FROMthe vice chancellor
CONTENTS
he Open University and Distance Education Systems all over the world support extensive research portfolios and front-ranking research communities. This is done through quality in-house research and effective networking and collaborations with renowned research institutes. The Indira Gandhi National Open University Act, in the First Schedule, under the objects of the University, inter alia, provides for the promotion of “Acquisition of knowledge in a rapidly developing and changing society and to continually offer opportunities for upgrading knowledge in the context of innovations, research and discovery in all fields of human endeavours”. The various schemes of IGNOU and the Distance Education Council (DEC) have contributed to the emergence of the University as a world leader in systemic research in the area of Open and Distance Learning (ODL) Pedagogy. These include minor and major research schemes, study leave for staff to undertake research at the doctoral and postdoctoral levels, sabbatical leave, facilitation of participation in national and international research conferences, the setting up of special institutes like the Staff Training and Research in Distance Education (STRIDE), the National Centre for Innovations in Distance Education (NCIDE), the National Centre for Disability Studies (NCDS), the Chair for Sustainable Development, the Research and Teaching Assistantship (RTA) scheme for highly meritorious full-time postgraduates and the setting up of the statutory Research Council and the Research Unit. Introduced in 2008, the RTA scheme has attracted a large number of extremely bright and meritorious post-graduates to undertake full-time doctoral research, leading to Ph.D. degrees in their own domain areas, along with mandatory training in ODL technologies in the related subject. Most rigorous and globally acceptable quality assurance mechanisms like publication of at least one original research paper in a peer-reviewed and high-impact journal, participation and presentation in research conferences, course works and development of a technology-enabled teaching module are prerequisites for submission of Ph.D. thesis under this scheme. This innovative scheme will help in the creation of a pool of talented researchers with nurtured aptitude and capabilities for teaching at the University level. While higher education establishments and governments focus on Ph.D. programmes, there is also great concern and apprehension about the poor quality of the M.Phil. and Ph.D. programmes offered in large numbers by some institutions misusing the autonomy and the concept of distance education. Strict enforcement of quality criteria, following international benchmarks in research, is the only way to curb such undesirable practices. Quality research of high impact happening in renowned Open University and Distance Education Systems should be supported and encouraged to set national benchmarks in this area. We cannot afford to take a stand that the Open University and Distance Education System will not be able to provide the facilities and ambience for high quality research. State-of-the-art research laboratories, even in sophisticated science and technology areas, are available in the Open University System. Many Open Universities in the world, like the UK Open University, the Open University of Netherlands and Hong Kong Open University, support extensive doctoral and post-doctoral research. They have excellent research portfolios and vibrant research communities which are enhanced through collaborations with top-ranking research institutions worldwide. In addition to the keydiscipline-based research units, they have established highly relevant major cross-disciplinary research establishments. In fact, the UK Open University is not only No. 1 in the mandatory Annual Student Satisfaction Survey there, it also ranks very high in the mandatory Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). IGNOU is proud of the fact that its systemic research feeds directly into the content of its world-leading teaching programmes. The University is committed to utilise its large pool of academics with extensive research experience to train young researchers, in both systemic research and discipline-based research of the highest quality. Achieving high levels of research performance in discipline-based research as well as in systemic research is the target of IGNOU in this Decade of Innovation.
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IN FOCUS: Prisoners welcome the ‘free education’ initiative by IGNOU that could help them return to the mainstream of life empowered with quality education
Empowering Women 8
SPOTLIGHT: More and more states are willing to emulate the IGNOU initiative for the anganwadi workers in Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh
NEWS SCAN ................07
REGIONAL ROUNDUP ...12
PASSING BY ................07
STUDENTS’ CORNER....12
SJ LECTURES ..............10
MILESTONES ...............16
NEWS UPDATE ............11
GYAN DARSHAN ..........16
IGNOU OPEN LETTER is Printed by Printek Grafix, 148-D, Pocket-F, GTB Enclave, Delhi-110093 and Published by Ravi Mohan, Chief Public Relations Officer, Indira Gandhi National Open University, Maidan Garhi. New Delhi 110068. Ph: +91-11-29535924-32; +91-11-29535062-65 Fax: +91-11-29535933; E-mail: openletter@ignou.ac.in Managing Editor: Ravi Mohan Editor: Surojit Mahalanobis Advisory Council: Prof P.R. Ramanujam, Prof Ramindar Singh Design and Production: IANS Publishing www.ianspublishing.com
2 IGNOU OPEN LETTER | FEBRUARY 15, 2010
V.N. Rajasekharan Pillai
IGNOU world’s largest university: UNESCO GNOU is the world’s largest university, with its student outreach extending to 30 lakh, UNESCO has said. “IGNOU is the largest University in the world. GNOU has launched a PG diploma Almost 30 lakh students in India and programme, Participatory Adult Learning Documentation and 33 other countries study at IGNOU, Information Networking (PGDAE), in which is also India’s National adult education. The programme, in Resource Center for Open and collaboration with UNESCO and the Distance Learning and a world leader Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), aims in distance education.” at promoting professional development “Enrollments of nearly 30 lakh in the area of adult education, with a students and networks across focus on participatory adult learning, the country making the best use documentation and information networking. The fee is Rs 5,000. of Information Communication Admissions are open for the July 2010 Technology (ICT) — IGNOU’s session and last date for submission of UNESCO D-G Irena Bokova with Union HRD accomplishments are recognised applications is April 30, 2010. worldwide,” UNESCO Director-General Minister Kapil Sibal in New Delhi on January 11. Irina G. Bokova said at a posting on the UNESCO website. “With the launch of EduSat (a Societies in a Globalised World’ at the the Indian National Commission for satellite dedicated to education) in 2004, University’s campus on January 11, the UNESCO; S.M. Krishna, Union Minister and the establishment of the InterDirector-General said, “We cannot think of External Affairs; and Dr Karan Singh, University Consortium, IGNOU has about... inclusive globalisation without India’s Representative on UNESCO’s ushered in a new era of technologyeducation that is relevant to the world of Executive Board. enabled education,” she added. today and accessible throughout life.” The Director-General also visited IT Delivering the Silver Jubilee Lecture While in India, she also met with Kapil companies in Bangalore involved in ICT titled ‘Building Inclusive Knowledge Sibal, Minister of HRD and Chairperson of for education.■
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IGNOU, UNESCO in adult education
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IGNOU adds 6 FM radio stations to its bouquet he University’s Electronic Media Production Centre (EMPC) has launched six new FM radio stations on education. These will be in addition to the 31 radio stations the University already operates. The six new Gyan Vani stations, launched by Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Choudhury Mohan Jatua, in New Delhi on February 10, will be operational in Agra, Chandigarh, Jalandhar, Srinagar, Tiruchirapalli and Thiruvananthapuram. The FM radio stations aim to enhance and supplement the teaching-learning process by reaching out to learners through a low-cost, popular mass medium using interactive formats. Vice Chancellor V.N. Rajasekharan Pillai said: “Through Gyan Vani, students can call a toll-free number and get counselled on different educational matters from experts of the National Council of Education, Research and Training and NGOs working in the field.”
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From left, K. Ravi Kanth, director, Electronic Media Production Centre; VC Prof Pillai; MoS for Information & Broadcasting Choudhury Mohan Jatua; and former Prasar Bharati CEO, K.S. Sarma, at the launch of six new FM stations in New Delhi. The EMPC also celebrated a decade of the launch of its educational TV channel, Gyan Darshan, on the occasion. A collaborative effort of IGNOU, Prasar Bharati, the Ministry of Human Resource Development and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Gyan
Darshan is a bouquet of four channels on vocational and technical education, higher education and sustainable development. “We appeal to the minister that the carriage fee for the transmission of the channels on DTH be waived in our case,” said K. Ravi Kanth, director of the EMPC.■
IGNOU OPEN LETTER | FEBRUARY 15, 2010 3
Breaking the Shackles INFOCUS Jail inmates have welcomed the ‘free education for prisoners’ initiative by IGNOU which could help them return to the mainstream of life with quality education and future development, both morally and vocationally
An education which does not teach us to discriminate between good and bad, to assimilate the one and eschew the other, is a misnomer. — Mahatma Gandhi ajesh Upadhyay is serving a life sentence in the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Central Jail, Jabalpur. He already holds degrees in science and law, but feels these may not be of much use when he finally walks free. A specialised skill is what he thinks will help him when he returns to life outside prison. Which is why he has enrolled in a computer literacy programme. “The course will help me get employed after my release,” he says. For thousands of prisoners like Upadhyay, interred in jails across the country, IGNOU has opened the gates to higher education. It is an initiative that
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4 IGNOU OPEN LETTER | FEBRUARY 15, 2010
was launched in New Delhi’s Tihar Jail in 1994, but in a special New Year’s gesture, the University has given the project a major impetus by declaring that the education it offers to jail inmates will, henceforth, be free. “All jail inmates in the country will now be able to access free and quality education according to their choices. This is an opportunity offered to them to return to the mainstream of life with quality education and future development both morally and vocationally,” the University said in a statement. Students do not even have to pay examination or late fees. “They can enrol any time of the year, appear as and when they are ready to take their examinations and get certificates which will ensure them vocational advantage as well as access to
Inmates at Aizawl Central Jail in Mizoram perform a traditional dance during IGNOU’s sensitisation-cumspot admission drive on January 12.
quality life,” the statement said. The results of the new initiative are already visible in Jabalpur, where the University has opened a Special Study Centre inside the Central Jail. As many as 115 prisoners have taken admission to various programmes in the academic session that commenced in January this year. “This unique move will change the way people look at jail inmates, and vice versa,” believes Dr. Somasi Srinivas, Regional Director, Jabalpur, who has scheduled Counselling Sessions in the Jabalpur Special Centre twice a week, on Mondays and Tuesdays. Jabalpur Jail Superintendent Gopal Tamraka can only agree. “IGNOU’s decision to provide free education has raised the hope of prisoners from poor backgrounds. They can now dream of higher education without paying fees for programmes or for
January 15, the Haryana government inaugurated an IGNOU Study Centre in Karnal jail. “This is an exemplary step by the state government to provide education to prisoners. We will make all efforts to ensure that a maximum number of prisoners can be educated,” says Ashok Sharma, Regional Director, Karnal. “About 100 prisoners of Karnal jail will be given admission in the first phase. The Jail Superintendent has been appointed as coordinator of this Special Study Centre.” “Besides various undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, many vocational courses will also be started in the coming months so that jail inmates can easily earn their livelihood after they are freed,” he adds. Karnal Jail Superintendent Jagjit Singh says it is the first prison in the state where education will be provided to the prisoners. “A prisoner who has attained age 18 can get admission in the bachelor’s degree programme after completing the sixmonth BPP,” Singh notes. The story is similar in faraway Mizoram. On January 12, 60 inmates of Central Jail, Aizawl, enrolled for the BPP during a sensitisation-cum-spot admission drive (See box). Minister of State for Home R. Lalzirliana, who inaugurated the programme, encouraged inmates to gain as much as they could from the free education “gift” from IGNOU. “I want you to come out with dignity from the jail,” Lalzirliana told the inmates. In Cuttack, Orissa, the University has its Study Centres in two Central Jails — Choudwar and Berhampur. “Many inmates have enrolled themselves with IGNOU and are pursuing their programmes,” says S.C. Ghosh, Choudwar Jail Welfare Officer. Ghosh was instrumental in introducing the prisoners to IGNOU after a thorough study of IGNOU’s ‘free education’ initiative the facility in Tihar Jail. can change the lives of thousands of In Rajasthan, the convicts across the country. University has two Special Study Centres — at Ajmer 1,336 prisons across the country; Central Jail and Jaipur Central Jail, where 2,000 Maharashtra has the maximum jails (210) inmates have attained 166,740 number of prisoners in central jails higher education. Courses like B.A., B.Com., 76,662 under-trials in central jails Bachelor’s in Social Work, and many certificate 49,534 inmates in sub-jails in India courses are available at these study centres. 15 prisons only for women convicts Inmates who have attained the age of 18 but 20 Special Jails in India have not cleared class XII have been given admission in degree courses after
purchasing books,” says Tamraka. IGNOU’s Regional Centre, Cochin, is also gearing up for a surge in students. Through its network of Special Study Centres under the Council of NGOs of Rural India (CNRI), it had enrolled 57 jail inmates for the Computer Literacy Programme (CLP) in 2008. Thirty-four jail inmates from Central jail, Thiruvananthapuram, and 23 prisoners from sub jail, Kozhikode, took admission in CLP. Forty-one jail inmates successfully completed the programme and were given certificates. But now, there is greater interest in the programmes on offer — as they are free. “The University’s decision to provide free education to convicts will result in a substantial enrolment for different programmes from this year’s session,” says Dr K.S.D. Nair, Regional Director, Cochin. In Jabalpur, of the 115 prisoners enrolled in short-term certificate courses, 70 are in the Bachelor Preparatory Programme (BPP), of whom 20 are women inmates. On completion of the BPP, the jail inmates would be eligible for admission in degree courses, says Srinivas. While 10 prisoners are enrolled in the Certificate in Disaster Management and Certificate in Human Rights programmes, 15 are taking classes in CLP. Five inmates are pursuing the Certificate in Food and Nutrition programme, while five women inmates are learning the ropes under the Nutrition and Child Care programme. Word is clearly getting around. On
Prisoner Potential
IGNOU OPEN LETTER | FEBRUARY 15, 2010 5
No holds barred l Many new courses like Bachelor of Art/ Commerce/Preparatory Programme Diploma in Creative Writing in Hindi/English, Certificate in Human Rights, Master’s in Tourism/ Management/Computers PG Diploma in Distance Education are being run at the University’s Tihar Jail Study Centre, New Delhi. l Besides the much popular spoken-English programme among Tihar prisoners, computer courses and both adult and formal education programmes are also a major hit. l A Gandhi Centre has been established by Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti (GSDS) at Delhi-2 Regional Centre. More than 500 books on Gandhian Philosophy are added to the library. Some of the inmates who joined the path of ‘Reformation through Education’ have been successfully rehabilitated. (Source: www.tiharprisons.nic.in)
“Many inmates have enrolled themselves with IGNOU and are pursuing their programmes,” says S.C. Ghosh, the Jail Welfare Officer at Choudwar Jail in Orissa.
M.R. Krishna, Inspector General of Police, Jabalpur range, gives IGNOU study material to a prisoner at the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Central Jail.
completing the BPP programmes. Other jails set to avail of the benefits of the free education initiative. The Central Jail in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, will soon have an IGNOU Study Centre. “Inmates of the jail have the facilities to study and appear in Class 10 and 12 board examinations and other distant learning graduation programmes. However, establishing an IGNOU centre will help them gain post-graduate and professional degrees,” says Senior Jail
Superintendent B.R. Verma. The vision behind the mission was always simple: To help convicts lead a socially-acceptable life, helping them erase the harsh memories of their past. And when a convict like Kanchan Balvanshi — a high school drop-out from Chhindwara who is serving a life sentence in Jabalpur Central Jail— enrolls in the Computer Literacy Programme, IGNOU is well on its way to achieving that mission.n
New chapter for Aizawl inmates
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Inmates at Aizawl Central Jail for spot admission.
6 IGNOU OPEN LETTER | FEBRUARY 15, 2010
n a first of its kind, 60 inmates from Aizwal Central Jail, Mizoram, have begun a new journey — they have taken admission to IGNOU’s bachelor’s preparatory programme (BPP) under the University’s ‘free education for prisoners’ drive. A sensitisation-cum-spot admission drive was held at Aizawl’s Central Jail in Tanhril on January 12. Speaking on the occasion, Minister of State for Home R. Lalzirliana, who inaugurated the programme at Aizawl jail, encouraged jail inmates to join the IGNOU programme. Dr S.R. Zonunthara, Regional Director, IGNOU, delivered welcome
address, highlighting the University’s initiative to provide free education to jail inmates from this year. Inspector General (Prison) K. Rohmingthanga urged the prisoners to utilise the opportunity to the maximum. Chaired by Deputy Inspector General (Prison), C. Lalthianghlima, also the coordinator of special study centre at the Central Jail, the meeting was followed by cultural performances from the inmates. IGNOU established a study centre at the jail in 1999 and an examination centre has been functioning here for a few years.
NEWSscan
PASSINGBY
End manual scavenging this year to eradicate manual scavhere are officially 6.76 enging this year,” said lakh scavengers in Berdaza Wilson, SKA presiIndia and the Safai dent, at the lecture titled Karmachari Sanghatana ‘Inhuman Practices of Man(SKA) is working towards ual Scavenging: Cleaning up eradicating the inhuman Shit,’ organised in the practice by the end of campus on February 5. this year. Prof Gail Omvedt The lecture was con“Officially, there are 6.76 vened by Prof Vimal Thorat for ‘Dr lakh manual scavengers in India, Ambedkar Chair on Social Change and though unofficial estimates put the Development.’ Professor Gail Omvedt figure at 13 lakh. We are working on is the Chair Professor.■ a project ‘Action 2010’ that aims
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A poet on campus wins acclaim oes the lush green of the IGNOU campus in New Delhi inspire poetry? It is a question you could pose to Dr Nandini Sahu, Associate Professor of English at the School of Humanities. Dr Sahu has been widely published in India, the US, the UK and Pakistan. Works such as Prof Nandini Sahu
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‘The Other Voice’, ‘Recollection as Redemption’, ‘Post-Modernist Delegation to English Language Teaching,’ ‘The Silence,’ ‘The Post Colonial Space: Writing the Self and the Nation,’ and ‘Silver Poems on My Lips’ have won critical acclaim.■
he University mourns the demise of Balwant Singh, an attendant with the School of Health Sciences. Singh joined the University in 1997 and worked at the EMPC, the SRD and the MPDD.
Prof Manas chatterJi, school of ManaGeMent, state uniVersity of ny
rofessor in school of Management, state university of new york, Binghamton. Prof chatterji was the key functionary behind the Peace conference in new delhi. he was the catalyst in bringing most of the top intellectuals from across the globe to the conference.
(Top) Jamia VC Dr G.N. Qazi receiving a bouquet from SOCE academic Dr S.K. Palit at the TOT session. (Left) Prof M. Aslam.
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Students of M.Sc (Chemistry) at the Modular Lab inaugurated by Minister of HRD, Kapil Sibal, on Nov. 19, 2009.
Prof Gilles Guyot, dean, laW school at uniVersite Jean Moulin (uJM), lyon
rofessor Gilles Guyot visited the iGnou campus in new delhi on february 2 to give a presentation at the school of Management studies on ‘cross cultural challenges’.
Modular Lab in operation
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Balwant Singh
Prof sheldon leVy, Profosser of social PsycholoGy, Wayne state uniVersity
rof levy, Professor of social Psychology, Wayne state university, discussed at the Peace conference, organised by iGnou, how psychic order or perfect management of it ensures lasting peace in a given situation.
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Obituary
rof intriligator, emeritus of economics, Political science and Public Policy, the university of california, visited iGnou during the Peace conference and explained his popular philosophy of ‘Bottom-up theory’ of fiscal distribution for ensuring lasting peace and development in any situation.
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TRAINING OF TRAINERS GNOU’s School of Continuing Education (SOCE) organised a four-day Training of Trainers’ (TOT) programme for core faculty of the Andhra Pradesh Academy of Rural Development (APARD) in New Delhi on January 20-23. The TOT session was inaugurated by Vice Chancellor Prof Rajashekharan Pillai and the valedictory address was delivered by Vice Chancellor of Jamia Hamdard University, Dr G.N. Qazi. The TOT was designed by SOCE director Prof M. Aslam.■
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Prof Michael d. intriliGator, eMeritus of econoMics, ucla
Prof Madan Vasishta, associate Professor & outreach sPecialist, Gallaudet uniVersity
rof Vasishta, outreach specialist at Gallaudet university’s centre for international Program & services, Washington, d.c., has worked for over 35 years in developing sign language for deaf. he teaches methods about how best the deaf students can be empowered. he was here to deliver a special lecture on sign language.
IGNOU OPEN LETTER | FEBRUARY 15, 2010 7
Manju Srivastava, an anganwadi worker at Vidya Nagar centre in Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh, shows children a toy made of waste products.
Empowering Women SPOTlight In 2008, IGNOU, in association with UNICEF, launched a pilot project to train 1,014 anganwadi workers in Vidisha district, Madhya Pradesh. Today, more and more states are willing to emulate the initiative that has become a harbinger of change for rural India
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Malnourished children in age group 0-5 in India: No. of women die every year due to child-birth related issues: No. of Anganwadi centres: No. of Anganwadi workers:
5.7 crore 1,00,000 7.46 lakh 19 lakh
Pradesh, to deal better with issues t 55 percent, Madhya Pradesh like child malnourishment and women’s has the highest malnutrition health. figures in the country for The anganwadi movement, launched in children under 3. And Vidisha 1975 as part of the district is one of the worst Integrated Child Development performers in the state. Services, was envisaged as Things are, however, slowly the nation’s primary tool changing for the better. against child malnourishment, And leading this quiet infant mortality and the revolution are women like health-related problems of Suman Lodhi, Sarvesh Malviya and Sita Saxena – “The training young mothers. It began with just 33 centres; today, there women who have been helped the are nearly 7.5 lakh empowered by IGNOU. workers anganwadis across the They are among the 1,014 country. anganwadi workers who understand The IGNOU programme is underwent training as part of the actual aimed at providing skill-based a programme launched by meaning of education to anganwadi IGNOU in association with anganwadi.” workers. And it has indeed UNICEF and the Department — Dr Harkirat Bains, helped, according to Naki of Women and Child programme coordinator Jahan Qureshi, Women and Development of Madhya
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8 IGNOU OPEN LETTER | FEBRUARY 15, 2010
Child Development Officer, Vidisha. “The results have been quite encouraging,” says Qureshi. So encouraging, that the Madhya Pradesh government is planning to extend the programme to all the districts of the state. The training modules, conducted in seven development blocks across the district from December 11, 2008, till May 28, 2009, have instilled muchneeded self-confidence in the workers, says Qureshi. The training involved community health, infant care, innovative ways to combat malnutrition, nutritional needs during pregnancy, special needs of adolescent girls, anaemia, issues related to women’s empowerment, immunisation and water purification. “The idea was to make the workers understand that they are not tasked to just distribute mid-day meals, but to play a larger role — of being a mother, friend or a family member,” says IGNOU’s Dr Harkirat Bains, the coordinator of the programme. “To make anganwadi workers understand the special needs of women and children, IGNOU developed a set of four books. The books were based on the intellectual levels of anganwadi workers since the challenge was to address the huge educational and language differences among them,” says Dr Bains. The training, however, was not all theory. “The workers were given practical knowledge about the importance of haemoglobin in blood, blood pressure, nutrition, weight-loss and other healthrelated problems that adolescent girls face,” she adds. And the programme has visibly empowered the anganwadi workers. “After attending the sessions, they feel more self-confident and are helping other women and children understand the benefits of a healthy and wholesome lifestyle,” says Dr Bains. For Sarvesh Malviya, a worker at an
Dr Harkirat Bains (right) distributing IGNOU notebooks to women in Vidisha. health issues, the anganwadi workers anganwadi near Pedi school, the training derived other benefits from it as well. was a boon. “It was a challenge to underTake the case of Manju stand the needs of girls and Srivastava. Posted at Vidya children. Today, I feel more Nagar anganwadi centre, confident and am able to Srivastava is today an expert in address their problems more waste management, thanks to diligently,” says Malviya, a the training sessions. And she mother of two. now creates beautiful toys for Similar is the experience kids from waste products. of Savita Tiwari, 45, who “The workers The quiet change sweeping runs the anganwadi centre Vidisha has not gone unnoticed. near Kartik Chowk. She visited While Madhya Pradesh intends is today almost like a hospitals to take the IGNOU programme family doctor for those for hands-on to all its districts, other states who visit her. training... I have evinced interest as well. “The IGNOU trainers “Chhattisgarh is keen to helped me understand how hope the implement the programme in best to address the entire state the state and has approached symptoms of anaemia and will have such us,” says IGNOU Vice malnutrition among women and children and the programmes.” Chancellor V.N. Rajasekharan Pillai, adding that the project problems teenaged girls — Naki Jahan may soon also be launched in face during puberty,” says Qureshi, Women & Assam. Tiwari. “The discussions Child Development Officer, Vidisha The small step taken in with paediatrics and Vidisha may well prove a big gynaecologists were really leap for the 5.7 crore malnourished helpful.” children in the country.■ Although the training was focused on
“The training helped me understand how the use of gud (jaggery), palak (spinach) and eggs helps boost the haemoglobin level. This has helped me give useful tips to women during pregnancy.” — Sita Saxena, Worker
“Experts at the programme told me that mother’s milk provides the required proteins for the new-born baby and the mother must feed him/her for the first six months. I am now educating women about this fact.” — Suman Lodhi, Worker
IGNOU OPEN LETTER | FEBRUARY 15, 2010 9
LECTUREseries
‘Kashmir needs Special Powers Act’ iluting the special powers given to security forces under law could be “damaging”, a top Indian Army officer has said, opposing any future move to repeal such laws needed for “effectively” fighting militants in Jammu and Kashmir. “In order to operate effectively, security forces need necessary legal provisions,” Lt. Gen. Mukesh Sabharwal said while delivering IGNOU Silver Jubilee Lecture on ‘Internal Security in Jammu and Kashmir: Historical Perspective and Emerging Scenario’, in the campus on February 21. Opposing the popular demand of politicians in Jammu and Kashmir for revocation of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in the state, the army officer said: “Any dilution of protective laws for security forces could be damaging.” “Such laws are the only safeguard for security forces, and give them the requisite legal framework which permits them to conduct proactive operations against terrorists,” he added. Sabharwal, who is Adjutant General of the Indian Army, said that state police forces and the central paramilitary needed to be strengthened to ensure internal security. “This involves capacitybuilding of state police forces, training of
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Lt. Gen. Sabharwal delivering IGNOU’s Silver Jubilee Lecture in New Delhi. police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF),” he added. Sabharwal said the importance of leadership of the paramilitary forces “cannot be overemphasised. We gradually need to reduce the army’s visibility, especially in cities and along roads,” Sabharwal said. “Excellent communication was
essential to enable security forces to operate effectively. In turn, for these to be effective, intelligence is a must. This is best gathered through the populace, which, in Jammu and Kashmir, has been largely won over, convinced of the just cause of the nation.” Sabharwal also underlined the importance of governance and development in Jammu and Kashmir. “It is desirable that more industries mushroom in Jammu and Kashmir, and the national media proliferate to an ever greater degree... Development of Jammu and Kashmir is perhaps the single-most important factor, essential for bringing lasting peace to the state.” On Pakistan, Lt Gen said the terror infrastructure in the neighbouring country was intact though there had been a decline in incursions into Jammu and Kashmir. “Communication is catered for and material and moral support of all kinds are provided (to militants in Pakistan),” Sabharwal said, adding that the terror camps and training centres had not been dismantled by Pakistan. The lecture session was chaired by IGNOU Vice-Chancellor V.N. Rajasekharan Pillai and was attended by eminent guests, academics, students and staff of the University.■
Let constitutional patriotism prevail: Prof Ahmad ndian patriotism arose not as cultural or linguistic nationalism but as a multi-lingual, multi-religious and anticolonial nationalism, and then consolidated itself in what I have called constitutional patriotism.” These words were part of the Third Friday Lecture delivered by India’s leading political theorist Aijaz Ahmad, under the seminar series of the School of Gender and Development Studies (SGDS), titled ‘Reflecting on Nation and Culture,’ in the campus on January 15. Prof Ahmad said the theoretical endeavour requires invention of new categories, taking into account our own experiences as a multi-cultural nation.
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Prof Aijaz Ahmad at the seminar. To him, the homogenising notions of culture and nation which were developed by the Europeans to consolidate their state system in India
10 IGNOU OPEN LETTER | FEBRUARY 15, 2010
based on the need of capitalism, does not serve us. “We formed our nation in the process of opposing imperialism and colonialism. This moment of resistance is built into our history and concept of nation and culture. The multiplicity of our languages, religions, cuisines and ethnicities got woven into a moment of diversity which was democratic in the experience of its politics,” he said. Cautioning against the politics of cultural homogenisation by religious extremists, Prof Ahmad said the best defence against such tendencies is our democracy that guarantees individual rights and liberties.
NEWSupdates
‘Give peace a lasting chance’ unger for power and unquenchable greed are among the reasons for large-scale conflicts among communities and nations. These have to stop if lasting peace is to be achieved. That was the message from participants of the ‘International Conference on Conflict Management, Peace Economics and Peace Science,’ organised by IGNOU — along with the Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti (GSDS) and UNESCO — in New Delhi from January 11 to 13. Appropriately held at Raj Ghat, the memorial to the Apostle of Peace Mahatma Gandhi, the conference attracted a host of scholars from across the world. Among the speakers was Dr. Karan Singh, President, Indian Council for Cultural Relations, and an ardent votary of peace. His message: “Give peace a lasting chance, we can do it.” Other participants included the 90year-old Walter Isard, an economist who has been nominated several times for the Nobel for creating ‘Peace Science’ as a modern university discipline, and Michael D. Intrilligator, Emeritus Professor at the University of California at Los Angeles. Speakers dwelt on the bloody conflicts in Congo, Zambia, Zaire, West Asia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and the Af-Pak worlds. The roots of these conflicts lay in land, religion or demography, the speakers noted. At a panel discussion on ‘Peace Science: Theory & Methods’, chaired by Prof Isard, Prof Intriligator focused on Pakistan. “Terrorism, feuds, tacit military support to mujahideen, Al Qaeda, insurgent groups — are all together tormenting its (Pakistan’s) economy and polity,” he said, noting that the country’s nuclear capability was an added worry. “You never know when another Musharraf or A.Q. Khan may emerge,” he said. The ISI may once again become very powerful in the country. “Today, Paki-
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From left, US economist Walter Isard, Dr. Savita Singh of GSDS and VC Prof Pillai. supported and helped by the former stan’s polity is faced with everything military generals. Taliban is being which can disturb peace in the world.” strengthened. All these are grave On a panel discussing ‘Global Security concerns in Pakistan’s common life.” and Human Security’, Prof Intrilligator We have to work cohesively to solve was critical of the “trickle-down” these problems, he added. principle of economy practiced by the Prof Isard was US over the past 30 years, philosophical as he did some blaming it for the current crystal-gazing. Asked how he global economic slump. saw the world 10 years from Noting that money is now, he said, “Things will concentrated in the hands of improve. India will be in a large financial institutions, much better condition, with he said the world must peace restored. And so will be extend support to small countries like China.” Peace businesses, entrepreneurs, has a good chance, he added. the unemployed, and the Delivering the valedictory disadvantaged. That alone “Terrorism, address, Prof Pillai said: can help reverse the “IGNOU works according to economic slowdown. feuds, tacit the tenets of Gandhiji’s Prof Riaz Ahmed Sheikh military support principles of empowering of the Karachi-based to mujahideen, Al the grassroots and the Institute of Business Technology, spoke on Qaeda... are all commoners.” That, he said, was the only way to achieve ‘Afghan War — Global Jihad tormenting real development and and Sectarian Conflict in Pakistan’s growth. Pakistan — Internal and GSDS Director Dr. Savita External Links’. economy...” Singh, Prof R.P. Mishra and Noting that “Prime — Prof Michael IGNOU Pro Vice Chancellor Minister Benazir Bhutto D. Intrilligator Prof K.R. Srivathsan were was killed by terrorists present at the valedictory function. Prof within Pakistan”, he said: “All the D. Gopal gave the vote of thanks.■ subversive groups are still being secretly
In a first of its kind, IGNOU and the Power Ministry have signed an agreement to train power sector employees in the fields of generation, transmission and distribution. IGNOU OPEN LETTER | FEBRUARY 15, 2010 11
REGIONALroundup
STUDENTS’corner
Thrust on ayurveda therapy ith a view to revitalising local health traditions in the NorthEast, the IGNOU Institute for Vocational Education and Training (IIVET), Shillong, the Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health Tradition (FRLHT), Bangalore, and the North-Eastern Council (NEC), have signed a Memorandum of Collaboration (MoC) to launch a sixmonth training programme in ayurvedic therapy. The first training programme, inaugurated by the Vice Chancellor at FRLHT centre in Bangalore on January 24, will train youth from the North-Eastern region. Others present at the event were Darshan Shankar, chairman, FRLHT; Dr D.K. Ved, director, FRLHT; Dr G.G. Gangadharan, joint director, FRLHT; and Prof Debjani Roy, Officer on Special Duty (OSD), IIVET. According to Dr Roy, the second training programme for ayurveda therapy
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VC Prof Pillai with the Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health Tradition (FRLHT) chairman Darshan Shankar and trainees. (Inset) Prof Debjani Roy, OSD, IIVET (Shillong), at the FRLHT campus. will commence in March this year. The MoC envisages that all eight North-Eastern states will be required to send their batch of students through the IIVET, which will be funded by the NEC.■
Lakadong turmeric back in business
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eet Mithilesh Kumar, a civil engineer and the country head of Layher Scaffolding Systems Pvt. Ltd., a firm that specialises in scaffolding and roofing systems. Kumar is a success story of IGNOU’s B.Tech (construction management) programme. In his own words, “the journey to the top post was made easy with my four years at IGNOU’s School of Engineering and Technology, pursuing the programme.” “The beauty of this programme was the industry-oriented courseware, such as design detailing, construction works supervision and repair and maintenance of buildings, that are not available in the curricula of other universities in the country,” says Kumar, who did his M. Tech in civil engineering from IIT-Roorkee. “Face-to-face counselling sessions over the weekend with IGNOU professors, study programmes on Gyan Darshan and FM channel Gyan Vani, e-Gyankosh and National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL) materials, etc., helped me a lot during my B. Tech,” says Kumar. He has written several papers and articles such as ‘Scaffolding with More Possibilities’ and ‘The Art of Scaffolding Systems,’ for magazines like Civil Engineering & Construction Review. At Layher, he leads the business development section that covers design, strategic planning and marketing.
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N-E farmers at a Lakadong turmeric-growing field. (Right) Learners at a session.
GNOU Institute of Vocational Education Training (IIVET), Shillong, recently organised a five-day residential training programme on ‘Production and PostHarvest Technology of Lakadong Turmeric’ for North-East farmers. Over a period, the turmeric is likely to emerge a novel geographical indicator. Grown in the Lakadong area in Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya, the Lakadong variety of turmeric has the highest curcumin content (7.4 percent) in the world and can be grown commercially on a larger scale. But the farmers here were unable to increase the yield due to ignorance about scientific agricultural practices, lack of market linkages and an entrepreneurial drive. The training programme, attended by 25 farmers from the region, addressed all
From IGNOU to country head
these problems. Scientists from the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) imparted the training that dealt with various aspects of production and postharvest technology for growing Lakadong turmeric in a better way. Narrating their learning experience, farmers said they never felt encouraged to grow turmeric because it did not give them good returns. But the training had helped them understand the agricultural practices and market needs. IIVET has met state agriculture department officials to help the farmers set up better linkages with the packaging industry to get a better price. The Meghalaya Cooperative Apex Bank Ltd. has decided to provide financial assistance to the Lakadong farmers.■
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Mithilesh Kumar at his office in New Delhi.
REGIONALroundup
SOL Prof Elumalai leads UNDP action forum he Solution Exchange, a unique knowledge-sharing initiative of the United Nations, has selected Professor K. Elumalai of the School of Law (SOL), IGNOU, to lead an Action Group Forum on ‘Strengthening Cooperative Acts for Financial Inclusion and Micro-finance.’ The Forum will function as a Consultative Group to interact with various governmental wings and institutions to advocate changes in policies, Acts, rules and bye-laws pertaining to Cooperative Societies. The decision was taken at a workshop titled ‘Enabling Provisions on Cooperative Acts in Context of Financial Inclusion and Micro Finance in India’, organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Bhopal recently. It discussed how to develop a strategy to strengthen the Cooperative Acts so that financial empowerment and micro-finance can reach the target groups. Prof Elumalai played a key role in identification of these themes to take the Forum agenda forward.■
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Prof K. Elumalai addressing the participants in Bhopal.
All-Time Educating Machine
Gyan Vani anchors’ training
eeping pace with information dissemination in the digital age, IGNOU, Port Blair Centre, has installed a state-of-theart All-Time Educating Machine (ATEM) at its premises. Inaugurating the machine, Vivek Rae, Chief Secretary, Andaman and Nicobar Islands government, advised the University to ensure student satisfaction and offered the administration’s support for installing more such machines at study centres across the region. The ATEM is a multimedia-based touchscreen machine, similar to an ATM. It stores audio-video information regarding topics of school education at various levels — primary, secondary and higher secondary to higher, Vivek Rae inaugurating the ATEM. vocational and technical education. The ATEM would also provide content related to programmes on health, nutrition and disaster management. Those present were Taj Hassan, Inspector General of Police, A&N Administration, and Dr M.M. Mahajan, principal, JNR Mahavidyalaya, Port Blair. Regional Director Dr S. Saunand presided over the function.■
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workshop for Gyan Vani anchors was organised at the University’s Guwahati Regional Centre on January 9. It focused on how to improve interactive announcements and voice modulation while on air. Twenty-eight announcers participated in the day-long workshop. IGNOU Regional Director Dr Vardhini Bhattacharjee advised the anchors to encourage talent promotion while educating people through Gyan Vani. Dr D.S. Bhattacharjee, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) at the IGNOU Institute for Professional Competency Advancement of Teachers (IIPCAT), gave a presentation on content flow for the channel while station manager Gyan Vani anchors during the workshop. Pratap Bordoloi told the participants how to draw listeners in. Gyan Vani staff workers Ellora Goswami and Golap Saikia also gave presentations. The Gyan Vani FM Channel in Guwahati runs for eight hours a day – from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Available on 107.8 Mhz frequency, the channel can be accessed in a 20-km radius.■
Six students of IGNOU’s PG Diploma in Industrial Safety, Health and Environment Management have been selected for the post of safety officers at a package of 5.5 lakh/annum. IGNOU OPEN LETTER | FEBRUARY 15, 2010 13
REGIONALroundup
Teachers must inspire: First Lady of Arunachal he importance of good teachers cannot be over-emphasised. Good teachers not only educate — they also inspire. Good teachers make good students. Good teachers make good citizens. We must, therefore, find ways and means to improve the quality of our teachers. Quoting from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s address on the National Education Day last year, Anupama Singh, First Lady of Arunachal Pradesh, stressed the need to train the teachers as such to draw students to the classroom with renewed energy. She was speaking at the valedictory function of IGNOU’s B.Ed. programme at the University’s Itanagar Regional Centre at Naharlagunon recently. The Singh also felicitated 67 B.Ed. learners. Singh appreciated IGNOU for motivating people of all age groups towards enhancing knowledge.■
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Job seekers to job providers
First Lady of Arunachal Pradesh Anupama Singh (right) giving a certificate to a B.Ed. learner during the valedictory function at the IGNOU Regional Centre, Itanagar.
Training on medicinal plants
GNOU’s Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) at its Regional Centre, Agartala, has set a successful example for the marginalised sections of society. The programmes under EDP cover handicraft, food processing, PC hardware repair and maintenance and agarbatti (incense stick) making, etc. Recently, IGNOU conducted a programme on agarbatti making which received a huge response. After the successful completion, most of the participants were either absorbed by small business units or started their own businesses.
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Participants of the training programme on cultivation and utilisation of medicinal plants. GNOU Centre for ODL in Research and Training in Agriculture and the IGNOU Regional Centre, Agartala, recently organised a training programme for unemployed local youth on identification, scientific cultivation and utilisation of locally-available medicinal plants. The training made the participants aware of the market potential and
I Women making agarbattis (incense sticks).
14 IGNOU OPEN LETTER | FEBRUARY 15, 2010
medicinal value of such plants. The programme was organised with the help of the Department of Horticulture and Soil Conservation of the state government; the Department of Botany of M.B.B. College, Agartala; the Forest Research Division of the Medicinal Plant Board of Tripura; the Non-Timber Forest Produce Centre of Excellence in the state, as well as the Tripura Regional Centre of NEDFI.■
REGIONALroundup Induction meet for nurses
Vijayawada book festival
GNOU Imphal Centre organised the induction meet for 30 learners enrolled in the university’s three-year B.Sc. (Nursing) Post-Basic Programme at the Kangleipak Medical and Nursing Institute (KMNI), Khurai, on January 23. The keynote address was delivered by KMNI principal M. Benita Devi. The function was attended by Dr. R.K. Ranjan Singh of Manipur University.
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he Vijayawada Regional Centre participated in a book exhibition organised by Vijayawada Book Festival Society at Swaraj Maidan from January 1-11. Inaugurated by Peeyush Kumar (IAS) Magistrate, Krishna district, the festival attracted 236 publishers. The centre displayed its programme guides and various courses. Nearly 10,000 people visited the IGNOU stall.
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Pro-VC Dr. Latha Pillai speaking at a workshop in Madurai.
Workshop on apparel design
Nursing students at the induction programme.
Machine moulding course
IGNOU’s Madurai Regional Centre recently organised a two-day regional workshop on ‘Skill Development Through Community Colleges in Apparel Design & Manufacturing’ at the Vallabhbhai Patel Institute.
The IGNOU stall at the book festival.
‘Clean City, Green City’ campaign in Guwahati
he IGNOU Institute of Vocational Education and Training (IIVET), Shillong, in collaboration with the Central Institute of Plastics Engineering and Technology, Guwahati, commenced a sixmonth training programme on Machine Operator Injection Moulding (Mo-IM) in Guwahati recently. The programme was attended by 40 participants from Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Tripura.
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North-East Girl Students’ Association during the ‘Clean City, Green City’ drive. IVET, Shillong, in association with North-East Girl Students’ Association (NEGSA) and Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti (GSDS), organised a follow-up event of the multi-skilled leadership programme in Guwahati recently. The function included response from participants of the multi-skilled and IT
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Candidates of MO-IM programme at a session.
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skilled sessions and environmental awareness programme. Among dignitaries, celebrated Gandhian Natwar Thakkar addressed the participants. A month-long awareness drive on environment, titled ‘Clean City, Green City,’ was also launched during the two-day event.
IGNOU’s Advanced Centre of Informatics and Innovative Learning has set up an e-learning system that can translate content from English to Hindi instantly. IGNOU OPEN LETTER | FEBRUARY 15, 2010 15
ONcampus Dr Sivaswaroop is FRSC Fellow
Students from Pakistan at IGNOU
r P. Sivaswaroop, Regional Director (Nagpur), has been selected as Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC), London. Dr Sivaswaroop is developing a PG Prof P. Diploma programme Sivaswaroop in Pharmaceutical Analytical Techniques.
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Eminent teacher award irector of the School of Education, Prof. M.L. Koul, has been honoured with ‘National Eminent Teacher Educator Award 2009’ by Indian Association of Teacher Educators (IATE). He joined IGNOU in 1986 in the division of Distance Education, Prof M.L. now STRIDE, as Koul a lecturer and coordinated to develop M.Ed, DPE, CPE and CETE programmes of the University.
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group of 30 Pakistani management students visited the Indira Gandhi International Open University (IGNOU) campus in New Delhi on January 20 and discussed social issues with the Indian students. The students from the Lahore University of Management Studies (LUMS) were led by Professor Rafiq Ahmed. During their interaction with the students at the University, the Pakistani students discussed several social issues and wished to have more studentProf Shambhu exchange programmes Nath Singh between the two countries. After the interactive session, Prof Shambhu Nath Singh, Director of School of Journalism and New Media Studies, told the Pakistani students: “India is the unique success story in diversity in habits and lifestyles. The Indian Constitution has not allowed religion to play the main role here.”■
HIGHLIGHTS THURSDAY February 18 09:00: Adult Education: Manjile Aur Bhi Hain (Episode-10) 17:00: Windows to the World — 1987: Modern Management; 1946: Expedition to the Animal Kingdom; 1896: Adventures In Archeology 18:30: NIOS-Sec.: 1. Conservation of Nutrients 2. The Mysteries of Human Behavior (Hindi)
SATURDAY February 20 11:00: UGC/CEC: Folk Arts of Andhra Pradesh — Oggukatha, Rajasthani Folk Instruments — Satara 21:00: IGNOU-SOSS: Urban Labourers 21:30: IGNOU: Microscopes — Istemaal Aur Rakhrakhav 22:00: IGNOU/Culture: Rajnayik Samagri Ka Anuwad
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MONDAY February 22 08:00: NITTTR: Participatory Rural Appraisal, An intro to PRA 09:30: UGC/CEC: Natural Hazards — Cyclones, Deep into Earth — Copper Mines — Khetri 11:30: North East Kaleidoscope/Women Empowerment: (IG/BS3/3756), When Water Breathes Again
16 IGNOU OPEN LETTER | FEBRUARY 15, 2010
WEDNESDAY February 24 06:30: Introduction to Information Management and Dissemination 11:00: UGC/CEC: Numerical Chromosomes — II, Pushpraj Gulab
MILESTONES Vision abroad Lecture on Mahatma Gandhi October 1995: Prof U.R. Anantha Murthy delivers the First Anuvrat Trust Endowment Lecture on ‘The Relevance of Mahatma Gandhi: A Writer’s Perspective.’
In Honour of Founding VC July 1996: First ‘Prof G. Ram Reddy Memorial Lecture’ delivered in memory of IGNOU’s founding Vice Chancellor. In the same month, the government decided to amend the IGNOU Act to enable the establishment of Study Centres outside India.
IGNOU Amendement Act 1996: The Parliament passes the IGNOU Amendment Act for ensuring the establishment of the University’s study centres outside India. MoUs with partner institutions signed with five countries.
T&T PM Visits IGNOU January, 1997: Sanchar Kendra, the Electronic Media Production Centre (EMPC), was inaugurated by Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda. Prime Minister of Trinidad & Tobago, Basdeo Panday, visits the University.
Palkiwala Delivers Lecture February, 1997: Eminent jurist Nani A. Palkhiwala delivers the second ‘Anuvrat Trust Endowment Lecture’ on ‘Role of Destiny in Our Life’.
Not to be
Missed
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atch a special programme on ‘Foreign Language as a Career’ at 4.00 p.m. on Sunday (February 28). Foreign language experts can find jobs in MNCs. The UN appoints foreign language experts while international firms also hire translators. Bonne Chance!
FRIDAY February 26 11:00: UGC/CEC: Yoga — 5, Aasan Asan -3, Educational Technology 21:00: Reading the Novel – A Tail of Two Cities: The Art of Charles Dickens (Part-1)
SUNDAY February 28 06:00: IGNOU: Indian Constitution and Judiciary (Part-1) 14:30: NITTTR: CHN-21: Global positioning system -3, Minor surveying instrument