Chief minister of Bihar launched computer education and computer-based learning in 500 secondary schools of the state under the 'Information and Communication Technology' (ICT) for Education programme by the state education department.

PATNA: Chief minister Nitish Kumar spoke to the principal and students of a government school in Dhanarua block of Patna district through videoconferencing. The state government plans to cover 1,000 schools under the ICT@school programme in a year. 

 

He said the state government launched a pension scheme for contractual teachers with effect from January, 2013.

It would benefit over 2.5 lakh teachers. An agreement was signed between UTI and the education department in the CM's presence on the occasion.  

Computer, electronic device that can receive a set of instructions, or program, and then carry out this program by performing calculations on numerical data or by manipulating other forms of information. Computers are playing an increasingly important role in education, for both the teacher and the student. Their use enables each student to develop at his or her own pace and makes the whole learning process more flexible.

Since their arrival on the market in the late 1970s, desktop computer systems have revolutionized business. Computers can also aid the research and compiling aspects of school projects, and many teachers now incorporate the machines into the learning process. A primary advantage of computers is the amount of information they offer via networking to a wide range of databases.

Computers, during the last two decades or so, have been instrumental in bringing about changes in the way we communicate and gather information and/or knowledge to such an extent that it is hard to find any sphere which has not undergone changes after the advent of computers.

The system of teaching in elementary schools, and of course higher education, is one such area where the advent of computers, coupled with the growth of the World Wide Web, has brought about a complete metamorphosis in the way knowledge is being imparted even in elementary schools.

The conventional mode of teaching by way of imparting knowledge only through books and the written word is fast becoming outdated. The transformation is so forceful that not only do schools provide computer teaching but also put them up in classrooms to aid in the teaching process. Those of us, who see children learning with the aid of computers in a manner that is fun as well as educative, lament why these beautiful machines could not be made available to us.

To the traditional teacher or an older person, it might appear that books and the written word are the last word in teaching. The present day scene with computers even in elementary schools is difficult to imagine for those who have not actually seen and experienced the change that come about in the method of teaching.

Varying from school to school, knowledge is being imparted with the aid of PC’s or Macs. Mac’s may appear to be simpler to operate but they serve the same purpose as the PC’s. It depends on the type of deal that the schools strike with the companies and the content that they require as part of the knowledge they intend to divulge to the students. The Internet is a storehouse of knowledge which can be accessed through a simple procedure, resulting, in most of the cases, a bypass to bulky books which in any case are no match for the content that the Web is able to provide through the aid of a computer.

To sum it all, the use of computers as a tool of imparting knowledge to students in elementary schools is a judicious tool in the hands of the teacher.

International Girl Child's Day- 14 th.September 2012

September 24 marks International Girl Child Day,
and this year, CRY (Child Relief and You) is
launching a new effort focused solely on
discrimination against girls.

“Girls are being neglected, marginalized and discriminated in families
and society. Most of the girls are ignorant about their rights.
The ‘Day of the Girl’ will make girls feel respected,
recognized and their contributions valued in society.”

 

 

 The Indian government has assigned today as National Girl Child Day, a tribute to the girl and to celebrate her as an equal in her family and community. Normally, I’m skeptical about days like these – beyond the designation, it doesn’t seem to spur much action. So far, I haven’t seen too much – an awards show held by UNICEF to celebrate responsible gender-sensitive programming and a few other television programs. Regardless, I think that it could be a positive step to raise awareness and promote political action to protect one of the most vulnerable groups of people in Indian society. It’s a chance to open up the floor for discussing female foeticide, education, child abuse, and other issues that prevent women and girls from being partners in India’s current growth and development.

A few tidbits that I gathered:

• Each year 500,000-700,000 girls go missing in India because of female foeticides (that’s 2000 girls a day).
• Even if a girl escapes infanticide or foeticide, a girl child is less likely to gain access to health care or adequate nutrition compared to a male child.
• More than 50% of girls are unable to enroll in school. Many of those that do are likely to drop out before the age of 12.
• One of every two girls in India is undernourished.

Obviously the problem exists outside of India. Globally, the concept of “investing in a girl” could enable us to empower the other half of society, the other half of the equation, the other half of the solution.

As per the latest Census for the year 2011, the total female sex ratio in India is 940 per 1000 males and the female child sex ratio is 944 girl children per every 1000 boy children of the same age group. Quite alarming are the figures seen in some of its states and union territories; a table here shows the bottom five states/ Union Territories and their declining female sex ratio

Serial No.	State/UT	Female sex ration as per Census 2011
1	Haryana	877
2	NCT of Delhi	866
3	Chandigarh	818
4	Dadra & Nagar Haveli	775
5	Daman in Daman & Diu	618

The situation is far worse when it comes to the rural child sex ratio in India, with the results for the Census 2011 showing a further dip in the rural child sex ratiodeclining from 927 in 2001 to 914 in 2011. Amongst the Union Territories of the country, the rural areas of Andaman and Nicobar islands registered the highest child sex ratio at 975, and the shocking fact was that the nation’s capital Delhi registered the lowest number at 809. While amongst India’s states, the prevalent rural child sex ratio were highest in Meghalaya and Chattisgarh, both states having registered a rural child sex ratio of 972, Haryana has the lowest ratio of 831.

Reasons behind female foeticide vary from socio economic conditions to personal preferences, religion, dowry, etc with male children being preferred over females. Many religions do not permit a female child to perform last rights of the soul of the departed parent, with many religious places of worship  not even permitting women to enter. According to Manusmriti (the Laws of Manu) an ideal woman is represented as an obedient and submissive person, always needing the care of a male: first father, then husband, then son.

What do people do?

The International Day of the Girl Child gives people and organizations the opportunity to raise public awareness of the different types of discrimination and abuse that many girls around the world suffer from. On this day, many community and political leaders talk to the public about the importance of girls’ right to equal education and their fundamental freedoms. Various events are held to showcase the work that people are doing to empower girls through active support and engagement with parents, families, and the wider community.

 

Donate online, make permanent change possible

Across India, in over 220 CRY-supported projects, children and their families can look forward to better opportunities and a better life for themselves.

To make this possible, for over three decades CRY has worked at tackling the root causes such as non-functioning schools, unemployed parents, gender and caste bias etc. that lead to children being denied their rights.

You help us bring about permanent change so children can have a happy, healthy, protected childhood, forever. We look forward to your constant support; so that together we can ensure lasting change for children across India.

'Developing urban economies in Bihar', which is being jointly organized by the state urban and housing development department, Asian Development Research Institute, Patna and UK-based Department For International Development (DFID)

BIHAR is one of the least urbanized states in India with only 2% of its total geographical area being urban. Skewed urbanization pattern, high migration, high share of unemployed youth in population, lack of adequate technical education and job opportunities and poor business climate etc have contributed to the lowest urbanization.

The employment rate in the state is only 42% as compared to 52% at the national level and the female employment rate is abysmally low at 6.9% as compared to 25.7% at the national level

 These points have been highlighted in the background paper of a conference on urban planning beginning here on 7th.sep'2012. At the conference, experts will discuss urban local economic development framework and initiatives undertaken at national and international levels.

The conference, intends to address primarily four key Bihar urban development issues.

These issues are: 

(a) What are the institutional and governance challenges and opportunities to shape cities as engines of economic growth? 

(b) What are the city economic cluster development and investment opportunities in urban Bihar? 

(c) How can Bihar improve investment attractiveness of its cities and address infrastructure and skill gaps as part of its urban development planning policy? 

(d) What are the key policy and strategic interventions required to mainstream the urban poor for achieving inclusive urban development?

This conference is expected to recommend key action points for structuring the economic development role of cities, said an official.

Even though the business climate of Bihar, particularly the law and order situation, has improved during the past few years, inadequate private sector investment orientation of local governments, inadequate infrastructure, particularly power, skill gaps, and high transaction costs in doing business remain some of the challenges to give effect to investment promises in the state.

Chief minister Nitish Kumar will inaugurate the conference. A number of experts, including DFID India chief Sam Sharpe and Narayanan Edadan of Support Programme for Urban Reforms (SPUR), besides several senior government officials and entrepreneurs will also attend the conference.

Cinema came to Bihar in the early years of 20th century.'The Elphinstone Bioscope Co'. Patna had its own Elphinstone Theatre which became the Elphinstone cinema,

Cinema, the world's most powerful audio-visual medium, has always impacted young people. Andrei Tarkovsky, the greatest Russian movie maker after Eisenstein, had said, "Unlike all the other art forms, film is able to seize and render the passage of time, to stop it, almost to possess it in infinity. I'd say that film is the sculpting of time."

The movies came to Bihar in the early years of 20th century. J F Madan had acquired the 'Elphinstone Theatre Co.' of Bombay in 1902 and converted it into 'The Elphinstone Bioscope Co'. Patna had its own Elphinstone Theatre which became the Elphinstone cinema, and started showing short silent films. After the advent of Talkies, it started showing films with sound. Its ownership changed after the collapse of the Madan empire in 1930s. Cine Society president Rajendra N Dash writes of another silent cinema theatre built in China Kothi, Patna, which withered away after the advent of Talkies in 1931. 

The first 'Talkie Theatre' of Patna was built at Babu Bazar, south-west Patna, debuting with the talkie, 'Veer Abhimanyu', in 1933 or 1934. Not long after, a huge fire destroyed the theatre, caused by the highly volatile nitrate film reels. It was never rebuilt.

Today, Patna boasts of a multiplex and several cinema halls with 3D and 4D technologies. But a growing number of discerning young people say that these theatres fall short of their expectations when it comes to content.

"Honestly, Patna doesn't offer much to the discerning viewer. One or two English movies screened at the Cinepolis, are mainly action movies, fantasies, and animation films. The rest of the screens in Patna show Hollywood blockbusters dubbed in Hindi, which are poor substitutes," says 19-year-old Manoj Kumar, a second year student of Mass Media in Sikkim Manipal's distance education programme. "When I want to watch a Bergman or Fellini or a Tarantino for example, the place to go is a cine circle. It's great cinema and almost free!"

Film studies and cinema have become an important part of mass media courses, and it is imperative that students watch and analyze classic and contemporary cinema from all over the world.

Film appreciation clubs and societies are emerging in Patna. Here, in private showings to members and guests, enthusiastic youngsters and cinema aficionados can experience the film magic of masters old and new.For the past year, in a small upper room opposite the Sacred Heart Church in New Patliputra Colony, the faithful disciples of cinema gather for their weekend 'screen supper'. Almost every week, the Act Cine Circle screens a documentary or film of the 'independent' variety, sourced directly from the maker, distributor or a private collection. These are strictly non-commercial private screenings for viewing and discussion, insists the coordinator, Shanti Ghimire, a media student at the Malauna Mazrul Haque Arabic and Persian University. "We mention the film on our Facebook status pages, and create an event on our Facebook page. Interested people phone in and accordingly we make seating arrangements. Our capacity is about 24 chairs."

The Act Cine Circle is doing a 'human rights cycle' in September and October, where films such as 'Milk', 'The Mathew Sheppard Story' and 'Sixth Happiness' will be screened along with documentaries and short features from India and South Asia on gay, lesbian and transgender issues.

Another private venue, the residence of Dr Dilip Sen at Buddha Marg has seen the gathering of the film faithful for over a decade. Patna's most venerable film appreciation group, the Cine Society, Patna has been congregating there for at least three days a month to savour screenings from the works of master craftsmen from all over the world.

The Cine Society, Patna is the oldest registered film appreciation society, all of 29 years. It actually started in the early 1950's as the Patna Film Society and is among the oldest cinema societies in India. CSP, with the support of the Bihar Government, organizes regular film screenings at Chhavi Griha on Saturday afternoons, which are open to all. Documentaries, classic Indian and world cinema is on offer to students and enthusiasts.

"The current membership of CSP is about 150, and growing," says Raviraj Patel, an active member. "Under the able guidance of R N Dash and Gautam Dasgupta, the society has been able to embark on an ambitious education programme: the education of Patna's college students in the art and grammar of cinema."

Nitin Chandra, one of Bihar's better-known regional filmmakers and a CSP member says, "Our daily lives are influenced by cinema. When it comes to Bihar, which has a cinema hall density of one to 10 lakh people, it is a matter of great concern that cinema needs to be promoted for its value as art and its importance as livelihood. People need to be told the difference between the good, bad and ugly. CSP can play a big role in reviving a taste for good cinema."

For youngsters who want to watch compelling cinema and at almost no price, the best thing is to find out about a film appreciation club, cine circle or cine society near you. It's an educational experience both stimulating and satisfying.

Dr.Verghese Kurien's contribution to the welfare of the farmer and development of the BIHAR is immeasurable. He was an icon of cooperative movement in Bihar and the dairy industry.

Dr.Verghese Kurien was an Indian engineer and renowned social entrepreneur, best known as the "Father of the White Revolution",

 

Born: November 26, 1921, Kozhikode

 

Died: September 9, 2012, Nadiad

 

Spouse: Molly

 

Education: University of Madras, Michigan State University, Loyola College, Chennai, College of Engineering, Guindy

 

Awards: Padma Vibhushan

Thank U for giving us a dream,
Thank U for showing us a way,
Thank U for guuiding us to better the

Lives of million of farmers,
As e remember all that U have done for us.
We remain dedicated to pursuing & achiving
your vision,
We remain Committed to reaching out to
many more lives.

 

Father of the White Revolution and the founder of the cooperative dairy movement, is also hailed as an iconic figure who transformed Bihar and gave the milk revolution to the state. In fact, he made the ordinary "doodh  wala" (milkman) here a key player in the state's struggle for economic development and progress at the grassroots level and was also instrumental in laying the foundation of democratic enterprises at remote villages and far-flung hamlets.

 Recalling Kurien's enormous contributions to the field of rural development and dairying, Patna Dairy Project's managing director Sudhir Singh, who had a rewarding association with him said, "Kurien's contribution to the welfare of the farmer and development of the state is immeasurable. He was an icon of cooperative movement in Bihar and the dairy industry. He had also been the chairman of the PDP management committee for four consecutive years."

It is because of Kurien that Bihar today contributes about 7% of the total milk production of the country, said PDP sources. From 500 litres of milk a day, the total production of COMPFED today is 12 lakh litres a day in which PDP alone contributes around 3 lakh litres a day, 

It all happened in the early 80s when two units---a cattle feed plant and a dairy at Phulwarisharif---set up by the Bihar State Dairy Corporation under the Operation Flood programme in the year 1977 and 1978, 
 failed to achieve the desired result. Though the progress in the initial years was encouraging, the programme, for obvious reasons could not achieve the goals for which it was established. Subsequently, the then state government felt it worthwhile to request the founder of National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) Kurien for taking over the infrastructure created on management basis.

The NDDB took over the management of the infrastructure with effect from October 1, 1981 under the banner of Patna Dairy Project (PDP). However, Kurien laid certain conditions before the takeover like the plant should be free from all political interference and all surplus employees be absorbed by the state government. "He also demanded uninterrupted power supply," said the PDP MD, who was also a part of Kurien's team here.


"From October 30 to December 14, 1981 all milk supply was stopped and on December 15, for the first time PDP started selling 500 litres of packaged milk under the brand name Sudha. Everything was done under the strict supervision of Kurien and till date the team formed by him is continuing with PDP," said Singh.

Kurien also laid emphasis on the fact that majority of the team members should stay in villages in close contact with the farmers. His greatest contribution was to give a position of pre-eminence to a farmer and his or her interests rather than those of middlemen. He strongly believed that by placing technology and professional management in the hands of the farmers, the living standards of millions of rural poor could be improved, he said.
Almost after every six months he used to visit PDP and held board meetings. It was in the year 1983, when the Cooperative Milk Producers' Federation Ltd. (COMPFED) was established as the implementing agency of Operation Flood programme of dairy development on 'Anand' pattern in Bihar. Today six district-level milk producers' cooperative unions are affiliated to the Milk Federation.

It was in July 1988 that Kurien handed over PDP's state of affairs to the state government which, in turn, handed it over to the Vishal Pataliputra Dughdh Utpadak Sangh, one of the milk unions of COMPFED.