Global Perspective on Indian Media

Louise Roug, Global News Editor of Mashable, a leading US-based online news portal, was in Hyderabad recently to interact with city-based journalists at a workshop on ‘New Media Journalism’. With her vast experience in journalism, Louise spoke about the major issues concerning journalists and journalistic practices across the globe. 

In a candid talk with Metro India, she explained the importance of experimenting with new ideas in dissemination of news. Louise worked for Los Angeles Times for almost a decade covering political developments in the Middle East including in Iraq, Lebanon, Gaza and Syria. She has Pulitzer Prize (2007), Overseas Press Club Award (2007), Times Editorial Award for Beat Reporting (2006) among other awards to her credit.

What were the global trends and challenges for reporting and journalism when you started your career?
I started my career in professional journalism in the 
year 2004 with Los Angeles Times and was posted at 
Baghdad. The challenges were almost same as they are today, however, the threat to the lives of journalists was more. Reporting in conflict-ridden areas is obviously full of challenges for a journalist. During my stay in Baghdad, I was provided with language interpreters to help me communicate with the local populace. I feel taking the interpreters at their word was the biggest challenge. But I started my global interaction experiences from Bosnia in 1994 when a war was going on there.


How do you see Indian media?
It seems to me that Indian media is more of opinion-based like the UK media. In US, most of the media houses can be termed as free media, in my view. Also, most of the Indian media houses don’t have foreign bureaus.

What kind of transformation does Indian media needs in your view?
I think training in digital media tools within news rooms is needed in India. Also, there is a need for continuous training for the journalists. Though most of the newspaper and television channels are on social media these days, they need more training.

What do Indian journalists need to do for global presence?
Continuous experimentation is very important. Creating space on the social media, blogs and various other tools is also necessary. Journalists should take inspiration from people across the globe.

Any suggestions to young journalists?
People have become very smart. Even politicians are active on the social networking sites. Journalists should also have their presence on social media. You should be smarter than politicians. However, newspapers will not disappear despite a surge in popularity of social networking websites and new media.

TSPSC to Take Time for Syllabus Change

Contrary to expectations, the Syllabus Committee set up by Telangana Public Service Commission (TSPSC) has not finalised any changes to the syllabus for competitive examinations. However it submitted a report to the commission recommending few minor changes to the existing scheme of the recruitment procedure after holding a day-long meeting at TSPSC office.

Syllabus Committee wants to ensure that the changed syllabus would have all important things that are necessary for the students of Telangana

Syllabus Committee head Prof G Haragopal said that the committee had gone through the existing syllabus and scheme during the meetings held so far. He said that only the ‘Scheme’ of syllabus and recruitment procedure was submitted to the commission. The ‘Scheme’ includes the pattern of question papers, composition of topics to be covered, assigning marks to the topics and other aspects of the selection procedure. He said that changes in the syllabus would be submitted later along with the notification itself.

He said, “Changing syllabus is a sensitive matter and decision in that regard needs some more time. The proposals in syllabus change will come along with the notification by the commission.” When asked about Group II examination pattern, he replied that there would not be major changes in the pattern. He said, “Since we don’t want to worry the students, we would not suggest any major changes in Group II pattern.” He said that it would be ensured that the changed syllabus would have all the important things that were necessary for the students of Telangana.

Earlier in the day, the committee met for the third time and held discussions on various issues related to the syllabus components and scheme. He reiterated keeping in view students’ aspirations, major changes would not be done to the syllabus. He reiterated that the discussions were held to see the existing procedure of recruitment.

Groupism, Poor Infrastructure Ruined the Academics

Poor infrastructure coupled with groupism among the faculty members of the animation department have brought academic sessions to a standstill at the Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University (JNAFAU) with the college management assuring students that they would resume classes only after the requisite infrastructure is put in place over the next two months. The authorities suspended the classes for two months starting January 24 and decided to resume functioning after vacation. 

Students have been crying foul over the rampant groupism among students, who are being supported by a few faculty members. They have been boycotting classes since January 6. The authorities called for a meeting with them and also conducted reviews with other administrators of the university. Finally, a committee of professors decided to sack all the 11 faculty members teaching various topics to the animation department and the resolution is pending with the varsity registrar.

A second year animation student M Mallesh said that university was charging them considerable amounts as tuition fee, but was neither providing basic infrastructure facilities like computers with the right kind of software nor proper faculty. University registrar Kavita Daryani Rao said that classes would commence as soon as the infrastructure is provided. She said, “We need computers, laboratory and better faculty for the students.

However, since animation is not a single subject and encompasses various subjects, it is quite difficult to get a suitable faculty with the requisite qualifications. We are roping in many experts who can cover the large number of topics in animation. Proposals have been placed to buy 60 computers and other infrastructure for the students.” Principal of the College of Fine Arts B Srinivas Reddy said that students are complaining about poor communication and language skills of the existing faculty and said that the language of artists would be visuals and linguistic expertise does not matter.

He said that probable groupism among the faculty members and favouritism could have led to the outrageous protest of the students this year. He said, “I feel that division among the faculty has created groups among students and consequentially resulted in the present impasse.” He said that a resolution to sack the faculty members of animation department, recruited on contract, was adopted by a committee set up by the JNAFAU registrar. The committee, which included professors from various departments, sent the resolution to the vice-chancellor for further action. Members of the faculty at the animation department were not available for a comment on the controversy.

Swine Flu Affects Numaish Rush

Increasing number of swine flu deaths and positive cases in the state and particularly in the twin cities are deterring people from visiting Numaish, the All India Industrial Exhibition, thus affecting the business. During the last one week, the exhibition has seen a decline in the number of visitors as several deaths were reported in this period. Though the flu death was first reported in early December last, the number of visitors was voluminous as usual.

However, the volume of visitors started declining as the death toll of swine flu positive cases rose. According to sources, there has been a gradual decline in the number of visitors for the last three days. Generally, the peek business days at Exhibition start from January last week and remain till the end. The outbreak of swine flu causing deaths of several people seems to have hit the business at Exhibition. Usually, the number of visitors to the Exhibition ranges from 40 to 50,000 every day. On holidays, the footfall increases five thousands.

But due to the constant advertisement by the state government instructing people to avoid crowded places the number has decreased considerably. R Sukesh Reddy, a volunteer and security in charge at exhibition grounds said that during the last week the number of visitors came down by few thousands. He said, “Awareness campaign by the government over the swine flu resulted in decreasing the number of visitors to the exhibition. We have been observing for few days now that the volume of people coming here decreased.”

He however said that this decline in number would not affect the business in high volumes and expressed the hope that this situation would not remain for long. The stall owners in the exhibition appeared worried over the swine flu and government advisory for the people. The exhibition remains up to February 15.

Sensitizing Aspirants of Executive Posts Is Agenda

Mohammed Younus 
Syllabus Committee, constituted by the Telangana Public Service Commission to suggest changes to the existing syllabus of all competitive examinations, is keen on sensitising candidates appearing for executive and administrative posts on local issues prevailing in the State. The committee which discussed the change in syllabus recently focused on creating awareness and a strong understanding of the local issues among aspirants. 

An overhaul of the syllabus will be done at a later stage. But, some crucial part of the syllabus will be changed 

Professors, educationists and experts of the committee opined that a change in syllabus would not be for name sake. Though there is no official outcome on the meetings, it is learnt that the committee members are unanimous on improving the objectivity of the examination. Syllabus Committee head Prof G Haragopal said that an overhaul of the syllabus would be done at a later stage. He said that for the current year, the Syllabus Committee would not make major changes in the syllabus and pattern. But, some crucial part of the syllabus would be changed. 

He said, “Sensitising the aspirant candidates on the socio-geographic and socio-economic issues of the State is necessary. Several aspects on AP would be replaced with that of Telangana.” “There is a debate going on for changes in the pattern of Group II examinations as recruitments are done of executive posts. Objective type questions alone cannot assess the candidates appropriately. It needs a total relook”, he informed. 

The Syllabus Committee would meet on January 29 to give the final touches to the already prepared framework and would submit the proposed changes to the commission on January 30. The members have said that changes in the curriculum have been proposed by taking a realistic view of the whole situation.

Rejig in School Syllabus with TS Movement

Mohammed Younus 
From the next academic year, TS students would study the role played by Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao in the Telangana movement, going by the recommendations reportedly finalized by the State Council for Educational Research and Training upon completion of its exercise for revamping the syllabus for schools of the State. The recent Telangana movement would be included in the syllabus at the school level, highlighting the role of Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and its president K Chandrashekhar Rao, Chief Minister of the newly created State. The major changes would be in Telugu and Social Studies subjects at the primary and secondary levels. 

"Role of TS legends to be highlighted"

The SCERT has proposed several changes in the syllabus to be taught from the next academic year. In Telugu, the history of poets, writers and authors from the Telangana region would be included, removing the ones from the Seemandhra region. History of educationists from Telangana who had been ignored in the past would also form part of the new syllabus. The history books would have the Chronicles of Telangana dating back to the merger of the erstwhile Hyderabad State into Indian Union and all the major events up to the formation of Telangana.

According to the School Education Department officials, the history of movements during the Nizam’s regime, Hyderabad’s merger, first democratic government, agitations pertaining to Mulki Rules, role of Osmania University students, the 1969 Telangana movement and the 1972 Jai Andhra movement would be included in the history section. Besides, the renewed movement for statehood, the role of TRS, TNGO’s, KCR’s fast-unto-death and announcement of formation of the separate state would be included. Prominent people from Telangana involved in various movements from 1911 to 1948 would find place in the history books. The role of Hyderabad State Congress, Andhrjana Sabha, Ravi Narayan Reddy, Ramanada Tirtha in the Telangana movement would be discussed elaborately.

Farmers’ agitations, Telangana Armed Struggle, history of Maqdoom Mohiuddin, Shaikh Bandagi, Chakali Ailamma, Doddi Komuraiah and V Ramchandra Reddy are among the other topics that would find place in the revised syllabus. This whole exercise of the SCERT virtually eliminates from the syllabus information pertaining to Seemandhra-related poets, writers, historians, movements and cultural events.

Row Over Sackings in EFLU

Mohammed Younus  
Hyderabad : Students and employees of the English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU) are crying foul over the unlawful sackings of a few Class IV employees in the university. Students alleged that the administration has been using the services of an employee B Jayaram, appointed on an ad hoc basis, to cover their tracks on the campus. According to student unions, the university administration has given several key responsibilities to him, though his appointment was not made as per the norms.

According to students, the CAG report had also held EFLU responsible for illegal appointment of office attendant Jayaram who was later appointed as university caretaker. It is alleged that after attaining the position of caretaker, Jayaram has been harassing the Class IV employees and has sacked nearly 10 employees. It was also alleged that he demanded Rs 50,000 from a sacked employee Mariyamma to take her back on rolls. Telangana Students Association secretary B Sateesh said that university administration is completely against the SC/ST students and employees on the campus and is showing utmost discrimination towards marginalised sections.

He said that the appointment of Jayaram was illegal as the Universities Act permits the vice-chancellor to recruit only teaching staff and not non-teaching staff. He also said that in case of appointing the non-teaching staff, it should not be for a period exceeding six months. It is said that Jayaram and his brother were using political clout for continuing their activities in the varsity and were harassing women employees.

Complaints have also been lodged with the university administration in this regard, he said. Attempts to contact the vice-chancellor and other officials of the varsity were futile. The students demanded an enquiry into this matter and bring all the sacked employees back on rolls.

FreeDom of Speach !

Mohammed Younus 

Freedom of speech has once again got the prominence globally ever since some alleged 'terrorists' have carried out a daring attack on a satirical tabloid of France Charlie Hebdo recently, though many questions have been raising on the authenticity of the claims of French agencies about the identity of attackers.

Let me put the discussion on the identity of attackers off and express few words pertaining to the freedom of expression. Some of the experts dealing with the social rights of people across the globe compare Freedom of speech with right to live.

Snatching away this freedom would be like killing a person or a group of person, according to these experts. I also support this idea to a larger extent. But as we travel from Japan, one tip of the global map, to Europe and then US we can find different standards of freedom. In China the people are allowed to speak what the government wants them to speak. In Russia we have almost the same standards.

Coming to India we have a larger freedom but this is used only to benefit few 'strong' people. It has been observed that freedom of speech in India has got many different faces. In the name of freedom you cannot go to extreme. In India we have certain restrictions. Some lines have been drawn.

In Arabian countries, Gulf and Iran we have more restrictions on free speech. Despite such sanctions the social media has played a vital role in devastating the status quo that has been there for several decades and it brought the people there some respite from the dictatorship.

In Europe and US the freedom of speech is limitless or extreme. Generally the West including the media uses this freedom across the globe. As the west has its own standards for freedom it goes wrong in Asian, Central Asian and Latin American countries if practiced with the same standards. 

Charlie Hebdo episode is the clear example of miscarriage of freedom of speech across the globe. Though it is true that if something is sacred for someone it could not be possible sacred for others but there is a need to have an overlook on the whole concept of freedom. Because we have to reconcile for peaceful co existence rather to fend conflict in the name of Freedom.

A Unique Oral Course

Mohammed Younus 
Hyderabad: A Professor from Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) has designed a unique course to teach the basics of Urdu language without requiring the learners to use a pen or paper. The course is completely based on oral teaching and examination for the six months certificate course is also conducted orally. This course has come into existence following the immense demand from Urdu lovers from different walks of life who wanted to enjoy the beauty of the language.


Centre for Urdu Language Literature and Culture (CULLC) Dean and Professor Khaled Sayeed has designed the course and introduced it in the year 2009-10 for the first time. The name of the course is ‘Tahseen-e-Ghazal’ which means appreciating the Ghazal. He said that several language enthusiasts in programmes like Mushairas and other literary events felt uncomfortable as it was Greek and Latin for them. They lament that they were not enjoying the events as those who knew the language. 

Hence they have requested him to design a course that non-Urdu people could pursue and understand the language without the pain of writing and reading. Sayeed said that each language has its own community. Ghazals can be understood better by those who knew Urdu and those who don’t will have to look sideways clueless. He said, “Ghazals have some particular vocabulary and usage that need to be deciphered properly if a person wants to understand the correct meaning.” 

He said that during the six months course, the students are taught to learn the simple phrases, words and basic structure of the language. He explains, “The syllabus of this course is based on three components that are Pronunciation, Communication Skills and Vocabulary of Ghazals. We have conventional things in Ghazals that need to be deciphered.”

Boon For Coaching Academies

Mohammed Younus 
Hyderabad : Jumping at the opportunity being offered in the form of change of syllabus for Group-I and Group-II exams, coaching centers are minting money from job aspirants by offering their ‘own syllabus’ for the prestigious exams, though the government is yet to take a call on the issue. Taking advantage of vague announcements by the government and TSPSC members, the coaching centre have started preparing material for the ‘changed’ syllabus and are selling them at exorbitant prices.

Soon after the government announced that the syllabus would be changed, some of the academies imparting training for competitive examinations started promising that they would circulate study material on Telangana History, culture, art, architecture and literature, gleaned from local history books and as suggested by experts. Actually the changes announced by the government in syllabus are not big as only the Cultural History of the State would be incorporated in it. However, coaching academies are promising students material with substantial changes in syllabus. 

A student, K Venkat Yadav, who has been preparing for the Groups examination, said that he had paid Rs 5,000 for the material promised to be provided by the academy where he is being tutored. He said that at least hundred students had paid money for the material. TSPSC has constituted a committee, headed by Prof G Haragopal, to design the basic structure of the new syllabus. However, the commission has clearly stated that there would be not much change in the syllabus.

When TSPSC chairman Ghanta Chakrapani announced the decision relating to change in syllabus, he had specifically advised the students not to fall prey to the tactics of coaching academies. He said that the changes would be only in respect of material carrying only a few marks and would be announced by the commission itself soon. He said, “We would not allow any coaching academy to exploit the situation by predicting syllabus.”

Despite this warning, many academies have already started luring students and aspirants with their own syllabus. Students who have been waiting for the notifications have become scapegoats for the coaching centers. A major worry for the students now is the time that would be taken by the commission to release the notification.

Choice Based Education, Challenges Ahead

Mohammed Younus

 Even as the central government has asked all the universities to follow and implement the Choice Based Credit System (CBCS), educationists from different varsities say that until a composite framework is not prepared it cannot be implemented properly. After the UGC issued directives asking varsities to adopt grading system, challenges in the implementation of this scheme has become a matter of debate among academics.

Though they welcomed the Ministry of Human Resource Development’s move, they also stressed on the need to evolve a comprehensive framework to deal with it. Political Science Professor at University of Hyderabad Prof K C Suri said that the education system in India was not tuned to this flexible system, but changes have to come. He said that it would give a lot of freedom for the students to learn from their topics of interests from the pool of choices.

Aims of CBCS
-To provide flexible education system
-To develop multiple skills among students
-To provide multiple exposure to the students
-To increase employability
-Questions and Challenges
-Universities and higher education not in tune with such a flexible education
-No clarity on the future of amalgamated degree courses
-Lack of proper training to the teachers
-Lack of proper mechanism to implement
the scheme
-Needs a complete overhaul of the higher education system

He said, “It’s a welcome decision but for its best implementation teachers must be prepared in such a way that it gives good results. This system cannot be imposed by administrative authority.” He said that with this kind of education a student would acquire a varied knowledge of different subjects besides core subject. The credit transfer system was, according to the experts who designed it, intended to develop skills among the students. However at UG level it would be a new experiment as such.

So far it has been implemented in few universities at PG level with great difficulty, but implementing it at the UG level would be a challenge for the varsities. Osmania University Faculty of Commerce Dean Prof Mohammed Akbar Ali Khan said that there was a need for a well-designed mechanism to properly suit the needs of students in this system. He agreed that there have been problems in the implementation of such a program in OU at PG level and that the approach was having several deficiencies.

He said that for the CBCS to be implemented with accuracy, the system of schools should be adopted rather than department system. “The school system would facilitate the affairs of students and help academics to run it smoothly, rather than the existing administrative set up of departments,” he opined. He said that in European universities, the CBCS was successful for the fact that they practiced the school system. Academics also believe that the choice based education system would help students of higher education to develop skills, but it needed lot of training for the teachers to successfully implement it.

Choice Based Education Now

Mohammed Younus
Students of higher education institutions of the State can now pursue different courses simultaneously and carry credits to another institution. Though this system is already being implemented in certain courses at post-graduate level in some universities, the Centre wants it to be extended at undergraduate level from next academic year.

Human Resource Ministry had recently announced that the higher education will be made flexible with the implementation of Choice-Based Credit System (CBCS) across all the universities in the country. To this end, the Centre had asked States to implement the scheme from next academic year. It also asked the education ministers of all States to constitute committees to study the challenges and hurdles in the implementation.

This system will allow a student of under graduation to attend one more or extra course of his/her choice apart from that s/he is engaged in. This is a student-friendly measure that allows greater flexibility and helps them to earn credits from the extra course which can be transferred if they move to another institution. In the present conventional system, both marks and grades are used. The effectiveness of the same scheme at PG level, however, has not been assessed yet it is implemented in some State universities of Telangana, including Osmania University.

Moving ahead with the scheme, the Centre wants the same to be followed in the UG programmes. In this case, a student of Science can now choose a certain subject of his/her choice from any other stream. Telangana Higher Education Council chairman T Papi Reddy said that the intention of this scheme was to enhance the multi-faceted learning among students at higher levels. He said that this would give students the exposure of various topics during the course time.

He said, “This is already being implemented in some universities and after thorough assessment a framework would be formed for implementing it in all the universities in the State.” State Education Minister G Jagadish Reddy also conducted a meeting with experts and higher education council officials recently. He said that the Centre’s move was intended to strengthen the higher education in the country with flexible methods.

Salient points
- Student can select a wide range of subjects apart from basic course offered by university.
- Facilitates inter-disciplinary approach.
- Credits obtained by students are movable from one university to other.
- Credit is a kind of weightage given to the hours of learning in the prescribed syllabus, which is in a segmented form. Normally one credit is allocated to 15 hours of learning. 
- In each of the courses, credits will be assigned on the basis of the number of lectures/tutorials/laboratory work and other forms of learning required for completing the course contents in maximum 18 week schedule.

Fake Faculty in Engineering Colleges

Mohammed Younus / Hyderabad : Police have speeded up investigation in the alleged fraud roster system for maintaining faculty members by minimum 16 engineering colleges in Rangareddy, Nalgonda and Khammam districts. The police raided these colleges after a formal complaint was lodged by the Registrar of the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Hyderabad stating that several engineering colleges were running with the same faculty members. 

These 16 engineering colleges are among the 174 colleges that were debarred from taking part in the Eamcet 2014 counseling last year by JNTU for failing to fulfil the mandatory AICTE norms

These 16 engineering colleges are among the 174 colleges that were debarred from taking part in the Eamcet 2014 counseling last year by JNTU for failing to fulfil the mandatory AICTE norms. It has come to light that during the second round of inspection by officials, these colleges were indulging in dubious practices by showing ‘fake’ faculty members. The registrar of the varsity complained that the colleges have taken the services of middle men for recruiting temporary faculty only for the period of inspection. 

However, no arrests have been made in this regard. The police have slapped cases against the college managements under Section 420 and 109 of CrPC. The complaint also states that these colleges were fooling officials and inspection teams by presenting fake student list for the sake of claiming fee reimbursement from the government. Responding to the development, Telangana Engineering and Professional College Managements Association chairman N Goutham Rao said that due to lack of faculty at the time of inspection, the managements of some colleges might have appointed lecturers in hurry without verifying their teaching details. 

He said that this could be the mischief of some teachers working as Assistant Professors and Associate Professors in different colleges. He however denied any role of managements and said that proper scrutiny by police officials will clarify the matter. JNTUH authorities have informed that complaints would be filed against several other colleges which have committed a similar mistake. “Presently, the complaints have been lodged only against colleges with concrete evidence,” said an official from the university. However, no arrest has been made in this issue so far by the police.

Fake Certificates For Schools

Mohammed Younus / Hyderabad : An alleged foul play in the issuance of Extension for Temporary Registrations (ETRs) by the staff of the Hyderabad District Education Officer and Regional Joint Director has come to light. Information obtained under the RTI Act reportedly shows that dubious sanitation certificates for private schools that are issued by the GHMC are being validated by the DEO and RJD office staff to issue false ETRs to certain private schools in the city.

Availing of an ETR requires nine documents including safety, sanitation, and transport certificates generated by the GHMC. Every school is issued these certificates from its respective municipal circle office. But this is not the case with some private schools. According to RTI activist Matam Mallesham, “Sanitary certificates issued to the schools in question were not matching with their respective area of operation or GHMC circle. Instead, those certificates have been issued by the circles other than that of the schools located.”

Information obtained reveals that many schools do not possess certificates issued from their respective municipal circles.

He added that, “ETR is issued by the DEO after verifying the documents produced by the managements of schools. However, it has been observed that mandatory documents have been generated by the staff of DEO and RJD for procuring ETRs.” The information obtained reveals that many schools do not possess certificates issued from their respective municipal circles. For example, Ravindra Bharathi School from Santhosh Nagar comes under Circle No 1, but was issued the sanitary certificate issued from Khairatabad Circle number 4. 

Similarly, Narayana E-Techno School from Saidabad was granted the certificate by municipal authorities in Khairatabad. It is alleged that Khairatabad’s municipal office is a hub for issuing these false sanitary certificates. Other such schools that have obtained certificates from Khairatabad are Jyothi Bala Mandir High School in Moosarambagh and Krishnaveni Talent High School in Madannapet that belong to Kapra. Complaints had been made to higher authorities with regard to these false Sanitary Certificates but no action has been taken so far.

The RTI reply also shows that several schools have produced certificates with improper seals and signatures though issued by the same circle. Chaitanya Techno School in Nallakunta and Blue Birds High School in Musheerabad have been issued certificates from GHMC Abids circle authorities, but the seals look completely different. Mallesham points out that it is the handiwork of employees working with DEO and RJD office who are involved in this racket.

The applicant Mallesham has submitted a complaint to the School Education Commissioner and sought action against the responsible persons behind this whole episode. He sought a complete enquiry into this matter and alleged that officers in the DEO and RJD were involved in generating fake certificates to facilitate the illegal practices of private school managements.

Corporate Lobby Responsible For EAMCET Mess

Mohammed Younus / Hyderabad : Even as the tussle between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh governments continues unabated over who should conduct EAMCET and other common entrance tests, educationists in the state are pointing a finger of suspicion at the corporate lobby for the stalemate. They are of the firm belief that the real beneficiaries of this mess appear to be the corporate educational institutions, who have been batting on behalf of Andhra Pradesh in various fora to ensure that the common examinations are conducted only by the Andhra Pradesh Council of Higher Education.

Educationists in the State are of the belief that the real beneficiaries of this mess are corporate educational institutions who have been batting on behalf of Andhra Pradesh in various fora to ensure that common exams are conducted only by APSCHE 

They observed that the nexus between greedy corporate institutions and government had flourished unchallenged for decades. Telangana Political JAC chairman Prof M Kodandaram said that there was absolutely no harm if the test is conducted by the TS Council of Higher Education and it has legal sanctity for that. He lamented that the only reason why Andhra Pradesh government was opposing this idea is that they could neither continue manipulation in the examinations nor fix ranks for CET examinations like EAMCET, if it is conducted by the Telangana government.

He said, “The business of corporate educational institutions is directly linked to good ranks. There has been a nexus between corporates and previous governments in the undivided State. They then used to run the show. This education mafia was resorting to manipulation in various examinations in such a way that only certain institutions used to get good ranks, and if the TS government conducts the test, these corporate managements would be out of business.” 

TSCHE vice-chairman S Mallesh expressing his doubts on the over-enthusiastic lobbying by AP government for conducting EAMCET said, “There must be some hidden agenda that is driving AP government to demand holding of common CETs in two States. Otherwise, the admission procedure would remain the same as in the past and students from other State could get admissions in the 15 per cent open quota.” He said that Section 75 of the AP Reorganisation Act states that institutions listed under the schedule 10 should serve both the states without any discrimination. “Section 95 says that the admission procedure should be continued as in the past in light of Article 371 D of Indian Constitution,” he added. 

He said, “We have decided to go separately for CETs after taking the advice of the Telangana Advocate General. We are clear in our stand.” A higher official from Telangana government on the condition of anonymity, however, said that a minister in the AP cabinet has been lobbying hard for the common test for both the States to be conducted by APCHE. On the other hand, AP Council chairman L Venugopal Reddy said that whatever the AP government has decided was as per the Act and the council was only acting as a nodal agency to do whatever it has been directed to do.

Telangana Engineering and Professional College Managements Association chairman N Gautham Rao said that there would be absolutely no problem if the Telangana Higher Education Council conducts the test separately. The apprehension that AP students would be at loss if the test is conducted separately is unfounded and false notion, he said adding, “Whoever conducts the test, as per the Reorganization Act, they have to give 15 per cent open quota for the students of both the States.” 

What Act Says
-Section 75 of the Act says that institutions listed under schedule 10 would belong to the State where they are located.
-Such institutions should extend their services to the other State without any discrimination
-Section 95 of the Act says that common admission procedure should be followed in all common examinations with 15 per cent open quota in accordance with the spirit of Article 371 D of Indian Constitution for ten years

StakeHolders
-Corporate institutions for better ranks
-Students of both the States appearing for the Test and their parents
-Engineering colleges in both the States, especially in and around Hyderabad
-Coaching institutions giving training for various CETs

Telangana Public Service Commission To Change Syllabus

Mohammed Younus / Hyderabad : An experts’ committee set up by the Telangana State Public Service Commission (TSPSC) would hold its first meeting this week to discuss guidelines for formulating a new syllabus for competitive examinations. The 25-member committee headed by noted educationist G Haragopal would examine the present pattern of examination and formulate its own syllabus. The scheme of syllabus includes frame work of examination for candidates appearing for around 22 examinations that fall under the jurisdiction of TSPSC. 

It includes the number of questions, level of assessment and depth of questioning. After designing a suitable scheme, it would be presented to the government for approval. The social sciences part of the existing syllabus is set to change as per the policy decision of the Telangana government with an intention to include the history, culture, geography, art and literature pertaining to Telangana region. The experts’ committee includes professors of Geography, History, Literature and other social sciences.

The TSPSC needs its own syllabus that encompasses all geopolitical details of the state, a high official in the government on the condition of anonymity said, adding that that the syllabus is likely to change for a 200-mark single social sciences paper. He said that all competing candidates would anyhow understand the Constitution and history, but they should also know about the geo-political and social aspects of Telangana state as well.

The existing pattern of the examination consists of four parts out of which two parts pertain to social history and contemporary problems and rural development in the state for Group 2 examinations. On the other hand, for Group 1 examinations, the Paper II contains History and Cultural Heritage of India and Andhra Pradesh which would be replaced with that of Telangana.

Where would be the change?
Group 1
-Paper 2 of the Main examination carries questions on History and 
Cultural heritage of India along with AP
-It also carries questions on various social and cultural movements too

Group 2
-Paper 2 : Social and Cultural History of Andhra Pradesh would be replaced with that of Telagana
-Paper 2 consists of religious composition, movements in the state, 
Asafjahi dynasty, communist movement, end of Nizam’s rule and 
formation of Andhra Pradesh
-Other part comprises of questions on development aspects of the AP

Group 4
-Paper 1 of the General Studies consists of questions on history and 
culture of the state

Eamcet Schedule Very Soon

Metro news / hyderabad : Amidst a raging controversy, the State government on Monday said that the Telangana State Higher Education Council would release the schedule for EAMCET and other common entrance tests soon. As expected, EAMCET would be conducted by the TS council and if AP students want seats in Telangana, they would have to appear in the test conducted by TS council. The admission procedure after the results, however, would remain the same as in past.

Putting to rest apprehensions among students and parents, Education Minister G Jagadish Reddy said that the decision of Telangana government was conveyed to Governor E S L Narasimhan and the issue was later discussed extensively with Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao. He said, “The Telangana government is very much authorized to hold these tests on its own as per the A P Reorganization Act.” He appealed to the students not to panic. He, however, said that even at this juncture if the A P government comes forward seeking the help of TS, “Our council will conduct test for students of AP along with Telangana.”

He reiterated that the stance of state government was repeatedly put forth before the Governor several times and the dates would be finalized in a day. He said that the ten districts of Telangana do not come under the jurisdiction of the AP Council and hence it was not authorized to conduct the test. Meanwhile, G Jagadish Reddy on Monday released the newly designed logo of Telangana State Board of Intermediate Education at the board office.

The logo contains the Kakatiya Arch representing the state of Telangana encircled with leaves emerging from the book in the bottom, representing the educational growth. The open book represents learning and the rising Sun represents the enlightenment of students with knowledge. The floral design around the logo represents the state festival Batukamma. The pink color represents friendship and prosperity.

Challenges Ahead TSPSC

Mohammed Younus / Hyderabad : Though the State government has appointed the chairman and members for the Telangana State Public Service Commission (TSPSC), the commission is facing three immediate challenges including insufficient staff, inadequate funds and inadequate space for it to carry out designated tasks. The commission requires about 350 employees for about 75 sections and a lot of space to accommodate them.

It is learnt that the commission officials have already written about the issue to the government, but there seems to be no breakthrough on this front. The Telangana State Public Service Commission as of now comprises a chairman, three members and a few other employees. On the other hand, out of 400 employees working with APPSC nearly 122 employees belong to Telangana. Presently, the second and third floors in the building are being used by TSPSC, while the fourth and fifth floors are being used by APPSC. 

Informed sources in the commission said that if the process of bifurcation starts, the allotment of space also needs to be finalised at the earliest. Another major issue for the commission is allocation of sufficient funds. All activities of the commission require sufficient funding by the State government. The budget allocation may take place after the issue of staff recruitment is resolved.

An officer in the commission, who did not wish to be named, said that the commission had already written about funds to Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao. A letter was also sent asking for bifurcation of employees and to fulfill the requirement of staff to the commission.
He said that until and unless the existing hurdles were cleared, the commission could not take off and activities like releasing notification would also take more time.

Requirements of the Commission
-Staff, space and funds are major requirements
-Commission requires almost 75 sections
-Each section requires section officer, two assistant section officers, junior assistants and attenders
-Adequate space to accommodate employees
-Sufficient funds to for the commission

Stalemate Continues

Hyderabad: Telangana and Andhra Pradesh governments could not come to an agreement on the contentious issue of conducting Eamcet, even after the intervention of Governor ESL Narasimhan. Sources said that Telangana Education Minister G Jagadish Reddy reiterated that Eamcet-15 will be conducted by his government and if needed TS Higher Education Council (TSCHE) will extend help.

He explained the stance of TS government on Eamcet and legal authenticity of it to the Governor. Prior to the meeting with the Governor, Reddy held a meeting to decide the dates for CETs including Eamcet with TSCHE. Meanwhile, earlier in the day, Andhra Pradesh HRD Minister G Srinivas Rao conducted a review meeting with APSCHE chairman L Venugopal Reddy, Law Secretary Narayana Reddy and others. AP government has decided to go to the court on the GO 32 issued by Telangana government which stated to conduct CETs and extended support to the AP if needed.

After taking a legal advice, he called upon Governor and explained the AP government’s point of view on Eamcet and other CETs. With both the governments sticking to their respective stands upon holding the crucial test separately, the issue may land in courts. The controversy over the conduct of Eamcet has attained prominence ever since the APSCHE has announced the schedule for various common entrance tests including Eamcet.

Wakf Lands In Telangana

Mohammed Younus / Hyderabad : The absence of a Wakf tribunal has been resulting in piling up of complaints of Wakf property encroachments across the city and state since last two years. Encroachers are taking advantage of official apathy and the incidents of grabbing the Wakf properties are growing in number. Though the state government vowed to stop encroachment on government and Wakf lands and properties, nothing concrete seems to have done in this regard.

Civil society groups are raising concerns over the loss of thousands of acre of land belonging to Wakf institutions across the state. They are also say that the lack of right platform to resolve the legal disputes over the encroachments. Complaints are piling up in newly constituted Telangana State Wakf Board which was already filled with pending cases related to land grabbing and encroachments. 

Recently formed Wakf Joint Action Committee (JAC) convener Nayeemullah Shareef said that the previous government had gradually made the Wakf Tribunal defunct and added that it was lying idle without functions. Even after the formation of new state the Tribunal was not constituted, he noted. He said that if the Wakf properties and lands were taken back from their encroachers the income from those lands would be sufficient for the welfare of lakhs of people from the minority community. He said, “out of 10,000 acre Wakf land in Adilabad, 3,700 was grabbed by the private parties. 

In Medak district too, out of 23,900 acre of Wakf land, only 128 acre is safe and the remaining land was encroached by the land grabbers.” Advocating for the early disposal of encroachment cases, Shareef said that the Tribunal was mandatory for resolving the issues on a war footing so that the poor people from the minority community could get benefit. In Hyderabad district, the case related to Lanco Hills case is one of the landmark cases of Wakf land encroachment. Lanco Hills was constructed on 104 acres out of a total land 1,654 acre Wakf land belonging to Dargah Hussain Shah Wali.

According to the Wakf Board Special Officer Jalaluddin Akbar agreed that the board was unable to function to its fullest capacity due to lack of adequate number of employees. He said that board would start functioning properly by the end of March this year.

Milad For A Cause

Mohammed Younus / Hyderabad : Social groups are busy asking the masses not to have wild celebrations on Milad-un-Nabi in the city and told them to remember that the occasion was a solemn on and should be used spread harmony and do social good like organising blood donation camps and conduct educational competitions for school children. As per the lunar calendar Milad-un-Nabi is on January 4 and masses are gearing up to discourage the conduct of ostentatious events in the city. 

Organisations like FOCUSS (Forum for Cultural Up gradation and Social Service) and Irshadul Muslimeen are jointly organizing a blood donation camp for the fourth consecutive year now. One of the organisers Ahsan Bin Mohammed said that the blood donation camp is organised with the help of Thalassemia Sickle Cell Society in city and the donated blood would be given to Thalassemia patients. He said that the number of donors has been on the rise every year and this year they were expecting around 2,000 units of blood. 

“Previously, 1,500 people turned up for blood donation which helped hundreds of Thalassemia patients in the city,” he said. The event organiser said that they wanted to draw the attention of crowds towards social service, rather than taking out processions on the occasion of Milad. It has been reported that this year Deputy Chief Minister Mohammed Mahmood Ali, ACB director General A K Khan and Commissioner Minority Welfare Omar Jaleel will be attending the camp scheduled to be held at Asafia Library on January 4.