Jun 19 2014 : The Times of India (Delhi)

Muslim enrolment goes up in schools: HRD report

New Delhi TIMES NEWS NETWORK





Muslim enrolment in schools has gone up marginally while there has been a slight decline in case of the SC/ST community .
Children belonging to Other Backward Classes (OBCs) have shown a perceptible increase in enrolment.Data for 2013-14, released on Wednesday by HRD minister Smriti Z Irani, shows that as per the Educational Development Index, Puducherry is at number one, followed by Lakshadweep, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh and Delhi.
Despite massive privatization of school education, more than 60% of enrolment was in government schools, just over 8% in private aided schools, 27.8% in private unaided schools, 35.81% in private managements and over 2% in unrecognized schools.
Government-aided schools with private management dominated in Goa (63.03%), Kerala (42.36%) and Maharashtra (37.8%). Muslim enrolment at primary level went up marginally to 14.35% in 2013-14 from 14.20% in 2012-13. At the upper primary level, enrolment was 12.52%, up from 12.11% in the previous year.
In West Bengal, Gujarat, Bihar and UP, there was a gradual, although not significant, increase in enrolment. Enrolment of girls, both at primary and upper primary levels, remained unchanged at 49%.
At the primary level, OBC enrolment has gone up to 44.1% from 42.9%, while at the upper primary level, it went up to 44.44% from 43.66% in 2012-13. The most perceptible increase can be noticed in West Bengal, Puducherry and Kerala. Girls constitute nearly half of the new enrolments, at both primary and upper primary levels.
Enrolment of SC children at primary and upper primary levels came down to 19.72%, from 20.24% in 201213. Except for Himachal Pradesh and West Bengal, a marginal decline in SC enrolment can be seen in most states, especially Bihar, UP, MP and Maharashtra.
The percentage of teachers involved in non-teaching assignments to the total number of teachers has come down from 5.49% to 2.48%.

Jun 18 2014 : The Economic Times (Delhi)

Retain Aadhaar, Create Version 2.0





The new government is taking a call on whether to continue with Aadhaar. There is no scope for confusion. Aadhaar is a transformational project that will give the country's over 14 crore urban migrant population a means to establish their identity , and raise the productive potential of the country . It has already created a database of identities defined by biometric characteristics that cannot be duplicated, and tagging bank accounts with Aadhaar will enable the government to uniquely identify every beneficiary of any welfare scheme. It has also paved the way for a nationwide infrastructure for electronic banking. Abandoning Aadhaar will deny the poor access to financial inclusion. The project should not be killed due to partisan politics.It made no sense to mandate use of Aadhaar to disburse cooking gas subsidy , without universal enrolment. However, this, in no way , takes away Aadhaar's potential to reform the country's public finances. Aadhaar-linked cash transfers will lead to efficient disbursal of subsidy and remove dual pricing of products made affordable by subsidy . When anything is available at a subsidised and a market price, it creates an incentive to divert the subsidised product for sale in the market, defeating the purpose of the subsidy .
The government must give legal backing to Aadhaar, but with safeguards to avert any misuse of information that the National Identification Authority of India will share with other organisations that deliver public services. Information must be kept in separate silos. To address the concerns of privacy champions and protect information on citizens, the government should enact a law on Right to Privacy . Aadhaar can drill down below the postal code for geographic specificity , to include the Census village number.

Jun 18 2014 : The Economic Times (Delhi)

ENERGY - The Next Policy Steps for Renewable Energy

Shivanand Nimbargi





The new government, with a majority in Parliament, has the opportunity to reshape the energy sector. We can focus on energy security being a core element in the strategy for longterm growth. The new government has the opportunity to have a holistic review of the energy sector and to formulate a coordinated and synchronised approach to revitalise it.As the economy liberalised, the thrust of energy policy was on developing conventional energy as the primary engine to drive growth. As we progress, the contours of policy discourse on energy are shifting from rapid expansion of conventional energy sources to assessing their longterm economic, strategic and environmental consequences.
The economic and strategic impact of reliance on imported fuel to the carbon footprint and environmental consequences of large thermal or nuclear plants have taken centre-stage in the energy debate.
The role of non-conventional energy , especially renewables, has to move centre-stage. In a country blessed with abundant sources of renewable energy , the industry, market and the policy framework have evolved rapidly in recent years. In the last decade, the renewables sector has moved from the fringes to being one of the major sources of energy . This has been achieved with a combination of a supportive policy framework and technological advances, which have made it commercially viable and attractive for investment. The move towards renewables has reduced the carbon footprint from generation, and the potential benefits of greater substitution of conventional energy by renewables are evident.
Renewables have the potential to reorient the way we think about energy.
The viability of small or micro renewable plants and the rise of off-grid solutions can open up new ways to look at providing energy at a local level. Let us take the example of the poor man’s fuel, kerosene. The government has heavily subsidised it to keep it affordable for weaker sections of society. The subsidy is around .
`20,000 crore. If this subsidy could gradually be transferred to build generating plants supported by adequate infrastructure for renewable energy, like solar, wind and other sources, one could reduce the dependence of a large section of the population on kerosene.
In the last decade, the renewables sector has grown to 32,000 MW. However, recently, it has faced policy challenges. Renewables, especially wind and solar, have recently achieved a meaningful scale, but need support from policy. A few big-ticket measu
res could help. These include dedicated evacuation infrastructure linked to the national grid to allow optimum utilisation of renewable power, and to reduce the impact of geographical factors in the renewable potential of each state.We also need to move towards market-determined pricing, adjusting for the inherent advantages of large conventional power stations. An area needing immediate focus is the Renewable Power Obligation (RPO) framework, which was designed to encourage state electricity boards (SEBs) and captive consumers to use renewable energy . We need to implement the RPO by a carrot-and-stick policy , by recharging the market for Renewable Energy Certificates (REC), the tool for implementing the RPO framework, and charging penalties for noncompliance by SEBs and consumers.
This will create a viable market for renewable energy . The sector needs pricing certainty on RECs beyond 2017, to invest in addition of capacity .
We also need implementation of open access in the true spirit of The Electricity Act, with competitive pricing to allow unrestricted national transmission of renewable power.
A logical follow-up would be the complete integration of large renewable plants in the national grid with scheduling and forecasting to foster effective utilisation of renewable power.
The renewables sector has matured and is moving towards becoming a major participant in the energy landscape. Now, policy has to step up to enable further growth. The sector needs the support of strong institutional, financial and legal mechanisms. A move in this direction will go a long way in achieving the goal of an energy self-reliant India by 2050.
The writer is managing director and CEO, Green Infra

Jun 18 2014 : The Times of India (Delhi)

Q & A - ‘Climbing Everest, i’ve proved a tribal girl can do something’





At just 13 years, Malavath Poorna from Telangana has become the youngest female climber in the world to scale Mount Everest. Speaking with Rohit E David, Poorna discussed how she has emerged from a family of agricultural labourers to become a mountaineer, the difficulties she faced while navigating Mount Everest, the one thought that kept her going ­ and how she wants to climb many more mountains now: Congratulations on your feat ­ please tell us about your family life?
I come from a very poor family . My father and mother are agricultural labourers who spend hours in the fields trying to make ends meet. Both of them together earn Rs 3,000 every month.Sending me and my siblings to school and looking after my family's needs is nothing but a challenge for them.
How were you selected for the Everest expedition?
I was hand-picked by the Andhra Pradesh Social Welfare Residential Schools, a government organisation which provides free education to underprivileged groups in society .
The organisation took up the challenge to send tribal kids on this expedition. Can you tell us about the training you underwent? The training took place over eight months. I was sent to a mountaineering institute in Darjeeling for preparation.
While there, i climbed Mount Renock which is 17,000 feet high. I got accustomed to subzero temperatures of -35 degrees Celsius in Ladakh.
Seeing my high endurance level, i was sent on the Everest expedition. What were some of the difficulties you encountered on Mount Everest?
The winds were pretty harsh and it was also biting cold. Moreover, during the expedition, we had to eat packaged food which was not easy for me to digest. I was frequently throwing up whenever i was given food in those sealed bags as the smell was unbearable for me. I had to rely on soups which were served hot and didn't come in a packet.
It was also not an easy task for me to climb with the oxygen tank. I really didn't expect so many obstacles to come my way as i was mentally prepared to climb the highest peak in the world.
Moreover, i had climbed the Everest from the Tibetan side as the Nepalese government does not allow climbers below 16 years of age to go on the expedition.
Climbing the Everest was certainly more diffi cult than i thought ­ but my willpower to prove that a tribal girl can do something kept me going. What was the first thing that came to your mind when you reached Mount Everest's top?
The satisfaction of all the hard work i had done along with quietness and peace just filled me.
My head was held high when i raised India's flag on the world's highest peak.
At 13, you can start planning your career now ­ what do you aim to be?
I want to study and become an IPS officer.
But i also want to climb more mountains around the world.
After the expedition, you met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi ­ what did he say?
He was encouraging ­ he told me to keep doing what you are best in and never give up. He also encouraged me to complete my studies ­ and to always look ahead.

Jun 18 2014 : The Times of India (Delhi)

ALUMNI: THE EX IS NOT FORGOTTEN





STAYING IN TOUCH, LONG AFTER YOU HAVE PARTED WAYS, IS DIFFICULT.
THEREFORE, WHAT MOTIVATES THE ALUMNI TO STILL BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE INSTITUTE APART FROM NOSTALGIA? ANURAG JHANWAR SHARES SOME INSIGHTS

Education has always been an industry more impacted by word-of-mouth than advertising.
One of the important stakeholders in any institution's reputation is its alumni; they are considered brand ambassadors, and their successes in their respective fields add immensely to their alma mater's brand.This is especially relevant to Indian business schools, with their uber-competitive environment.It has observed it is only the highergraded business schools (graded A** and above) that derive tangible benefits from their alumni engagement programmes.The benefits range from strong recruitment relationships, to alumni sponsorship for student ventures as well as research chairs.
Globally, the alumni networks of schools such as Harvard or Stanford are available to students and faculty members alike across countries. Of course, the vintage and highlyestablished nature of their programmes helps.
HOW,THEN, CAN THE NEWER PROGRAMMES START BUILDING THIS MUCH-REQUIRED PEDIGREE?
HERE ARE SOME WAYS FOR SCHOOLS TO BETTER HARNESS THE POTENTIAL OF THEIR ALUMNI NETWORKS: CREATE A STRONG COMMUNITY,WHICH CONTINUES TO BENEFIT GRADUATES Some of the world's most reputed Bschools offer online career forums, continuing education classroom programmes or webinars, alumni clubs and opportunities to interface with faculty members for guidance or knowledge-sharing.Their websites also offer directory services where one can reach any registered alumni in a given city or organisation. Similar best practices followed by some IIMs and other top institutes include a job forum for alumni, functional clubs and life-long learning avenues for alumni.
KEEP A TRACK OF ALUMNI CAREER GRAPHS Harvard, for example, gives out alumni achievement awards. Other global business schools frequently celebrate achievers' performance during annual meets or in annual publications. By building relationships with companies where their alumni are doing well, institutes can get better industry projects and faculty interaction opportunities for present students. Most top institutes thrive on deep relationships with recruiters. While older business schools have alumni in senior (and therefore influential) positions, newer programmes need to actively track ex-students who are outperforming their peers. Such alumni, even if not senior, can help build a stronger relationship with the company.
INVOLVE ALUMNI IN STUDENT ADMISSIONS ADMISSIONS Many global business schools get their alumni in India to speak with Indian students eligible for admissions to influence their choice of institute. One Southern institute has a link on its alumni page where students can be referred.This practice can also work well for newer programmes or institutes in non-metro locations in India, which would want the best students to choose them over other programmes. Also, for institutes attempting to improve their pan-India diversity, having alumni members vouch for their programme is of immense help.
Most of our top-graded institutes have alumni members in their interview panels as experts.This makes sense for institutes, which have a large pool of applicants to select from.While newer programmes may not have as much choice in terms of applications, alumni members checking the potential industry-readiness of candidates is a healthy practice.
MAKE STUDENTS STAKEHOLDERS FROM THE VERY BEGINNING Students need to hold themselves responsible for institutiondevelopment right from the time they are on campus. Many global business schools actively encourage alumni to sponsor campus events, entrepreneurial ventures and research cells. One Mumbai-based institute has a unique culture of a governmentaffiliated programme run entirely by students, in which the latter even has a say in the choice of visiting faculty.
Student accountability is therefore an area of improvement if they are to become responsible alumni.
The author is director, CRISIL Education Gradings Education Gradings Agree with the author? Tell us at www.ItsMyAscent.com/CareerAdvice

Jun 18 2014 : The Times of India (Delhi)

IIT-D India's best, not in BRICS top 10 centres

Manash Pratim Gohain

New Delhi: TNN





The Indian Institutes of Technology continue to represent the nation most successfully as far as quality of imparting higher education is concerned, according to the QS BRICS 2014 University Rankings published on Tuesday . The good news is that there are eight Indian institutions that have made it to the top 50. However, India is the only country that couldn't find a place in the top 10--which is the bad news.There are five institutions, led by IIT Delhi, in the top 20. Among institutions devoted to general studies, Delhi University is the highest ranked at 39, having bet tered its last year's rank of 53 and beating last year's topranked Calcutta University which is now at 50.
The QS BRICS 2014 University Rankings compares the Top 200 institutions in Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa and has identified China as the most likely among BRICS nations to achieve its goal of developing world-class universities.
The top-ranked university is Tsinghua University , followed by Peking University , both from China. In fact, China claims six of the Top 10 places, ahead of Brazil (two), Russia (one) and South Africa (one).
The overall rank of the top Indian player--IIT Delhi--is 13 this year, which is no improvement from last year's rank. The other Indian universities in the Top 20 are IIT Bombay (ranked 15), IIT Kanpur (ranked 16, up from 17 last year), IIT Madras (ranked 17, down from 16 in last year) and IIT Kharagpur (ranked 20, down by two ranks from last year). In all, 20 Indian institutions have found a place on the list.
Delhi University has overtaken the University of Calcutta to become India's highest-ranked general stud ies institution, thanks to improvements in staffing levels and research citations. The University of Mumbai is ranked 68 this year, down by six ranks from last year.
Meanwhile, IIT Kharagpur has a higher proportion of PhDs among its staff than any other university with three other Indian institutions also in the top five on this count. However, in overall staffing, only Manipal University is in the top 100.
Ben Sowter, head of research, THE-QS World University Rankings, says, “Indian universities have been struggling to keep pace with increasing demand for university education from the country's vast young population. There are now frequent calls for reform of the country's complex higher education system and for universities to become more transparent.“
The new government has promised a national commission on education to reform and revitalize the sector and to make India a knowledge hub. The first copy of the QS University Rankings: BRICS 2014 was presented to prime minister Narendra Modi.
Karthick Sridhar, vicechairman, Indian Centre for Assessment and Accreditation, said, “While it is sad to note India's absence in the Top 10, going by the excitement created by the new government, we believe that year 2015 will paint a different story .“

Jun 17 2014 : The Times of India (Delhi)

‘Super’ bananas for vitamin boost

Sydney: AFP





A super-enriched banana genetically engineered to improve the lives of millions of people in Africa will soon have its first human trial, which will test its effect on vitamin A levels, Australian researchers said on Monday. The project plans to have the special banana varieties — enriched with alpha and beta carotene which the body converts to vitamin A — growing in Uganda by 2020.The bananas are now being sent to the United States, and it is expected that the sixweek trial measuring how well they lift vitamin A levels in humans will begin soon.
“Good science can make a
massive difference here by enriching staple crops such as Ugandan bananas with pro-vitamin A and providing poor and subsistence-farm ing populations with nutritionally rewarding food,” said project leader professor James Dale. The Queensland University of Technology (QUT) project, backed by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, hopes to see conclusive results by year end.“We know our science will work,” Dale said. “We made all the constructs, the genes that went into bananas, and put them into bananas here at QUT.” Dale said the Highland or East African cooking banana was a staple food in East Africa, but had low levels of micro-nutrients, particularly pro-vitamin A and iron.
“The consequences of vi
tamin A deficiency are dire with 650,000-700,000 children world-wide dying ... each year and at least another 300,000 going blind,” he said.Researchers decided that enriching the staple food was the best way to help ease the problem. While the modified banana looks the same on the outside, inside the flesh is more orange than a cream colour, but Dale said he did not expect this to be a problem. He said once the genetically modified bananas were approved for commercial cultivation in Uganda, the same technology could potentially be expanded to crops in other countries.