhi Sultanates, Mughals etc. At a distance, one can see the bald head of hills sweating under bright sun. Bus was very much crowded; a Korean tourist standing opposite to me was firmly holding to an iron bar in the ceiling. I was very happy, till then I saw Ellora in the pages of history books, photos in web etc.



Ellora Caves

Built by Rashtrakuda dynasty, this cave complex (also a UNESCO World Heritage Site) was excavated out of Charanandri hills in between AD 600 and 1000. Here, one can see the temples from Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.

According to UNESCO,
“These 34 monasteries and temples, extending over... 2 km, were dug side by side in the wall of a high basalt cliff... Progressing from south to north along the cliff, one discovers successively the twelve caves of the Buddhist group, which appear to be the oldest and comprise monasteries and a single large temple (cave 10); then... Brahmin group... finally the Jain group (caves 30-34) whose sanctuaries were created by the sect of the Digambara...
The Buddhist Caves were excavated between the 5th and the 7th centuries AD, when the Mahayana sects were flourishing in the region; among these cave 5 is the largest. Cave 10 is a chaitya hall and is popularly known as 'Visvakarma'. It has a highly ornamental facade provided with a gallery and in the chaitya hall there is a beautiful image of Buddha set on a stupa...
The Brahmin caves are mostly Saivite. Kailasa (cave 16) is a remarkable example of rock-cut temples in India on account of its striking proportion; elaborate workmanship architectural content and sculptural ornamentation. It is said that cave 16 have been started by the Rashtrakuta king, Krishna I, and it is dedicated to Shiva and named after his mountain home in the Himalaya, the snow-peak Kailasa. The whole temple consists of a shrine with lingam at the rear of the hall with Dravidian sikhara, a flat-roofed mandapa supported by sixteen pillars, a separate porch for Nandi surrounded by an open court entered through a low gopura. The grand sculpture of Ravana attempting to lift Mount Kailasa, the abode of Siva, with his full might is a landmark in Indian art” - UNESCO

Kailasanatha



Most famous among them is this frees standing, multi storied, and magnificent work in stone – The Kilasanatha temple, built by Krishna I of Rashtrakuda dynasty. With a size, double that of Parthenon of Athens, this abode of Lord Shiva is an epic in itself. As I was running short of time, my main focus was on this temple – aka cave no 16.



Our bus stopped close to this temple. After buying tickets, I had to walk a little to reach the entrance. That place was crowded, a lot of people were moving in and out of the complex. I slowly moved in. Entire complex was dug out from the hill. Why they tried digging, while they might have provisions to build a new temple at another place using stone or bricks? May be this is a statement, a way for eternal glory... I don’t know. After some time, I reached the sanctum. Linga was really a big one.

After coming out, took a round around the sanctum; reading stories our forefathers written in stone. Numerous stone elephants are standing at the bottom, as if holding the weight of the temple. Sculptures of various gods were looking towards me from the walls. In the outer ring, there were a number of statues carved in the walls.

Finally, it was time to go. After waiting for some ten minutes, got a shared auto to Daulatabad Fort (aka Devagiri fort). With a group of Korean tourists, I also moved out.

But let me tell you one thing, there is a lot more in Ellora than you could explore in half a day.

Sajeev.






For more reading

3. Wikipedia











Another sculpture in the walls
For reading rest of the articles please visit,

Dakshinayana Part One – An Introduction
Dakshinayana Part Two – Bangalore to Bhopal
Dakshinayana Part Three – Sanchi
Dakshinayana Part Four – Bhopal: The city of lakes
Dakshinayana Part Five: Ujjain – The Holy City, hearing the sounds of forefathers
Dakshinayana Part Six: Indore – Trade hub of Central India
Dakshinayana Part Seven – Jabalpur: Kalchuris, Gonds and Narmada
Dakshinayana Part Eight – Kanha National Park and Mandla
Dakshinayana Part Nine – Chhattisgarh and Raipur
Dakshinayana Part Ten: Nagpur – The Orange City
Dakshinayana Part Eleven – Sevagram: Walking with Gandhi
Dakshinayana Part Twelve – Aurangabad: The City of Gates
Dakshinayana Part Thirteen – Ellora Memories
Dakshinayana Part Fourteen – U shaped Ajanta
Dakshinayana Part Fifteen – Pune: The Maratha heartland

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Making Strategic Decisions

We often face situations, where we have to take decisions. It may be quite as simple as, selecting the flavour of an ice-cream or as complex as the selection of a life partner. In both cases, we have to face the consequence of our choices. Choices, selections, alternatives, affordability of a making a mistake, procrastination etc plays a big role in life. For e.g. how often you can switch your career? How often you can buy a home? How often you will be able to make big investments in equity markets? How often you can recover from a bad presentation, you had with a potential and influential client? How often you can change your life partner? How often you are ready to accept your mistake and say sorry? How often you will decide to go all the way, to defend your rights?

Whether good or bad, often the simple selection of a choice will lead us to such a distance that, we may even forget the way. As a Malayalam proverb says, “If you feel angry and jumped in to a well, you can’t come out of that, even if you feel 100 times of that initial anger”.

Many of us often try to procrastinate while taking decisions; especially when it is difficult to choose from alternatives. Sometimes, people want somebody else to take decisions for them. At other times, we may say if we could escape from this... But remember, the selection of ‘not taking a decision’ itself is a decision.
Below mentioned are some articles, which I think may help you in taking your decisions.