Tarjuma, the translators' fest

As I have mentioned in my earlier posts, as some one  who likes literary, cultural and spiritual programs, I like many programs telecast by DD Bharati channel. 

It was nice to view the telecast of `Tarjuma', a translators' festival held at IIT, Gandhinagar a few months back, on the channel at dinner this evening. Many of us who work in multilingual publishing or ELT know the difficulties encountered in translating from English to other languages or back. Translators work not only with professional precision but also with an open mind and heart so as to retain the original concept as presented in the source material.The question and answer session at the end of the program gave an insight into different aspects of transliteration. It was nice to see participants from different parts of the country. Participants included well known professionals such as Supriya Chaudhuri, T Vijayakumar and my ex-colleague Mini Krishnan.   

Vaamana Jayanthi

Today is an auspicious day for Hindus. This is the day when Shree Mahaa Vishnu incarnated as Vaamanaa to destroy the ego of King Mahaabali (grandson of Bhaktha Prahlaadha, who was the greatest devotee of Lord Nrisimha). Hindus observe this day as Vaamana Jayanthi. People in Kerala celebrate this day as Onam. My best wishes to all my Hindu and Keralite friends.

Any good educator would be glad to know that his (or her) students have achieved something worthwhile in life. Any good school principal or educational administration professional would be happy to find his (or her) junior colleagues rising up their career ladders. A few days back, I had pleasure of knowing that Mr Boubakar Mamane, an English language teacher from Niger, whom I mentored, qualified for the Certificate of Teaching Mastery offered by Teachers Without Borders. Mamane serves as HOD (English) as well in his school. I'm glad that I could contribute to TWB's aims and objectives.      

Oases in the media desert

I think that a large chunk of TV coverage is related to politics, cinema and world events which are not pleasant. This applies to almost all TV channels. Somehow, I have been observing a welcome change in this direction. 

For example, DD Bharati channel has been telecasting very interesting literary and cultural programs such as a writers' workshop that took place in Thimphu, Bhutan and an interview with Jayant Kripalani, writer, actor and director (in this morning's `Aaj Savere' meaning `This Morning'). I had the pleasure of watching Jayant's excellent action for the first time in the comedy serial `Ghar Jamaai' on Delhi channel of Door Darshan during the late '80s.   

Varaaha Jayanthi

Yesterday was an auspicious day for Hindus. This was the day when Shree Mahaa Vishnu incarnated as Varaaha. 

Today is also an auspicious day for Hindus as this is Ganesh Chathurthi, the birth anniversary of Ganesha. (We observe this day as the death anniversary of my father. He passed away on 5 September 1997 which was teachers' day in India according to the English calender and Ganesh Chathurthi according to Sanskrit calender).  

Shree Mahaa Vishnu's Incarnations

Today is an auspicious day for Hindus. This is the day on which Shree Mahaa Vishnu took avataar as Dhanvantri and Lord Balaraamaa at different periods of time.

Teachers' Day 2013

Today is an important day in India. It is celebrated as the birthday of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (The first Vice-President of Independent India) and more importantly as Teachers' Day, as he wished.

This day is also the death anniversary of my father according to the English calender. As the saying `Behind every man, there is a woman' goes, my mother offered great support to my father in serving the community as an excellent Headmaster.

It was nice to receive greetings from my former students, colleagues and last but not least from Sreejith (about whom I have written in my earlier posts) on the occasion of Teachers' Day today. In fact Sreejith's greeting arrived first among others in my inbox and my mobile phone. Very many thanks to all those who remember me. My best wishes go with them.