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The Hindu : SUDHINDR. A.B.

Inspired speeches marked the farewell ceremonies at various schools…

The function was brought to a solemn end by lighting the candle …

Moving farewell: At Sree Rama School.

Moments of reflection, pride and sadness through smiles light the faces of the outgoing students of schools that are part of The Hindu’s NIE programme at the graduation ceremonies.

One could see a host of emotions at these farewell functions.

Values

It was no different at the graduation ceremony conducted by Florence Public School at Dharmashri Resort.

All the students received mementoes as a token of appreciation.

F. A. Kudroli, chairman of the institution urged the students to uphold the values instilled and crave for excellence.

The students gave inspiring speeches exhibiting their oratorical skills.

The formal function was brought to a solemn end by lighting the candle which symbolised the flame of knowledge, which glows eternally .

This ceremony is usually special to the students .The theme of the graduation day was “Nature”.

The school principal, Abida, administered the oath insisting on “Truth, Humility and Honesty.” The highest award, the “Chairman’s Award” was conferred on Biharilal Gangwani, who was the secretary of the school council.

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The Hindu :

National Geographic Channel helps kids develop covalent bonds with science with the new series

From sound to space A still from Science Mein Twist

In NCERT books there is an activity column in each chapter which suggests how the particular theory can be put to practical use. Usually, teachers don’t take pains to help students put these activities into practice. Now National Geographic Channel, in association with Ministry of Science & Technology, has come up with the idea of making simple scientific activities exciting and accessible to school children through a series called “Science Mein Twist”.

Once Doordarshan used to monopolise this territory and it’s heartening to find private players enter a field where profit is not always the first criterion. Rajesh Sheshadri, senior Vice-President, Content and Communication, National Geographic Channel, says: “The channel aims to inspire a life-long passion in children for learning by cultivating curiosity and wonder about the world and generating awareness, concern and knowledge about the planet by offering smart and reliable factual entertainment, featuring science and technology, animals and nature, exploration and culture.” While the production inputs have come from the channel, the Ministry has contributed in scientific knowhow and expertise. Doordarshan is not entirely out of the picture as the public broadcaster will telecast the series in regional languages.

Sheshadri says “Science Mein Twist” is a fun way to approach science that will resonate with children all over. “Though anybody can watch it, we have designed the series keeping in mind the science curriculum of sixth to eighth standards. It is an attempt to make science stimulating and interesting for school children and encourage them to pursue it at the higher education level and subsequently as a career.”

Rajesh Sheshadri, senior vice-president, Content, National Geographic Channel, with Union Minister Prithviraj Chavan

He cites the first India Science Report released by National Council of Applied Economic Research to make his…More

The Hindu : y>Suganya G. talks about the parking issues faced by motorists in the city

Parking is a major issue that most people using private transport in the city are forced to deal with on a regular basis.

The fact that many of the malls and shopping areas lack facilities such as multi level parking have also been a major factor in people facing many hassles, including their vehicles being towed away by the traffic police for parking in prohibited areas. The question that rises is, with the lack of adequate parking spots, where are we expected to park our vehicles?

Many a time, in designated parking lots, random people attempt to take money for parking, often forcing the customers to pay up, despite no authorisation by the police.

The parking on pavements near the road adversely affect the movement of traffic and blocks movement of pedestrians in the city.

It is necessary that this issue be sorted out soon, as the number of vehicles keeps on increasing every day. A mechanism must be devised that allows adequate parking facilities and does not put pedestrians to inconvenience.

Do you have anything to say? About the state of the world, the city, your angst? Pen it stylishly and you might get it published. And dash off your piece with your photograph. Email it to bangmetro@gmail.com or post it to MetroPlus, The Hindu, 19 & 21, Bhagwan Mahaveer Road (Infantry Road), Bangalore 1.

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The Hindu : y>Fantasy fiction writer China Mieville does a waltz with words while MINI ANTHIKAD-CHHIBBER listens entranced

Photo: Bhagya Prakash k.MONSTER’s BALL ‘I grew up loving monsters. I love the grotesque,’ says China Mieville

Talking to China Mieville is like doing a ballet with words. The London-based fantasy writer uses words with joyful abandon tempered with extraordinary eruditeness. The word play starts with his name.

“My parents were hippies and named me after cockney rhyming slang. China plate rhymes with mate so you remove plate and are left with China for mate. Though not used very often now, you do find people referring to their old friends as ‘my old china’.”

In town for a reading organised by Toto Funds the Arts, China gamely spoke of the political slant in his writing.

“People imagine there is some alchemical way in which politics is merged into my writing. For me it is a non-issue. There is no juggling. I have been on the Left for a long time, so it is only natural that my novels would have a political texture. I see the world politically. However, I am passionately devoted to telling a story and for those who are not interested in politics, the story has to sustain.”

Against the grain

The award-winning writer admits that being on the Left attracts more attention. “Coming from the Left, one tends to stick out more as you come with a critical attitude, of the world not being okay. Walter Benjamin’s concept of rubbing history against its grain comes into play. As opposed to a conservative writer, who would try to defend the status quo and rub more smoothly with the grain.”

Rather than a rebel without a pause, China describes himself wanting to be part of “a movement that would end the need for movements.”

The 38-year-old writer has been very vocal about the tyranny of genres but has also commented on how he…More

The Hindu :

My Name is Khan was more than picture-perfect postcards on the U.S., says Ravi K. Chandran

TEAMWORK Ravi K. Chandran with Karan Johar

Ravi K. Chandran and Karan Johar were to work together for “Kal Ho Na Ho” but Ravi’s calendar had no free dates for the film-maker. Karan returned with a larger canvas, “ My Name is Khan” . “Even before I was on board, Karan and his assistant directors had toured the US six times scouting for locations. He did extensive pre-production work. Later, with Karan and art director Sharmista Roy, I toured the locations,” says Ravi, basking on the feedback MNIK has been bringing him.

He credits Karan for giving him freedom to execute his ideas. “Karan didn’t want picture postcard frames that promote tourism for the U.S. Normally, when films are shot abroad, the focus is on landscapes. Though SRK travels across the U.S., we used very few wide angle shots. The wide angle shot when SRK lands in the U.S. establishes the feelings of a man who has moved to a huge country from a Mumbai chawl.” Ravi talks about showcasing San Francisco as never before. “We didn’t want the oft-repeated shots of the bridge. We went to suburbs where the middle-class lives.” The misty morning scene where Kajol proposes to SRK is clever work of cinematography and post-production. “We shot for three days in the evenings, when the streets were deserted. We added more mist during postproduction to make it look surreal,” he reveals.

Ravi is choosy about his films and meticulous detailing sets him apart. “When I see “Godfather” now, I go beyond the acting and the plot. The subtle details in the background interest me. When people see my films, I want them to gather something new,” he says.

The scene he enjoyed shooting the most? SRK’s haircut by Kajol. “I shot it in so many ways…More

The Hindu : y>

Photo: Rajeev BhattARTISTIC A fine architectural piece

“Megastructures: Secrets of the Taj Mahal” will be telecast on March 10 at 9 p.m. on Nat Geo. Shah Jahan, son of the empire’s founder, Ali Akbar, had the resplendent mausoleum built in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, who bore him 14 children in 16 years before dying during childbirth. He dedicated the Taj Mahal to her.

In the 16th Century, their love was legendary. Shah Jahan was 15 when he had asked for the hand of the courtly, elegant 14-year-old from a Persian aristocratic family. It was 20 more years before he finally became Emperor, after years of flight from his jealous brothers.

It was then that his Taj Mahal, the resplendent white marble edifice with its delicate inlaid gemstones, became an immortal statement of the artistic spirit brought to India by the Moguls.

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The Hindu :

All six movies of the definitive space opera, Star Wars, are now available on DVD

Say “Star Wars” and one is immediately transported to a “long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away”. There is that dramatic opening, the scroll that tells us the latest status of the war between the evil imperial forces and the brave rebel alliance. And of course there is John Williams’ rousing “Star Wars” theme.

It all began in 1977 when George Lucas released “Star Wars”. The film used familiar archetypes to fashion the ultimate space opera. By today’s standards, the effects are rather primitive. All that is totally beside the point, as “Star Wars” resonated in some deep, primeval way across the race and gender to become a monster hit.

The film cleverly mixed romance, humour, mythology, breathtaking action, a bildungsroman and super-creative special effects to create the mother of all entertainers. “Star Wars” tells the story of a simple farm boy, Luke Skywalker, who learns he is a Jedi Knight and faces his destiny which includes crossing light sabres with the evil Darth Vader, who was himself a Jedi before being seduced by the dark side of the Force.

“Star Wars” was followed by “The Empire Strikes Back” (1980), that rare sequel that tops its predecessor and the rather weak “The Return of the Jedi” (1983).

The movies made stars of all the cast. While Harrison Ford as the charming rogue, Han Solo, was propelled into superstardom, the others — Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia and Alec Guiness as the Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, all became household names.

The weird and wonderful creatures including the garrulous C3PO, the efficient R2D2, the wookie Chewbacca and of course the wise Yoda, he of the pointy ears and weird syntax were all seared into collective unconscious.

All was silent on the galaxy for 16 years till in…More

The Hindu : y>

Learning through experience Let your child discover nature in full splendour

This April, Wishbone will provide an opportunity to children to experience life on a lake at a camp from April 1 to 4. From raft building, angling, coracle rowing and bird watching, they will learn and experience life in the outdoors in the camp conducted by professionals. The activities will be held at a lakeside near Rathnapuri village, a 20-minute drive from Hunsur. The camp members will also participate in many workshops and will learn nuances of bird sighting, bamboo lashing etc. Wishbone is situated at No. 617, 1 {+s} {+t} floor, 2 {+n} {+d} main road, 1 {+s} {+t} stage, Indiranagar,

The camp is open to children in the age group from 8 to 15 years. For registrations, call 9886169698.

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The Hindu :

Krishan Partap Singh’s Delhi Durbar takes a long, deep fictional look at our favourite punching bag — Indian politics

Photo: Sampath Kumar G.P.DREAM OF DICTATORSHIP Finds voice in Singh’s book.

“A s economic liberalisation and globalisation transforms the urban landscape of this country, middle class Indians have begun to be smug about the democratic system. We often trumpet the fact that despite the many insurgencies and social conflicts we face, the Army has never been tempted to take over,” says Krishan Partap Singh, author of “Delhi Durbar”, a book that talks about a power tussle in the heart of the Indian capital, Raisina Hill.

Singh says, “This book talks about the situation in which a retired Army officer becomes President and makes an attempt to overthrow the union cabinet and emerge all powerful, with the help of the Army.”

He adds, “This person asks the country to let him handle things on his own, much like Caesar, and promises to deliver results. The book makes an attempt to understand whether Indians would junk the democratic model and become a military dictatorship.”

On whether such a situation is possible in India, Singh contends, “The middle class occasionally craves for a benevolent dictatorship.”

“I was born in a period where the very democracy we are so proud off was suspended. In many circles, the Emergency is talked as being a good period, where government officers reported to work on time, trains ran as per schedule etc. They tend to gloss over facts such as the mass arrests, censorship of the Press and the mass sterilisation programmes that resulted in the heavy defeat that the Congress suffered in the elections in ‘77.”

He contends that despite the corrupt politicians, the lack of internal democracy in the political parties and the widespread red tapism that is prevalent across the country, India will remain a functional democracy. “I believe that the democratic…More

The Hindu :

Do you rush to the rescue when there is an emergency? You can be of help if you’re trained in first aid

PHOTO: AKHILESH KUMARWITH CHILDREN AROUND Knowledge of first aid will help if there’s an emergency

Adecorated Army officer lay for three hours on South Delhi’s Africa Avenue following a hit-and-run. He had died by the time he was taken to hospital. The doctor at the AIIMS trauma centre said, “There is a ‘golden hour’ within which if a trauma victim gets medical attention he might be revived.”

Do you know what to do if a colleague becomes unconscious? If someone falls foaming at the mouth? Suffers an allergic reaction? Is caught in a fire accident? Suffers an electric shock? Bitten by a poisonous snake? If a child slips from a tree or a bicycle? Swallows a coin? Can you save a person from drowning? No soda for someone bleeding in the mouth? Know what a Heimlich manoeuvre is? CPR?

Crucial moments

You will if you’re trained in first aid. “If you know basic first aid, even with a little resource, you’ll be able to save a life,” said Prof. Ramakrishnan of Sri Ramachandra Medical College. “People talk of the golden hour, but the platinum 10 minutes immediately after a mishap are more crucial.” More people die of medical emergencies around us than they do in road accidents. Even in places that are not remote, an ambulance takes its time to arrive. That’s where you face the dilemma — sprint away or stay and save? Knowing first aid makes you act responsibly. Why can’t I help? IT pro Kala Balasundaram asked herself, shocked at the sight of people speeding by an accident victim on the Old Mahabalipuram Road . “Only tea vendors and autorickshaw drivers rush to help,” she said. Three years ago, she took training, gathered a group of pros and co-founded Alert-we…More