R. J. HERALD Hindi Vidya Prachar Samiti’s Ramniranjan Jhunjhunwala College Newsletter
Jan-February. 2010
Vol. 9 Issue:1 Challenge
A word from the Principal
“Challenge!" Upon hearing this term, one immediately imagines scenes of battles being won after a mighty struggle, of a team overcoming all others on the way to the championship. Although there are many types of challenges, the widespread conception is that a "challenge" is a win-or-lose match; overcoming the challenge brings victory and accomplishment, while anything else is a defeat. In the field of team building, "challenge" is thought of in a completely
different sense. Here it is not a case of win-or-lose, success or failure. Instead, "challenge" is seen as a continuous process towards growth, learning, and understanding. Challenge is simply a means for the participants to engage in communication, teamwork, and problem-solving processes. Lets get together to address our adversities and make corrections. Through this process, we will learn how to work together effectively. Dr. Usha Mukundan
FACULTY NEWS
Distinction Dr. Usha Mukundan was selected by the Association of training Scholarship (AOTS) Japan and she underwent a training in Corporate Management for India from Jan 27 -Feb 9, 2010. The training included TQM, 5S, Kaizen and visits to industries like Toyota, Oval Corporation, Meri etc.
On Panel Dr. Shashi Mishra, Head, Dept. of Sociology, was invited as a member of panel for the session on Moving Women into Decision Making at the State Level Seminar on Challenges to Women Empowerment in the 21st Century organised by K.B. College of Arts and Commerce, on Jan 22- 23, 2010.
Presentation/Publication Dr. Amita Valmiki, Head, Dept. of Philosophy, presented a paper titled Mind Your Business! Let me Mind my Business !! at the State Level Seminar
on Trade: Elixir to Human Progress organised by M.D. College, Parel , Mumbai on Jan 16, 2010. She also presented a paper titled Terrorism: Anarchy with a Religious Base at a National Level Seminar on Terrorism, Human Rights, Peace and Justice organized by Momin College, Bhiwandi on Jan 30, 2010. Prof. Neeta Chakravarty, Dept. of English and Dr. Shashi Mishra jointly presented a paper titled Indian Women and Rights of Equality at the National Conference on Changing Society and Changing Relationships organised by Adarsh College, Ambernath, on Jan 22- 23, 2010. Prof. Lakshmi Chandrasekar, Dept. of BBI and Prof. Vijayalakshmi Iyer, Dept. of BMS presented a paper titled Economic Empowerment of Women & Self – Help Groups at a State Level Seminar on Microfinance: A Tool for Women Empowerment and Poverty Allevia-
Empowerment and Poverty Alleviation at Shailendra College, Dahisar, on Feb 5, 2010. Dr. Sneha Deuskar, Head, Dept. of Marathi presented a paper titled Meghana Pethe Yanchya Kathanche Streevadi Vaachan in the U.G.C. sponsored State level Seminar on Ekvisaavyaa Shattkatill Marathi Saahityatil Badalate Pravaah. organised by S.K. Patil College, Sindhudurg, on Feb 13-14, 2010. Dr.Shashi Mishra authored a book titled Women and Urban Informal Sector published by Discovery Publishing House, Delhi, in January 2010. She presented a paper titled Women Empowerment and Poverty Alleviation at a UGC sponsored State Level Multidisciplinary Seminar on Microfinance: A Tool for Women Empowerment and Poverty Alleviation organised by Shailendra College, Dahisar on Feb 5-6, 2010. She also presented a paper titled
2 Condition of Women in Unorganized Sector – Issues of Human Rights at a UGC sponsored National Seminar on Human Rights and the Role of Law organised by S.K. Somaiya College of Arts , Science and Commerce on Feb 15-16, 2010. Dr. K Raghunath, Head, Dept. of Kannada, published 8 weekly columns in Udayavani, a Daily Kannada News Paper in January and February. Prof. Maria Shaikh, Dept. of English, presented a paper titled Developing Transformational Leadership Skills in Schools in a National Seminar on Developing Transformation Leadership Skills for Excellence in Education organised by K.J. Somaiya College of Education on Feb 25-26, 2010. Seminar/Workshop Prof. Maria Shaikh, Dept. of English, attended a National Symposium on Gay and Lesbian Literature held at St. Andrew’s College on Nov 21, 2009. Dr. A.P. Pandey, Head, Prof. Sharmila Jajodia and Prof. Maria Shaikh, Dept. of English, participated in a workshop on the Proposed Syllabus Revision in Communication Skills organised by the Dept. of English, SIES College in collaboration with the BOS in English, University of Mumbai on Jan 2, 2010. Dr. Shashi Mishra attended a Seminar on Pre – Marital Counselling: A Contemporary Social Need organised by Dr. BMN College of Home Science , SNDT, on Jan 20-21, 2010.
R. J. Herald, JanJan-February 2010 in Business Economics and Department of Economics held at R. A Podar College on Feb 17, 2010. Faculty Development Programme Prof. Bindu Achary, Dept. of Zoology, Prof. Meher Mistry, Dept. of History, and Prof. Bhushan Arekar, Dept. of Political Science successfully completed the Orientation Course conducted by the U.G.C. Staff Academy College with an ‘A’ grade during the months of Dec 29Jan 25, 2010. Dr. Shashi Mishra acquired a Post Graduate Diploma in Human Rights, with a first class from the University of Mumbai on Jan 7, 2010. Prof. Shubhangi Vartak , Dept. of Economics and Prof. Jayashree Vaze, Dept. of Statistics participated in Faculty Development Programme ( DST – NIMAT PROJECT ) organised by Maharashtra Centre for Entrepreneurship Development under sponsorship of Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India, New Delhi and EDM, Ahmedabad from Jan 18-30, 2010. Prof. Bhakti Todankar, Dept. Biotechnology attended a Bioinformatics Workshop at ACTREC, Kharghar on Jan 21- 22, 2010. She also attented Lady TATA Bioinformatics Workshop at Ruia College on Feb 1- 5, 2010. Prof. Neelambari Kulkarni, Dept. of Marathi and Prof. Sharmila Jajodia, Dept. of English attended a Refresher Course in Comparative Literature organised by U.G.C Academic Staff College, University of Mumbai, from Jan 27- Feb16, 2010.
Dr. Abhay D. Sawant, Dept. Chemistry attended a Seminar on Global Warming: Causes, Consequences & Coping Strategies organised by VES College of Arts, Science & Commerce, at Chembur & RCF on Jan 2223, 2010.
Research Projects
Prof. Rashmi Wagle, Vice Principal, attended a workshop on Revised Syllabus for Business Economics Paper III, organised by the Board of Studies
Dr. Janhavi Bhagwat, Dept. of Zoology, has been sanctioned Minor Research Project Grant in Zoology for the year 2009-2010.
Dr. Abhay Sawant has been sanctioned Minor Research Project Grant in Chemistry for the year 2009-2010.
Prof. Meher Mistry, Dept. of History has been appointed as project associate for a Research Project on The Genealogy of the Sethna Family being conducted under the aegis of the K.R. Cama Oriental Institute.
Academic Outreach Prof. Shyamala Kulkarni, Dept. of Biological Sciences, Jr. College, was invited as judge for Science exhibition of West Zone on Nov 11, 2009.She was also a Judge for Homi Bhabha Young Scientist interview for Std. VI (English) of Thane & rest of Maharashtra Zone on Feb 21, 2010 . Prof. Anagha Kamble, Dept. of History, was on the organizing committee for an International conference on Culture of Peace on Jan 8- 9, 2010. Dr. Shashi Mishra was invited as a guest speaker on the topic Human Rights for TYBMS students at JoshiBedekar College on Jan 11, 2010. She was also invited as a special invitee at the inaugural session of an International Seminar on Mind, Brain and Consciousness at Joshi- Bedekar College, Thane on Jan 13, 2010. Prof. Pratibha Singh, Vice – Principal, was invited to judge an Intercollegiate Poster Competition for postgraduate students at Ruia College on Jan 15, 2010. Prof. Kamlakar V. Indulkar Dept. of Biology, Junior College,was invited to Judge District Level Science Exhibition organised by department of Education at R.S.T. High School, Govandi, on Jan16-17, 2010. He also delivered a guidance lecture to SYJC students on 'How to prepare for Biology paper I and II.' at Ratnam Junior College of Science, Bhandup on Jan 27, 2010. Dr. A. P. Pandey, conducted a workshop on Paper VI – Rhetoric, Composition and Applied Language Skills for the T.Y.B.A students at Birla College, Kalyan on January 22, 2010. He also delivered an expert lecture for Postgraduate students on Literatures
3 in Translation at R.K.T. College, Ulhasnagar, on Jan 27, 2010. Dr. Mithilesh Sharma, Dept. of Hindi, compered a Seminar titled Sufi Sahitya Ka Punar Mulyakan organised by Sathaye College, Vileparle on Feb 5-6, 2010.
Community Outreach Dr. Jyotsna Nijsure, Dept. of Biology
R. J. Herald, JanJan-February 2010 Jr. College, was invited as a guest speaker to speak on Introduction to Biotechnology & Nanotechnology at Thane Vigyan Mahotsav organised by Thane Municipal Corporation & Jidnyasa Trust, Thane on Jan 28-31, 2010. Prof. Shyamala Kulkarni was invited as resource person for Laksha,organised by Congress party at
Dombivli to guide students for HSC & CET. She also judged the intercollegiate dance competition organised by Rotaract Club of R.J.College at Saboo Hall, on Feb 22, 2010. Dr. Mithilesh Sharma compered a seminar titled Hindi Jan Sanchar Madhyam. organised by M.M. P.S College, Matunga on Feb 26, 2010.
DEPARTMENT NEWS Dept. of Biotechnology organized a lecture by Dr. Narendra Chirmule, Executive Director, Amgen. Inc, U.S.A on Challenges In Developing Vaccines On HIV for TYBSc, & MSc students on Jan. 6, 2010. Dr. Archana Shivpurkar, CREMA, Mumbai delivered a lecture on Clinical Research for MSc-I students on Jan 9, 2010. Dept. of English organised an inter-collegiate Script Writing Workshop on Jan 12, 2010. Dr. Kishan Pawar, Dept. of English, M.D. College, graced the occasion as the Resource Person.
ASSOCIATION NEWS Community Outreach
Women’s Department Cell organised a street play on Gender Sensitization. In- Charge, Dr. Shashi Mishra, organized a one-day workshop for NSS students at, Kotwalwadi Rural Camp, Neral on Jan 7, 2010 on gender related issues. Economics Association organised Arth– Gyaan, the one-day inter-collegiate students event on Jan 9, 2010. The Chief Guest was Mr. M. Savarimuthu, General Manager, Indian Bank, who spoke on Lessons from the Recession. 95 students from various colleges participated in the following four competitions.The competition I – Lead had the students doing a role-play of world leaders and speaking on their economics policies. The world leaders were –. Dr. Manmohan Singh, Mrs. Margaret Thatcher and Mrs. Benazir Bhutto. In Business Buzz, there were group presentations on four entrepreneurs – Ms. Chanda Kochhar, Ms. Kalpana Morparia, Mr. Nandan Nilekani and Mr. Vineet Nayyar. Eco- Talk had current issues discussed. Visual Impact competition saw posters displayed on Landmarks of Mumbai. Political Science Association and History Association jointly conducted a poster competition on Picturing the Decade 2000 – 2010 on Jan 13, 2010 and an elocution competition on Modern Indian Thinkers’on Jan 18, 2010. A field trip to Vidhan Sabha was also jointly organized on February 1, 2010. A Personality Development Course was conducted by the Association for students of TYBA from February 16 to 25, 2010. A joint Valedictory cum Prize- Distribution function was organized by the Political Science and History Associations on February 26, 2010. Students who successfully completed the Certificate of Excellence Programme and prize winners of the various competitions organized were felicitated by Vice Principal, Prof. Rashmi Wagle. History Association conducted its annual History Quiz competition on Jan 16, 2010. Philosophy Association conducted On the Spot Writing competition on the topic Gender Equality and Essay Writing competition on Jan 15, 2010. Parents Meet for FYBA Philosophy was arranged on Feb 3, 2010. A Farewell cum Valedictory function was organised on Feb 25, 2010. A PPT competition was held for the T.Y.B.A students on Feb, 5, 2010. Large number of F.Y.B.A and S.Y.B.A Philosophy Students, attended Philo – Feast and Yoga organised by Dept. of Philosophy, University of Mumbai and participated in various competitions. Sociology Association organised a workshop on Women and Violence conducted by eminent speakers, Ms. Hasina Khan
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and Ms.Yasmeen from Awaj –a –Niswa , an NGO, on Jan 18, 2010. Chem – Bond organized Spontaneous Chemistry & Poster Competition on Jan 25 & Feb 13, 2010 respectively. Rotaract Club of R. J College arranged Danza La Gusto,an inter – collegiate dance festival on Feb 23, 2010. Rink Football was organized on Feb 12- 14, 2010 and inter – collegiate Cricket Tournament was held on Feb 13, 2010. Kannada Sangha organised a special lecture on Kannada Development and inter- collegiate Elocution, Debate, Singing and Mono-acting competitions on Feb 14, 2010. SAP Valedictory function was held on Feb 2, 2010. Sw. Ameetanandaji from Chinmaya Mission was the chief guest. She delivered a talk on Essential Learning.
NCC NEWS A rural camp was organized for NSS students at at Nerul, Raigad, from Jan 4- 10, 2010. Prof. Pratap Kamble accompanied the students.
GYMKHANA NEWS Junior & Degree Mix Girls Kabaddi Team was a runner up at the Kabaddi Tournament organized by M. D. College on Jan 4-8, 2010. Junior & Degree Mix Boys Kabaddi Team won the Kabaddi Tournament organized by D.Y. Patil College, Vashi on Feb 4-8, 2010.Junior & Degree Mix Boys Kho- Kho team won the Kho- Kho Tournament at D. Y. Patil College, Vashi on Feb 4-8, 2010. The College Cricket Boys Team (Degree) was a Runner Up at the Cricket Tournament at D. Y. Patil Cricket ground, Vashi on 4th Feb 2010.Over all the College Sports Team was declared a Runner Up at the D.Y.Patil University tournament. They also won Raheja College, Inter College Cricket Tournament.Cricket Degree Team has reached the semi final league stage at Sangam Lad Inter- Collegiate Cricket. Our Junior College Boys Cricket Team won Junior College Sports Association Cricket Tournament Boys at Cross Maidan , CST Mumbai on Jan 4-15, 2010.Our College Junior boys cricket team won Junior College’s Sports Association Cricket tournament beating Rizvi College in the finals. Our College Taekwondo Men and Women team participated in University Taekwondo Tournament at Kirti College Dadar on 11th Feb, 2010 . LIBRARY NEWS
STUDENT NEWS Students of R.J College won Prizes at the intercollegiate event Arth – Gyaan organised by Economics Association. Ms. Aarti Singh of T.Y.B.A. History and Mr. Amrutraj Poojary of T.Y. B.Com got the second and third prize respectively in the Visual Impact Poster Competition. Mr. Manoj Vyas , Ms. Sangita Keni and Ms. Arpita Singh of the B.M.S Dept. won the third prize in Business Buzz Competition. Mr. Punit Shah and Ms. Meghana Singh bagged the first prize and Ms. Shaheen Sheikh and Ms. Aarti Sharma of BMS received the second prize in the Eco- Talk Competition. Ms.Sujata Bugaji Godre of S.Y.B.Com received the Best Raider Awardat the Kabaddi Tournament organized by M. D. College on Jan 4- 8, 2010. Mr. Shaikh Aquib Mobin was selected to represent Mumbai University Team at All India Inter University Cricket Tournament held at Mumbai. Mr. Pardesi Jaydeep Deepak, Mr. Jay Kumar Naik were selected to represent Mumbai under 19 Cricket team at All India Inter Zone. Mr. Imran Murtuza Ali Khan of SYBA won Silver Medal in University Taekwondo Tournament. Ms.Swapnali Vinayak Dhanve of FYBSC won Gold Medal in University Taekwondo Tournament.
5 GUEST EDITOR’S COLUMN Why Not I? Life often brings in moments when we have an opportunity of doing new things and in different ways. However, at such moments people cave in, to precedents set before them. Is it not possible for us to set new precedents? While my mind was munching over this question in an attempt to find an answer, I came across a book that filled my heart with contentment. Let me share my experience of reading this book. I wish to send this message to enthuse new hopes, new zeal and new happiness in our hearts, in an otherwise commonplace life. The book ‘Why not I?’ is a story of a woman & her daughter – with a ‘Positive Syndrome! A. woman all alone, with her daughters fights against all odds that come in her life. At a very young age, she loses her husband. He dies due to heart attack. Within a year, her younger daughter, Devu, becomes a victim of wrong medicines administered to her by her pediatrician. Thus, is Devu made to suffer from a life long illness, ‘Stevent Johnson Syndrome! at the tender age of six. Due to this illness, she loses her eyesight completely & starts suffering from numerous medical complications. However, they do not give up their hopes. They struggle, exhibiting immense positivity. At the end, Devu excels in her career, even achieves international recognition through her work in her subject. Now, let me let the cat out of the bag. This is a real life story and not the brain child of a writer. Today the central characters of the book are, in reality, also leading their lives in the same way as is narrated in the book. We can associate ourselves with the entire atmosphere in the book. The relationships of the two with other people – whether that be their relatives, friends or neighbours or even their pets, is unique, but yet, so realistic, so intensely touching! At some point of time, almost everybody of us is defeated by everyday problems of life. We go on struggling, making petty complaints & making a mountain of a mole. But Devu teaches us to believe in ourselves. Inspite of losing eyesight completely, she is neither depressed nor suffers from inferiority complex or feelings of inadequacy. Devu sets an example for us: how with a sound self confidence and humbleness we can carve a
R. J. Herald, JanJan-February 2010 success out of our lives. A sense of inferiority & inadequacy always interferes with the attainment of our hopes. Usually sour experiences by our dear ones demoralise us & dampen our spirit of living. Devu & her mother have ‘Minds of steel’. They keep negativity out of their minds by building an invisible wall of goodness. Devu’s openness to all types of experiences in life, attracts us to her. In spite of being blind, she is brought up by her mother like any other normal child. When a blind co- student requests her to join their group of blinds to show the normal children their unity & through this, their power, she decisively refuses to adapt this attitude. Her philosophy is ‘even if she is blind & she is not able to ‘see’ the world around, it is unnecessary to create barriers in ‘feeling’ it by keeping biases & grudges against others. People around us are not always to take pity on us.’ Throughout the book, Devu & her mother keep us in a trance. What Devu has achieved is unparalleled but the role that her mother played in her life is truly exemplary. While reading this book, a question that continuously hovers in my mind is– if Devu inspite of her physical limitations & other obstacles can lead a very positive & fruitful life, ‘WHY NOT I ?’ Prof. Manasi Vinod Know your Guest Editor: Prof. Manasi Vinod is lecturer in the Department of Economics. She likes reading, travelling, trekking and has an inclination for yoga.
R. J. Herald, Published by Principal Dr. Usha Mukundan, R. J. College, Ghatkopar (W), Mumbai-400 086. Core Editorial Board: Prof. Neeta Chakravarty, Prof. Meher Mistry, Prof. Maria Shaikh, Dr. Janhavi Bhagwat, Prof. Suvarna Kalshetty, Ms. Shailaja Mathapati. (For Internal Circulation Only)
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LIBRARY NEWS