Auroville an embodiment of spirit of unity: Sibal

Lauding the concept of Auroville, Union Minister for Human Resource Development Kapil Sibal said “it is larger than life and it is much more than India is.”

“We all live in an imperfect world and perfection is one we strive to achieve,” he said adding Auroville has shown the world the importance of spirit of unity and humanness. “It symbolises what we ought to have done across the world,” he said addressing the Aurovillians after launching Passage, an educational magazine.

Touching upon educational scenario in the country, Mr Sibal said “education as we understand over the years was a formal structure for a child to start his career. It has never taught to understand the self.” However, taking into account the present “imperfect world” dominated by market economy, the country cannot afford to do away with formal education.

The option before the government was to allow the child to choose what he or she could find joy in learning, Mr Sibal said.

Later in an informal talk with journalists at Auroville, the Union Minister said talks are on with insurance companies to provide health insurance coverage to teachers and group housing coverage. The aim was to attract more number of people to teaching profession, he added.

Union Minister of State for Planning, Parliamentary Affairs and Culture V. Narayanasamy also attended the function.

Source

Department of Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering of PEC launched Website

The Department of Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering (EIE) of the Pondicherry Engineering College (PEC) launched a website – www.eiecouncil.com – at the inaugural of the students’ council on Thursday.

According to a press release, the website would provide articles, games, news, learning topics, projects in various categories such as technical, cultural, sports and literary, besides providing guidance for GATE, GRE and CAT exams.

Retired Indian Navy Captain J.V. Avadhanulu inaugurated the council and spoke about awareness of inner resources to fulfil dreams.

Principal V. Prithiviraj and Head of EIE department R. Anandanatarajan were present. The students council of the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering conducted an one-day workshop for students on “Sequential circuit design and vending machines,” on Friday.

Source

Puducherry tops in CBSE class X results in Chennai region

Puducherry with 99.72 pass per cent topped the list of states and union territories in the CBSE class X results in the Chennai region, which were announced on Tuesday.

More than one lakh students out of the 1.05 lakh students who appeared for the exam passed, surpassing the previous year's record of 95.25 per cent, N Nagaraju, Joint Secretary, Chennai region, told reporters.

The Chennai region, comprising Andaman and Nicobar islands, Andhra Pradesh, Daman and Diu, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Maharashtra, Puducherry and Tamil Nadu, scored an 18-year high record of 95.60 pass per cent.

Kerala, Goa, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu also registered pass percentage of more than 98 per cent.

Kerala with 35,000 students had the maximum number of students who took the exams this year.

Source

Marching Towards Zero Dropout Rates in Schools by 2012

It’s indeed a great pleasure to announce that our union territory has achieved zero dropout rates at the primary school level last year. The steps don’t stop with this result and its marching towards the next level. The goals are all set to curb the student drop out rate in the middle school level. The plan to achieve the zero dropout rates by the year 2012 are chalked out and they are in the fast progress. We can also shook our collars that out home town has ranked on par with Kerala for achieving the zero drop out rates at the primary school level. The measures which are in the quick implementation have reduced the dropout rates from 10% to 2.39 %.



The Government is taking measures to reduce the drop out rates by assuring seats at the higher secondary level. The mid day meals and the incentive scheme up to standard 12 have also supplemented a lot for the retention process. The students are also provided with the free accessories such as uniforms, text books, footwear, stationary items, dictionary, raincoats and bicycles. These features reduce the parental burden and curb their hesitation to send the children to school, thus decreasing the drop out rates.

The bringing back of the dropouts through the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan, the three to six months training courses to bridge the gap when the dropouts are mainstreamed, reaching out to children of nomadic tribes and migratory tribes, starting exclusive schools in their habitation and solving problems through counseling or special coaching are the forth coming plans to increase the literacy rate and thus we can strongly hope that our government will surely curb the problem of student dropouts from the schools.

Students’ woe at Delayed BCA results by Pondicherry University

I have been always allergetic of exam results from my childhood until now. Like many other students out there, I was even more sensitively nervous before and after the exam results. But my response to delayed results is beyond my imagination (expected symptoms: rise in body temperature, extended fever, heavy headache, anger over authorities and teacher…list goes on).

Recently I found students experience delayed final year BCA results by Pondicherry University. The institute has announced its final date of application submission for MCA would be on July 26th and importantly none of the students have any idea of their marks and final year results. The university which has scholars and expets on various field should have known that it is impossible for a student to apply for a new course without knowing his current exam results. The institute has to consider the situation of the students who are in chaos of choosing new courses or aspiring for their future career.

Generally the academic year has almost started in colleges and schools of Puducherry. Delayed results not only risks students’ career but also affect the classes for the new academic session. The classes for the new academic session would also be delayed as the classes can begin only after the results are declared at any university. The main reason behind the delay is the lack of consensus between authorities and teachers over the evaluation process of the answer scripts.
I have contacted few students regarding this issue and came to know that the HOD (Head of the Department) of MCA was kind enough to extend the application submission date upto the end of August. A section of students feel that “those who lost PEC have lost one year”.

In the mean time, exams results were announced on July 30 with no perfection (many witnessed erroneous results). One of the students exclaimed, “The exams which we wrote came absent... Which we had not attended or applied for, come with absent. The fact is we have already passed out those papers.”
Yet another student said “We are only announced results, not Mark list, which is what asked in colleges while admission...I think it will take one more month for issuing it... I am not sure about it. And I don't know how many errors there will be in our mark list too, and if at all there is, How many months they will take to correct it and we don't know where to vent our anger!!!”

Some of the students are worried of the act of university with lack of care and awareness. Their voice meant more than what they shared to me. And their eyes transmitted “They are playing with our lives.”

I do believe the university is working hard on giving quality results and render 100% standard education. But at the same time, they have to understand the timely decisions and effective implementation of academic plans matters a lot to a student’s life and his career. Thanks to those who rescheduled the last application submission date. As we advice students arrears and reattempt are not good, we must also ensure rescheduling the last date, rescheduling the exams, and reevaluating the erroneous results. Behalf of all college students (involved in this), I request Pondicherry university to take necessary steps to distribute the mark lists as soon as possible.

Educational FM Channel by Pondicherry University

Days are gone for the old radio stations by the micro and macro Fm stations around Pondicherry. I can’t escape a day from my mom’s favorite BIG FM yet she would flip through Suryan FM, Rainbow FM, and Nila Fm. Now Pondicherry University is filling the space of educational Fm channel in Puducherry. If you tune into FM 107.8, you will listen to Pondicherry University's educational broadcasts in another two months.

Vice-Chancellor of the university, J.A.K.Tareen told to Newindpress that “Through the channel, the university had plans to provide educational and learning resources to students and public in Puducherry”.

He also added steps were taken to prepare audio based lessons for students, innovative radio programmes for locals regarding health, business, cultural relations and competence, and other interactive fun filled educational programmes with Public.

Intially the station will broadcast programmes in Tamil, English and French for 3 to 4 hours in the forenoon and would repeat them in the afternoon. University faculties, students and other affiliated institutions will take part in the programme. This innovative step taken by Pondicherry university should be appreciated and hopefully the Fm would entertain the scholarly and knowledge crowds.

Merit list of JIMPER MBBS Enterance Examination 2008 Announced

Results of JIPMER MBBS Entrance Examination is published by The Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research on June 10. Getting a seat is not that easy task since puplis from all over India will appear for this exam.

The list of merit candidates -- who appeared for the entrance examination on June 8 in various center like Puducherry, Chennai, Hyderabad, Delhi, Kolkata and Thiruvananthapuram – would be called for counselling on July 10 and the courses are about to start on July 14.

There is an interesting news for the selected candidates. In this academic year the number of seats are increased from 75 to 100 by the Ministry of Health, Govt. of India.

Very important note: This is only a merit list and not a selection list. The selection list of candidates under the various categories will be notified in due course. (as in press release)

You can see the complete list of merit candidates at http://www.jipmer.edu/

Achariya Institution of Teacher Training 8th Annual Day Function

The Acharya Group of Institutions which runs schools, colleges and B.Ed. Colleges in Villianur is well know for its good educational standard and expensive fees structure. . Despite the high work load, most of the students choose Ahariya teacher training college as the first option among all other private B.Ed colleges.

Achariya Institution of Teacher Training celebrated its 8^th annual day function headed by Mr. Aravindan (Director) on June 7, 2008. In the Annual Day function, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University Vice-Chancellor Mr. R. Sabapathi Mohan appeared as a special guest and released a book written by Mr. Rajendran of Achrya College. Prizes were distributed to the students who scored top ranks, won in games and other competitions.

Overall SSLC pass percentage climb up in Puducherry and Karaikal

SSLC results are the prime news clamored by TV channels, dailies, magazines, and FM radios from the nook and corner of Puducherry. Schools are boosting themselves up with the centum and records in SSLC public examinations. Overall SSLC pass percentage climb up in Puducherry and Karaikal has increased to 79.40 which is 0.49 percent more than last year’s 78.9.

Education Minister M.O.H.F. Shahjahan said that girls fared better than boys with a pass percentage of 8.42. Out of 15, 512 students from 100 government schools as well as 102 private schools, (boys and girls) 12, 317 had passed in the academic year of 2008.

He also added “16 government schools secured a pass percentage of over 90. While 37 government schools had a pass percentage of above 80, 76 schools recorded above 60 per cent”
This year government schools had scored a good pass percentage through extra coaching and effective teaching.

“The government’s award of Rs.one lakh for securing pass percent of above 90 will go to 10 government schools in rural areas of Puducherry. Last year, only one school had received the prize”

State Rank Holders

First: M. Jeyaraj, Jawahar English High School, Koodapakkam (492 marks).

Second:

• R. Harikrishna and B. Ghayathri, Amalorpavam Higher Secondary School (490 marks).
• V. Suganya, Seventh-Day Adventist Higher Secondary School.
• R. Vishnukumar, Holy Flowers English School.
• S. Rajalakshmi, Sri Ramachandira Vidhyalaya School.

Third:

• R.S. Priya, Amalorpavam Higher Secondary School (489 marks).
• P. Manjula, Seventh-Day Adventist.

Government School Toppers

First: R. Subhashini, Subramania Bharathiar Government Girls Higher Secondary School (488 marks).

Second: G. Vaidegi, Government Girls High School, Kalapet (484 marks).

Third: V. Jayalakshmi, Sinnatha Government Girls Higher Secondary School (482 marks).

Schools that secured centum:

1. St. Joseph of Cluny Girls Higher Secondary School
2. Sri Sankara Vidyalaya Higher Secondary School
3. Achariya Shiksha Mandir Higher Secondary School
4. Alpha Matriculation, Maruthi Matriculation
5. Sri Sankara Vidyashram School

Pondicherry Institute Of Medical Sciences MBBS – Admission 2008

Affiliated to the Pondicherry University (one of the five central universities) PIMS is a well developed medical college with all the infrastructure along with qualified and experienced faculty. It is fully recognized by MCI for undergraduates. The first batch of Post Graduates have been admitted in 15 specialities.

The admission process for UG classes is to begin immediately. Please communicate to the below given address or visit their website.

Their final year MBBS success rate was 86% in 2006-2007 and 88% in 2007-2008.

THE REGISTRAR
Pondicherry Institue of Medical Sciences
Kalathumettupathai, Ganapathichettikulam,
Village No.20 Kalapet, Pondicherry-605014
Ph: 044-26565889/ 0413-26566600
www.pimsmmm.com

CENTAC Applications issued on June 2, 2008

CENTAC applications for admission to professional colleges will be issued from June 2 to June 16. You can get the applications at post offices in all the four regions of the Union Territory and also in the Cooperative Credit Society outlet at the premises of PEC (Pondicherry Engineering College).

You can also request applications to the Convenor, CENTAC, PEC Campus, Puducherry 605 014 by sending a request letter along with two self-addressed slips.

The cost of the information bulletin and admission form is Rs. 315 (Rs. 130 for SC/ST) for B Tech and Biology based courses for general. The last date for submission of application is June 23.

Amalorpavam Higher Secondary School awarded gold coins to first 3 toppers

Amalorpavam Higher Secondary School, one of the popular schools in Puducherry, encourages school’s first 3 toppers in +2 examinations. It is notable that for the past 13 years, the school has been awarding gold coins to students who wrapped State ranks, the first three school toppers and subject-wise toppers.



In the 2007-2008, the school has hit centum results (309 students) in the Higher Secondary Board examination. School’s official release said the administration gave away 52 grams of gold coins to the school topper, 12 centum scorers and subject toppers.

Now You Can Become A Journo From Puducherry!

Now you don’t need to eye on big institutes in the capital and other metros to become a Journo. You can just do it staying in Puducherry.

Keeping in line with the enormous growth and opportunities in the field of Media, the Pondicherry University will introduce a Postgraduate course in Mass Communication from this year. It will now offer an M.A. in Mass Communication, the admission process for which will be open till mid-June.

“The university has introduced the two courses considering the growth of activities in Journalism and Mass Communication, Television and Radio channels in Puducherry, other parts of India and the world,” A. Balasubramanian, Director of Culture and Cultural Relations of the University, said. He added,
“The students will work on live projects. They will have to release Lab Journals, Campus News and Bulletins. The course prepares the students to acquire skills and enable them to work in the areas ranging from Reporting, Editing to Public Relations,Advertising, Video Productions to Web Casting”.

With the intake of 20 students this year M.A. in Mass communication will start its journey this year. The “brand name” stigma in the hearts of wannabe journos to study in branded institutes like Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Asian College of Journalism, etc, will always be there as in any other professional discipline. But, it has only a little to do with in this discipline. Once your stories, articles, reports, photos are published and impressive, you can create your own brand in the field. The job of an institute for a wannabe journo is that it should give a gate pass to enter. Pondicherry University’s M.A. Mass communication can very well do that. Journey of journos begins from Puducherry!

IAS Exams Held at 4 Centers in Puducherry on May 18, 2008

On May 18th Sunday, 989 candidates wrote Civil Service Examination in Puducherry at four centers: Vivekananda Higher Secondary School (Sellaperumalpet), Bharathidasan Government College for Women (Muthialpet), Women’s Polytechnic (Lawspet)., and Vallalar Government Girls Higher Secondary School (Lawspet).

"The UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) of India conducts the IAS exam. The three-step process is: Preliminary Exam (Prelims), Main Exam (Mains), and Interview.

The Prelims are composed of two tests of two hours each. The General Studies (GS) test contains 150 objective, multiple-choice questions. It primarily covers six topics: the constitution of India, history, geography, economics, science, and current affairs. The second test is on a subject chosen, from among the 23 subjects, by the candidate. This objective, multiple-choice test contains 120 questions. The GS and second test are worth 150 and 300 points, respectively."

Out of 1676 applicants only 989 candidates appeared for the exam who wrote in 2 sessions (Morning and Afternoon). For the convenience of the other state and outskirts candidates, Enquire Center was arranged near Puducherry New Bus stand and also special free bus service is also made available between 6.00 a.m to 9.00 a.m. With the administration of Collector Davanithidas, Indian Admisntaration Service exams held successfully in Puducherry.

Will Nov. 1 be a Liberation Day of Puducherry? Oh We Miss the Past!

Until or unless I had read a news, I would have not known what is what in the history of Puducherry. Recently I came to November 1st is our liberation day of Puducherry. I promise I know not this ever before.

The Federation of People of Puducherry Origin has insisted that the government should announce November 1 as a public holiday each year to emphasize the 'historic event' of joining Puducherry with the Indian Union in 1954. Actually it was in this year that Puducherry became free from French rule.
The second annual convention of the Federation took certain worthy to notice resolutions like November 1 as public holiday (liberation or merger day of Puducherry), priority in education and employment opportunities for people of Puducherry origin, House site pattas to ex-servicemen & freedom fighters.

Apart from all these resolutions, they demanded the most valuable and timely plea: Inclusion of the history of Puducherry in the school syllabus. None of the Puducherrians will object if I say none of us either knew the complete history of Puducherry or the sociological (or) cultural background of Puducherry.

We are familiar with beach and park but (generously) no matter if we forget about the history. Neither my school nor my family taught me the history or said a story of freedom of Puducherry. My dad didn’t say a word about the history of Pondicherry since his teachers didn’t say a word. Lets first start with the school!