1,300 Tamil Nadu schools functioning without electricity 

A total of 1,311 schools in Tamil Nadu do not have access to electricity while 385 schools have been found to be functioning with dysfunctional power systems, official data has revealed. According to the Annual School Report prepared by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), 1,311 schools in Tamil Nadu do not have access to electricity and 385 schools have dysfunctional power systems. The list included schools situated in the city limits of Chennai, Coimbatore and Madurai. Tirunelveli tops the list of districts with schools without electricity.

The Annual School Report Card for 2013-14 is based on a survey conducted by the District Information System for Education (DISE) in coordination with the National University of Educational Planning and Administration (NUEPA). According to the survey, as many as 1,311 schools in the state do not have power connection, while 385 schools have dysfunctional electrical facilities, which meant that despite power connection, fans and lights were not in working condition because of poor maintenance.

The report noted that with average temperature touching 40 degrees Celsius this summer in Tamil Nadu, oppressive heat might have made students’ life in schools really difficult, affecting their concentration. Though some schools were equipped with fans, lights and computers, impaired power supply rendered them worthless, the report added.

Of the 1,311 schools, 85 per cent (1,110) were situated in rural areas. The conditions were particularly worse in Tirunelveli district, where of the 219 schools without electricity, 218 were in rural areas. Next on the list were Thoothukudi and Vellore districts with 112 and 111 schools respectively. What was more worrying was that some schools in relatively developed cities, including Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai and Tiruchy, also lacked electricity connection.

- See more at: http://digitallearning.eletsonline.com/2014/10/1300-tamil-nadu-schools-functioning-without-electricity/#sthash.oQYvzOBB.dpuf

The Nobel Prize Winning LED That Can Save Energy

Recently, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced this year’s winners of the Nobel Prize in all science streams. In the long and prestigious series of awards, the one with the biggest real world impact was for physics. A trio of Japanese scientists Isamu Akasaki, Hiroshi Amano, and Shuji Nakamura were honored with the $1.1 million prize for one of the most beneficial inventions of mankind, LED.  

Invented just 20 years ago, LED (light emitting diode) has applications in almost all electronic devices we use daily, from LCD television screens to laser printers. But the highlight of this invention lies in energy saving feature that paves an energy efficient way to make white light.
Specifically, when an electric bulb glows, most of the energy is converted to heat and only a fraction to light. But in LEDs, electricity is directly converted to light.

Although it sounds simple, it is based on over three decades of research. Since the early 90s, LED technology has improved by leaps and bounds. It has been proved that LEDs are twenty times efficient than regular light bulbs and four times than florescent bulbs. Along with being energy efficient, they are also less wasteful and last noticeably longer than others.

But again we circle back to the basic question, “How are they useful to me?”

According to a survey, illumination or lighting accounts for 1900 million tons of carbon dioxide emission every year. And using LEDs alone to light streets can reduce the carbon emission by 70%. If we consider US alone, using LED can halve the country’s electricity bill, reduce green house gas emissions and save $30 billion on energy bills. 

A diode is a simple semiconductor device that typically allows current to flow in one direction only. An LED is a type of diode, made from several layers of semiconductor materials, that glows when electricity passes through it. 

National Level Essay Competition 2014: "EQUAL IN AN UNEQUAL WORLD"

National Level Essay Competition 2014: "EQUAL IN AN UNEQUAL WORLD"

NATIONAL LEVEL ESSAY COMPETITION 2014

Theme: "EQUAL IN AN UNEQUAL WORLD"

Organiser: Globethics.net
Last Date: 30th November, 2014.
Awards:
1. First place: Rs.20,000
2. Second place: Rs.15,000
3. Third place: Rs.10,000
A consolation prize of Rs.2000/- and certificate to the next best entries.

Contact details:
Ms. Watinaro Longkumer, Programme Executive, Globethics.net India.
Email: longkumer@globethics.net

Prof.Dr. Paulachan Kochappilly, Director, Globethics.net India.
Email: paulachan.kochappilly@globethics.net

The challenge of caste

The first of a three-part series which explores books that give us a vivid insight into caste.

Reading, for the voracious, is often like a good cup of tea. It is light, comforting and warm and lifts up your spirits on a bad day. Often, as you discover yourself and your interests evolve, you realise that the books you accumulate reflect them — science fiction, horror, history and so on. Reading books can also be a way to learn something serious, under the shroud of a story. Whether it is the political or social history of a place or even just a glimpse into unchartered territory, nothing delivers it better than a racy book, vivid with detail. And at the end of it, you will realise that the dates and facts have stayed with you long after the book is over. Here is a list of five books that deal with the issue of caste in the Indian context.

The House of Blue Mangoes

Alive with descriptions and set in the caste-based society of the south Indian village of Chevathar, The House of Blue Mangoes by David Davidar is an exploration of the socio-economic systems of a village drenched in tradition. It describes how caste rules the everyday lives of people who belong to the andavar and devar communities, through the family of Solomon Durai, the headman. The book begins in the 1880s and moves through three generations of his family, with a panoramic view of the political changes that the country goes through in the process.

Karukku

This book is by celebrated author Bama, originally in Tamil and translated into English by Lakshmi Holmstrom. It details the coming-of-age of a young Dalit Christian girl, and through her eyes, exposes the reader to the lives of her people. The story is autobiographical and the narrative talks about the girl’s religion and how it influences the community. It unfolds as the protagonist grows and voices out issues that are normally never looked at.

Vasudeva’s family

An inter-caste marriage in a traditional Brahmin family opens up a Pandora’s box. In the novel, Vasudeva’s family, a translation of author Vaidehi’s Kannada book Asprushyaru, a traditional Brahmin family grapples with the changes taking place around it. The book throws light on people who are empathising and yet enslaved by the rules of their caste. More importantly, it touches upon the subject of untouchability and its many layers.

Gardener in a wasteland

Marrying history, politics and caste, A Gardener in a Wasteland, by Aparajita Ninan and Srividya Natarajan, is the story of Jyotirao Phule and his beliefs. Inspired by his book, Gulamgiri (Slavery), the graphic novel flows like a conversation between Jyotirao and his wife, Dhondiba, touching on many important subjects. Issues like class, caste, slavery and women’s rights are spoken about in the grand context of the Indian freedom movement.

Toss of a lemon

What happens to a young Brahmin widow in the early 20th century south India? When Sivakami marries Hanumantharaman, she envisions a life of domestic bliss. But tragedy strikes three years after the birth of her son, Vairum; her husband dies and she is now a Brahmin widow with two young children. Sivakami, though adhering strictly to caste norms, does one unconventional thing; she continues to inhabit her husband’s house, deciding to lead an independent life. While Sivakami defies caste rules to raise her children, she herself never steps beyond its limits. The book, by Padma Viswanathan, weaves a poignant tale of caste and life in a Brahmin quarter in South India.

Keywords: Books, reader

International Journal of Rural Management

Table of Contents

April 2014; 10 (1)

Articles

• Select this article
  • Sylvain Charlebois and
   
  • Amit Summan

  Abattoirs, Meat Processing and Managerial Challenges: A Survey for Lagging Rural Regions and Food Entrepreneurs in Ontario, Canada

  International Journal of Rural Management April 2014 10: 1-20,doi:10.1177/0973005214526504
  • Abstract
   
  • Full Text (PDF)
   
  • References
• Select this article
  • Kasper Aalling Teilmann and
   
  • Annette Aagaard Thuesen

  Important Types of LAG–Municipality Interaction When Collaborating on Rural Development: Lessons from Danish LEADER LAGs

  International Journal of Rural Management April 2014 10: 21-45,doi:10.1177/0973005214526501
  • Abstract
   
  • Full Text (PDF)
   
  • References
• Select this article
  • Chandan Kumar Sharma and
   
  • Indrani Sarma

  Issues of Conservation and Livelihood in a Forest Village of Assam

  International Journal of Rural Management April 2014 10: 47-68,doi:10.1177/0973005214526502
  • Abstract
   
  • Full Text (PDF)
   
  • References
• Select this article
  • Muhammad Azhar Khan, 
  • Muhammad Zahir Khan, 
  • Khalid Zaman, 
  • and Ayisha Khan

  Poverty–Growth–Inequality Triangle by Principal Component Analysis: With an Empirical Illustration Using Pakistan’s Data

  International Journal of Rural Management April 2014 10: 69-86,doi:10.1177/0973005214531772
  • Abstract
   
  • Full Text (PDF)
   
  • References

Book Review

• Select this article
  • Atanu Bhattacharya

  Book Review: Maitrayee Mukerji, ICTs and Development: A Study of Telecentres in Rural India

  International Journal of Rural Management April 2014 10: 87-89,doi:10.1177/0973005214526500
  • Full Text (PDF)

Midday Meal: Govt nod to protocol for standards in food safety and testing 

In a move aimed at ensuring quality of food and appropriate nutrition standards under the Midday Meal, the government has approved the introduction of a protocol for standards in food safety and testing that will be rolled out from next year.

The decision was arrived at a meeting of the empowered committee on midday meal headed by HRD minister Smriti Irani on Wednesday, October 15. Among other issues, the meeting stressed upon increasing safety measures in cooking and regular testing of cooked food.

The HRD ministry, however, chose to remain silent on the issue of increasing the remuneration of cook-cum-helpers who are paid a paltry Rs. 1,000 per month. Considered crucial to the midday meal operation, poor state of cook-cum-helpers has been pointed out by several independent studies. After last year’s tragedy in Bihar that led to the death of more than 20 children, poor working condition of cook-cum-helpers came to fore. The new government has already rejected a Cabinet note that proposed a monthly salary of Rs. 2,000 cook-cum-helpers and has since then been gathering dust in the ministry. As per estimates, increasing the salary could have led to an additional expenditure of Rs. 2,000 crore per annum.

In other issues discussed at the meeting, Irani asked state governments to resolve the issue of payment to Food Corporation of India which supplies foodgrains for MDM throughout the country. Since HRD ministry releases fund for food grains in advance, state governments were asked not to keep arrears. Bihar government that owes over Rs 100 crore to FCI was told to clear the arrears.

Bihar education minister Brishen Patel told the meeting that centralized kitchen be made at the block level so that teachers do not get involved in the task of cooking. It is unlikely that Patel’s suggestion will be accepted.

- See more at: http://digitallearning.eletsonline.com/2014/10/midday-meal-govt-nod-to-protocol-for-standards-in-food-safety-and-testing/#sthash.BJL74RJE.dpuf

India launches IVPP for science scholars

ndia has announced the launch of the International Visiting Professorship Programme. Under the programme, 12 global science scholars will be invited to deliver talks about science in India. As per plans, the visiting professors will deliver three talks every year, one each in a school, a college and a research institution.

The programme being termed as ‘The Maithreyi International Visiting Professorship‘ is being jointly supported by the Centre’s Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST).

The programme is aimed at providing the necessary exposure to Indian students to learn from the experience of academicians, scientists and scholars from across the globe. Students are expected to benefit from their knowledge and experience. The talks delivered by the visiting professors will also be recorded and made available on the Internet.  Transcripts in English and Hindi will also be made available in the videos. A live web-interaction session with the ‘Visiting Professors’ on Rajya Sabha Television is also being planned as a part of the programme.

Union Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh said that the 36 talks and 12 Radio/Television interactions will make the best science scholars of the world come face to face with India ,  imparting knowledge to the Indian students.

Under this programme, 1,000 science academicians from United States will also visit India and deliver talks in centrally recognised universities. The government has also arranged for 12 hours of lecture classes per academic year in public-funded schools and colleges in India where 5,000 scientists of many central agencies such as the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) will deliver lectures on science.

- See more at: http://digitallearning.eletsonline.com/2014/10/india-launches-ivpp-for-science-scholars/#sthash.FzY1MVQq.dpuf