writingonblog uncensored: New outfits join Anna’s movement as war against co...: C Shivakumar Chennai: Candlelight vigil, protests, bike rallies and fast by people from different walks of life were held in several part...
Sunday, August 21, 2011
writingonblog uncensored: Unsung heroes
writingonblog uncensored: Unsung heroes: C Shivakumar Chennai: It was an unbuilt house on a busy L B road that was bustling with activity as slogans of Vande Matran rend the air...
Unsung heroes
C Shivakumar
Chennai:
It was an unbuilt house on a busy L B road that was bustling with activity as slogans of Vande Matran rend the air. Inside was a frail looking old man, who with his wrinkled hands was giving a massage to the activists demanding a Jan Lokpal bill.
“I am passing on Reiki’s energy to them to wipe out negative energy and give them positive energy,” said the 71-year old S Sambasivan, a former materials manager of a sugar factory in Meerut.
“They need energy and strength for the cause. All of these people look like Anna to me. I am passing on the positive energy through them to Anna,” said the septuagenarian, who lives all alone in a single room in Velachery after he lost his wife a year ago.
“Some magnetic force has dragged me here and after witnessing the protest was for a just cause, the movement has now become a part of my life,” he said.
“ I want to support the movement and pray for the longevity to see the truth of Lokpal Bill so that citizens of tomorrow should have a nice life,” Sambasivan said.
And does he believe a Jan Lokpal will do wonders, “Yes” he says. Lokpal will be a torch in the darkness of corruption. The bill itself will inculcate fear among the corrupt, he said.
The movement has also attracted some women who are on a fast. Sujata, a businesswoman and a mother of 18-year old is on her fifth day of fasting. She is weak and with great difficulty she rises and introduces herself. The businesswoman, who runs her own business process outsourcing, is fasting for the fifth day.
Her husband visits her quite often at the venue and he manages the chores in the house. “This fast is for the common cause,” she says. “I have a grown-up daughter who can manage her own chores,” she says.
And then she adds, “One has to sacrifice to get something.”
And then there are people who are balancing both work as well as their protest against graft. Pushpendra, an IT professional in TCS, joined the indefinite fast after being witness to corruption at passport office as well as getting a licence. “For everything you needed money,” said Pushpendra, who has to run to office whenever there is a client meeting going on.
“I haven’t broken my fast till now and I don’t want to break it,” says the 23-year-old. “I don’t know how my officials will take it. I had sought two days permission till Sunday. After that I will see,” he said. He hoped the protest by people would bring in a change.
And Charley Aryan, who is among the only two women to go on a fast shares his vision. A migrant from Bihar, 23-year-old Charley began her fast on Saturday. It is the simmering anger against corruption that has made this young IT professional take up the cause for demanding Jan Lokpal bill. “I had applied for education loan. And had struggled to get it sanctioned after a seven month battle,” she says. Besides she has also seen her dad, who owns a small business, pay bribe to get his shop running smoothly. “I will be on fast as long it is possible for me,” she says, adding that her parents are angry with her for going on fast. “They will understand, I think,” she says.
“And I am getting response from friends in Facebook who want to join me,” Charley adds.
New outfits join Anna’s movement as war against corruption intensifies
C Shivakumar
Chennai:
Candlelight vigil, protests, bike rallies and fast by people from different walks of life were held in several parts of the city on Saturday even as various new outfits joined the movement in solidarity with Anna Hazare’s demand for a Jan Lokpal bill.
The support for Anna Hazare is slowly swelling in the city a week after the movement was launched across the country with new outfits pledging support and even one outfit wanting him to become the president of India.
Interestingly, corruption had different connotations for different outfits. While Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sangam, an outfit of two lakh traders, linked it to new economic policies, outfits like Tamizh Desiya Katchi saw it as a tool to awaken the people of the state to bring in a new meaning to the politics of the state besides demanding a Lok Ayukta in the state.
Memorial Hall near Chennai Central witnessed Gandhi Makkal Iyakkam and Tamizh Desiya Katchi launching agitation in support of Anna Hazare. “We salute Anna because he showed Gandhi’s way of struggle is effective weapon to fight against social evils and protect the right of citizens. He has kindled the conscience of India against corruption. We will succeed in our fight,” said Thamizh Aruvi Manian, founder president of Gandhi Makkal Iyakkam.
Innian Sampath, the grandson of Periyar and a leader of the Tamizh Desiya Katchi feels the movement will bring in a revolution in politics of Tamil Nadu. “We will be taking the movement to the downtrodden people and will try to change the political colour of the state by ending corruption,” he said.
Meanwhile shops across the state will remain shut on August 23 in solidarity with Hazare, said Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sangam founder president Vellayan. He told Express more political outfits will be backing Anna. He also mooted the idea of nominating Hazare as president of the nation.
In Tiruvamiyur, youngsters took out a bike rally seeking support of the movement launched by India against corruption activists. There were also a steady crowd of old and young flocking to an unconstructed site which is the nerve center of the protest. Patriotic songs filled the air as the hall was thronged by people who were fasting and those who were showing solidarity with Anna.
At the corner of the hall, was a dias filled with 36 protestors fasting for the fifth day continuously. Nearby was also another enclosure where around 200 people who signed up to fast for a day in support for the movement, were sitting calmly.
“More women are joining the movement and there are a couple of women who are have joined the idefinite fast,” said India Against Corruption coordinator Bhavna.
Meanwhile, students of SJT Surana Jain Vidyalaya and Junior College took up a procession in solidarity with Anna Hazare at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Attired in various costumes, they showed their resentment to corruption.
Unsung heroes battling graft
C Shivakumar
Chennai:
It was an unbuilt house on a busy L B road that was bustling with activity as slogans of Vande Matran rend the air. Inside was a frail looking old man, who with his wrinkled hands was giving a massage to the activists demanding a Jan Lokpal bill.
“I am passing on Reiki’s energy to them to wipe out negative energy and give them positive energy,” said the 71-year old S Sambasivan, a former materials manager of a sugar factory in Meerut.
“They need energy and strength for the cause. All of these people look like Anna to me. I am passing on the positive energy through them to Anna,” said the septuagenarian, who lives all alone in a single room in Velachery after he lost his wife a year ago.
“Some magnetic force has dragged me here and after witnessing the protest was for a just cause, the movement has now become a part of my life,” he said.
“ I want to support the movement and pray for the longevity to see the truth of Lokpal Bill so that citizens of tomorrow should have a nice life,” Sambasivan said.
And does he believe a Jan Lokpal will do wonders, “Yes” he says. Lokpal will be a torch in the darkness of corruption. The bill itself will inculcate fear among the corrupt, he said.
The movement has also attracted some women who are on a fast. Sujata, a businesswoman and a mother of 18-year old is on her fifth day of fasting. She is weak and with great difficulty she rises and introduces herself. The businesswoman, who runs her own business process outsourcing, is fasting for the fifth day.
Her husband visits her quite often at the venue and he manages the chores in the house. “This fast is for the common cause,” she says. “I have a grown-up daughter who can manage her own chores,” she says.
And then she adds, “One has to sacrifice to get something.”
And then there are people who are balancing both work as well as their protest against graft. Pushpendra, an IT professional in TCS, joined the indefinite fast after being witness to corruption at passport office as well as getting a licence. “For everything you needed money,” said Pushpendra, who has to run to office whenever there is a client meeting going on.
“I haven’t broken my fast till now and I don’t want to break it,” says the 23-year-old. “I don’t know how my officials will take it. I had sought two days permission till Sunday. After that I will see,” he said. He hoped the protest by people would bring in a change.
And Charley Aryan, who is among the only two women to go on a fast shares his vision. A migrant from Bihar, 23-year-old Charley began her fast on Saturday. It is the simmering anger against corruption that has made this young IT professional take up the cause for demanding Jan Lokpal bill. “I had applied for education loan. And had struggled to get it sanctioned after a seven month battle,” she says. Besides she has also seen her dad, who owns a small business, pay bribe to get his shop running smoothly. “I will be on fast as long it is possible for me,” she says, adding that her parents are angry with her for going on fast. “They will understand, I think,” she says.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Fate of thousands of students hang in balance after varsity violates norms by conducting regular courses outside jurisdiction
C Shivakumar
Chennai:
Fate of thousands of students taking up regular courses in various centres of Manonmaniam Sundarnar University across the country hangs in balance after it was found out that the varsity violated the norms of University Act by conducting regular degree course outside the jurisdiction of the university.
According to evidence available with Express, the former vice chancellor of the university Sabapathy Mohan, who is also a close aide of then higher education minister K Ponmudi, created a separate website www.msuemba.in and invited applications for starting regular and distance education programmes of Manonmaniam Sundarnar University.
University sources told Express that franchising is not allowed by Distance Education Council. However, Sabapathy granted affiliation to 73 national level collaborators who in turn were authorized to give franchise on their own without any inspection from the university.
And what is more, national collaborators gave franchise to 1,044 private institutes putting to risk the fate of thousands of students who have enrolled thinking that the programme offered by these franchisees is a regular course.
Even though a series of complaints were lodged with University Grants Commission, Ministry of Human Resources and Development and the state education department no action has been taken in this regard.
Interestingly, the university has even authorised some private partners to conduct some technical courses like Masters in Engineering, Masters in Technology, MBA- Finance, MBA- Logistics, BSc Fire and Safety in various parts of country by suppressing University Grants commission, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and Ministry of Human Resources and Development norms. “This is a gross violation of norms and misuse of university jurisdiction,” said a university source.
And to top this, these partners were allowed to conduct courses, design syllabus and conduct examinations on their own. For everything and anything, it was alleged the students have to pay money. Interestingly, these institutes were collecting exorbitant fees amounting to several lakhs and university did not conduct checks to stem the irregularities. Surprisingly, sources said these degrees may not be valid anywhere putting to risk the career of thousands of students.
When Express contacted the registrar of the university S Manickam, he refused franchises were awarded to private players. “They are mere centres and a circular has been issued yesterday asking the centres in other parts of the country not to proceed further in offering courses or degrees,” he added.
When pointed out that the degrees awarded by these centres will put the career of students to risk, he said the syndicate will take care of this issue. He admitted there had been certain malpractices by the centres and the varsity is trying to control it.
When express tried to contact the acting director-in-charge of distance education R Ramesh, he refused to comment. Surprisingly, it was Ramesh who blew the whistle exposing the scam. Now he is facing several threats to his life and is under police protection. “Such things won’t happen without the blessing of someone who is very powerful and is afraid that things will be leaked out,” a university source said
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
OTA inculcates fighting spirit among young officers
C Shivakumar/ ENS
Hanumanthapuram (Chengalpet):
First the paratroopers jumped from 8,000 feet above and then a nearby mountain was pounded by mortars and guns of Bihar regiment as 700 Officers Training Academy cadets were exposed to a real time warfare scenario.
“We wanted to motivate our cadets and expose them to a real time warfare scenario where they can gauge the real effect of the weapons have on the enemies,” said UM Rajavelu, commandant of Officers Training Academy.
And the exposure had all the ingredients from drama in the high air to firing by medium and light machine guns, INSAS rifle as well as rocket launchers and 51 mm mortars, 81 mm mortars, anti-personal and anti-tank mines.
The event began with 21 paratroopers, eight from Indian Airforce’s renowned Akash Ganga sky diving team and 13 from Army Parachute Brigade, jumped from AN 32 aircraft at an altitude of 8,000 feet.
Group captain Arun Marwah from Aakash Ganga sky diving team told Express they were falling at 200 feet per second at a speed of 120 mile per hour and while they reached 3,000 feet they used their parachutes. The sky diving team displayed the flag formation as the audience was spellbound.
“It takes five jumps to become a paradropper and the training is a two year cycle,” says Group Captain Marwah, who trains army paratroopers.
Maj Gen Rajavelu said para jumps and para trooping form part of special operations, which have come to characterize a host of counter insurgency operations. The feat will inspire the young officer cadets, he added.
And then the guns boomed as army spokesperson provided information on various kinds of guns used. Crouched on the floor, the jawans of 16 Bihar regiment of Bangalore, displayed the firepower of the Indian army before the future officers. First it was the Insas rifle, then the medium and machine gun followed by rocket launchers and mortars.
“The aim of this demonstration was to inculcate the spirit of adventure among the cadets of OTA who are slated to join the officer cadre of the Indian army,” said Rajavelu
Hanumanthapuram (Chengalpet):
First the paratroopers jumped from 8,000 feet above and then a nearby mountain was pounded by mortars and guns of Bihar regiment as 700 Officers Training Academy cadets were exposed to a real time warfare scenario.
“We wanted to motivate our cadets and expose them to a real time warfare scenario where they can gauge the real effect of the weapons have on the enemies,” said UM Rajavelu, commandant of Officers Training Academy.
And the exposure had all the ingredients from drama in the high air to firing by medium and light machine guns, INSAS rifle as well as rocket launchers and 51 mm mortars, 81 mm mortars, anti-personal and anti-tank mines.
The event began with 21 paratroopers, eight from Indian Airforce’s renowned Akash Ganga sky diving team and 13 from Army Parachute Brigade, jumped from AN 32 aircraft at an altitude of 8,000 feet.
Group captain Arun Marwah from Aakash Ganga sky diving team told Express they were falling at 200 feet per second at a speed of 120 mile per hour and while they reached 3,000 feet they used their parachutes. The sky diving team displayed the flag formation as the audience was spellbound.
“It takes five jumps to become a paradropper and the training is a two year cycle,” says Group Captain Marwah, who trains army paratroopers.
Maj Gen Rajavelu said para jumps and para trooping form part of special operations, which have come to characterize a host of counter insurgency operations. The feat will inspire the young officer cadets, he added.
And then the guns boomed as army spokesperson provided information on various kinds of guns used. Crouched on the floor, the jawans of 16 Bihar regiment of Bangalore, displayed the firepower of the Indian army before the future officers. First it was the Insas rifle, then the medium and machine gun followed by rocket launchers and mortars.
“The aim of this demonstration was to inculcate the spirit of adventure among the cadets of OTA who are slated to join the officer cadre of the Indian army,” said Rajavelu
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