While reading today's news paper two things caught my attention
1. Dropping Rohinton Mistry's "Such a long journey" by Mumbai univeristy
2. Redtapism in CWG-2010
Let us first discuss about the first issue, the following info is gathered from various newspapers and online information:
Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray's son Aditya, a final-year Arts student at St. Xavier's College, has managed to get Rohinton Mistry's novel "Such A Long Journey" withdrawn from the syllabus.
The book was prescribed for the second year Bachelor of Arts (English) in 2007-08 as an optional text, according to University sources. It was also confirmed that Dr. Rajan Welukar, University of Mumbai's Vice-Chancellor (V-C) used the emergency powers under Section 14 (7) of the Maharashtra Universities Act, 1994, to withdraw the book from the syllabus. Based on a complaint, the Board of Studies (English), which had recommended the book in the first place, resolved that it must be withdrawn with effect from September 15.
The University maintains that only 15 or 16 colleges opted for this book. On September 14, the Bharatiya Vidyarthi Sena (BVS), the Sena's student wing, burnt copies of the book in front of the University gates and demanded that it be withdrawn within 24 hours. President of the BVS Abhijit Panse said that the book contained foul language and derogatory references to the Shiv Sena. Subsequent to a meeting called by Mr. Aditya to discuss the matter, the BVS issued an ultimatum to Dr. Welukar and demanded that those members of the Board of Studies (BOS) who had recommended this book should not be involved with any decisions in future.
Mr. Panse feels the book is offensive to the people in Maharashtra and has abusive references to dabbawalahs, the mentality of the ‘Marathi manoos' and Pandit Nehru. Much to the consternation of students and professors, the University sent a circular dropping the book from its syllabus just before the first-term examinations.
The manner in which the book was withdrawn has led to criticism. Senior journalist and writer Aroon Tikekar said the issue was how a 20 year-old could go up to the VC and give him a 24-hour ultimatum to withdraw a book? He questioned the use of the emergency powers in the taking of this decision and asked if the issue merited this, adding that what would happen to the book in other Universities in the State remains unanswered.
There is outrage that the VC took a hasty decision. It was the last year for the syllabus. Dr. Vispi Balaporia, former chairperson of the BOS and former English Literature professor, emphasises that the book was not withdrawn for academic reasons, saying that political parties made a demand that has nothing to do with academics.
According to Dr. Balaporia, Dr. Welukar has acted in a high-handed manner without giving thought to the academic qualities of the book. The BOS was at liberty to frame syllabi by giving thought to what is being prescribed.
Sasi's quote: This what we call as Democracy. The Son of a party's cheif secretary raised objection and VC immediately withdraws it from the syllabus using special powers. So friends from now onwards if you feel difficult in reading any book prescribed in syllabus, kindly contact Mr.Aditya Thackeray for withdrawing it from the syllabus immediately.
Coming to the second issue Corruption (I am sorry like liberty of speech these politicians and the officers have liberty to eat) in CWG-2010.
whenever i read regarding corruption by politicians and bureaucrats in papers, i recollect a famous joke which is as follows:
Once an Indian politician went to US and was invited by a congress man to his house for dinner. After seeing his house which is like small palace the Indian counterpart asked the congress man how he constructed such a building. The congress man points his finger to a far bridge, winks his eye and says 10%. After 3, 4 years the US congress man comes to India and was invited by his old friend for a dinner. By seeing his Luxurious Palace with fountains, gradens, personal gym, pool and Spa asks hi how he built it. The politician points his finger to a far bridge and winks his eye. The US congress man was puzzled and says to him that he did'nt see anything there. The Indian politician smiles, winks his eye and says 100%.
The officers brought a Rs. 50/- toilet roll for some thousands of rupees and a 2 tonne air conditioner which costs a maximum of Rs.50,000/- was brought for Rs.2,50,000/- and the list goes on like this. The following comparison might give you the whole idea.
Sno | Infrastructure | Beijing Olympics -2008 | Delhi CWG - 2010 |
1. | New Stadiums | 37 new stadiums, 20 refurbished | 12 new stadiums |
2. | Buildings for accommodation | 19 new and 13 re furbished | One Games village and three other buildings |
3. | Training facilities | 59 | 20 |
4. | Transportation | · 318 kms of roads were refurbished · 23 New roads in and around games village · Two new ring roads around the city · New City light rail system · Extension of metro to games village · Hightech traffic control system · New airport terminal | · 2.2 kms of underground road from lodhi road to JLN stadium · Refurbication of roads · Construction of flyovers · Development of metro rail 2nd stage · New airport terminal |
5. | No. of countries participated | 204 | 71 |
6. | No. of events | 28 | 17 |
7. | No. places where the events held | 5 | 1 |
8. | No. of days | 17+2 | 12 |
Total cost | $ 40 Billion (including all the infrastructure at all the 5 places and hospitality) | $6.8 Billion (only for games village infrastructure & hospitality) |
P.S. Friends please acknowledge me for preparing this table by wasting entire day in collecting the information.
"India's Shining"
Whether India is improving its ranking in Olympic medal tally or not,
Whether India is improving its ranking in hockey world cup or not,
Whether India is improving its ranking in other sports or not,
But, at one place India is improving its Rank in International Transparency Index.
1995 - 36
2001 - 71
2009 - 84
source: International Transparency Index
Sasi's quote:
