Kaarthika Deepoatsavam (Kaarthika Devine Light Fest)

Day before yesterday was celebrated as Mathsya Jayanthi and Kaarthika Deepotsavam. This day was also celebrated as the day of Kaarthikai Deepam in the Southern States of India. Special lamps are lit as a form of worship to Shree Hari and Lord Shiva respectively. Shree Hari is worshipped in His Damodara form on this day and devotees meditate on the infinite Grace of the Almighty in being bound by the Bhakthi of Yashoda.

Child Krishna and Yashoda

As in every year, this year also Mr Narendra Chaudary and his team at Bhakti TV have organised spectacular events in connection with Kaarthika Maasa Koti Deepotsavam.

Utthaana Dwaadashi

Yesterday was a very auspicious day in the Hindu Calendar. It was celebrated as Utthaana Dwaadashi.  As far as I know, womenfolk perform special pooja to the Tulasi plant in their houses like my mother used to do in those days when we had a Tulasi Brindavan at our house in Vellore and other places where we resided. (As my father was in Government Service, he used to be transferred once in every three years. It was interesting for us to move with our parents to new places). 

This morning when I visited my profile at Linkedin website, I was shocked to find my profile photograph displayed near a link to a Company the name of which was displayed as `Edmentum'. In addition to this, when I clicked on my photo, it took me to a page with more details about this Company. I am shocked because I neither work for nor represent this Company (or any other Company). Probably this Company is run by a fraudulent guy who used to run a K-12 Assessment Company based in the US with an office in Noida, near New Delhi. He cheated me by not paying my salary for a few months. I lodged a complaint with Noida Police in vain. This happened a few years back. A few months back I sent a reminder to the Police with a request to Delhi Chief Minister's Office to do justice. But still I have not got any response.  (The name of the guy who ran the Company is still featured on facebook and his profile displays that he got educated at Columbia University). (A few years back I had a similar unpleasant experience). I'll complain to LinkedIn about this. If I don't get a swift response, I intend deleting my profile from LinkedIn as I don't think that I can waste my time complaining in vain.

Technology is useful to a large extent but not in the hands of wrong people. 

Diwali greetings

As there was a problem with my internet connection yesterday, I could not write my post.

Best wishes for a happy Diwali,

India - Africa Summit 2015

As I am typing this post, I'm eagerly viewing the India Africa Summit on Lok Sabha TV. I'll write more on this function which is of immense interest to me when I find time. (I taught in schools in Africa for many years).

Dusserah Fest 2015

Hindus all over the world celebrate today as Vijayadashami, the last of Dusserah. As with all festivities, this fest is immensely related day to day living of many Hindus. Today is also celebrated as Madhwa Jayanti (The day on which Madhwachaarya, Founder Saint of Madhwa Mutt, was born).

Madhwaachaaryaa

Gandhiji and Shastriji

Today is the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi  and Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri. Our respects to both.

This morning I saw a news report that a team of hearing and speech impaired athletes representing our country and leaving for Taiwan were denied accommodation in the Sports Authority of India hostel. Isn't it a national shame?

All well meaning Indians would know that today our country is far different from what Gandhiji and Shastriji aspired it to be.

Hope that Shree Narendra Modi's team brings in drastic changes in Effective Public Policies and Governance.    

International Day of Older Persons

Today is observed globally as International Day of Older Persons. Hope that old people are treated and cared for in a good manner in our homes as well as in our communities at large.  

Channel News Asia

My dear friend Jos Kottutundiyil is not only a brilliant guy but also a voracious reader. What is amazing is that he uses his computer to read books. (I would prefer books in hard copy format than on a computer screen. When it comes to news and documentaries too I don't find computer screen as easy to view as TV screen). A few months back Jos started an editorial services company which I think would serve a lot of people. If you are interested, you can mail him at jcheri58@gmail.com or elc.es315@gmail.com.

Coming to satellite dish based TV channel providers, I have always wondered as to why TATA Sky doesn't include channels such as Singapore based Channel News Asia. It's nice to see this channel included in TATA SKY recently. Now viewers can watch news items and documentaries from the ASEAN region given the fact that the channel covers ASEAN countries more elaborately than any other channel. 

K-12 Education and M-Governance

Many Indians would have found last week to be very interesting due to our Prime Minister's visit to Ireland and the US.  As some one who literally experienced common folk aspects of Shri Narendra Modi's governance (for example minimum auto-fare of Rs 7 when I worked in Vadodara a few years back), I too like most of my fellow citizens, look forward to a significantly better India in all aspects.

Our PM mentioned about the importance of 'm-governance' in `digital' India. Hope that `m-governance' is implemented in our school education system after thorough quality oriented planning. Of course the project may involve risks. I think that we have to take risks as long as these do not affect children negatively. It is also important that classroom teachers are given importance at all stages of the process. Any experienced educator would know that using mobile phone technology in our classrooms in cost effective manner is not difficult at all today.

From what Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said recently (during his meeting with our PM), I gather that he sees Education as an important area. Hope that all K-12 schools, particularly those in remote areas, benefit from this partnership.  It is after all not only important to aim for `Education for All' but also `Quality Education for All'. This includes all children across barriers and warrants drastic changes in Curriculum, School Governance as well as Stakeholder aspects at diverse angles.