Rajan P Dev, the king who evoked memories of an enamored era in Malayalam tinsel world and whose acting was celebrated across the south of India is no more. I, being the President of ‘Alochana’ S L Puram, a state level cultural forum, invited him to our gathering many times and he was present on several occasions. He was a person with malice to none. In one of our meetings he admired his mentor S L Puram Sadanandan and told us he has no personal enmity to Sadanandan for not giving the lead role in the film ‘Kattukuthira’ as some one thinks. Sadanandan was his master and guide, he told us.
Rajan P Dev was extremely well read. I remember the evenings when we at ‘Alochana’ would discuss everything under the sun, from cinema to politics but he never ill spoke. The ceiling fans donated by Rajan P Dev are still soothing people at Sarvodaya Grandha saala, S L Puram. Being the member, of Alumni Association, St Michael’s College. Cherthala, he found time to attend all functions in the college amidst his busy schedule.
He loved Cherthala so much and he is one among the celebrities like A K Antony, Vayalar Ravi, K R Gouri Amma of our place. He used go to the Arthunkal Church every year and on next January 20 we miss him at Arthunkal.
Rajan P Dev had an implausible sense of humour that cannot be matched. His relation with teachers of St Michael’s college, where he completed the Pre-degree course, is full of funny occasions. . And when he recollects those stories none could restrain from hilarity. His untimely departure is really a huge loss to we people at Cherthala and around.
K A Solaman
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Restrict Channels with no social responsibility.
I welcome the demands by the MPs for setting up of an independent regulatory body with civil society representation to look into charges of TV channels dealing with obscene and vulgar programmes. The channel operators often resort to offensive and crude advertisements for make a huge profit and thereby to belittle others doing similar business.
It is to be reiterated that most of the TV programmes are bad going and not suitable to view with all members together in the family. A time schedule should made applicable to programmes that are not to be viewed by children. The style of channels exalting mafia dons and irresponsible running after celebrities to market wicked TV programmes should be immediately controlled. The channels giving up social responsibility should be immediately looked into.
K A Solaman
It is to be reiterated that most of the TV programmes are bad going and not suitable to view with all members together in the family. A time schedule should made applicable to programmes that are not to be viewed by children. The style of channels exalting mafia dons and irresponsible running after celebrities to market wicked TV programmes should be immediately controlled. The channels giving up social responsibility should be immediately looked into.
K A Solaman
Monday, July 27, 2009
Kerala CPM-CPI quarrel on self finance!
The fight between the CPM and CPI, the two lead constituents of the ruling LDF in Kerala, over the issue of the agreement the Government signed with the managements of the self-financing medical colleges is aimed at distracting the attention of the general public from burning problems of the State. The CPM Ministers namely M A Baby, PK Sreemathi, and G Sudhakaran on one side and CPI ministers C Divakaran and Benoy Viswam on the other side fighting fitfully is a finicky scene where the Chief Minister Achuthanandan stands voiceless.
It is presumable that that Education Minister M A Baby had done a foul play by ignoring the sentiments of vast section of the poor and meritorious students and that even the students wing of the CPM has come against Baby openly. And in that case the disagreement placed by Benoy Viswom is in the right direction; however Health Minster P K Sreemathi has come for rescue of Baby. The Self-Financing Medical and Engineering College Managements are the craftiest people in the state and they all know the desire of all parents that they all want to make their sons and daughters either doctor or engineer ignoring all other options in one’s life. And that is why till now unheard three-tier fee structure and consequent teamwork between Education Minister and the Managements brought such an imbroglio in the State. M A Baby’s immediate reaction that the question of reviewing the agreement between he and managements did not arise at all is indication that he is not clean as Sreemathi thinks.
Further, the more interesting comment came from the vociferous minister G Sudhakaran that one Minister should not intervene in the matters of another Minister’s department. The audacity of this comment will be revealed when one recollects ministers’ visit to Alappuzha Medical College on several occasions and criticizing the Health Department and its minister. His lambasting of Revenue officials and PWD employees can also considered as his non-interference in other ministers’ departments.
No doubt, the Kerala self financing college managements association is a business group. They spent money and collect money for their business. As the sole aim for all business is making money the term “social justice” is some ting to be locked in cold storages. If they fail to get money they planned they will soon convert all the colleges into bar hotels or tourist destinations.
K A Solaman
It is presumable that that Education Minister M A Baby had done a foul play by ignoring the sentiments of vast section of the poor and meritorious students and that even the students wing of the CPM has come against Baby openly. And in that case the disagreement placed by Benoy Viswom is in the right direction; however Health Minster P K Sreemathi has come for rescue of Baby. The Self-Financing Medical and Engineering College Managements are the craftiest people in the state and they all know the desire of all parents that they all want to make their sons and daughters either doctor or engineer ignoring all other options in one’s life. And that is why till now unheard three-tier fee structure and consequent teamwork between Education Minister and the Managements brought such an imbroglio in the State. M A Baby’s immediate reaction that the question of reviewing the agreement between he and managements did not arise at all is indication that he is not clean as Sreemathi thinks.
Further, the more interesting comment came from the vociferous minister G Sudhakaran that one Minister should not intervene in the matters of another Minister’s department. The audacity of this comment will be revealed when one recollects ministers’ visit to Alappuzha Medical College on several occasions and criticizing the Health Department and its minister. His lambasting of Revenue officials and PWD employees can also considered as his non-interference in other ministers’ departments.
No doubt, the Kerala self financing college managements association is a business group. They spent money and collect money for their business. As the sole aim for all business is making money the term “social justice” is some ting to be locked in cold storages. If they fail to get money they planned they will soon convert all the colleges into bar hotels or tourist destinations.
K A Solaman
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Anti-pregnancy pills advertisement
An advertisement in channels shows a woman asking in distress over phone to another woman probably her relative something in the manner “what happened and when, without any precaution?” I am worried over answering to my little child the reason for the worry of the woman. The pregnancy and the effectiveness of anti-pregnancy pill are beyond the comprehension of the little one. I think many of the families in India face such undeniable situations at channel shows. Can any one suggest an easy way out from such situations? The channel promoters and the advertisers are seen lost their common sense in airing such filthy ads.
Further the advertisements of the sort would send out a wrong message to the young generation. The possibility of young people taking with them “pills” hereafter to avoid abortion cannot be ruled put. All work places may turn into mating locations where the pills would protect them. No doubt the country is going to the dogs. If the Government of India wants to stop people from spoiling themselves by believing these ads it should impose some restrictions on channel shows and ads.
Yours faithfully,
K A Solaman, S L Puram
Further the advertisements of the sort would send out a wrong message to the young generation. The possibility of young people taking with them “pills” hereafter to avoid abortion cannot be ruled put. All work places may turn into mating locations where the pills would protect them. No doubt the country is going to the dogs. If the Government of India wants to stop people from spoiling themselves by believing these ads it should impose some restrictions on channel shows and ads.
Yours faithfully,
K A Solaman, S L Puram
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Frisking of Former President
Frisking of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam is an affront to our country. He is the most revered former President of India and not a person to be treated as every other Indian citizen. He has some privileges and we are bound to honour them. The embarrassing manner in which Continental Airlines treated Dr APJ Abdul Kalam should be seriously viewed
It has been reported that Dr Kalam was subjected to security check and even asked to take his shoes off by the airline staff just as he was about to board the aircraft. He was made to stand in line with other passengers. This is quite unbecoming of any airliners operating in India. Could they imagine frisking Bill Clinton or Condoleezza Rice by a security staff? The Continental airline extrapolating the whole episode as ‘standard procedure’ is a non-sense. The lack of general knowledge on the part of the security officials of Continental Airlines not to identify Kalam is a sufficient reason for disqualifying them from the present job.
India need not raise this issue before the US, instead impose an outright ban on the operation of Continental Airlines’ inside the country. No security personals should be permitted to breach Indian protocols within the country.
K A Solaman
It has been reported that Dr Kalam was subjected to security check and even asked to take his shoes off by the airline staff just as he was about to board the aircraft. He was made to stand in line with other passengers. This is quite unbecoming of any airliners operating in India. Could they imagine frisking Bill Clinton or Condoleezza Rice by a security staff? The Continental airline extrapolating the whole episode as ‘standard procedure’ is a non-sense. The lack of general knowledge on the part of the security officials of Continental Airlines not to identify Kalam is a sufficient reason for disqualifying them from the present job.
India need not raise this issue before the US, instead impose an outright ban on the operation of Continental Airlines’ inside the country. No security personals should be permitted to breach Indian protocols within the country.
K A Solaman
Monday, July 20, 2009
Pinarayi approaching the SC
It is rousing to hear that CPM Kerala state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan approaches the Supreme Court against the decision of Kerala governor RS Gavai who gave permission to prosecute him in the SNC Lavalin case. Governor had defied the resolution of the state government, is the official version. Of course, leading counsels Fali S Nariman and Nageswar Rao would find a tough to rescue Pinarayi in the SC
The party official faction decided to move legally against the decision, however they failed to get a positive nod from veteran Marxist and CM of the state V S Achuthanandan in this case. The legal approach would have been taken a little earlier before the Marxist cadres moved against the Governor by resorting all sort of illegal acts such as blocking the roads and burning in effigy the Governor. I think the Governor’s office is not permitted to approach the SC in silly matters.
K A Solaman.
The party official faction decided to move legally against the decision, however they failed to get a positive nod from veteran Marxist and CM of the state V S Achuthanandan in this case. The legal approach would have been taken a little earlier before the Marxist cadres moved against the Governor by resorting all sort of illegal acts such as blocking the roads and burning in effigy the Governor. I think the Governor’s office is not permitted to approach the SC in silly matters.
K A Solaman.
CM should act
The common people of Kerala are outraged at the dismissal of V.S. Achuthanandan from the politburo. But they do not know where to complain and how. A petition registered with the police would remain unattended if it is against a panchayat president drawn from Marxist cadre.
It seems that people really have lost the right to complain as many places in Kerala have seen a rise in violence, with bomb-blasts along transport routes. In this context, Achuthanandan should act firmly as chief minister to put an end to the turmoil.
K.A. Solaman
The Telegraph, Calcutta July 20, 2009
It seems that people really have lost the right to complain as many places in Kerala have seen a rise in violence, with bomb-blasts along transport routes. In this context, Achuthanandan should act firmly as chief minister to put an end to the turmoil.
K.A. Solaman
The Telegraph, Calcutta July 20, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Kerala PSC's Recruitment farce
This letter relates to recruitment to fill up the vacancies of Lecturers in Physics in Government Arts and Science College of Kerala by the Kerala Public Service Commission. The Commission conducted a test in June 09 and for which all the M Sc, M Phil and Ph D qualified candidates attended. The interesting side of the test is though the qualification needed for candidates is M Sc with NET/JRF all the post graduates in Physics who are not qualified in NET are permitted to write the Examination.
In the recruitment notification, PSC had declared the syllabus and that was indicated in the Hall Ticket too. However, the candidates who appeared for test were thunder stricken by seeing the pattern of the OMR question paper. Nearly half the paper contained questions from General Knowledge section. The questions from Physics portion contained some with many answers and some other with no answers. A clear ploy could not be ruled out in incorporating GK questions in the paper.
None could ever argue that Physics Lecturers need not require General Knowledge. Nevertheless it should be informed in advance when the candidates are preparing for the test. Leaking off questions papers and canceling certain questions at valuation are the usual practice of the P S C, it is alleged. All corruption in Kerala University test for recruitment of Assistant grade post three years back, is still under investigation by the HC of Kerala. Is the distortion in question paper by the P S C for Physics Lecturer post intended to protect a few privileged ones related to higher ups in the society?
I understood that many candidates have grievance in the act of PSC. The PSC, therefore, should notify the exact number of questions that are going to be valued and the exact requirement in educational qualification for the post. Are the candidates without NET eligible for the post? The PSC recruitment should be a competitive examination and not a mere circus for candidates for getting experience in similar exercises.
K A Solaman
Search PublishaLette.com dated 15 July 2009
In the recruitment notification, PSC had declared the syllabus and that was indicated in the Hall Ticket too. However, the candidates who appeared for test were thunder stricken by seeing the pattern of the OMR question paper. Nearly half the paper contained questions from General Knowledge section. The questions from Physics portion contained some with many answers and some other with no answers. A clear ploy could not be ruled out in incorporating GK questions in the paper.
None could ever argue that Physics Lecturers need not require General Knowledge. Nevertheless it should be informed in advance when the candidates are preparing for the test. Leaking off questions papers and canceling certain questions at valuation are the usual practice of the P S C, it is alleged. All corruption in Kerala University test for recruitment of Assistant grade post three years back, is still under investigation by the HC of Kerala. Is the distortion in question paper by the P S C for Physics Lecturer post intended to protect a few privileged ones related to higher ups in the society?
I understood that many candidates have grievance in the act of PSC. The PSC, therefore, should notify the exact number of questions that are going to be valued and the exact requirement in educational qualification for the post. Are the candidates without NET eligible for the post? The PSC recruitment should be a competitive examination and not a mere circus for candidates for getting experience in similar exercises.
K A Solaman
Search PublishaLette.com dated 15 July 2009
Tough time for CPM in Kerala
Common people of Kerala are on a running spree from the fracas caused by the CPM axing of veteran leader V S Achuthanandan. They do not know where to complain and how. A petition registered with the police would remain unattended if the opposite party is a Panchayat President from Marxist cadres and that is what one see in Ambalapuzha South Panchayat. The good old ‘Ambalpuzha Velakali’ has been patented to Panchayat President and his henchmen of that area and the ‘Velakali’ is performed at NH 47 where his own party men are beaten by sticks used for tying party flag. The flex boards and posters of their once favorite hero lied in muddied water when the fierce drill of beating was in progress. The police force remained mute spectators just because of the reason that the fighters are party men or men oust from party as said by the only PB member and Home Minister in the Assembly.
It seems that people really have lost the right to complain as many places of Kerala turned into scoundrel’s area. If party-men are busy with other engagements the quotation gang will do the job. Even recruiting agents of quotation work earn a good bug by scaring people-it is reported. The only relief in Ambalapuaha is that bombs are not frequently exploded along routes as one see in Kannur and the small scale industry of making bombs has not yet flourished in Amablapuzha. However, rising violence in Amabalapuzha and other parts Kerala have frightened away commuters. I think the last action hero Achuthanandan should finally open his mouth to end the turmoil as the dictates of Pinarayi-Karat yielded no positive result.
K A Solaman
It seems that people really have lost the right to complain as many places of Kerala turned into scoundrel’s area. If party-men are busy with other engagements the quotation gang will do the job. Even recruiting agents of quotation work earn a good bug by scaring people-it is reported. The only relief in Ambalapuaha is that bombs are not frequently exploded along routes as one see in Kannur and the small scale industry of making bombs has not yet flourished in Amablapuzha. However, rising violence in Amabalapuzha and other parts Kerala have frightened away commuters. I think the last action hero Achuthanandan should finally open his mouth to end the turmoil as the dictates of Pinarayi-Karat yielded no positive result.
K A Solaman
Friday, July 10, 2009
Mammootty to perform TV
K R Gouri Amma, the veteran leader of Kerala is known for her straight forwardness and outright comments. According to her there is no question of returning to the CPM which had expelled her in 1994. Her comments about Mammootty and Mohanlal also stand of note. She said histrionic talents of Mohanlal is better than that of Mammootty, nevertheless the latter is more handsome. This she said perhaps if again enacted Mammootty is more apt than Mohanlal or even Murali(Lal Salam fame) to perform a T V Thomas on the silver screen. Gouri Amma's role, of course, will be played by Meera Jasmine
Long live Gouri Amma and her unambiguous comments!
K A Solaman
Long live Gouri Amma and her unambiguous comments!
K A Solaman
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Mixed bag
The operation was successful but the patient died. That is what happened on the day the budget was presented. Only now do the investors realize the advantage of having P. Chidambaram as the finance minister.
The Bombay Stock Exchange Sensex dropped by 900 points while the finance minister was presenting his budget. The stock market rejected Pranab Mukherjee’s proposals, causing huge loss to investors. The biggest one-day drop in the Sensex in six months after the annual budget is not at all good news for the Union ministry. The fall of the Sensex on Monday after the budget sent shudders through the Indian economy. Investors can now be sure that they do not have much to expect from Mukherjee.
K A Solaman
The Telegraph, Calcutta 10 July 09
The Bombay Stock Exchange Sensex dropped by 900 points while the finance minister was presenting his budget. The stock market rejected Pranab Mukherjee’s proposals, causing huge loss to investors. The biggest one-day drop in the Sensex in six months after the annual budget is not at all good news for the Union ministry. The fall of the Sensex on Monday after the budget sent shudders through the Indian economy. Investors can now be sure that they do not have much to expect from Mukherjee.
K A Solaman
The Telegraph, Calcutta 10 July 09
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Not a positive sign
This refers to the report, “Spender’s Budget” (July 7). It seems that Budget 2009-10 has left corporate India completely disappointed. The BSE Sensex dropped about 900 points soon after Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee presented it in Parliament, causing huge loss to investors. The biggest one-day drop in the Sensex in six months is not at all a positive sign for our ailing economy.
KA Solaman
The Pioneer, New Delhi Dated 8 July 2009
KA Solaman
The Pioneer, New Delhi Dated 8 July 2009
Taxing perks
The post budget plan of the Government to tax the perks extended by business houses to their employees is unsolicited. It is unwelcome to ask people to spend more funds to meet their tax payments.
The Government has already taxed common man by hiking petrol and diesel prices.
The argument of rising petrol charge will not affect common man is a ludicrous one. Even the hike of aviation spirit will affect common man not because they travel in planes but because of the use of consumer goods produced by those company heads traveling in the planes. The company heads that pay more their travel will collect more money from ordinary people by selling their products like soap and paste ata higher price. Does any one think that common people will not use soap and paste?
It is learnt that perks that are expected to be taxed include car provided by employer, domestic help paid by employer, free or concessional education, gift vouchers etc. Taxing educational concession is very crude joke. By taxing perks the individual's tax pay out is more than what he or she would have to pay actually.
K A Solaman
The Government has already taxed common man by hiking petrol and diesel prices.
The argument of rising petrol charge will not affect common man is a ludicrous one. Even the hike of aviation spirit will affect common man not because they travel in planes but because of the use of consumer goods produced by those company heads traveling in the planes. The company heads that pay more their travel will collect more money from ordinary people by selling their products like soap and paste ata higher price. Does any one think that common people will not use soap and paste?
It is learnt that perks that are expected to be taxed include car provided by employer, domestic help paid by employer, free or concessional education, gift vouchers etc. Taxing educational concession is very crude joke. By taxing perks the individual's tax pay out is more than what he or she would have to pay actually.
K A Solaman
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Budeget shock
The operation was successful but the patient died. That is what happened on the day of posting the Union Budget. Now only the investors understood the advantage of P Chidambaram being the of FM of India.
The BSE Sensex dropped about 900 points while the Finance Minister Pranab Kumar Mukerji presented the budget. Though apparently nothing less cheerful in the budget the Indian Stock market rejected Mukerji’s proposals causing a huge loss to investors. The biggest one-day drop in Sensex in six months after the annual budget is not at all cheery to the Union Ministry.
The falling of the benchmark to 5.8 percent on Monday after the budget is a crude shock to Indian Economy. Investors do not expect much from Mukherji.
K A Solaman
The New Indian Express Dated 8 July 09
The BSE Sensex dropped about 900 points while the Finance Minister Pranab Kumar Mukerji presented the budget. Though apparently nothing less cheerful in the budget the Indian Stock market rejected Mukerji’s proposals causing a huge loss to investors. The biggest one-day drop in Sensex in six months after the annual budget is not at all cheery to the Union Ministry.
The falling of the benchmark to 5.8 percent on Monday after the budget is a crude shock to Indian Economy. Investors do not expect much from Mukherji.
K A Solaman
The New Indian Express Dated 8 July 09
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Legalising homosexuality
Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss is known for his vision in denouncing smocking on screen as many youngsters because of their worship to heroes of tinsel world are prone to tobacco. However his reiteration to legalise homosexuality to tackle the spread of HIV/AIDS in the country is ludicrous. Minister says that 86 per cent of HIV/AIDS cases were due to sexual contact and that could be avoided by homosexuality. Is n’t there any physical contact between homosexuals? Section 377 of the IPC criminalises men who have sex with men (MSM) and other unnatural sex acts and according to the minister this section should be abandoned. Doesn’t it mean those people who put this section in the IPC are visionless?
The Delhi High Court ruling on homosexuals, however, corroborated minister’s views and it brought cheers to the gay community. The lesbian community elsewhere in the country distributed sweets and described it as a progressive move.
I have the firm opinion that though the judgment will make a change in approach towards homosexuals it is something against Nature and its fundamental rules. All human build aspirations against the Nature would finally collapse. Homosexual act among species of animals other than human is a rare phenomenon. Moreover it is against all religions. Whatever the opinion of people about different religions all of them teach the same good thing and human love. And especially for India, as it is a land of innumerable religions, the Delhi Court verdict is against the culture of Indian society. I believe there is no urgent need to legalise homosexuality when there are other burning problems especially in medical field for immediate attention. MSM and WSW are unnatural practices and should be denounced even if it is not considered as a as a criminal act.
It is true that there are people in every religion who are lesbians and what they immediately needed is a psychiatric or rather psychological healing. It is unwise to quote from Vatsayan’s Kamasutra', to authenticate the act of homosexuals. If we legalise gay acts it will be more evident in public places and then even prostitution should also be endorsed. Of course, homosexuality is a crime against Nature, however prostitution is not. Such obscene acts should not be allowed in our country as the community will be harmfully affected.
The Delhi High Court ruling on homosexuals, however, corroborated minister’s views and it brought cheers to the gay community. The lesbian community elsewhere in the country distributed sweets and described it as a progressive move.
I have the firm opinion that though the judgment will make a change in approach towards homosexuals it is something against Nature and its fundamental rules. All human build aspirations against the Nature would finally collapse. Homosexual act among species of animals other than human is a rare phenomenon. Moreover it is against all religions. Whatever the opinion of people about different religions all of them teach the same good thing and human love. And especially for India, as it is a land of innumerable religions, the Delhi Court verdict is against the culture of Indian society. I believe there is no urgent need to legalise homosexuality when there are other burning problems especially in medical field for immediate attention. MSM and WSW are unnatural practices and should be denounced even if it is not considered as a as a criminal act.
It is true that there are people in every religion who are lesbians and what they immediately needed is a psychiatric or rather psychological healing. It is unwise to quote from Vatsayan’s Kamasutra', to authenticate the act of homosexuals. If we legalise gay acts it will be more evident in public places and then even prostitution should also be endorsed. Of course, homosexuality is a crime against Nature, however prostitution is not. Such obscene acts should not be allowed in our country as the community will be harmfully affected.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Stress is good
This refers to the Second Opinion, “Scrapping board exams is silly” by Mr KA Solaman (July 1). Mr Solaman has rightly said, “a little competition and stress is needed to prepare students for the big bad world.” Also, “stress for a school student is the same as that for a college student”.
Moreover, Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal’s proposal to replace marks with grades will neither help reduce students’ stress nor be able to assess their exact performance. The proposal, if implemented, will also cause confusion at the time of college admissions.
Finally, I fail to see any mention of compulsory physical training for school students in the reforms suggested by the Minister. It is common knowledge that academic performance takes precedence over physical fitness of students in India. An average Indian parent tends to groom his or her child to focus more on studies than playing sports. Schools also tend to fall in line with the parents by providing very little time for sports and physical education in a student’s daily routine. It’s time the Minister focussed on this aspect of education too.
JS Acharya
Hyderabad. Source: The Pioneer, New Delhi 2 July 2009
Moreover, Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal’s proposal to replace marks with grades will neither help reduce students’ stress nor be able to assess their exact performance. The proposal, if implemented, will also cause confusion at the time of college admissions.
Finally, I fail to see any mention of compulsory physical training for school students in the reforms suggested by the Minister. It is common knowledge that academic performance takes precedence over physical fitness of students in India. An average Indian parent tends to groom his or her child to focus more on studies than playing sports. Schools also tend to fall in line with the parents by providing very little time for sports and physical education in a student’s daily routine. It’s time the Minister focussed on this aspect of education too.
JS Acharya
Hyderabad. Source: The Pioneer, New Delhi 2 July 2009
Board exams
The proposal to make the Class X board examination optional so as to relieve students of the stress they face is ludicrous.
It appears that the HRD Minister Mr Kapil Sibal has sought lessons from Kerala Education Minister Mr M. A. Baby who has diluted the evaluation system in the State by giving no significance to marks or grades.
A little competition and stress is needed to prepare students for the big bad world. Abandoning examinations is no solution. It is not examinations but parental pressure that has a negative effect on the psyche of students. The authorities need to play a constructive role in helping students manage examination-related stress and make them feel that an examination is just another test in life.
The Government must no doubt reform the education system, but the big changes can wait.
K A Solaman
The Business line, 2 July 2009
It appears that the HRD Minister Mr Kapil Sibal has sought lessons from Kerala Education Minister Mr M. A. Baby who has diluted the evaluation system in the State by giving no significance to marks or grades.
A little competition and stress is needed to prepare students for the big bad world. Abandoning examinations is no solution. It is not examinations but parental pressure that has a negative effect on the psyche of students. The authorities need to play a constructive role in helping students manage examination-related stress and make them feel that an examination is just another test in life.
The Government must no doubt reform the education system, but the big changes can wait.
K A Solaman
The Business line, 2 July 2009
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Scrapping board exams is silly
Union Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal’s proposal to make the class X board examination optional so as to relieve students of the stress they face is ludicrous. It seems Mr Sibal has sought lessons from Kerala Education Minister MA Baby who has slackened the evaluation system in the State by giving no significance to marks or grades.
It is paradoxical that almost 100 per cent of the class X and XII students in Kerala pass the board examinations but only a fraction appearing for medical and engineering entrance examinations clear them. This clearly suggests that having no stress to deal with at the school level when followed by a sudden squall of competition leaves students incapable of coping with the pressure of getting into a good college. Suicide among students who fail to secure the desired rank in entrance examinations is a bleak reminder of Kerala’s faulty education system. The fact that Mr Sibal is proposing to emulate this system and apply it across the country is worrisome.
A little competition and stress is needed to prepare students for the big bad world. Abandoning examinations is no solution. It is not examinations but parental pressure that has a negative effect on the psyche of students.
If the authorities want to put an end to examination-induced stress, then all examinations need to be scrapped. Stress for a school student is the same as that for a college student. Thus, we should distinguish between good stress and bad stress. While the good stress that examinations cause keeps individuals alert, bad stress destroys their peace of mind.
It is time that parents and teachers realise that fixing unrealistic targets, making undue comparisons with other children, etc, are actually the main factors responsible for the undue stress faced by students. Moreover, they need to play a constructive role in helping students manage examination-related stress and make them feel that an examination is just another test in life.
At the same time it is the Government’s job to ensure the free and fair conduct of examinations. For instance, it is praiseworthy that the Central Board of Secondary Education gives extra time to students appearing for its examinations to study the question paper. The Government, too, must work on similar lines to reform the education system. Big changes can wait.
KA Solaman
South Asean Media Net, A news and views website
Wednesday July 1, 2009
Source : The Pioneer
It is paradoxical that almost 100 per cent of the class X and XII students in Kerala pass the board examinations but only a fraction appearing for medical and engineering entrance examinations clear them. This clearly suggests that having no stress to deal with at the school level when followed by a sudden squall of competition leaves students incapable of coping with the pressure of getting into a good college. Suicide among students who fail to secure the desired rank in entrance examinations is a bleak reminder of Kerala’s faulty education system. The fact that Mr Sibal is proposing to emulate this system and apply it across the country is worrisome.
A little competition and stress is needed to prepare students for the big bad world. Abandoning examinations is no solution. It is not examinations but parental pressure that has a negative effect on the psyche of students.
If the authorities want to put an end to examination-induced stress, then all examinations need to be scrapped. Stress for a school student is the same as that for a college student. Thus, we should distinguish between good stress and bad stress. While the good stress that examinations cause keeps individuals alert, bad stress destroys their peace of mind.
It is time that parents and teachers realise that fixing unrealistic targets, making undue comparisons with other children, etc, are actually the main factors responsible for the undue stress faced by students. Moreover, they need to play a constructive role in helping students manage examination-related stress and make them feel that an examination is just another test in life.
At the same time it is the Government’s job to ensure the free and fair conduct of examinations. For instance, it is praiseworthy that the Central Board of Secondary Education gives extra time to students appearing for its examinations to study the question paper. The Government, too, must work on similar lines to reform the education system. Big changes can wait.
KA Solaman
South Asean Media Net, A news and views website
Wednesday July 1, 2009
Source : The Pioneer
Stress is optional
Kapil Sibal’s proposal to make the Class X board exams optional to relieve stress needs reconsidering (“Against odds, plan to make exam optional”, June 27). Perhaps he could learn a lesson from the Kerala education minister, M.A. Baby. Baby has introduced the grade-system in Kerala at the secondary level, reducing the value of these certificates. Almost all the Class X and XII candidates pass the examinations. However, when they appear for their medical or engineering examinations, they are put under sudden stress. No competition upto the age of 17, followed by stiff competition immediately afterwards, ends up not making much of a difference to the stress on the students.
K.A. Solaman, Alappuzha
The Telegraph, Calcutta 1July 2009
K.A. Solaman, Alappuzha
The Telegraph, Calcutta 1July 2009
Reforms in Education
Mr Kapil Sibal should have first examined the Kerala experience. Its Education Minister M.A. Baby has ruined the school and secondary education as the marks or grades carry no significance. For reducing stress, the evaluation system has been made simpler and every student qualifies in the examination. There is no competition up to the age of 17 in Kerala. But after that, students will have to face tougher tests. Of the 56,000 candidates in the MBBS entrance, only 1,800 were found eligible this year!
While parents and teachers can regulate the examination stress of the students, the government should conduct the examinations in a nobler way. Stress manifests itself physically and mentally throughout one’s life. So, scrapping the Class X Board exam will be illogical.
K.A. SOLAMAN, Alappuzha (Kerala)
The Tribune, Chandigarh 1 July 2009
While parents and teachers can regulate the examination stress of the students, the government should conduct the examinations in a nobler way. Stress manifests itself physically and mentally throughout one’s life. So, scrapping the Class X Board exam will be illogical.
K.A. SOLAMAN, Alappuzha (Kerala)
The Tribune, Chandigarh 1 July 2009
Education reforms
The UPA government’s proposal to make the class 10 public examination optional is meant to reduce the stress on students. But won’t the move lead to more stress two years later? Stress at 15 is not higher than it is at 17. A little competition is necessary to enable a person to succeed. Competition will always exist among human beings. Stress is a fundamental facet of survival, and abandoning a public examination is no easy way to reduce it. Students should be trained to deal with stress.
K.A. Solaman,
The Hindu daily, 30 Jun 2009
K.A. Solaman,
The Hindu daily, 30 Jun 2009
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