Churning for The Butter

Satsang, the company of spiritually minded people, either in the form of actual get-togethers where spiritual discussions take place, or via social networking platforms, provides the opportunity for churning one’s thoughts and contemplating. During contemplation, our mind raises questions and tries to find answers, thereby increasing the assimilated knowledge. It is similar to a teacher benefiting by teaching a class of students who are interactive and who ask a lot of questions. After the churning, there is no point in simply extracting the butter, you must eat it and experience it. Similarly, the spiritual essence one derives by churning the inputs received, has to be put into practice to experience its benefit for oneself. That is why revered gurus exhort us to experience through actual practice, at least one principle everyday from the spiritual injunctions by saints and seers. It is no good knowing all the spiritual concepts. It is important to contemplate on the applicability of those concepts in every life situation and to actually put into practice the appropriate concept. Who gets inspired to get on to the spiritual path in the first place and how? There is a Divine plan behind it that we may not be able to figure out. The starter (coagulating agent like some curd, lemon juice or gelatin) in the form of an intense desire to pursue spirituality is added to the milk by the Creator Himself or through the medium of a living guru. Those of us who are fortunate to receive this Divine grace should be thankful to the Creator

Source: Economic Times, 5/03/2020

Bombay, Delhi IITs now in top 50 univs globally

For the first time, Indian technical institutions have found place among the top 50 in QS World University Ranking by subject, with IITBombay and IITDelhi snagging the 44th and 47th rank, respectively, this year in engineering & technology. India also improved its presence in the top 100 list with five institutions featuring this year as against three in last year’s rankings. In the arts and humanities category, Jawaharlal Nehru University improved its ranking from 166 to 164 among the top 500 universities with the University of Delhi too featuring among the top 250 in this category. Massachusetts Institute of Technology is at pole position for the eighth year in a row. In the second and third positions are Stanford and University of Cambridge, respectively. ETH Zurich-Swiss Federal Institute of Technology moved one place down to fourth rank. IIT-B director lauds students & faculty Delhi has the most number of institutions from India among the top 200 with IIT-Delhi and DU again featuring in the social science & management category. AIIMS has been ranked 231 in life science & medicine category, improving its rank from 338 in 2019. IIM-Ahmedabad and IIMBangalore rank in the 51-100 band for business & management studies. Globally, Harvard, INSEAD and London Business School occupy the top three places. With design technology picking up pace, the National Institute of Design ranked in the 101-150 band. The Royal College of Art, UK, topped the charts in this category. In terms of overall ranks, IIT-B occupies the 152nd position, 10 spots higher as compared to last year. IITDelhi comes next at the 182nd (172 in 2019) place, followed closely by the Indian Institute of Science at 184th. Among traditional universities, DU is ranked 474, followed by Hyderabad and Jadavpur. The Universities of Mumbai and Pune remain in the 801-1001 band of rankings. HRD minister Ramesh Pokhriyal said: “It is a significant achievement of our premier engineering institutions. This is the result of efforts by the government to promote research and innovation.” “Our students and faculty members are our key strength. It is their dedication that have got us where we are today,” IIT-B director Subhasis Chaudhuri sai

Source: Times of India, 5/03/2020

Quote of the Day

March 4, 2020

“You haven't lost your smile at all, it's right under your nose. You just forgot it was there.”

‐ Anonymous

“आप अपनी मुस्कान को गुमा नहीं बैठे हैं, यह तो आपकी नाक के ठीक नीचे है। आप भूल गए कि वह यहां थी।”

‐ अज्ञात

Study in USA: Top universities, scholarships for international students

A total of 1,095,299 students from around the world are currently enrolled in various colleges of the country and international students make up 5.5 percent of the entire US higher education landscape

Over the past years, the USA has dominated the international education landscape and has become the mecca for foreign students looking to pursue their higher education abroad. According to the 2019 Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange, the number of international students in the US reached an all-time high in 2018-2019 academic year.

A total of 1,095,299 students from around the world are currently enrolled in various colleges of the country and international students make up 5.5 percent of the entire US higher education landscape. According to data provided by the US Department of Commerce, international students were responsible for contributing $44.7 billion to the US economy in 2018.

Top colleges and scholarship options for international students in the USA

Top Colleges in USA

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

MIT has consistently ranked as the best university, not just in the US, but in the entire world. In fact, it has maintained its top spot in the QS World University rankings for the 8th consecutive year by claiming the number 1 position again in 2020. Applying to MIT is a big decision for anyone as the university is very stringent in its application process, accepting only the best and brightest from around the world.

A total of 3,732 international students are currently enrolled in the various degree programs offered by the institute. There are a wide variety of courses you can opt for, from cutting edge nuclear science to all types of arts, languages and humanities subjects as well. MIT also provides interdisciplinary courses like chemistry and biology or humanities and engineering.

2. Stanford University

Located in the heart of Northern California’s tech capital, Silicon Valley, Stanford is surrounded by companies like Yahoo, Google and HP. The astronomical success of Stanford graduates has caused it to be nicknamed “The Billionaire Factory”. It is one of the largest university campuses in the US with 18 research institutes and 7 schools.

Stanford’s campus is filled to the brim with creative and accomplished students from around the world with 3,727 international students being a part of the campus.

. Harvard University

Harvard holds the distinction of being the oldest university in the US and is widely regarded around the world for its academic reputation and excellence. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard’s campus is home to 5,039 international students who are part of the student community enrolled in the 10 degree-granting schools within the university. Harvard is also home to the largest academic library system in the world, which houses 18 million volumes, 180,000 serial titles, around 400 million manuscripts and 10 million photographs! Finding a spot in the university is hard as only academically elite students are given a place at Harvard and the financial cost of attending it is relatively high.

However, when you look at the alumni produced by Harvard, you understand the rigorous testing process before admission. 8 US presidents, several foreign dignitaries and heads of states, 62 living billionaires and 108 Olympic medal winners have all come from the halls of Harvard University and are a testament to the excellence of the institution.

4. California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

California Institute of Technology or Caltech, as it’s more commonly known, is a world-renowned science and engineering institute located in Pasadena, California. The institute is known for its staggeringly high research output and is the home to facilities like:

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Caltech Seismological Laboratory

International Observatory Network

The selection process for admission is very strict and competition is very high as only the most gifted students are admitted into the institute. Students at Caltech balance a rigorous academic curriculum with activities that promote personal growth outside of the classroom. The campus has ample facilities for sports, music and theatre as well, so that students can explore their creativity in realms outside of science and technology.

5. University of Chicago

The University of Chicago is a private research university that is located in the 3rd most populous city in the US, Chicago. Even though it is not an Ivy League institution, it is respected as one of America’s top universities and holds high ranks in several national and international college rankings lists. Some most recognized schools in the campus are: Pritzker School of Medicine Booth School of Business Harris School of Public Policy Studies

The University of Chicago currently has 16,000 students enrolled in the various degree programs it has to offer with 3,870 international students from around the world being a part of the student body. Along with a high level of classroom instruction and excellent quality of education, students can also take part in more than 400 clubs and societies that involve sports, music, politics and culture.

The university has also produced 29 Nobel laureates and one of the most famous alumni is former US president Barack Obama.

Scholarships for International Students

1. Foreign Fulbright Student Program

The Fulbright Scholarship programs are fully-funded scholarships for international students who wish to pursue a master or PhD degree in the US. The scholarship is also available for students opting for non-degree postgraduate studies, the grant covers tuition fees, textbooks, airfare, a living stipend and health insurance as well.

2. Clark University Scholarships

Clark University provides the Clark Global Scholars Program which is open to first year applicants at the undergraduate level. The scholarship award of $15,000 to $25,000 per year is awarded to the applicants. The funding is for 4 years and is renewed based upon the candidate’s academic performance. It is open to all international students.

3. Dartmouth College Scholarships

Dartmouth Scholarships are granted to international students based on their financial status denoted at the time of application. The program also includes loans and travel allowances for international students who have trouble getting to the US.

4. Iowa State University International Merit Scholarship

International first year students can apply for a limited number of scholarships offered by the Iowa State University. The selection criteria is highly competitive and is based on review of SAT, ACT or high school marks/grades. The awards range from $2,000 to $10,000 per year and are renewable.

5. Concordia College Scholarship

With the university being committed to attracting more foreign candidates to their campus, international students applying to Concordia can avail partial financial assistance. There are two scholarships worth $25,000 per year that international students can apply for: International Student Scholarship – Granted on the basis of academic ability and familial financial background. International Excellence Scholarship – Competitive and merit-based scholarship awarded to international first year students for up to 4 years.

Source: Indian Express, 27/02/2020

Educate and empower: Because when you educate a girl, you educate a nation

It is said when you educate a girl child, you educate an entire family. Let us all work together for the educational empowerment of all our girls and work towards making a New India.

Since times immemorial, women in India have been regarded with the utmost respect and accorded prestige. For a nation to progress, it is essential to empower women. I am glad that India has been blessed with women pioneers who have broken the shackles of gender stereotypes in every field.

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on the launch of the expanded Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (March 8, 2018): “Daughters are not a burden but the pride of the whole family. We realise the power of our daughters when we see a woman fighter pilot. The country feels proud whenever our daughters bag gold medals, or for that matter any medal, in the Olympics.”

As a father of three daughters, I understand the struggle our daughters face in fighting gender stereotypes and biases. But with their determination they are able to sail on the ship of success. I feel proud to cheer my daughters’ triumphs towards equality. Arushi, my eldest daughter, has defied all odds and is now an Indian classical dancer, entrepreneur and film producer. I couldn’t have been more proud when Shreyasi continued the military tradition of Uttarakhand and joined the Army Medical Corps. Vidushi, the youngest of the three, wants to bring a change in society and is a gold medalist in law.

Allied to the march towards equality with our sisters and daughters of the country, let us understand the theme of Women’s Day: “I am Generation Equality: Realising Women’s Rights.” The year 2020 has been earmarked as a crucial year by UN Women to assess progress made globally to achieve gender equality and human rights for all women and girls since the adoption of the Beijing Platform for Action.

On this occasion, it is important for me to reflect on how successful the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) under the leadership of PM Modi has been in providing equal opportunities. It is heartening that due to the Swachh Bharat Mission, 14,67,679 schools now have a functioning girls toilet, an increase of 4.17 percentage points in comparison to 2013-14. The impact of the mission has resulted in an increase in enrolment of girls by 25 percentage points in 2018-19 from 2013 -14.

In her budget speech, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman applauded the results of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao: “Gross enrolment ratio of girls across all levels of education is now higher than boys. At the elementary level it is 94.32 per cent as against 89.28 per cent for boys, at the secondary level it is 81.32 per cent as compared to 78 per cent and at the higher secondary level girls have achieved a level of 59.7 per cent compared to only 57.54 per cent.”

To increase equality of access and opportunity for girls, the MHRD has sanctioned 5,930 Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas, which are residential schools for girls and have an enrolment of 6.18 lakh girls. An incentive amount of Rs 8.56 crore to the 28,547 beneficiaries has been sanctioned under the National Scheme of Incentives to Girls for Secondary Education. The scheme provides Rs 3,000 which is deposited in the name of eligible unmarried girls below 16 years of age and entitles them to withdraw it along with interest on reaching 18 years of age and after passing Class X.

Apart from an increase in the gross enrollment rate of the girl child in schools, the educational outcomes and achievements have also improved. I must also express my happiness and pride that girls have performed better than boys in the CBSE Class XII examinations in 2018 -19.

To increase the participation of women in STEM education, supernumerary seats have been created in the IITs and NITs. As a result, the number of girls in NITs has grown from 14.11 per cent in 201718 to 17.53 per cent in 2019-20 and in IITs from 8 per cent of the total student body in 2016 to 18 per cent in 2019-20 for B.Tech programmes.

In conjunction with the celebration of progress obtained by India in improving gender equality in the education system, there is a need for a much larger collective effort to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal of eliminating “gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and children in vulnerable situations”.

It is said when you educate a girl child, you educate an entire family. Let us all work together for the educational empowerment of all our girls and work towards making a New India.

This article first appeared in the print edition on March 4, 2020 under the title ‘Educate and empower’. The writer is Union minister of Human Resource Development.

Source: Indian Express, 4/03/2020

No Need To Grieve

Steve Jobs once said, “No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don’t want to die to get there. And yet, death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it.” Death, indeed, is one of the worst fears we harbour either consciously or subconsciously, despite knowing that once we are born, death is certain. Birth and death are two sides of the same coin. The Bhagwad Gita emphasises this aspect when it talks about Sankhya Yoga. If we dive deep into this aspect, we would realise that we are not afraid of death per se, but concerned about the element of uncertainty surrounding it. It is the unexpectedness coupled with suddenness that leaves us shattered, and more so if we are emotionally attached to the person. If death is expected for known reasons like old age, a terminal illness or some such reason, then we are mentally prepared and to that extent there is lesser element of surprise. Krishna, therefore, advises Arjuna that the “wise grieve neither for the dead nor the living”, because the “spirit never dies and hence rebirth is certain for the dead”. The type of rebirth, however, depends on our karmic account, which, in turn, depends on the quality of karmas, or actions, performed by us during the course of our lives. That’s how “some people die while they live, whereas others live even after they are dead”. Says the Dalai Lama, if we wish to die well, we must learn how to live well. Hoping for a peaceful death, we must cultivate peace in our mind and the way of our life.

Source: Economic Times, 4/03/2020

UN: World still violent, biased place for girls

One In 20 Girls Aged 15-19 Faced Rape In Lifetime

Despite gains in education, the world is still a violent, highly discriminatory place for girls, according to a new report released by Unicef, Plan International and UN Women ahead of the 64th session of the Commission on the Status of Women on Wednesday. The report, “A New Era for Girls: Taking stock on 25 years of progress”, underlined, among others disturbing trends, that despite the number of out-of-school girls having dropped by 79 million in the last two decades, one in every 20 girls aged 15-19 — around 13 million — has faced rape in their lifetime. In south Asia, while the report notes that the practice of child marriage has almost halved in the last 25 years, 30% of girls are still married before they reach their 18th birthday. The report found prevalence of ‘overweight’ among girls aged 5-19 nearly doubled touching 155 million from 75 million in 1995 due to negative trends for girls in nutrition and suicide is currently the second leading cause of death among adolescent girls aged 15-19. While girls became more likely to be in secondary school than boys in just the last decade, violence and harmful practices against women and girls was the harsh other reality. Around one in five adolescent girls aged 15 and 19 in South Asia who have been married or lived with a partner, have experienced intimate partner violence. “...While the world has mustered political will to send girls to school, it has come up embarrassingly short on equipping them with skills and support they need not only to shape their own destinies, but to live in safety and dignity,” said Unicef executive director Henrietta Fore. Girls are at risk of violence in every space — both online and in classrooms, home and community — leading to physical, psychological and social consequences. The report says harmful practices like child marriage and female genital mutilation continue to damage lives and potential of millions of girls.

Source: Times of India, 4/03/2020