Unconfirmed Story by HT Ludhiana Live

Kindly read this post along with the remark give below under the heading Forceful follow up by HT Ludhiana Live also the story in the next post titled Peril of Being a Whistle Blower.

In May 17, 2006 edition of HT Ludhiana Live, a report by HT Live Correspondent Ludhiana, dated May 16, 2006, A “PAU Student” was reported to have cleared the Civil Services Examination 2005. The said candidate was highly praised by a faculty member of Department of Food Science and Technology and also by the Dean, Postgraduate Studies. It is reported that the candidate had stood at 372 rank in the list of the declared selected candidates. (Note: Hindustan Times does not have online editions of its Live editions.)

As per the result declared by UPSC, which is also available at the site www.upsc.gov.in and on the web site of Ministry of Personnel at http://persmin.nic.in/csresult1.html, the name as reported by Hindustan Times Live Ludhiana does not appear in the list. Further, the person who stands at 372 in ranking is MYINTHUNGO TUNGOE Roll no: 033202. In addition to that, the reported name does not appear in the list of the successful candidates who had passed the written CS 2005. It is reported on Ministry of Personnel Affairs that 1174 candidates had cleared the written test and asked to attend the medical examination and the list along with their home addresses as well their roll nos. is available at http://persmin.nic.in/csresult1.html. The name does not appear even in that list.

I have sent an email to the HT through its site and also an email at ludhreportersdesk@hindustantimes.com. As I know one of the HT reporters, I have brought this information to their knowledge also. They had sought the information about the web sites from where I have gathered the information. I had provided all the links. I have also placed a copy of the result collected from the site of UPSC at my blog www.civilservices-prelims.blogspot.com at Final Result of IAS 2005 Declared in May 2006.


Such reports damages the reputation of all such organizations whose names appear in the list. Last year, an imposter had projected himself as a selected IAS in the list of CS 2004. He fooled the administration as well as many other reputed people. He even played with the emotions of a family when he managed to establish a marriage alliance.

However, there is no clarification by the Hindustan Times groups till this day. They should counter check and verify the veracity of the report. If my judgement is wrong, or if my collection of information is faulty, I must also learn. But they should respond.

Edited Remark Placed ON JUNE 2, 2006

On June 1, 2006, I received a phone from HT Ludhiana office.

They felt concerned about the contents of my posting as given above.

They informed me that they had already published a news item titled "PAU Student’s civil services success mere eyewash" on page 2 of HT Ludhiana Live edition dated May 25, 2006. In the report they had already contended against the claim of the said student.

They also showed their annoyance and displeasure at my act of putting up this post.

I am great admirer of this publication. I feel concerned that they have not liked my act. It was me who had pointed out the incongruity and invalidity of the content of the report. I had provided them the details when they asked for it all in good faith. I was expecting a return reply from them about their investigation on this report as I had provided them the data from where they could verify the authenticity of the claim. In my above reporting, I have mentioned all the emails which I have sent to them. The content of the reporting of May 25, 2006 contains verbatim repeat of the argument which I had placed before them in my emails. It was only when I did not receive any answer from their side that I placed the above mentioned remark. I have pure intentions. I am not against the newspaper group. I repeat, I am a great admirer of the reporting skills of this newspaper and a regular subscriber since 2000. I had read that edition in which their investigative reporting appeared. It just happened that I did not read the above report.

I just want to add that the courtesy demands that they should have replied back to me and informed me when they completed their investigation and published it. The tone of the posting would have been different in that case.

Dr. Subhash Srivastva Will Your Sacrifice be of Any Worth???

I have received a sms which reads: " Date 20-05-2006, 6.30 pm: Dr Subhash Srivastav (AIIMS) has died because of hunger strike and media is not covering it."

Is it TRUE!!!

Shivani Bhatnagar was not killed by R. K. Sharma IPS. It is true. But Media covered it so well.

Is Media vulnerable?

The State is mightier than Pen. Is it True?

Ravi Sidhu said that journalism was a lucrative career. Is it True?

I think I must watch Range De Basanti Once Again.

Is it a war of hegemony? Is Antonio Gramsci true?

Was there need of writing Poona Pact 1932?

Why is not Communal Award written in Golden Words?

Why do we not praise the 1909 ACT?

Will there be a Civil War in Bharat in which Slavery be one of the main cause along with reasons rooted in bad history and worst custodians ideology and heritage!!?

Why is not logic considered a right virtue in Indian philosophy?

Why is logic always used to justify the irrational acts?



However, there is other side of the story.

I have talked to a press reporter of a leading national daily. According to her, the report about Dr. Shubhash Srivastva is not true. She further told that this is a stunt of some companies which have some vested interest in encouraging the gullible public to exchange sms on such a sensitive issue.


She emphatically said that if such a tragedy had taken place it would have by flashed throughout the country. She stressed that in such an event both print and electronic media would have splashed it as a breaking news.

We must try to see another side of the story. We must try to listen what the pro-reservation people are saying. Dr. Bruno has something to say on in defense of reservation and strike strike strike .

How is a Hard Work Executed?

There is a report in The Tribune dated May 19, 2006 about the topper in commerce stream in Board Examination (probably in ICSE, the reporter has not specified that in which board the candidate has topped.) titled "Being Regular in Studies is her Success Mantra" by Geetanjali Gayatri.

I have hi-lighted some lines and reproduce them below.

"It was all about being attentive in class, making notes, slogging hard without being a book worm and just keeping your eyes and ears open.

"I concentrated on being thorough with my books and went over my lessons again and again. Then, of course, for quick recall, I made my own memory maps which helped me revise an entire lesson in a single glance,".

"I don't advocate tuitions at all. Besides being regular, devoting time for self-study is very essential. …"

I am more attracted to the phrase that “for quick recall, I made my own memory maps which helped me revise and entire lesson in a single glance.”

These are highly portent lines. They are the keywords telling the material things of a hard work. They have really surprised me. It is really amazing if these lines are spoken by student of +2 level. If these lines are written by Geetanjali, after listening to the topper, even then, they are very important guidelines for all the students to understand, digest and practice.

I myself, have tried to question that what actually does it mean when we say that one should do hard work in studies. I have been shifting from one explanation to other but have never reached a perfect answer.

In the above mentioned lines, the topper has remarked that for quick recall, she made her own memory maps which helped her revise an entire lesson in a single glance. This part of the quoted lines is telling about a functional and in-practice activity which is required to achieve the success. I have learned it at a very latter stage of my academic career.

What actually is this memory map? It is not an easy thing to explain. Every brain and person have his own model and explanation to give. But before that, you have to undergo an exercise to reach that memory map level. In my case, the exercise involves "Reading Writing Reading Writing Remembering Reading Writing and finally writing and writing again writing till you reach a stage wherein you can create a diagram on the contents of the piece which you are reading". The above mentioned exercise requires time and consistency. It is really a grueling regime but the final result is in form of a mental product which only you can recreate or convert into some type of a pen diagram or tag or small snippet type notes. Those notes or pen diagrams are such that they act as a summary to a whole chapter or even a whole book. The total space which such diagrams or snippets take is hardly a small percentage of the total space on pages that a book contains. All this activity takes lot of efforts and exertion which defines the Hard Work. These mental diagrams actually act as a symbol to the whole content of a book or concept on which you can elaborate to any extend. If you are asked to write it in twenty words on a concept, you can then produce amazing combination of such words which give the gist with in the word limits. If on the other hand, you are asked to explain in detail, then also, you come out with a satisfying answer.

There are some more important points which should also be taken care of. You can only develop a good mental map if you read text books. If you read refreshers like MBD, or Evergreen, or JPH or something like that, then only way is to memorize that. You can not make a mental map. The mental map you can make in case of refreshers is only of a question which such books have tried to answer. If question is there, you can answer. If the wording of the question is changed then you may not be able to articulate at all.

The next thing, which the topper is mentioned is that she studied the whole year and did not suffer from last stage anxiety. That is another good feature about which she has talked. The anxiety is such a thing that it kills your interest in studies. I may like to say that it kills the possibility of the success.

In order to develop this ability of making mental maps, one has to devote time and undergo an exercise regularly. It requires years of practice. However, it is not that you have to do it for a decade. The feel of this idea of mental map can be acquired with in month or two but in order to develop an effective product in form of mental map, you have to practice it for a long time.

In my case, I have been shifting from one type of model of mental map to other. I starting with putting some tags on each paragraph on the book itself. On reading a paragraph, I used to write some phrases or title to each paragraph giving the gist of the content of the paragraph. Then I developed the habbit of underlining it. However, it was not useful, because gradually learned that I am slow to comprehend the contents of a paragraph and I underlined a wrong line. There is some other line, which is more useful. Secondly, the underlining practice destroyed the shape of the book and made the book untidy. I also adopted the practice of hi-lighting but it also makes your book messy. The next habbit which I developed was of writing the gist in my own words. It worked well but gradually what I learned that it took too much of time and somewhere I used to just copy the book verbatim. However, with passing of years, I matured and now I write effective summaries of what I have read. Simultaneously, I have developed the ability to close my eyes, and recollect that under which title what actually is written in the book. It helps me to recollect and write about a given topic in an effective manner. In between, I have developed other different models. I keep on shifting between such models and all of them can be called mental maps.

Real Time Communication – An Imaginary Situation or NOT

I imagine a scenario in which a Real Time Communication takes place.

Presently, when we communicate we can see video and text and listen to audio only. However, we are not able to smell, taste and feel. When we will be able to see, listen, smell, taste and feel a communication through all our five senses then the communication will be real and true.

The computer assemblers, research laboratories and computer engineers may kindly consider this idea seriously as it holds promise for a future business possibility.

Imagine that a doctor wants to check his patient online. Through teleconferencing the doctor can talk to his patient, see some of his vital inputs but even then there remains a big gap of vital input that is required by a doctor to diagnose his patient.

Now imagine, that a doctor has a peculiar type of a plate lying on his table along with his mike, camera, monitor and keyboard. On the other side of the computer somewhere on the other side of the continent, his patient is sitting before his computer. The patient has attached some devices on different part of his body. The devices are passing a data about the skin texture of the patient through his computer to the computer of the doctor. That data is transmitted to that peculiar type of plate of the doctor. The doctor places his finger tips on the plate and gets the simulation which tells him about the real texture of the skin. It also gives data on the temperature of the skin, the dryness of the skin and feel of the skin similar to what if he has actually touched the skin of his patient.

Further, the doctor is placing a device similar to a gas mask on his nose. On the side of the patient, there are sensors which are recording the odors around the patient. The gas mask device has cartridges similar to inkjet cartridges in the inkjet printer. The doctor receives the data from the side of the patient and the nose mask device releases controlled fumes in the gas mask giving the doctor the real odours spread around the patient. They are so real to the actual odours as if he is just sitting opposite to his patient.

Now the doctor has a complete picture of his patient. On his monitor, he is looking at his patient. He is able to listen to his voice. He can also smell the atmosphere around his patient. He can place his hand on the peculiar type of plate and get the idea how it is like touching his skin or pulse. He can have another device also which may be placed on his tongue. He wants to taste something and he can ask the patient to place the corresponding device in the required medium which the doctor want to taste.

Or for example, you want to taste the dish. The other person put the corresponding device in the dish and on your side you have place the required gadget on your tongue. That device tries to reproduce the same tingling on your tongue, which help to learn how the dish tastes through processing of the data.

If such types of devices are developed, then one can have real type of communication.

It raises many possibilities of new type of computer products.

There can be REAL COMPUTER CABIN or RCC.

In the Real Computer Cabin, when a user sits and contact to some computer where in the other user is sitting in similar computer cabin, the first user can even smell the atmosphere around the other user. They may help to taste different things through attachment in the cabin. They can also feel the touch through the attachments which are programmed to transmit the specified type of simulations.

Similarly there can be REAL COMPUTER ATTACHMENTS or RCA.

There can be products wherein one can have a device similar to gas mask. On the other side, the person who want to transmit the smell perception, has a device which can transmit such a data which is converted to such simulations that helps the person on the other side to smell things. Similarly, there can be devices which can help to touch and taste things.

Dangers and Crimes:

Such type of a possibility can counter productive also. A user may produce such type of simulation which can harm the recipient. However, threshold level can be devised in such gadgets.

Utility:

As suggested above, a doctor can diagnose his patient while sitting miles away from his patient. They are doing it even now but there are limitations. However, if such devices are developed then they may have better inputs to decide the diagnose.

Just imagine, Mcdowells helping you to get the taste and smell of their burgers. Or a whine manufacturer introducing his product by first giving the smell and taste simulation. Think, how a perfume maker can approach you. Imagine the type of advertisements on your monitors.

Everybody is invited to expand this imaginary situation.

Is there anyone, who is interested in joining this imaginary situation?

Is H. G. Wells envious of me?

Are the programmers getting some ideas?

Seminar becomes Bloginar

Kevin on his blog "Civil War Memory", had commented thus,
"I have to admit that as a teacher I am frustrated with myself for feeling this way. Blogging is one way of filling the hole that has resulted from fewer speaking engagements. I can post what I want and by now it seems I have a fairly regular group that enjoys and profits from my ideas and research. And new people are introduced to the site on a regular basis."

He has poured out his feelings of a teacher who learns, unlearns and then relearns but when he comes out with his findings he find that he can not carry people out of their grooves. People tend to live with preconceived notions and fixed opinions. They do not know that even their opinions are not their own. They are being induced to carry a particular opinion by number of factors. They do not learn to seek knowledge through a practice of persistent exercise and exertions. They do not show persistency and learn to verify their hypothesis in a scientific way. It takes time and consistency. The teachers develop this ability gradually.

Kevin has shown his disenchantment with the groups which indulge in seemingly intellectual activity to satisfy their hidden complexes. The teachers are called and made to share with their findings. No doubt, a scholar comes with details and elaboration. A part of exposition taken out of his elucidation works as arguments to justify the stand of some partisan groups. However, when a scholar ends his lecture or presentation with some different conclusion, they come out in a nasty way against the scholar. However, they continue to call him back just to make a show presentable.

The second thing which Kevin has referred to is the cost of a visit. I may like to add that the amount of work and efforts which a teacher invests in learning about a fact incur such a cost for which society never like to pay. A teacher continues to undertake this activity because, the activity of learning becomes his second nature or his basic character. He keeps on investing money in pursuit of his knowledge. A professional put up a fee but teacher just believes in sharing. No doubt, it is a frustrating sometime. No doubt, many teachers get exhausted soon and continue to remain in job if they are not enough enterprising, just for the sake of earning a living.


The other day, one of my friend teased me that whenever I start talking, I invariably refer to my blogging activity. He questioned the very utility of blogging. Well, the utility of blogging is a different issue but I gave an answer. I said that blogging is definitely a substantial activity for a teacher or an intellectual because he tends to place the required knolwedge and information at one place and those who are serious get the right knowledge at a desired and right place. He just mocked at it and then switched to his highly costly mobile to talk to his business associate.

I also remember the reaction of some people near to me when I bought the computer. At that time, computers were definitely a costly item in India. I did not know that how I managed to arrange for such a money. However, when my friends learned about my new possession they showed different reactions. One person asked that what new business I was going to start with computer. The second person was more concerned about my well being. He tried to advice me that being a novice and simple in life I was wasting money. He strongly advised that I should better utilize money by investing in real estate. All of them were teachers. Every one was questioning my decision to buy a computer which was for them a costly item and thing of mere possession. I was so much irritated by their queries and advice that once I retorted that I was amazed to learn that why they were not feeling the need of computers. No doubt, by now, all them have computers and very quick to tell that they can write their letters and applications on their own personal computers. Just that much.

The next reaction was really typical. Soon, they learned that I am using to computer extensively for surfing. They started seeking me with suggestive offers of visiting the "real sites".

The worst thing happened when I tried to point out the gap in availability of some original sources on the net for the Indian history. I wrote a paper in which I tried to compare the availability of original sources in case of American history and Renaissance period vis a vis Indian history. I collected nearly 700 such sites and developed a short paper. I suggested to one Conference organizer on regional history to include the paper. His first remark was that how can Internet be an issue of study in field of history for primary sources. He passed a remark which made me highly disenchanted. He remarked that I would be bringing merely an assortment of some web sites. Well, he was right to some extant but he did not bother to listen the conclusion. When I persisted with the argument, his remarks were that the making of archives available on the net was the work of the government of India. The universities and the history department could not find any role in it.

Similarly, in case of writing and interpretation of Indian history, which has become a major issue in post NDA government scenario, or to put in other words, in post Ramjanambhoomi period, the similar thing is being seen. I have come up with some write ups wherein I have used the colonial primary sources made available on the net. I am just holding them back because I desire to visit some of the related places and archives to verify for once that they are the same as they are shown on the net. However, I have now developed different views and reached some different conclusions. I have placed some of them on sumir-history.blogspot.com. I am also getting some responses. The comments are mere appreciation and there is no concrete criticism or discussion on that. But, I have this hunch that it will soon start. I have watched the blog of Miland Brown, the education forum of John Simkin especially JFK debate, and many such other debates, wherein the scholars bring new facts and proofs and share it through discussion groups and blogs. Such activities may not be brining money to them. Rather, they may be spending out of their pockets but such activities are basic Dharma of teachers and scholars. Such activities are the core of the profession.

I consider blogs of teachers are continous seminars. The teachers who are interested in such pursuits may take the benefit of this technology and continue with their activity with full conviction. It will keep the teacher in them alive. The product of their mental exercise would definitely make their place.

Aquarium

I bought the aquarium in December 2005.

My aquarium has now thirty-six fishes of different species. No doubt, all of them are tropical fishes and a large number of them are Gold Fishes. There are different species of Karps.

It was nearly three months back, in the December 2005, I had bought this small world. It is really a prized possession now. I have actually bought nearly sixty two fishes by now but twenty six of them have died. I lost eight fishes in the very first week because I was not fully conversant with the techniques, science and intricacies of keeping and maintaining an aquarium. I was not able to maintain the temperature at the required level. I had bought the heater along with other gadgets but the heater was not working. The month of December was quite cold and therefore I lost the fishes. It was only after that when I discussed the problem with the vendor, that we realized that there might be some fault with the heater. It was actually first identified by my wife who is M. Sc in Zoology. She did not help me much with her knowledge but when the fishes died every other day, then she pointed out that being a tropical species, they could not survive in extreme temperatures. No doubt, I was a novice but I think the main excitement of life and any hobby is to explore and learn. When you do not know anything then it becomes more excitable to learn from the follies and in discovering ones own ignorance. One enjoys learning more when he or she is not taught by an expert and the person learns gradually.

There are some more devices which are being used to maintain the aquarium. One, as I have already mentioned, is a heater with a thermostat. It helps to maintain the temperature of water between 12o c and 32oc. Then there is a filter. It is basically a submersible pump which sucks water through a sponge and the blow the water out side. In this manner, the sponge holds back the particles. The third device is an air pump which throws out bubbles of air through ducts. The ducts are kept at the floor of the water tank of the aquarium covered in some toy or some thing like that. Apart from these three main devices, I have fixed a fluorescent light below the lid of the aquarium. The size of the aquarium is 2 feet X 1 foot X 1 foot.

It is not difficult to maintain an aquarium. I am finding it more easy than keeping a pup. You have to train them in first three months. Then, you have to take them for walk, to the doctor, chain them when some guests come and similar many other excursions and exertions. Secondly, you can not leave them unattended. You can not lock them in a room and leave the city for a night. No you can not do that to your pet. In case of fishes, there is no such problem. The fishes can survive without food for more than a week. Secondly, their food requirement can be easily managed. There are specialized foods available in the market. A pack of 100 g can last for a month. Then, the freezed worms can be given as additional food which I call the non-veg food for the fishes. As far as medical attendance is concerned, there is anti-itch liquid. You have to put five to seven drops after every three or four days. One can change water after three months. You have to just clean the filter regularly. However, if one does not clean it for four to seven days, it can do. I have found other way out. You may not change the whole water. Just take out a bucket of water from the tank and add fresh water after twenty to thirty days. Clean the tank after three months. It is quite an effective activity.

It is really relaxing to watch them moving around in the tank. It is really exciting to find them growing and making brisk movement when you sit near the aquarium. At the time of getting the food, they become excited and on the mere sound of you in the room, make them huddle together near the place from where you drop the food. After that, it is really an indescribable spectacle. It is really an experience watching them holding the small granules in their month and then taking them out and retrieving them and making movements of mouth as if they are chewing them.

Most of the guests get attracted to them. The girls are really excited to watch them and they tend to sit near the aquarium. Same is with the children. No doubt, they are inquisitive and ask you such questions that you can not answer them. It was really fascinating when my son suggested that we should name them. It started a fascinating activity in the house. No doubt, we have named some of them.

The eye specialists strongly recommend watching aquariums as it works as an exercise for the eyes. As per Vastu Shastra, an aquarium consisting of seven or nine or thirteen gold fishes and one black fish is good for the prosperity of the house and keeps away bad influences. I have not kept it with above mentioned motives. Being a nuclear family, both of us leave for our jobs and the house remains locked for the whole day. It is my belief that it is not good that in a home the movement should cease during the day. When I gave this reason to my wife, she retorted that the movement remains in the house because there are ants, flies, lizard, cockroaches and rats. No doubt, I was not able to counter her but this feeling that the house remains locked during the day time and there should be some active movement keep going in the house and that is good for the house, prompted me to bring the aquarium. Now it is other thing that when my wife watches movies or soap operas, it is observed that in every movie wherein some urban or city seen is depicted, one can locate an aquarium in a frame. We learn that Magasthense had specifically mentioned that Chandragupta had maintained a tank in his palace in which he had kept coloured fishes. We find similar mention of such fish ponds in different ancient books. On of the avtaars of Lord Vishnu is fish. Hence, all these arguments had been used by me to maintain an aquarium in my house.

__________

Further Links:

Check Aquarium Lore of Eugene Lim. I have tried to learn about other bloggers earlier. May be I was not searching rightly. However, on this blog you will find good information provided it can be counter checked. Lim seems to be perturbed by unappreciative remarks. Wikipedia remains the best source for furthering information for person looking for it as a hobby provided you put the right query in the search of Wikipedia.

Indian Teachers and Bloging

For long, a query is disturbing me. It has been placed by John Simkin in on educationforum.ipbhost.com in response to one of my post.


I consider John Simkin as my Guru in the field of bloging and using it as a tool in teaching and personal aggrandizement. Hence, any query by him is for me a moral duty to answer. However, I am not able to find any satisfactory answer to his query. His query was about the Indian Teachers who have developed their web sites as a tool of their teaching. This is something, which the European teachers are using as one of the aid for teaching. This is part of their ICT project. Use of blog and web site are two main features of their ICT projects. The Indian Government has launched Edusat and Gyandarshan a T.V. Channel as a part of their ICT project. Some of the teachers and the students of IITs have also developed some programmes in that direction. However, I was not able to explore much about them. The few links which I had opened through the UGC site, consisted of such technical instructions for use of the softwares which they had developed, that I did not find enough encouragement to explore them. I had started bloging and I was more interested in getting a practical shape for my efforts in field of bloging as a teaching tool. Anyhow, I have come across a web log which has attracted my attention.


The web log is titled India School News. It has address at Banglore Karnataka India. It has on it a directory of various schools. It is being aggressively used for placing the job placement advertisement by different school and coaching centers. There is one message section asking for membership in order to post the comments but there are very view discussions going on it. They must watch and explore the activities of educationforum.ipbhost.com of John Simkin in order to imbibe some finer points in order to make their more alive. Then there is a section on school products also. It is called school store. Presently they are promoting products of Encyclopaedia Britannica only. On the whole, it seems to be the right seed and may soon sprout into a green tree. However, they must explore the ways to popularize it.


I have been searching for the blogs by the teachers. I have found some of them. However, they intend to give many personal things on it apart from writing about the subjects in which they are dealing. The most impressive activity in this direction is that of Delhi Public School Delhi. Their computer section is doing something really worthwhile. I have a hunch that they are going to establish themselves as leaders in their field. This aspect, that is bloging as a tool of teaching will definitely emerge as an in thing.


In case of foreign teachers, I have been watching many such blogs. Some of them are really doing a great job. Some of the leading teachers and scholars are alive in blogs and regularly update their blogs and sites. I have made links to such blogs on my other blog at www.sumir-history.blogspot.com. I have commented on the contents of such blogs also. One of the main blog, which remain the centre of my attraction and am a regular reader of that blog is of Milind Brown. However, for the last two days, I have found that there is higher rate of attrition among the teacher’s blog. I have checked only in the field of history. Some of the blogs which I have are Teaching American History "HISTORY TOGETHER" Evaluation ; Teaching History is Fun ; Teaching American History to Today's Youth; History 479 & Student Teaching; Teaching American History : Podcasting in Action and many such other blogs. However, I have found that they are there only there for last one or two months. Secondly they are not updated after making some posting. Why have they discontinued? There seems to high rate of attrition in this field even in America and Europe. Further, they become very personal while making post. They discuss the working of their school environment and behaviour of their students. But they are discussing the subjects. Some of them are really talking something substantial but they are not of that level about which I have made links on www.sumir-history.blogspot.com .


I have to make some more searches and studies in order to answer John Simkin. I just remain short of telling him that I, the big I, seems on be the only one using Blogs as a teaching tool. That is other thing, it was he, or his forum which is equally well looked after by Andy Walker, that taught me about it. Some of regular teachers like Grahm Davis and David and apart from them a galaxy of young teachers and in addition to that Jane Walker from Australia, all of them have left their influence on the contents of my blogs. Further, I have not been able to pursuade my students to come to my blog. It is rather the American and Canadian students who are visiting my www.undergraduatehistory.blogspot.com for notes on Ferdinand II, Louis XIV, Feudalism, Industrial Revolution and many such other topics which have been developed as per the syllabus of Punjab University Chandigarh. Any how, I am still here. I am here only for the last one year. Secondly, I have also became dormant in case of above mentioned blog due to non-academic, discouraging and hurting atmosphere at my college where I teach. God saves me! The NAAC team, if it visit, may not read it.

_________

Edited on Friday, December 02, 2005 at 6.40 pm

In the posting Indian Blogs Mallika Chopra is discussing the similar thing but on different part of the spectrum.
Mallika and Shekar are discussing the plans and charter of the blog and how far it is achieving it. One thing which I found here, regardless of what is being said there, most of the blogger talk about politics and interested in giving their version on what is happening. One of the commentator had raised this point and nicely pointed out that all the talks are not enough pregnant to be delievered as concrete activity. Secondly, they are not confining to one field of discussion. It has been nicely pointed out by one of the commentator that with the links and connection, the people on the intent blog can bring around such a discussion which could help otherwise in some concrete terms.

Again, I am unable to understand the actual import of South Asia and then talk only about India. Mallika was right in pointing out that there should be some thought on similar blogs from Pakistan and Bangladesh. If she really knows there are some really good blogs from Nepal and they prefer to write in Devnagari.

Further, she finds it fascinating to talk about making links. She is impressed and fascinated by activities of some of them. I have read some criticism about such activities a year back. There was some force in the arguments of that blogger.

Finally how I wish that similar thing is done by Teachers of India, some thing similar to Delhi Public School of Delhi so that I can answer John Simkin.

ARGUMENTS IN FAVOUR OF ONLINE BOOKS

While studying the Indian social history, a question on the decline of Indian society is generally made an important issue of discussion. The reasoning given, as explanation of the decline of the Indian society is that it suffered because the spread of knowledge was stifled. A section of Indian society generally identified with the Brahmin caste tried to establish its complete control over the spread of knowledge. They restricted the spread of knowledge by putting restriction on the right of individual and classes to gain knowledge. In the Middle Ages they banned the low castes and women from seeking the knowledge of Vedas. Further, they restricted the spread of knowledge by restricting it to Sanskrit. Then, they restricted the learning of the Sanskrit language to a large number of castes. Gradually it effected the development of the Indian society. The myths and superstitions developed and flourished in such a scenario. As a result, India suffered on many fronts. The progress of knowledge suffered. The society suffered form many social vices. It badly effected the cultural growth and intellectual achievements of the Indian people. Finally, it became the cause of the servitude of Indians of foreign invaders for more than one thousand years.

Spread of knowledge and its easy accessibility are two main important operational aspects for saving the whole humanity from numerous and some major maladies from which it suffers. Another historic fact also stands in favour of readily availability of knowledge in practical terms the books and such information which is restricted because of many restriction. IN European history, the major change in the life of European people is attributed to many factors like decline of Feudalism, rise of middle class, the attack on Constantinople, geographical discoveries and so on. However, there are many scholars who would stress that above all such changes, the invention of press and availability of printed material to a large section of humanity was the most vital among. The invention of press and availability of the easily availability of the printed material is nothing else but a easily availability of knowledge. In those days, it was a big technological solution to availability of knowledge as it is today the availability of books online.


Those who are in not favour of this approach and counter its wider implications give following arguments.

They raise the issue of intellectual property right.

They raise the issue that the knowledge is gained through extensive research and development which requires lot of investment. Therefore, those who have invested on it, only they should have the right to possess it.

Some may say that unrestricted availability of knowledge can be counterproductive. The anomaly groups (read terrorists) would get access to knowhow of making atom bombs. They would destroy the world. Therefore, unrestricted accessibility of knowledge is not the right thing to achieve.

All the above arguments and many more like that are basically political and commercial section version.

The actual truth lies somewhere between both the arguments. It rather stands alone but favours in unrestricted and total accessibility of knowledge to all. The online solution is the answer to achieve that. Therefore, there should be online availability of knowledge.

Page Three of Blogdom

Here is something. It is called Intent Blog. It has a logo of a sunflower. So it is something pure and pious.


Nothing funny of the sort.


Including Administrator (Who is he?), there are 54 glibs in a party. Exclude him, then there are 53. Believe it, nothing of the cranky sort if you have not yet moved to that site.


Believe me, They are who’s Who of the world that matters.


If interested, then why do you not log in? Believe me it is nothing of f*** sort of thing.


Nothing cantankerous.


Nothing Obnoxious.


I assure you, if you are associated with India, you wont grumble if you are a serious person. I tell you it is nothing that mama forbades to do. Take her along or call her when you log in.


Mind it, it is nothing funny sort of thing and do not complain if you do not get expected "Real Thing".


Well, if you already knew about it then 123.

MSN in Fighting Mode

Recently two changes have been observed on msn search engine and msn portal.


It seems that Bhai log of internet are feeling the heat and the war is becoming serious.


On the MSN search, if you try to search for some concept, term or terminology, you get an answer from msn to that also. I think it is a recent feature.


There are now many search engines which give such a feature. However, most of them have some type of mechanism to collect the information from the web and display it as their answer.


"Oh, come on, the man has taught the artificial intelligence to behave as a crook. It is indulging in plagiarism."


One of the search engines , ‘beta.previewseek.com’, provides answer to such terms and events. The engine even claims to declare that it knows about many people and provides a brief biography of a name, if you seek information on a name. It starts with the claim, "PreviewSeek also knows this about: Aamir Khan" if you have typed the name Aamir Khan.


It can be said from a personal experience and interaction with previewseek people that, they collect the information mostly from wikipedia. In case of one recent search of a similar kind, the previewseek administrator himself pointed out about their source of information.


However, the contents and information provided by wikipedia continue to be questioned, doubted and remain an issue of debate.


Now MSN people have also set out on the same path. They are also going for collaboration with cyber users for building their information bank. However, they are giving it a level of respectability for every search term for which msn also suggests it own answer. They are calling all to edit and update the information. They use their highly rated contents and information of Encarta Encyclopedia and invite all to add to it. But they point out that it would be checked by the team which looks after the encyclopedia. I, myself, have been using it. However, a recent feature on Google, the Books.google.com, has overshadowed it for the utility for which I was using Encarta CD. Now that CD does not permit me to watch the additional information. But it hardly matters, because I now get it from Books.google.com.


The second feature of msn, which has been engaged into top-gear, is blogging. In case of India, they have adopted an amusing marketing strategy. Now I know, that why Bill Gates was visiting Indian again and again. (Blink). It is an unconfirmed report that msn has joined with the stars of Bollywood to promote and popularize their blog feature, which has been successfully turned into an effective marketing tool by the googles. Even Yahoo has lately awaken to this fact. The best example is Mangal Pandey Blog by Aamir Khan. I learned it just a week back but it is there since July 2005. That is other thing that there is no entry for September, October and November 2005 archives. Is it over now?


I am wondering that how many of Bollywood stars are now punching keys for msn. Is it not fascinating that Aishwarya, Preti, Rani and young babes blogging while sitting before their laptops? "Hey, where they do all this."


I float a suggestion to msn to promote their blog space. The MSN should approach President of India, Honourable A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. He is a techno savvy person. He is quite popular among the teenagers. It is not difficult to see that if Mr. President becomes available on a blog, how many hits his blog will get. The visitors will be children and it is up to blog provider to attract them to their services. President Abdul Kalam is a person, who can understand the potential of such a medium to reach out to the people and the arrangements can be made only if the bureaucracy may not bring in their tardy and unnecessary sneering approach. President Abdul Kalam is from a state, which is also known for its techno-savvy population. The e-tutors of Kerala and Tamil Nadu are quite popular now these days. Therefore, a good idea is here, waiting to get exploited. As far Google is concerned, they are already having on me on the role. Yeah, I mean it.



In recent months, I am using Yahoo, Previewseek and Google as my search engines. However, I will remain with them and blog through googles. However, I am watching msn also because many of visitors to my sites are being directed to my sites by msn search.