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2011-11-02T06:50:00.001+05:30

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2011-10-30T10:52:00.001+05:30

Modern Business Communication Tools

2011-09-29T21:52:00.002+05:30

Communication has seen drastic changes in last century. The advancement in science and technology has affected the way people communicated with each other on this globe. The change has been felt more over in Business Communication. One of the reasons of effect of technology on Business Communication has been the phenomenon of Globalization. In past two decades, the world has shrunk into a global village. The immeasurable ‘flat-world of pre-Galilean era has become ‘flat- world’ again in Thomas Friedman’s ‘The World is Flat’ but this time it is no longer immeasurable. This new flat world has become small because of modern tools of communication. The laissez –faire has helped in dissolving borders and making globe borderless in its true sense. This phenomenon is felt, if not in all spheres of life, at least in International Business. The global economic policies and Information and Communication Technology have given facelift to the twenty-first century business communication tools. The effect of global economic policies has opened up floodgates for foreign companies to trade with any country on the globe. This was not possible if advancement in technology did not support its communication links. If the communication is the life blood of business, speedy and on-time communication is its breath and finer spirit. Once upon a time it was believed that the communication is to encode message with right signs/symbols, send it and the receiver decodes it to understand the meaning of the message. The nearer the receiver is to the main message, the better is the communication. But now, along with it what is more important is ‘time’ element. How fast and accurately the message is sent is also very important. Thus, the role of modern technology and internet tools becomes vital in business communication.
In the human history, we have seen that man has always communicated. In the pre-historic times, fire & smoke signals, drums sounds etc tools were used for long distance communication. Even when man learnt to draw signs/symbols or to decipher earlier alphabets, he used birds like pigeons, parrots, eagles and animals like horses and camels to communicate. The first of its own kind of technology was invented in form of printing press. Gutenberg’s printing press (c.a. 15th Century) not only brought renaissance to Europe, but it was affected renaissance in business communication of the day. Printing press enabled faster written communication for the traders of the time. The invention of telegraph (c.a. 1837) and telephone (c.a. 1876) was another big leap in the communication history. But it was the twentieth century which witnessed drastic changes in communication as a whole and business communication in particular. The invention of Radio (c.a. 1901) and Television (c.a. 1929) captured the imagination of the twentieth century till the Internet rose on the horizons in 1970s (c.a.). It is internet enabled information and communication technology which has brought revolution in modern business communication.
Today, to imagine a business house without communication links like Email, Chat-applet, VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), Fax, Blog, eGroup, smart mobile phone (not only for texting and calling, but also for social networking), website etc is to imagine a life without blood and oxygen. These modern tools have become part and parcel of business setup. The open international economic system has made it essential for all business houses, big or small, to remain connected, round the clock, with the world. And without these tools no business house can afford to win customers.
Let us study these modern business communication tools in detail and see how effectively they can be used for communication. We shall also throw some light on theirs advantages as well as disadvantages.
Website:
Let us start with a website. A dedicated website for business is not only for marketing or sharing information about the business but it also is a strong communication link to connect with the customers. Most business people are still ignorant of the potential power the website brings to their business. It is still underplayed and so people have their websites but most of them are static and archaic. It is rarely updated and few of them care to respond to customers who are trying to contact them through websites. It is surprising to see that very few business houses are reaping the benefits of cost effectiveness of using it as communication tool.
Advantages of Website as business communication tool:
• A dedicated website can help companies in various ways:
o The company can maintain direct contact with the customers.
o Giving customers a choice to select and compare the products and services. This service helps customers in saving their time and just on a click they can compare products and decide to purchase.
o Opening window for ecommerce, wherein customer can buy products/services online. It helps company in saving revenue share of wholesalers, retailers etc and can give extra benefit to customers. It also saves them from duplication of products.
o Instantly solving grievances of the customers, which is very important in the competitive world – it gives winning edge to the company. For this strong feedback mechanism should be available on website. It saves time of customer and company in delayed communication for complaints and adjustments. It also helps wholesaler to solve grievances of retailers, logistics etc kind of stakeholders involved in chain of business cycle.
o Reading minds of customers – for this, space for ‘comments’ by customers should be available on website wherein customer can ‘text’ some message as feedback. This would not cost any extra bucks to company but can help them a lot in improving their products and services. The commenting can be kept under control so it won’t bother company to control unwanted and spam commenter.
o A separate space for employee login can serve several purposes at a time. Say for instances, management can read minds of employee from their login and reading their experience of working with the company. This helps in times of recession and slowdown of turnovers. It also serves the purpose and advantages of ‘grapevine’ communication channel.
Disadvantages of website as communication tool:
• The website as such does not have implicitly visible disadvantages as they are developed as part of online business marketing, yet when such interactive websites are not managed properly, it may have following disadvantages:
o It should always be under the vigilance. Interactive websites should be protected from hackers. The rival companies or porn sites keep attacking websites popular with customers. If company fails to vigil its website, it can mar the brand image of their products.
o There should be personnel always virtually present to reply to customers’ queries and grievances. As website communication is asynchronous, and not synchronous like chatting, the auto-mode of reply to customer’s complaints, queries, comments etc can help but it should be followed by personalized email from the company. Most of the time, delay in such communication forces customers to stay away from websites to communicate with company.
o One of the biggest disadvantages is ignorance of customers in using website for communication. So, companies should design websites which are user-friendly and the communication links are easily visible on the home page and easily accessible to the novice user of internet also.
However, the dedicated website has immense possibilities, capacities and capabilities to converge various communication tools at a time on single platform. Yet the ignorance, negligence and failure on part of companies and customers to understand its capacities does not allow website to flourish as one of the vital modern tools of business communications. But the days of awareness are not far away. Business houses have begun to use websites for various communication purposes. One can see and feel the experience of such websites. For instance, insurance websites are not only giving information related to their products and services, but also allow customer to pay premiums online. Even the news websites gives opportunity to readers to share their views on news through comments. The websites of electronic gadgets are full of innovations which give feeling of seeing products with real eyes, though they are crafted for virtual visual effect. Some such websites are www.nokia.com, www.licindia.com, www.ndtv.com, www.amul.com
Email:
Electronic mail (email) is a letter transmitted using internet technology. The transmission may be between two computers or smart mobile devices which support transmission of data through internet. The beauty of email is its speed of transmission. Now and then, email is compared with traditional mail where in email stands triumphantly ahead because of its speed and cost effectiveness of transmission of information. The email reaches farthest corner of the globe within millisecond. The only condition is that the said corner should be connected through internet. It does not only send text-messages, but also sends images, colourful graphics, audio and video messages (multimedia messages). Emailing is almost free of cost. Today, there are several email service providers like Yahoo, Google, Hotmail, Rediffmail, Indiatimes etc which give unlimited space for storing incoming and outgoing mails, that too, totally free to the users.
Advantages of Email as business communication tool:
• Email is fast in transmitting multimedia messages.
• It saves time and money as it is very economical.
• The communication is written and thus has more legal importance than other electronic communications. The written record of the communication is generated which is very useful in future.
• It is easy to retrieve email communication for future reference.
• It facilitates communication with multiple parties at a time.
• It is most suitable for open international economic system which is characterized by changing business environment, geographically distributed workgroups, extreme mobility and the need of rapid information dissemination.
• Email services are available on smart phones, PDAs, and other such hand-held devices. So, even without computer or laptop, accessing email is easy and user-friendly.
Disadvantages of Email:
• Emails, if not used over personalized web space, are like post-cards, any body can read it. The free email service providers do not guarantee secrecy of the messages transmitted over emails. Thus, it becomes harmful to business if such free service providers’ email platform is used for business transactions.
• It does not create better context for communication, and it does not clarify the tone of messages.
• It is sometimes seen as impersonal and prone to misunderstanding, because verbal cues and context are missing.
• Managing unwanted (spam) mails is biggest problem. Hundreds of unwanted mails waste lots of time even in deleting them. And because of it, at times, even useful ones are deleted or left unread.
• The sender does not always come to know whether the mail has reached right destination or not. Even if it has reached, sender does not know if the receiver has read it or not.
• It is asynchronous communication and so is not as effective as telephonic conversation or chatting communication on IMs (Instant Messages).
• Lack of infrastructure in remote rural areas poses biggest hurdle in its spread and reach.
With all these disadvantages, email is still the most popular modern business tool for communication. The recent survey by META Group, Inc., showed that more than 80% of the respondents said that email is more valuable than phone call for business purpose (META). As compared to disadvantages, email offers several advantages which make it more popular with business fraternity. Corporate houses believe email to be the strongest communication link within and out of the organization.
Blog:
Weblogs or blogs are traditionally known as digital diaries to keep records of journey, routine work or sharing information on relevant topics or used for self expression. Just like email service providers, there are free blog service providers. Some of the popular free blog servers are www.blogger.com, www.wordpress.com, www.bigadda.com etc. The companies have their own personalized blogosphere which is much protected and under control from unwanted users and hackers. The openness and transparent nature of the blog can be used effectively by business houses to provide online platform to their stakeholders (wholesaler, retailers, customers, clients, peer business groups, workgroups, and employee) to access relevant, useful and timely information.
Advantages of Blog as business communication tool:
• It is almost free to start a blog and maintain it. The startup cost and maintenance of website is not free and at times its cost is much higher. Relatively, blog performs almost all those functions of website and its cost is negligible (almost free).
• It helps to disseminate information quickly, efficiently and effectively to their clients and to other operating units of the business.
• It facilitates more open and direct communication channel with all stakeholders. The client feedback mechanism of blog is much stronger than email or website and thus it helps in better understanding of clients. Thus, in longer run, blog is more effective business communication tool as compared to email or website.
• It helps in reduction of cost for communication with clients and other stakeholders.
• It helps in collaboration from various workgroups situated geographically at remote places. Some of the case studies of Google, Microsoft and Adobe can be read at http://www.scribd.com/doc/2385513/Blog-as-a-Business-Communication-Tool. It proves how effective is blog for collaborative work.
• Blogs can be linked with email and SMS. It helps in instant transmission of information as and when blogs are updated with latest information.
• Blogs are better than Websites because:
o Blogs send instant email or XML feeder as and when blog is updated. The customer has to remember to come to website to see the updates, whereas blogs manage it by sending auto-emails and feeders.
o The feedbacks can be published along with blog which helps other customers to read and it helps in solving their queries. Websites needs to be specially designed for such functions and one has to keep special staff to manage it. Blogs manage it automatically.
o The static websites are like ‘dead brochures’. Blogs give the feel of some person on other side, listening and replying to customers.
• Blogs are better than Emails because:
o Blogs complement email by being more permanent and reliable. People receive hundreds of mails and at times, emails are deleted without being read thoroughly. The permanence of blogs allows customers to come at their leisure and read it carefully. The reliability of emails is decreasing day by day because of hackers and spammers. Blogs remain more trustworthy than emails, thus they are more reliable.
o It is less demanding or intrusive for readers, and able to reach a wider audience. Multimedia emails consumes lots of time in downloading and viewing. Receiver gets bored of managing bulky mails. Blogs do not give such botheration to receiver. The links of blogs can be shared and thus it can reach wider audiences.
Disadvantages of Blog as business communication tool:
• Blogs are good for service providers rather than product sellers. As service providers can blog FAQs (frequently asked questions) and other such service related information, it saves their time and money in further communication with clients. The customers also gets answers to their common queries from the blog. But for product seller, where 3D images and more interactivity is requires, Blogs fall short of high definition websites which used flash and 3D effects to display features of products.
• Though blogs are more user-friendly than websites, still it requires skilled hand to make optimum out of it. Ignorance on part of clients is disadvantageous to business houses in effectively communicating with them through blogs.
• As with all modern tools, lack of infrastructure in remote areas is one of the biggest obstacles in reaching out to rural market through blogs.
With all its limitations, blog is becoming quite popular among the business as well as common people. And marketing gurus are going to make hay while the sun shines – they are encashing its popularity by making innovative use of blogs for various business related communications.
Smart Mobile phones:
Mobile phones (smart as well as simple) have better penetration in the market than laptop or computer or internet technology. It is believed that the uses of mobile phones are ten times greater than internet users in India. The growth rate of mobile phone users is far ahead of internet users. Thus, it gives greater opportunity in using smart as well as simple mobile phones as business communication tool. All simple phones come with facility of SMS (Short Message Service). The SMS has tremendous potential to be very effective business communication tool. The smart mobile devices have several inbuilt applications and others are downloadable. Such applications run with the help of GPRS internet connection. Thus, such GPRS enabled mobile devices provide better business communication opportunities.
Advantages of Mobile Phones as business communication tool:
• As compared to all the above discussed modern tools, an SMS can reach wider audience in almost no time and there are far more chances of the message being read instantly than that of website / blog / email.
• The chances of instant feedback are also far better with SMS replies rather than email, blog or website.
• From marketing to spreading awareness or getting opinion from customers, none can beat SMS. However, busy person is, it surely gets time to peep into mobile device whenever it beeps for incoming SMS.
• The SMS ensures less spam, it is cost effective and time saving.
• It is helpful in market campaign, promotion of product, survey and voting.
• For advance version of smart phones which are GPRS enabled, there are again immense possibilities. It helps in viewing websites, blogging and mailing. Thus, such mobile stands quite ahead of other modern tools in its utility.
• The software applications installed in such smart devices helps in ecommerce, paying utility bills, fund transfers etc which cannot be handled by email or blogs.
• Some of the smart mobile devices are VoIP enabled. They can be connected through WLAN for hi-speed internet which helps them in transmission of voice and video over internet connection.
• The 3G enabled phones synergize all the facilities of video calling, websites, blogs and emails in one single device.
Disadvantages of Mobile Phones as business communication tool:
• The health hazards which are supposed to cause terrible mental and physical illness because of extensive use of mobile phones may prevent people form using it habitually. This may cause corporate house to change their customer relationship communication links which they have established through SMS and other mobile applications.
• The ban on unwanted SMS and mobile calls may be disadvantageous to business houses.
• The infrastructure for WLAN or 3G is still at primary level and it may take long time in spreading its penetration in towns and rural places.
• So far as SMS based communication is concerned, it has better opportunities but GPRS and software application based smart devices has its limitations. The cost of devices is normally higher for common man and ignorance of using such device also pose problems for such communication channels.
Mobile devices can be used in business to increase flexibility, speed up communication for faster business decisions and contribute to an efficient and organized communication network. The 3G enabled mobile device can turn the phone into mobile business centre. Thus, mobile phones are fast moving business communication tools which in days to come may beat laptops, computers, PDAs etc to win the race and become the best business communication tools.
VoIP:
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is voice messaging technology. It is a technology that enables voice messages to be sent via the Internet, often simultaneously with data in text or other forms. It is attractive to business people because it helps in making far distance (international) calls and transmission of voice data almost free of cost.
Advantages of VoIP as business communication tool:
• The cost effective long distance calls is the best advantage of VoIP. Internet technology helps in making such calls through some specially designed software or chat applets (IMs) like skype, GTalk, Yahoo Messenger etc. People sitting over laptops or computers connected with hi-speed internet can talk, discuss and run meetings for hours with almost negligible cost.
• It also helps in conducting meeting or video conferencing (if webcam is also connected) with various work groups from various parts of the globe. The only condition is that they all should be connected with internet.
• VoIP is also available on smart mobile phones. It really integrates business needs and optimizes business communication.
Disadvantages of VoIP as business communication tool:
• Its openness does not allow business houses to have secrecy in their communication through VoIP. The VoIP communication can be intercepted, traced and recorded. The third party can hack such conversations.
• It requires both or all the concerned people to get connected to internet through laptop or smart mobile device. It may be difficult for the travelling sales person or executive to have hi-speed internet connectivity wherever he goes.
• The internet must be of good speed and should not get disconnected in between the conversation.
• The lack of infrastructure in remote places may be biggest disadvantage for VoIP.

Instant Messenger (IM) / Chat Applet:
The IM / Chat Applets are easily downloadable applications which run with the help of internet/gprs on computers or mobile phones. These applications helps in synchronous communication with the people logged in to it. Some of popular chat applets are Yahoo Messenger, Google Talk, MSN messenger, Rediff Bol, skype and several others for mobile devices. As and when two people, remotely situated, get connected through similar chat applet, via internet, they can type and send message to each other. The typed messages are displayed on each computer almost at the same time. Thus such communication is known as synchronous, where as emails/sms are asynchronous communication.
Advantages of IM / Chat Applets as business communication tool:
• The communication is neither limited to only two people nor only through text messaging. Hundreds of people can join conversation at a time, from geographically remote places.
• They an also exchange images, videos, presentation files among each other.
• Not only that, they can make calls and have group discussion or meeting also.
• It converges email, VoIP and SMS into one mode of communication. The chat conversation can be saved and if the other person/s is/are not online, even offline messages can be sent. Thus is fulfills the functions of email. As we can talk, it fulfills the function of VoIP. Just like texting SMS, we can send and receive small messages in chat applets, it satisfies the needs of SMS also.
• It is very effective tool in problem solving as IMs provides instant responses.
• Its compliance with mobile phones gives more power. Just like SMS, people remain constantly connected through IMs.
Disadvantages of IM / Chat Applet as business communication tool:
• Normally, it is more informal form of communication and because people still does not take it as serious business communication tool, its conversation is not considered as serious as email or blog.
• The reliability of chat conversation is much less than email or blog.
• For using it as serious problem solving tool, companies prefer to have scheduled chatting over IMs. But that delimits its real potential and hence people prefer to email or comment on blog or contact through website, rather than waiting for pre-scheduled timing to chat their grievances and queries with company..
Thus, IMs / Chat Applets have its own share of advantages and disadvantages as modern business communication tool. Though, it is still used by teenagers for killing time, several business houses have realized its potential to woo teenage customers and are making effective use of it in establishing essential communication links with younger generation.
At the end, the discussion on modern business communication tools may seem incomplete if social networking sites are not mentioned. Social Networking Sites (SNS) is defined by www.thefreedictionary.com in following terms:
“a web site that provides a virtual community for people interested in a particular subject or just to "hang out" together. Members create their own online "profile" with biographical data, pictures, likes, dislikes and any other information they choose to post. They communicate with each other by voice, chat, instant message, videoconference and blogs, and the service typically provides a way for members to contact friends of other members.”
Primarily, the "social networking site" is the 21st century "virtual community," a group of people who use the Internet to communicate with each other about anything and everything. One can find dating sites, friendship sites, and sites with a business purpose and hybrids that offer a combination of these. The popular SNS are Facebook, Twitter, Orkut, etc. The corporate houses have realized the power and potential of popular SNS.
Now-a-days, there are several companies having their twitter account and they create trail of ‘followers’. They tweet to market their product and services. The customers can ‘retweet’ and have discussion, ask questions and have two way communications with the company through twitter. The companies also have their pages and groups / communities on Facebook and Orkut. They make optimum use of free space provided by these SNS to have their website or blog like pages and also woo customers over such web platforms. In fact, they make use of such SNS for linking their blogs, websites and other communication channels. The advantage of having SNS is that it gives opportunity to companies to reach wider audience and it is again free of cost. It gives customers to reach the company without wasting much of their time and money.
Further Reading:
Note: The resources from following websites is used at several places in the above article.

• META. http://www.mariosalexandrou.com/technology-trends/2003/80-percent-of-users-prefer-email.asp
• Dellow, James. For better, or worse: Living with e-mail in the workplace http://www.box.net/shared/6k8cx93sws
• http://www.movabletype.org/documentation/ business-blogging/comparing-blogs.html
• http://www.scribd.com/doc/2385513/Blog-as-a-Business-Communication-Tool
• http://www.article-buzz.com/Article/Nokia-E51-VOIP-Mobile-Phone-Ready-for-Your-Integrated-Business-Needs-Optimise-your-Business-Communication-System-with-Nokia-E51-VOIP-Mobile-Phone/366654

Artificial grammar reveals inborn language sense, study shows

2011-05-15T23:36:00.000+05:30

Artificial grammar reveals inborn language sense, study shows

ScienceDaily (2011-05-13) -- How human children acquire language remains largely a mystery. A groundbreaking study by cognitive scientists confirms that human beings are born with knowledge of certain syntactical rules that make learning human languages easier.

Parents know the unparalleled joy and wonder of hearing a beloved child's first words turn quickly into whole sentences and then babbling paragraphs. But how human children acquire language-which is so complex and has so many variations-remains largely a mystery. Fifty years ago, linguist and philosopher Noam Chomsky proposed an answer: Humans are able to learn language so quickly because some knowledge of grammar is hardwired into our brains. In other words, we know some of the most fundamental things about human language unconsciously at birth, without ever being taught.

Now, in a groundbreaking study, cognitive scientists at The Johns Hopkins University have confirmed a striking prediction of the controversial hypothesis that human beings are born with knowledge of certain syntactical rules that make learning human languages easier.

"This research shows clearly that learners are not blank slates; rather, their inherent biases, or preferences, influence what they will learn. Understanding how language is acquired is really the holy grail in linguistics," said lead author Jennifer Culbertson, who worked as a doctoral student in Johns Hopkins' Krieger School of Arts and Sciences under the guidance of Geraldine Legendre, a professor in the Department of Cognitive Science, and Paul Smolensky, a Krieger-Eisenhower Professor in the same department. (Culbertson is now a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Rochester.)

The study not only provides evidence remarkably consistent with Chomsky's hypothesis but also introduces an interesting new approach to generating and testing other hypotheses aimed at answering some of the biggest questions concerning the language learning process.

In the study, a small, green, cartoonish "alien informant" named Glermi taught participants, all of whom were English-speaking adults, an artificial nanolanguage named Verblog via a video game interface. In one experiment, for instance, Glermi displayed an unusual-looking blue alien object called a "slergena" on the screen and instructed the participants to say "geej slergena," which in Verblog means "blue slergena." Then participants saw three of those objects on the screen and were instructed to say "slergena glawb," which means "slergenas three."

Although the participants may not have consciously known this, many of the world's languages use both of those word orders-that is, in many languages adjectives precede nouns, and in many nouns are followed by numerals. However, very rarely are both of these rules used together in the same human language, as they are in Verblog.

As a control, other groups were taught different made-up languages that matched Verblog in every way but used word order combinations that are commonly found in human languages.

Culbertson reasoned that if knowledge of certain properties of human grammars-such as where adjectives, nouns and numerals should occur-is hardwired into the human brain from birth, the participants tasked with learning alien Verblog would have a particularly difficult time, which is exactly what happened.

The adult learners who had had little to no exposure to languages with word orders different from those in English quite easily learned the artificial languages that had word orders commonly found in the world's languages but failed to learn Verblog. It was clear that the learners' brains "knew" in some sense that the Verblog word order was extremely unlikely, just as predicted by Chomsky a half-century ago.

The results are important for several reasons, according to Culbertson.

"Language is something that sets us apart from other species, and if we understand how children are able to quickly and efficiently learn language, despite its daunting complexity, then we will have gained fundamental knowledge about this unique faculty," she said. "What this study suggests is that the problem of acquisition is made simpler by the fact that learners already know some important things about human languages-in this case, that certain words orders are likely to occur and others are not."

This study was done with the support of a $3.2 million National Science Foundation grant called the Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship grant, or IGERT, a unique initiative aimed at training doctoral students to tackle investigations from a multidisciplinary perspective.

According to Smolensky, the goal of the IGERT program in Johns Hopkins' Cognitive Science Department is to overcome barriers that have long separated the way that different disciplines have tackled language research.

"Using this grant, we are training a generation of interdisciplinary language researchers who can bring together the now widely separated and often divergent bodies of research on language conducted from the perspectives of engineering, psychology and various types of linguistics," said Smolensky, principal investigator for the department's IGERT program.

Culbertson used tools from experimental psychology, cognitive science, linguistics and mathematics in designing and carrying out her study.

"The graduate training I received through the IGERT program at Johns Hopkins allowed me to synthesize ideas and approaches from a broad range of fields in order to develop a novel approach to a really classic question in the language sciences," she said.

MLA citation: Johns Hopkins University. "Artificial grammar reveals inborn language sense, study shows."ScienceDaily, 13 May 2011. Web. 15 May 2011.

dilip barad image

2011-02-27T12:51:00.000+05:30

Feminine of 'Tom, Dick and Harry'

2011-02-07T09:54:00.001+05:30

The feminine of 'Tom, Dick and Harry' is 'Jill, Jane and Julie'.

Blended Learning Poster Presentation Dilip Barad.MPG

2011-01-02T12:59:00.000+05:30

The Last Option

2011-01-02T12:58:00.000+05:30

Literary Criticism in the age of information

2010-12-13T17:47:00.001+05:30

The literary theories and criticism has witnessed several shifts in 20th Century. Beginning with 'New Criticism', it ran through 'Reception Theory', 'Stylistics', 'Russian Formalism', 'Structuralism', 'Marxism', 'Psycho-analytical school', post-structuralism', 'Feminism'; along with voices of Modernism, Post-modernism, post-colonialism, cultural studies, new historicism . . . and what not.

What is the reason of such turns and twists in the 'studies' of the study of literatures?

Well, what John Wain (though said with some other context) wrote in 'Strength and Isolation: Pessimistic Notes of a Miltonolater' in Frank Kermod's The Living Milton (1960: Routledge) may have some answer to this shifting paradigms of 20th century.
He wrote: "The modern sensibility works in naturally with a medium like the cinema, with its endless fading in and fading out, its tracking, panning and all the rest of the devies for keeping dimension and angle in a continually shifting state . . . Symbolism on the one hand, the cinema on the other; concentration and discontinuity ..."

How far can we blame cinematic habit to these scenario is a debatable issue. But if it has a grain of truth, then what can we think about the sensibility of the man in the age of information - in an era of internet - amidst flood of information and constantly changing world? And what sort of theories and critical practices are we to confront in the 21st century?

Any idea? Please share by commenting . . .

Workshop by KCG on NME-ICT and role of ICT in Higher Education

2010-06-08T17:21:00.011+05:30

Knowledge Consortium of Gujarat (initiation of Department of Education, Govt. of Gujarat) organised one day workshop on 7^th June 2010 to orient university and college teachers towards National Mission of Education through Information and Communication Technology (NME-ICT) – a multi-crore project set in motion by Ministry of HRD, Govt. of India.

The resource persons were invited from IIM-A, IGNOU and Delhi University. I was pleased to be one of the resource persons among such an elite class of educationist. I made presentation on 'How some web 2.0 tools can be used in Continuous Internal Assessment and prepare ePortfolios of students, institutes and teachers'.

As I have to reach at Amhedabad Management Association, Ahmedabad before 9 am, I left Bhavnagar sharp at 6:20 am. The weather was cloudy and windy.
The mornings are normally very cool and breezy on the highway towards Ahmedabad. But this morning was gloomy and dark – reminded of the environment created by Shakespeare for the encounter of three witches with Macbeth and Banquo.

I feared not witches, but equally ill-omened rain and cyclone.
I drove Zen-Estilo at its highest speed. I cannot run it faster than 160 KMPH. The small cars have their limits.

I was not able to escape the cyclonic wind and torrent of rain. Soon I was amidst tumultuous outpouring of waters from the sky and tempestuous storm.

Fortunately, I did not confront any ill-incident and reached AMA safely and before time.

The AMA campus was fully drenched in rain and presumed a resemblance to newly wed bride. Each and every leaf of the trees, shrubs, bushes and grass were glowing with blissful glisten.

AMA is one of the most appropriate venues for such academic gatherings. They have fully equipped auditorium and have facilities to manage all the logistics required for seminar, conferences and workshops.

As I reached a bit early, I got chance to take snaps of the simple, sober and orderly kept auditorium.

I enjoyed sharing my experience of using some of the web tools for specific purpose like Continuous Internal Assessment and ePortfolio.
The gist of my presentation was to share an idea regarding internal assessment of students in semester system and use of ICT. With appropriate integration of Web tools (ICT), the teacher can make the classroom live, interactive and full of active participation from students.

It can open vistas of multiple communication channels in the (virtual) classroom which is normally one way communication (Teacher to Students) in traditional mode of teaching. It can also bring transparency to the internal assessment system as all the assignments, presentations and test records with comments of teachers are available of websites and accessible to everybody. All the students can see what their peers have done and parents can also tract the academic records of their students. This activity of taking learning on the web platform can lead into auto-generation of ePortfolios of not only students, but also of the teacher and the institute. It can be of great help to students when they are out in job market. It can be helpful to teachers in their self appraisals and to the institute, in academic evaluation by external agency like NAAC or ISO. The session ended with some inquisitive questions from the participants.

Testing video on blog

2009-06-22T14:23:00.007+05:30

The vBlogs from this page has been shifted to http://b4tl.blogspot.com
This b4tl (Blog for Teaching and Learning) is prepared for experimenting blog as Web 2.0 tool for teaching English as Second and Foreign Language.

Workshop UGC NET / SLET

2009-06-08T16:31:00.001+05:30

This presentation was prepared for the workshop at HMP Institute of English Training and Research, Gujarat (INDIA). It deals with some important questions for the preparation of UGC NET / SLET examination for the qalification of Lecturer. It also gives brief introduction about some important books on Literary Theory and Criticism.

Workshop UGC NET SLET

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Wikipedia and Twitter in School Curricula

2009-06-08T10:59:00.004+05:30

‘UK primary schools to include Twitter and Wikipedia in the curricula’

It is, in deed, a commendable move. If we want to make our future generation think out of the box, catch them young. Right from their childhood give them web 2.0 tools and let them toy with them. We do not want our next generation to be merely master-users of virtual world. Unlike today’s younger generation, we want them to be ‘creator’ of virtual wealth. We do not want them to be mere ‘users’, we want them to be ‘contributors’ to the wealth of information, knowledge and growing wisdom. To have our future generation to be such, we have to teach them the tricks at early stage of their edu-career.

Moreover, Wikipedia is free sharing web encyclopedia. By teaching our kids to master such web 2.0 tools, we also teach them moral lesson. We teach them the ethics of sharing FREE. Knowledge is not of sale, information is to be shared with one and all, wisdom is no man’s monopoly, irrespective of class, creed, colour, community or country, it should be shared, contributed and used by one and all. Indian Gurus never patented or copyrighted thier inventions and writings. It was all FREE for the bettermentof human beings. Let us instill Indian traditional ethics in our young generation by giving them reigns of technology.

Communication Skills for Teachers

2009-06-07T23:30:00.001+05:30

This presentation was presented in the Orientation Programme at Academic Staff College, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad. It deals with some basic communication skills required among the teachers to be effective communicator and efficacious teacher.

Communication Skills for Teachers

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Mahatma’s Memorabilia

2009-03-09T10:34:00.002+05:30

Auctioning and Vijay Mallya's winning auction of Mahatma's belonging is the mother of all ironies. The hype and uproar made for the belongings of the man who abstain from all sort of material possession is surprising. More than that, the memorabilia of the man who stood for teetotalism throughout his life is proudly bought back to our country by the man who earned his money form liquor business. What more do you expect from mother Irony!

The message of the man who told that 'my life is my message' is lost in the oblivion. The man who killed Mahatma wanted to kill his ideas and beliefs. He failed. He could only kill the man. Now the people who want to keep the Mahatma alive are in reality killing the ideas and beliefs for which he stood and are trying to keep the man alive through his belongings. How ironical!

CALL - Computer Assisted Language Learning

2009-02-04T16:11:00.001+05:30

Computer-assisted language learning (CALL) is a form of computer-based learning which carries two important features: bidirectional learning and individualized learning. It is not a method. CALL materials are tools for learning. The focus of CALL is learning, and not teaching. CALL materials are used in teaching to facilitate the language learning process. It is a student-centered learning material, which promotes self-paced learning.

CALL - Computer Assisted Language Learning

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WikiEducator: A Platform for SHARING and Learning

2009-01-31T15:08:00.001+05:30

WikiEducator: A Community for OER

From: dilipbarad,
51 minutes ago

WikiEducator: A Community for OER

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Audacity and ELT: Enhancing Listening n Speaking Skills using Advanced Sound Editing Software - Audacity

2009-01-31T15:04:00.001+05:30

AUdacity for Listening and Speaking material development

From: dilipbarad,
1 hour ago

AUdacity for Listening and Speaking material development

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What makes English difficult?

2008-12-31T18:29:00.001+05:30

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What makes English difficult?

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English Grammar - Parts of Speech

2008-12-31T18:24:00.001+05:30

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English Grammar - Parts of Speech

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How to achieve fluency in English?

2008-12-31T18:17:00.001+05:30

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How to achieve fluency in English?

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Experimenting ICT in English Language and Literature

2008-12-25T14:24:00.001+05:30

We live in an era of information explosion. Once there was famine of information, today we are drowned in the deluge of information. Gale of change is blowing in the pedagogy of Teaching English Language and Literature (TELL). Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is a catalyst agent. ICT has initiated new possibilities into the classroom. The marriage between education and Internet technology has made a deep impact on perspectives about teaching and learning. The role of the teacher, the nature and context of learning, as well as the function and relative importance of course content have all been challenged and redefined. Technophobic teachers have no place in this new world order.
This paper aims at sharing practical experiments with ICT in Teaching English Language and Literature. It deals with pragmatic aspects of using ICT with the student community of Business Management and Humanities. The extensive use of web 2.0 components, internet, blogs, e-groups, SMSs, emails, socializing portals, e-dictionaries, e-ncyclopedia, ppt presentations, webcasting, audio-video etc as teaching tools were experimented in the classroom. The student community was motivated to make use of cyber cafes and GPRS mobiles to interact with the teacher.
The paper deals with very pertinent questions:
• How far is ICT useful to student community?
• What is the role of ICT in teaching English language and literature?
• What kind of methods can be used to overcome students' problems?
• Can it empower student community? Can it improve their proficiency of learning?

Experimenting ICT in English Language and Literature

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Dictionary Skills

2008-12-25T11:25:00.002+05:30

Dictionary is the Geeta, the Bible, the Qoran for the genuine learners. As one cannot achieve spiritual salvation without the Guru and the Granth (the religious book), similarly, one cannot achieve knowledge without the Dictinary. Dictionaries are both the Guru and the Granth. It is the book which can well be termed as the friend, philosopher and the guide. It is up to the user as to how better advantages can be taken from dictionaries. Dictionary is like Shakespeare. Remember what Mathew Arnold wrote in his poem on Shakespeare: "We ask and ask - Thou smilest and art still,/ Out-topping knowledge." Let us see the following presentation to learn 'how to make best use of Dictionary?'

Dictionary Skills

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Academic Writing Skills 2

2008-12-25T11:06:00.001+05:30

We think Study Writing is most suitable for students whose English level is between intermediate and early advanced (approximately IELTS 5.0 - 7.0, TOEFL 480 - 600, Computer based TOEFL 160 - 250, or new generation iBT TOEFL 55-100). These presentations on Academic Writing skills will help you in five main ways. Firstly, it will introduce you to key concepts in academic writing, such as the role of generalizations, definitions and classifications. Secondly, you will explore the use of information structures such as those used to develop ans present an argument, a comparison or a contrast. Thirdly, you will be guided through the language as it is used in academic writing. Fourthly, you will become familiar with particular genres such as the research paper. Finally, you will try out some of the processes which we have found help students to improve their writing abilities, such as how to participate in a virtual peer group and how to get feedback on a piece of writing before you present a final draft.

Academic Writing Skills 2

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Academic Writing Skills 1

2008-12-25T10:52:00.001+05:30

Of all the skills of language learning, viz., L-S-R-W, Writing Skills is one of the most important one. Today, we live in an era of specialization. It is time to give special attention to writing skills for special purpose. Here, in the given presentation, we shall discuss the writing skills required for academic purpose only. Writing for academic purpose, say for instance, for research article, for Ph.D. or M.Phil. dissertation, etc is not as simple as writing for communicative purpose. Academic writing has some unique features. These features will be highlighted in this presentaiton series on AWS (Academic Writing Skills.

Academic Writing Skills 1

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Olympics should have no place for hypocrisy

2008-08-23T22:03:00.001+05:30

Olympics is the mother of all games and sporting events. Since the time of Greeks, sportsman spirit and sportsmanship are indelible part of Olympics. Sports and games are played not for winning or losing. It is played with a view to develop a conduct considered fitting for the sportsperson, including observance of the rules of fair play, respect for others, and graciousness in losing. It is intended to make human beings more humble and honest; as a result to make the world best place to live for one and all.

Such a magnanimous event (Beijing Olympics 2008) should not open the way it has, at Beijing - China. It is not a big issue that the girl with best voice but imperfect teeth is replaced by the one looking beautiful. What is more important is the dishonesty. China has cheated not only 91,000 people sitting in the Bird's Nest, but the whole world, through live telecast of that song. China should have disclosed the fact and due respect should have been given to the girl who really sang the song. It is not a fair play. China failed to give respect to her own citizens. How would China face that little girl's questions when she grows to understand injustice done to her? It is the best (or worst?) example of China's hypocrisy. The dragon has different teeth to show and to chew!

Spellings in English Language: To spell or not to spell correctly.

2008-08-09T22:20:00.001+05:30

Spellings in English Language: To spell or not to spell correctly.

Language grows. It has accreting quality. It flows like river. It goes on changing its shape and flow in harmony with its levee. Change is the only permanent feature of language. Language which does not change with flux of time, give up the ghost.

The Spelling is one of the vital components of a language. From time and again, like language, spellings of the language also undergo a change. From Geoffrey Chaucer – the father of English language – down the line, if you read writings of Shakespeare, Edmund Spencer, Milton, Dryden or any of the 18^th, 19^th century English literary hulks, you will find how modern English spellings were 'misspelled' by these great man of English letters.

If the history of English language tells us that language and its spellings can't be static; it must constantly evolve to keep up with changing times and remain relevant; then why should Pundits of the language cling steadfastly to the correctness of spelling?

Ken Smith, lecturer at the Bucks New University in Britain has added fuel to the debate over 'to spell or not to spell correctly'. "Don't let students' howlers drive you mad, says Ken Smith. Accept their most common mistakes as variant spellings ... and relax." He further argues that "…instead of complaining about the state of the education system as we correct the same mistakes year after year, I've got a better idea. University teachers should simply accept as variant spelling those words our students most commonly misspell". Several of British English spellings are already accepted as American variants and people have easily assimilated them in their daily usage. Thanks to Bill Gates and MS Office. 'U' is omitted from 'colour', 'favour', 'endeavour' etc. This software programme has changed 'programme' to 'program', 'judgement' to 'judgment'. Ken Smith asks, "The spelling of the word "judgement", for example, is now widely accepted as a variant of "judgment", so why can't "truely" be accepted as a variant spelling of "truly"?" To begin with, he listed top 10 spellings of simple words which are commonly misspelled by the students.

Of course, such proposals have been made in the past. The dawn of SMS-text messaging turned many students into spelling Neanderthals as phrases such as "wot r u doin 2nite?" became socially, if not academically, acceptable.

Despite Smith's suggestion, language pundits are unconvinced. John Simpson, the chief editor of the Oxford English Dictionary, says rules are rules and they are there for good reason. "There are enormous advantages in having a coherent system of spelling," he told the Times newspaper. He added, "It makes it easier to communicate. Maybe during a learning phase there is some scope for error, but I would hope that by the time people get to university they have learnt to spell correctly."

But still the point is: Is it really necessary to spell correctly to fulfill basic function of language – which is to 'communicate'? If we can communicate without correct spellings, is it essential to learn how to spell correctly? If you have a million dolor (check meaning of this word) doubt regarding how to communicate without spelling correctly, read following paragraph:

Cna yuo raed tihs? Suteids sohw taht olny aoubt 55 prcenet of plepoe can (atculley trheer is no scuh sudty). I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. Tihs sohws us the phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid. Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at an Elingsh Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are in, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer are in the rghit pclae. The rset of the txet can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but isntaed raeds the wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? Yaeh and we awlyas tghuhot slpelnig was ipmorantt!

Yet even some of Britain's greatest wordsmiths have acknowledged it's a language with irritating quirkiness. Playwright George Bernard Shaw was fond of pointing out that the word "ghoti" could just as well be pronounced "fish" if you followed common pronunciation: 'gh' as in "tough," 'o' as in "women" and 'ti' as in "nation."

Isn't Ken Smith's idea worth accepting? Isn't it the time to adopt humanistic approach and free students from the atrocities of spellings? Technology has changed the way we live and think. It has initiated change in the way we spell our spellings. Isn't it a good idea to simplify obsolete and confusing spellings? Isn't it an idea whose time has come?

Marks Vs Merit

2008-07-24T09:18:00.001+05:30

It is well observed that students who can't write a few sentence on their favorite film star secures more than 80% marks in board examination. This reflects to the dire situation in which our education system is. Marks do not guarantee intelligence. Our edu-examination system is like eating too much and then vomiting it. Those students who get good percentage are better in stuffing their memory with cramming and then vomiting over the answer books. The better the vomit, the better the marks! It would be better if we introduce continuous assessment system where in daily performance of the students in all the walks of education, including sports, NCC/NSS, Cultural events etc is also considered seriously for merit. We never give any weightage to extra-curricular activities in the mark-sheet of student, neither is it considered as merit for admission in higher education. We are making grave mistake by missing the mark. Our educationist must realize that marks does not contribute to overall development of personality, it is extra-curricular activities which contribute to it.

India’s need of the hour: Young Educated Politician

2008-07-22T22:31:00.001+05:30

Education enlightens. It helps to look beyond horizons. It gives vision to look at the things in newer ways. Fortunate are citizens of Rajkot and Bhavnagar to get well-educated Mayors to serve them. It is a happy sign that highly educated young people are devoting for community service through politics. Young nation like India wants younger generation with good higher education to serve her. And Yes… Isn't it the impact of Lead India campaign that generationext is coming forth to lead & reign Youngistan?

VC stoops to conquer favour of CM

2008-07-22T22:27:00.001+05:30

This is with reference to the news about Vice-Chancellor of Gujarat University touching feet of Chief Minister Narendra Modi during one public gathering. It is really sad to see the guardians of education stoop so down to win political favors. It is said that education leads to empowerment & it makes one nirbhay(fearless). What sort of fearlessness would such vice-chancellors give to the students? It is nice to read that in past, there were several vice-chancellors who defiantly stood against the then governments. Today's vice-chancellors, professors and teachers are totally lost in their moral strength and ethical ground. No doubt, the ethical standards of such societies are dwindling down. The dream of Ravindranath Tagore to see his country awake, where the mind is without fear and the head is held high, is still nothing but a dream.

Responsibility of Media and Police in Democracy

2008-07-22T22:17:00.001+05:30

Arushi-Hemraj murder case is one of the worst examples of irresponsible behavior of media and police. There is an outcry, since time immemorial against the way police and media behaves. Both have tremendous responsibilities on their shoulders. They are strongest pillars of democracy. It is time that they should understand that with great power comes great responsibility. This case, let us hope, will open their eyes and in future they will behave with responsibility and accountability.

WikiEducator: Platform for managing e-Learning Resourses

2008-07-03T10:30:00.001+05:30

Wiki has become a very popular brand name. Today, one need not teach netizens the meanin of wikipedia, wikimapia, wikinews, wikiquote, wikisource, Meta-wiki, wikispecies, wikitionary, wikibooks, wikiversity etc, etc.... I dont thing people alien to this concept would ever be reading this blog. If they are, here is the answer of What is Wiki?
The name "Wiki" was chosen by Ward Cunningham -- the creator of the first Wiki. It is a shortened form of "wiki-wiki", the Hawaiian word for 'quick'.
A wiki is a web site that is generally editable by anyone with a computer, a web browser, and an internet connection. Wikis use a quick and easy syntax to allow users to apply formatting to text and create links between pages. This simple formatting syntax means that authors no longer need to learn the complexities of HTML to create content on the web.
The main strength of a wiki is that it gives people the ability to work collaboratively on the same document. The only software you need is an Internet browser. Consequently, wikis are used for a variety of purposes. If you make a mistake, it's easy to revert back to an earlier version of the document.
Wiki is in Ward's original description:
The simplest online database that could possibly work.
Wiki is a piece of server software that allows users to freely create and edit Web page content using any Web browser. Wiki supports hyperlinks and has a simple text syntax for creating new pages and crosslinks between internal pages on the fly.
Wiki is unusual among group communication mechanisms in that it allows the organization of contributions to be edited in addition to the content itself.
Like many simple concepts, "open editing" has some profound and subtle effects on Wiki usage. Allowing everyday users to create and edit any page in a Web site is exciting in that it encourages democratic use of the Web and promotes content composition by nontechnical users.
WikiEducator is a similar kind of platform for teachers, researchers and any-who-and-what related to teaching, learning, research and education.
WikiEducator is a community resource supported by the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) for the development of free educational content.COL is an intergovernmental organisation created by Commonwealth Heads of Government to encourage the development and sharing of open learning and distance education knowledge, resources and technologies.
WikiEducator's purpose, in thier own words, is to build an evolving community intended for the collaborative planning of education projects linked with the development of free content;
colloborative development of free content on Wikieducator for e-learning;
colloborative work on building open education resources (OERs) on how to create OERs.
The WikiEducator is a community which believes in:

The social inclusion and participation of all people in our networked society (Access to ICTs is a fundamental right of knowledge citizens - not an excuse for using old technologies).
In the freedoms of all educators to teach with the technologies and contents of their choice, hence our commitment to Free/Libre and Open Source technology tools and free content.
That educational content is unique - and by working together we can improve the technologies we use as well as the reusability of digital learning resources.
A forward-looking disposition working together to find appropriate and sustainable solutions for e-learning futures.

WikiEducator is a dynamic and exciting community of educators who believe passionately that learning materials should be free and open to all. Listen to Desmond Tutu on freedom in education and check out the exciting roles in our community.

If you think you believe in similar sort of values, Please join WikiEducator in developing free and open educational content for the world!
Get started today and register now for free wiki training.

http://www.wikieducator.org/User:Dilipbarad

A Collective Sin of Our Time: Need to teach Humanities.

2008-05-30T09:14:00.000+05:30

A collective sin of our time
--By P Venugopal from http://www.news.in.msn.com/
Mumbai: A promising Naval officer murders a young professional in cold blood out of sexual jealousy, the body is cut into easily transportable pieces, his lady love goes out to shop for a bag to carry the body pieces away.Delhi: A reputed dentist hammers his daughter to death to conceal his extra-marital affairs with a professional aide. What did society gain by educating these well-placed individuals at the cost of the public exchequer? Crimes like liquor-induced murders, atrocities on women and dowry harassment are reported commonly among poor and unlettered families. Such crimes are now spreading to highly educated and elite sections. This is a cause for serious concern. Education is not merely acquisition of knowledge and skills. It is supposed to subdue man’s animal instincts and groom him as a decent, cultured human being. If an educated man behaves like a beast, what use education? In the first instance, the Navy man used the skills in man-to-man combat and use of knives imparted as part of his naval training to overpower and murder a youth. In the second case, the dentist used his expertise with clinical instruments to take away two lives. In both the cases, they used their professional skills to perpetrate serious crimes. This should make society sit up and think.According to official statistics, crime rate in urbanised societies is on the rise. Love affairs and sexual causes are the top motives for most murders and culpable homicides. In olden times, moral teaching was an inalienable part of education up to the high school level. Teachers themselves were living examples of the ethical values they taught. They were a source of motivation and inspiration for their wards to lead a worthy life. Great teachers moulded great minds. On the home turf, parents were the role models for children. Most children growing up in modern society are deprived of the positive influence of ideal teachers and enlightened parents. Children are forced to be an instrument to realize the unfulfilled ambition of their parents—-to become a doctor, engineer or civil servant and get rich fast through means fair or foul. Fewer parents explore the real aptitude of their children before they are compelled to follow a particular course of study. The inevitable result is the children not only don’t evince any real interest in studies, but adopt a rebellious and defiant attitude once they grow up and become independent. They don’t mind going to any length to realize their burning ambition. This is the reason why more and more people from the so-called educated strata of society are landing up in jails, spoiling their future and corrupting the society. If this tendency is not nipped in the bud, nation’s future will be in peril. There is no short-cut to it other than inculcating values in children in the formative period. This task cannot be left to the government alone. Teachers, parents and cultural bodies do have an equal responsibility in moulding the future generation. Dr Rajesh Talwar and Lieutenant Jerome Mathew are products of the syndrome `knowledge without character’, which the Father of the Nation described as a `collective sin of our time’.

Use of ICT by PMC

2008-04-29T15:34:00.000+05:30

Techno-skeptics have always believed themselves and forced others to believe that technology has failed to improve the quality of life. A.C.Clarke seems to be more relevant today. He wrote in Technology and Future, “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic”. Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has done that magic with technology. It will inspire many to make use of Google’s hotly debated maps services for betterment of society and public woes. PMC has launched a website making use of google's earth software and gave satelliete picture of Pune city. This map has all the road cleary demarked. Now, any citizen has any sort of complain regarding bad-roades, pot-holes etc, they can register complain with location on the map. The concerned officer in charage of that area received the complaint and his actions are also recored on the website.
What an innvative way to use satellite images? The techno-skeptics always feared the misuse of such technoogy by terrorists. PMC has seen the glass half fulled and has changed the entire scene.

Food Grain Crisis: Grain Pain

2008-04-29T15:31:00.000+05:30

The world is facing grain pain. We, the dwellers of the 21st century, had never thought in our seventh dream that we will face food grain crisis. Green Revolution and new genetic scientific technology boost our confidence that we, the Man on the Earth, can play wonders. But the curren crisis for food grains in US and to some extent in India has raised serious concerns. We need to relook at the way we are misusing natural resources. Mahatma Gandhi has rightly said that Nature has everything to satisfy the need of all but nothing to satisfy the greed. Global warming is nothing but the result of the greed. Green house effect is the result of the greed. Change in global climate is the result of the greed. Food grain crises is also the result of the greed. To get more meat for non-vegetarians, grains are fed to animals and birds. To build more and more residential houses, fertile land in acquired. If only man learns to control his greed, there won’t be any crises.

Education for All ...

2008-04-22T13:18:00.000+05:30

Education for all….
There is a paradox. Either you go for education for all or quality education. Constitution says about fundamental right to education. Committees are against expansion of education infrastructure. The situation in this paradox remains – ‘rich can buy better education and poor are compelled to receive substandard education’.
Well, the best way (perhaps) to crack this paradoxical puzzle is to pour money into it - Money for infrastructure and for salary. It’s still easy to pour money for infrastructure and develop it. More difficult is to pour money for salary. When the sixth pay commission has submitted it report and a committee is set to revise its guidelines, it’s perhaps best time to restructure pay scales of teachers working in government aided schools. Once government aided teachers are paid handsomely, the private players must increase their salary. Once the salary is better off, talented young will be attracted towards working in schools. I would suggest better salary packages for rural schools as compared to that in city schools. We want better teachers to work in rural and semi urban schools. In cities, there are better opportunities to ‘buy’ education, villages don’t have such options.

Like, India's Education system, Legal system of India is also facing crunch for best brains. As best of the best brain opt for medical or engineering, and the left out of standard 12th are in queue for being teachers in schools and colleges, similarly successfully lawyers never give up their practice to don a judge's robe. In the last meeting of the chief justices of high courts of India pay hike was prominent demand of one and all.

Money is not the root of all the evils. Lact of it is. Money is one of the best motivators. It is pay packages of IIM and IIT graduates that insire more and more young and brilliant brians to adopt the profession of management or IT.

If attractive packages are availed to teachers, most of, if not all the problems pertaining to education can be solved in India.

IPL: a sect in the Religion of Cricket

2008-04-22T13:03:00.000+05:30

I doubt if IPL will lessen nationalism. The worst form of it will be reflected in spectators’ loyalty to their city/club teams. We have seen in the first three days of IPL that when the Mumbai Indians lost wicket, there was pin drop silence in the Mumbai stadium which was roaring like sea on gale at the wickets of opponents. Similar silence and uproar were observed at Bangalore and Mohali.

This phenomenon will surely lead to hooliganism. Regionalism is already on sprawl in India due to political colors. This form of cricket will add fuel to the fire. Culturally divided nation like India, whose unity lies in its diversity, may experience further divides because of new form of cricket. Cricket is considered as one of the unifying catalyst in the diversity of India. Unanimously, all agreed that Cricket is a religion where all other religions dissolve. IPL will create more sects in this religious spirit associated with the game of cricket.

Obscenity and nudity in The Times of India news daily

2008-04-18T10:28:00.000+05:30

For some times, I have observed that 'The Times of India' is giving more space to nudity and obscene photographs and news stories. It all begin with small pics of some glamour dolls in ‘News Digest’ (first page) or in graffiti (last page). Then it was Page 2 ‘cinema gossips’ where every other day a nude picture of Holly/Bollywood diva is posted.
Now, it’s even in the main news item that TOI doesn't miss a chance to print obscene, indecent, and lewd pictures. Quite ironically, tt all began under a beautiful name of ‘Save the Girl Child’ and see where has TOI gone. Is it necessary to print naked female figures to save the girls and women? Every now and then TOI bring sensual story in the name of ‘save the girl child’. Their representation of the story which is illustrated with similar kind of picture is so lascivious, voyeuristic and libidinous that at times it raises serious suspicions in the mind of readers. What is the intention of TOI in ‘Save the Girl Child’ campaign? Is it really to save girls and women or to give worst schemes and designs to woo, seduce and molest more girls and women?
What happened in Patan or is happening with females in society is a matter of a grave concern. But is it proper to give such a prurient coverage of entire episode? Worst were the photographs TOI printed with these stories.
Similarly, in the coverage of love affairs of political leaders of France and Russia, is not TOI crossing the boundaries of decency and decorum? If your answer is no, have a look at the nude pictures of their love ladies posted in TOI. After ogling over the pictures, if you don’t agree with me, ogle again with your parents and children.
The Times of India has the largest circulation in India. It is most read English daily in India. It’s not because of chauvinist approach to sexism. It is because of respect and reverence this news paper has in the eyes of readers. Is not TOI falling in high opinion and esteem of readers? Is not the value and worth of TOI decreasing because of such news items and photographs? If TOI is viewing to increase viewer ship by such mean attempt, I would say that those who are viewed as target readers for such content are surely not reading TOI. There ia a lot of such stuffs available in market ( and almost free on web), which is far ‘better’ than what TOI offers.

IAS officer praised for work on higher education

2008-04-15T22:09:00.001+05:30

Apropos to ‘IAS officer praised for work on higher education’…
Its rarest of the rarest happening in academic arena. None has ever seen or heard of education commissioner being commemorated with laurels, that too by the intellectual elite of the state. It’s true that even the highly motivated require motivation and such praiseworthy event motivates other too. Hats off to Times of India for giving good space to such better news in higher education of Gujarat. Otherwise, we are witnessing that higher education of Gujarat is in the news for all the worst kind of things.

Farewell Speech

2008-04-07T11:57:00.000+05:30

The farewell speech delivered on 5th April 2008 at Smt. S.B.Gardi Department of English, Bhavnagar University, Bhavnagar.(Gujarat – India)

Mr. and Mrs. Rameshbhai Mehta- retired Judge, Respected Prof . Purnimaben V. Mehta-Head of the Department, alumni Hetal Mehta and Chetan Trivedi and dear friends,

Before I give my vote of thanks to the chief guest of today’s programme, I would like to share a few ideas with the students who are leaving this department.
Dear Friends, most of you are going to make your career in the field of teaching. You would be teachers in schools, colleges and universities. Please remember, somebody is always watching you, and learning from you – not from your words but from your actions. As a child watches its parents and learns from them – not form their words but form their actions, similarly students watch their teachers and learn from them – not form their words but from their actions. So, friends, don’t forget to build your character along with your career.

Your exams will begin on 5th May, 2008. In these last 30 days of ordeal, you may face innumerable tribulations, trauma and troubles. But remember, it is when things get worst that one must not quit. Quitters are never Winners, and Winners never quit. Remember the lines written on the wall of NDA – Dehradun: “When the going gets tough, the tough gets going.”

On this day, I remember lines quoted by Shiv Khera in You Can Win:
Life’s battles don’t always go
To the stronger ad faster man,
But sooner or later the ma who wins
Is the man who thinks he can.

Always think that you are Born to Win.

Coming back to the onus of giving vote of thanks, Sir (Mr.Mehta), this is one of the most memorable days for our students. We are grateful that you have spared some valuable moments with us. On behalf of, Bhavnagar University, Department of English and all the students & staff, I am heartily thankful to you for gracing this occasion with your esteemed presence.

Thank you, one and all.

Incredible Puppet Show of Life and Death

2008-04-07T11:42:00.000+05:30

Apropos to the fornt page news in The Times of India dated 29th Feb 2008, ‘Life and Death', I would like to share my views on the two incidents which took place on the railway track. A mother gave accidental birth to a girl child in the toilet of railway and child drops down on the track on a moving train. In the other incident, 16 workers form Bihar or UP were waling on the track and suddently a train came rushing and killed all of them.
What an incredible puppet show by the ‘President of the Immortals’! The Railway track breeds one little life with care and consideration whereas the same track becomes the viewless & voiceless annihilator of so many human lives. It is truth universally acknowledged that there are more things in heaven and earth, than are dreamed of in our philosophies. It is well said by Shakespeare: “All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances.”

WiFi in Rajkot city (Gujarat - India)

2008-02-05T16:44:00.000+05:30

iApropos to ‘WiFi in Rajkot City’….

Its belated yet a welcome move by municipal body to implement WiFi facility in Rajkot city. What’s so inspiring about this move is the selection of place. Their giving priority to University area is in real sense a commendable act. At a time, when else in the world, governments look forward to give better infrastructure in IT for business and corporate world, here is an example, noteworthy, provided by Rajkot Municipal Corporation, to give importance to the educational infrastructure development. In the heydays of economical advancement in India, it’s laudable to think about providing a better wifi-internet infrastructure to University students. Isn’t it?

Virtue Rewarded: India wins Test match against Australia

2008-01-19T22:11:00.000+05:30

Virtue Rewarded.
Kudos to Indian Cricket Team for their bounce back ability! Winners are not know from how high they reach in their achievements, but from how high they can bounce back after falling. Indian cricketers have proved their champion’s spirit. After molestation by grave decisions of umpires, vicious victorious celebration of Australians and rueful coverage of Australian media, it required terrible amount of courage and mental strength to bounce back. And see the way Indians have done it! This victory is symbolic of triumph of virtue over vice.
If Sydney was the graveyard of virtue in ‘gentleman’s game’, Perth is the re-birth of virtue. The nemesis has ultimately rewarded with poetic justice. And what a way to give justice! Symonds, who was given several ‘lucky’ benefits of doubts in Sydney, was given LBW even if ball sneaked bat. Again, Australia is devoid of making a history of seventeenth consecutive test victories, both times by India.
Kumble’s cool composure in interviews outwitted Ricky Ponting’s pointless ramblings. Kumble reflected the culture of decorum and majesty which symbolizes Indian culture. Thus, not only on the ground but even off the ground, nemesis favored India to give its virtuous poetic justice. Today, Indians all over the world are proud of Kumble’s and his boys for making tri-colour flag fly high with dignity and self-respect.

Dilip Barad

Sydney Test Cricket Match: Defeat of Honesty and Integrity of Gentleman's Game

2008-01-06T19:00:00.000+05:30

At Sydney Cricket Ground, it’s not India who is defeated, but it’s Cricket. The identity of cricket as ‘Gentleman’s game’ is under sprain since long. What happened in last five days was nothing less that cold-blooded murder of the spirit of Gentleman’s game. Umpires played an imperative role, but they are not the only human agency to be blamed for this bloodbath. They being human beings are prone to err – to err is human. But the way Champions of the Cricket - the Australians, especially the captain Ponting and Symonds bamboozled at the crucial moments of the game is the matter of grave concern. Pointing was caught behind in the first innings and got Ganguly out on the dropped catch in the slips – thus twice, the captain of the world champion team deceived himself, umpires and above all the spirit of the game. The signals sent by this champion team are that of trepidations. It is not the point of worry that the Virtue went unrewarded, but it really concerns that vice has won.

Dilip Barad
Bhavnagar

Interview Techniques

2007-08-23T07:58:00.000+05:30

INTERVIEW TECHNIQUESGenerally to check the skills, experience, qualification, hobbies etc., an Interview will be conducted and to select a suitable and best deserved candidate for the position in a Company who can handle the job efficiently, independently. Remember that the interviewer (s) are of great experience. They are fully acquainted with the nature of the duty and qualities required of a candidate for the particular job. They can judge a candidate’s capabilities from his words and expressions.In this matter, the candidate must be well prepared to give the answer briefly, point-to-point, with suitable examples so that he can impress the Interviewer; The following are few techniques which are generally observe at the time of Interview;1. There are generally two types of interview, (a) Verbal and (b) Written.2. Be Confident, be Bold, be Polite, be Positive while facing the interview.3. Your fear & tension are the main drawbacks in getting the job, so try to avoid it completely.4. Soon after receipt the Call from the Company, you should prepare/revision the relevant subject matter.5. Inquiry about the Company’s background and to whom interview at what exact time, date & Venue.6. One day before the interview, visit to the said Company and know the exact location and collect some information about the Company, their main business activities, about Product, Service, how many branches, their locations, how many staff working (Technical/Non-technical), Salary range etc. complete so that, at the time of interview you will have more confident to give the appropriate reply.7 Think that, you are going to attend the Interview but not to beg anything from the Interviewer.8. Never claim false expressions of any hobbies or interest, actually you don’t have.9. Don’t lie any matter at any cost, which leads to leave a bad impressions.10. Dress smartly with combination tie, shoe (polished), cut the nails, use light scent/spray, combed well etc., Avoid strong scent/after shave lotion.11. In case if you may have mouth-smell, then Pl. use mouth-refreshing tablets/syrup before interview. Advise not to use the onion, garlic & other food stuffs which gives smells while speaking.12. Reach the interview location at least half-an-hour in advance.13. Wait patiently up to your turn comes in the Waiting Hall/Room. And don’t discuss any technical/subject matter with your colleagues this will loose your confidence. 14. Enter in the Interview Hall/Room duly knocking the door. Don’t enter the room neither very hurriedly nor very slowly. Normal pace and dignified entry must characterize the candidate’s appearance before the interview board.15. After saying usual salutation like, Good morning/Afternoon/Evening as per the situation, give brief introduction and the reasons to come here, and don’t wait till the Interviewer to start the discussions.16 Don’t shake hand until and unless the other side is offer first.17. Occupy the seat quite normally - when the Interviewer requests you. And don’t forget to say him ‘Thanks’.18. In case, if you wear a Hat or sunglasses take it off as you enter the Room/Hall.19. Sit comfortably with more confidently and don’t keep any File, Testimonials, or Bag on the interview’s table. You should keep it down at your side.20. Listen very attentively & carefully the question and give answer in natural & normal ways.21. If you don’t understand the question properly, request him to repeat, tell frankly & don’t shame/hesitate here. If you don’t understand at all any question then, simply keep quite, don’t try to give false reply/information. 22. The First Impression is the Best Impression, so try to give good impression.23. Speak in a soft but very clear tone. Your words should be well chosen. You should convey your ideas very clearly. Maintain the normal pitch and normal speed.24. During interview, see the Interviewer’s eyes and give reply suitably.25. The Interviewer read your body language, don’t bend so or don’t sit so comfortably freeing the legs, hands or shoulder, so be careful.26. Keep the friendly & good atmosphere in the Room/Hall with smile face, and some-time laugh and don’t so close with the Interviewers, otherwise bad impression count.27. Your every moments will be checked by the Interviewer.28. Don’t complain against previous Employer/Co. at any stage, which give a negative thought on the Interviewer.29. Some-times the Interviewer ask about why you leave the previous Co. what are the main reasons etc., so give appropriate and correct answers like; for bright prospectus or good working atmosphere etc., Never say, salary not in time, not good Company, this will give again the negative points.30. Apart from the subject matter, they may ask other general & social questions, so give the right answer.31. Don’t keep any kind of mental tension while facing the interview, which leads to fail the interview.32. Some-times, they may ask personal and general questions at a time, to confuse the candidate, so listen carefully and give one-by-one answer, & don’t loose your temper.33. Advise to Rehearsal for Interview with your Master or friend, so that confidant will come and can face the interview in perfect manners.34. Don’t ask any questions/quarries until and unless you have been requested.35. Don’t ask first about the salary/package and other service benefits etc.,36. Memorize all the passing dates of Qualifications & Experience, sometimes they may ask, what you have mentioned in the CV.37. Don’t play with the items place before the Interview’s table.38. Don’t change your seating directions frequently; this will loose attention of the Interviewers.39. Don’t blame your Fate, Fortune or your family background or financial matters; this will count another negative point on your part.40. After Interview finished, leave the premises immediately, and leave a impression that, you have to attend another interview at another place.41. Try to cover your weakness through the presentation of other achievements.42. Develop your personality to suit the post for which you have applied.
GENERAL INFORMATION:- Until and unless you have not prepared well, you are unable to face the Interview.- At any stage, don’t fear, be confident in you, be polite, be positive this will leads to success the interview.- In fact there are number of opportunities in the Market for the right, deserved, well qualified, talent, energetic, well experience candidate only.- Communication is the only way of _expression your skills & talent.- To get any success, definitely there should be hard work with more concentrations, and proper preparations.- Success is sure and definite for those who himself check their negative points and changed into positive attitudes.- Dear, if you can't change your attitudes then no one can help you and you never succeed in your Career/Life. Pl. accept the facts.- Wishing all the Best in your Career.- You may please add some relevant information to this text to complete the information in all respect.