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Saturday, January 2, 2010

teacher tips: TV in India / ratheesh kaliyadan

TELEVISION IN INDIA

Television is the most wanted equipment in every family now days. It decorates our leisure hours with varieties of infotainment dishes. The sour and …is familiar to our families. Spicy spinouts flow from entertainment channels is not a naughty thing; but a common joke. Simply our life is redesigned according to television schedules. Even though things are developed so, do you know that in earlier days television was an unwanted child.
While searching the grass roots of developments in television transmission in India, the researcher may fall in a face- to face with a myth and of course a reality. The birth of television in India is considered as the birth of an “unwanted child”.
An international exhibition was conducted in Delhi. It was a leading concern dealing with electronics demonstrates the function of a closed circuit television. After the exhibition, the firm was trapped in a dilemma whether the television sets return or put it in India. Considering the impracticable and uneconomic effort to carry the equipments back, the firm preferred to offer it as a gift to the government of India.
India government had no other alternative. So planned to utilize the sets on an experimental basis. As early as 1956 the government of India was in contact with international organization like the UNESCO. A proposal regarding establishment of a pilot television centre for educational, scientific and cultural purposes was designed. The emergence of television in India became a reality in September 15.1959 with one hour experimental service twice a week. The main purposes of this initiative were “educate inform and entertain the masses”
In his inaugural speech. Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the President of India stated “I hope television will so a long way in broadening the popular outlook and bringing people in line with scientific thinking” The words of the great visionary became a practice of modem India. Television is the most influential medium in our current society.
Indian television sectors had developed as part of experiments in rural development. Two major experiments mark the Indian experiences in rural transmission. They are Satellite Instructional Experiment (SITE) and the Kheda Communication Project in 1975.
SITE
SITE is a result of a recommendation by the UNESCO expert mission in 1967. Department of atomic energy made an agreement with National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA) of US for the loan of a satellite for one year starting from August 1975. It was the first experiment to telecast educational programmes direct from satellite to receivers. The experiment practiced in 2400 villages spread over six selected regions in Orissa. Madhya Pradesh. Bihar, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Besides the villages, certain towns also got the programs through earth transmitters.

The earth stations at Delhi and Ahmedabad telecasted four hours programs every day. The programs concentrated on education, agriculture, health and family planning.

All India Radio personnel planned and produced these programs at the production centers setup in Delhi, Ahmedabad and Cuttack. A committee included central and state government representatives, experts from universities, teacher-training colleges and social workers helped the production team. The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) set up its own Audio -visual Instruction Division to plan and produce programs for SITE. The project was concluded in 1986.

Kheda Communication Project
Kheda is a small district in central Gujarath. For empowering the rural community, an instructional television project was introduced. Social evils were addressed in the special television experiment named Kheda Communication Project. The project was in operation under the charge of the Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad. To implement the experiment, 607 community television sets had installed in 443 villages. The television sets were owned by the community and maintained by the state government. The sets kept in the buildings of the milk producer’s co-operative society or the panchayath ghar.

Dooradarshan and the Space Application Centre produced programs for over an hour every day. Constant interaction with the people was the distinct characteristic of this project. Programs designed in charotari, a dialect of Gujarat. One of the early serials Chatur Mota on dowry and widow remarriage became an “extremely popular serial”. In the weekend series for women, the most successful were Dadi ma Ni baton (wise women’s talks), Hun Ne MaraAe (I and my husband and Jagi Ni Jus To (When I wake up and see).
The project commenced its operation in 1975 and closed in 1987. The focuses of Kheda Communication Project were:
 Exposing the oppression and bondages in the present social and economic system in such a way as to heighten understanding.
 Mobilizing the community and the individual himself to break away from these bondages.
 Promoting self-reliance among the individuals and the community.
We are now marching towards a media driven society by transforming our tastes and ethos. A new kind of colonialism is invading and ruling over local cultural sources and practices. Indigenous expertise and practices are considered to be out fashioned by the influence of western styles. Even local channels try their best to promote such a life style through various programs and advertisements. Because consumerism is the backbone of interested groups who are the major promoters of channels and major sources of income.

e-mail me: ratheeshkaliyadan@gmail.com

teacher tips: teacher V/S technology / ratheesh kaliyadan

TEACHER V/S TECHNOLOGY

Fifteen years back, Govt. of Kerala introduced IT education in secondary schools. Our secondary school children belong to VIIIth; IXth and Xth standards became part of IT education. All secondary schools equipped with computer labs and machines. Both rural and urban children got first hand experience in operating computer. Different opines swathed around the decision. Our society expected that at least the teacher community might applaud the decision. Unfortunately, they were on the forefront of the opposition team.

What was the rationale of holding hands to oppose computer education? Most teachers believed: ‘computer education will transplant teachers’. They will be enforced to quit the job. Then naturally, teachers lose their livelihood. This unnecessary fear over future leads them for a blind opposition. Actually creative and enthusiastic teachers were confident to utilize the facility and face the challenge. At the same time, those teachers who cheat learners by gimmicks and age-old notes had real fear.

After several years, now we, the teacher community realize that no machine can transplant human beings. Because homosapians are the only self-reflecting system. Technology will not be a substitute to teachers but it will be a complement and fruitful companion.

Past experience
It’s true in a pure traditional classroom; where teachers hold the monopoly of knowledge. In such an environment they were the most powerful fellows. Teachers act as dictators before ‘pretty, innocent, nothing for good’ students. Children considered as beggars with an empty pot. The knowledge rich gurus pour knowledge creams and cakes to the empty pots. Those who had such a strong intention swallowed what teachers gave and vomited it in several designs in exams. Rote memory played a key role in assessments. Paulo Frare calls the education system as “Banking system of Education”. This system prevailed in Kerala and continues rest part of the nation.


The scene changes
Scene changed; at least in Kerala. Banking system of education is part of history now. Since the introduction of ‘new curriculum’, our schools concentrate on activity based, paediacentric education. Learners became the center stage of new approach. Students with real life experience and knowledge share their views and criticisms on selected topics. Teachers with more experience join with them. Provide opportunity to make experience and experiments. After discussions, the whole group marches to a consensus. A kind of synthesis is happening in our classrooms. The hegemony of knowledge is an out fashioned concept here. Real democratic way of learning! Beyond one time assessment, each intervention is assessed through Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation strategy. The score is added to the Term end Evaluation profile. Over all performance rather than rote memory get concern in evaluation.

Be a technomate
Can you be a creative teacher by providing novel experience in classroom? Are you ready to share your views and thoughts in a different format? If you are ready, it means YOU are the real person who took the challenge positively to guide a generation in way that is more humane. To add more in humanizing the classroom environment, help of technology contribute a lot. Simply, how can we start with technological means? Some of the ways are:
 Generate digital Learning Objects
 Use Slide shows
 Open up discussion groups
 Create Blogs
 Use news groups
 Hyper text links
 Browse online teaching learning materials
 Video conference
 Virtual discourses.
New generation team of learners with wide exposure in technological know how are not ready to tolerate a monotonous classroom with a bore man’s lecture. To be a different teacher tries your best to utilize the facilities around you.
Contact: ratheeshkaliyadan.gmail.com


Monday, December 28, 2009

marine act

Despite govt assurances, fishermen smell something fishy in marine Act

By Rajesh Ravi

The controversial Marine Fisheries (Regulation and Management) Act
2009 does not have any takers among the fish workers even after the
Centre announced that it was willing to discuss it with all concerned
parties.

While the Tamil Nadu government has welcomed it, traditional fish
workers all over the country under the banner of National Fish Workers
Forum have threatened to launch a nation-wide strike against the bill,
which they say infringes upon the rights of traditional fish workers.

According to the ministry of agriculture, major objective of the
legislation is to ensure that there is no unregulated fishing in the
exclusive economic zone (EEZ) beyond territorial waters, and to
conserve fisheries resources through a fisheries management plan.

At present, there is no such legal or regulatory framework to govern
fishing in the EEZ waters beyond 12 nautical miles and up to 200
nautical miles, which fall under the jurisdiction of the Centre. The
state governments have jurisdiction over 12 nautical miles from their
respective coast and have several regulations to protect the resources
and rights of the traditional fish workers.

The major point of conflict is the need for a special permit for the
fish workers to fish beyond the territorial waters and the penalty
proposed for any violation. This implies that though fishermen who are
issued fishing licences to operate within the territorial waters of
states will not be allowed to fish beyond 12 nautical miles without
getting another licence under the new act.

"It is our traditional and customary right to fish where the resources
are found. The act infringes on our right to livelihood while opening
up the sector to foreign operators," T Peter, secretary of the
National Fish workers Forum (NFF) told FE. The NFF wants the
traditional fishing sector to be excluded from the purview of the Act,
he said.

Fish workers are not against conservation of resources and security of
the coast, but the act in its current format would make them
vulnerable to the authorities.

"This regulation would create duplication of licensing system and
create confusion. It will compound the misery of fishermen. It is also
not practically possible to prevent the fishermen from fishing beyond
12 nautical miles," Peter said.

The penalty proposed for vessels fishing beyond 12 nautical miles is
harsh. It also goes against the Murari Committee recommendation, which
called for more participation of traditional fish workers in deep sea
fishing, he added.

ME Raghupathy of the Chennai Mechanised Boat Fishermen's Association
said the act prevents fishermen with permits to fish in the
territorial water to use long-lining nets.

"We use gill nets for fishing in the waters near the coast, while we
use long-liners for fishing in deep waters. Fishermen venture out into
the sea depending up on the availability and nature of fish. It is
seasonal and we cannot stick to the use of a single net," he added.

Marine resources are limited near the coast and in some parts, they
have been almost completely exploited, fishermen having mechanised
fishing crafts have been venturing into the sea beyond 12 nautical
miles for gaining access to under-exploited offshore fishery reserves,
Raghupathi said.

"Limiting us into the territorial water would be devastating. It can
also lead to more corruption and misery as the workers are mostly
illiterate," he added.

Moreover, the act also calls for maintaining a log book and a master
of vessel for fishing vessels above the length of 42 feet. "Such
things are not practical in the current system of operation," he said.

Joseph Xavier Kalappurakkal, president of Kerala Boat Owners
Association feels that management of marine resources from above is
not practical and good.

"Stakeholders have to be included in effective conservation of
resources. Fishermen know the sea and efficient management of its
resources calls for their participation," he added.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

teacher training-journalism

WORKSHOP FOR HIGHER SECONDARY TEACHERS
A workshop to empower higher secondary school teacher community the Higher Secondary department organize teacher trainings.to equip the state level resource team.a core state resource group workshop concentrating on preparing modules commenced at C.Achuthamenon memorial hall,Trivandrum on November 17,2009.SCERT curriculum head Gokuladasan Pillai,Chandni,Dr.P.K.Thilak and Dinesh lead the workashop.Prof.Gopalakrishnan and Dr.Rani interacted as subject experts.Different subjects included in the workashop.george Ignatious,GMGHSS,Kunnamkulam,Varghese Antony,GHSS,Valayam and
Ratheesh Kaliyadan,GGHSS,Thalassery represented the Journalism group.

Teacher training workshop for journalism teachers is scheduled to organize at Nalanda auditorium,Kozhikode on December3-5,2009.All journalism teachers are requested to participate.

cream-ice/poem

CREAM-ICE
GEORGE IGNATIOUS

A
long...long bargain
She got the room
Both of them accompanied up to the door
The kid not forgot the cream-ice.
Teacher was aware of the gap
Huge threats resisted her to point it out
Journey work and tension made her asleep.

Sweet memories of the "hus" embraced her
After the midnight city rats knew
They smelt the cream in the room
He entered through the under gap
Bit on the left leg of the kid gently
Cry and yell ended up with the phone
Pied pipers of Hemlet risen
Entered the room with the pipes
Chucked out the rat with a bye...bye.

Email:giputhettu@gmail.com

Monday, October 5, 2009

anarchic research

ANARCHIC RESEARCH TO INSULT LEADERS
Ratheesh Kaliyadan
Prime minister in India is the supreme and the team leader in the Union ministry. The Chief Minister entertains the same in the states. Government of Kerala is under the left orientation under the leadership of Mr.V.S.Achuthanandan as the chief minister. The government took several decisions in association with the political motive of the left front. The major decisions in educational sector proclaim the government’s commitment to the laymen.
The first decision was to pass a bill to control the self financing educational institutions. The same decision invited grudge from the parts of private managements. The anti government feeling is promoted by almost all religious and castes organizations that run self financing professional colleges and other educational institutions. They declared their real commitments to the upper middle class society through various campaigns against the left government. Christian institutions especially the Catholics are on the fore front of the war against the government. They already released a lot of idayalekhanams (shepherd’s gospel).

I have a first hand experience in connection with the catholic priest’s row over the left parties. I was in a course at Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, Kalamassery in Kerala. This institution run by the CMI fathers is one of the pioneer institutions that offer courses in social work. The college has an outreach department and a research wing. The research wing conducts various studies on various social issues. They also conducted studies for the government of Kerala and its various organizations. Still they have right to criticize the government and personalities in association with the government; but not to insult them.
Here is a glimpse of insult in their office. It is a crime also. The chief minister V.S.Achudanandan’s photo is morphed and pasted with that of Pinarayi Vijayan, state secretary of Communist Party of India (Marxist).They are portrayed in the wedding dress. V.S marries Pinarayi. Aha…What an excellent idea! V.S is the male and Pinarayi the girl. Sometimes it may mean that ‘She’ will be an obedient wife of him, as our custom imposes.
This exercise may be a mere joke; a joke of little guys. But it implies a lot of meanings, especially in such a context where priests are in a row over the communists and the morphed photograph is prevailed in the desktop of such a ‘reputed’ institution. Oh! is it part of your social science research? If your answer is YES, there will be multifaceted responses. On the contrary if your stand is “this is a mistake happened by a slip of intellectual shift”, please correct it and open up more judicious criticism and democratic dialogues on your feeling for or against the government and the communists. Otherwise it will be continued as an anarchic intervention in a pure democratic context




DEMOCRACY OF FASCISTS
Ratheesh Kaliyadan

Freedom of speech and expression is one of the fundamental rights of every Indian citizen. The constitution of India assures it for every Indians. Unfortunately certain organizations have not. The latest victim of such hard and fast rule of organizations is Mr. Jaswant Singh who was former minister and Bharathiya Janatha Party leader. Mr. Singh was expelled from his party only because of writing a book on Indian independence movement. He praised Mr. Muhammadali Jinnah the then leader of Muslim League which argued for an independent nation-Pakistan. BJP took a stand that it is against the policy of the party.
Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangham(RSS) leader clearly made a comment that the RSS will not tolerate with the ideological heresy, just before BJP’s Chinthan Bytak had started. The RSS leader’s words are accepted by the obedient leaders and took action against Mr. Singh. The former Union minister and one of the “fine” leaders of BJP has expelled from the party.
The action against Mr. Singh made the book popular. It is the other side of the expulsion. The publisher got maximum publicity and intensified circulation. The first edition of the book was finished in the very first day of its release itself. The business intensification is also possible through an expulsion.
The more interested thing in the Singh episode is his book’s ban in certain areas of the nation. Mr. Narendra Modi banned the book in his own world, Gujarath. The action was announced within seconds, the action against the author prevailed. The real expression of intolerance of a fascist. Mr. Modi once again scored in his aggressive pro-Hindutva agenda. But in the scoring; the fundamental right and scope for democratic dialogues become a nightmare. We can’t expect it from fascists.
Even though Mr. Singh’s ideology or points of views are not acceptable, unfortunately progressive activists could not to take part of the issue and exploit the situation in a better way by campaigning against the fascist’s anti-human approaches. The real face of fascist rulers is revealed through this episode. Similar to the Nazi ruler Adolph Hitler and fascist emperor Mussolini, BJP leaders and RSS ideologues took action against their own leader. Then what will be the case of an ordinary person who criticizes these ideologies?

Thursday, October 1, 2009

reconstructing mahatma

RECONSTRUCTING MAHATMA
RATHEESH KALIYADAN

Here is a shocking news to Gandhians and Gandhi lovers! He is one of the most influential personalities of the century.Satyagraha movement and staunch leadership in Indian independence struggle make Mahatma Gandhi,the real 'Mahatma'.By delivering sparkling messages in a low but steady voice,Mahatma Gandhi empowered the Indian folks to attain an independent and sovereign state and hold its administration.He became the father of Nation.

As Mahatma Gandhi himself pointed out,his life was a message.He became a living model to the Indian fighters.It was through the great life,he became 'Mahatma' not by pretty words or orders.Gandhiji became the symbol of anti-imperialist movement all over the world.

Civil disobedience,Satyagraha,Dandi march,Quit India movement...made Mahatmaji the embodiment of Indian freedom struggle.His words and actions attracted not only the warriors but enemies also.Every moments ion his life inspired the villages and cities a lot.The followers had no doubt to act as he suggests, even though there were certain different opines on the way of movements.Long years after an American President,Barac Obama,declared his admiration to the great Indian leader and put a picture of Gandhi in his life.

Market oriented global business network system is in a tight competition to compete with similar products and producers.They are under acute research to marketize everything including the anti-incumbent factors.They are even ready to utilize all symbols and signs of anti-imperialist influences to marketize their own products.Strong slogans against a product in a protest expression may be a caption of the advertisements of the same product!Advertisements using picture of Che,the revolutionary communist leader and other leaders,their messages etc are examples for utilizing opposite symbols for marketing products.It means even a negative symbol can provide a positive output in market economic and advertorial strategy.

Latest example for this marketing strategy is of Mahatma Gandhi. 'Mahatma' is not only a symbol of anti-imperialist movement,but also a brand name.Being a writer and journalist penned his messages.He used a fountain pen for several years and utilised every space in a paper with keen attention.Pen and paper never used as luxury but a most wanted tool to propagate his own ideals.The newly introduced brand 'Mahatma' is a pen.the pen costs Rs.14 lakhs only!!German pen makers Mont Blanc is 'influenced by Mahatma Gandhi's Dandi march in 1930 to protest against the British Salt Tax'.The 241 mile March's influence is reproduced by the pen makers by making only 241 pieces to distribute all over the world.The father of Nation holding his trademark-Lathi-is imprinted on the 18 carat gold nib of each and every pieces.A capitalist thirsty man's honour to the great personality!

Besides the 'Mahatma' brand,there is also the Mahatma Gandhi Limited Education 3000 fountain pen available for Rs1.7 Lakhs and a roller ball point pen for Rs1.5 Lakhs.

Hello Gandhi lovers,come and unite.Buy a pen.declare your sympathy and empathy to the grate leader.You can also present it to the near and dear ones or intimate guests.Hurry up.This is the only way we have to proclaim your 'divine' adoration and integrity to the Mahatma because Congress and its followers already showcased their Gandhian principles,ideologies and values.Otherwise the situation never will be like this.No makers will not be courageous to imprint such a brand name and image.At least they cannot import and market it in India;The India under congress lead ministry and regime.