Osmania Courier Celebrating 50 years as a registered campus newspaper
Monthly Laboratory Journal of the Department of Communication & Journalism, Osmania University, Hyderabad | Vol.58 No.1 | December 2012 | Pages 12 | Rs 4
Campus blooms in biodiversity
Inside Secret behind North Indians’ success in sport >> 2
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OU Prof develops power splitters
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Fatima Raheem and Syeda Zahara Jabeen
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‘Looking Back’ A Four-page Special Supplement
Yuva Tarang - 2012 >> 4-5
ake a look at a GIS image (Google satellite map) of Hyderabad city, and one mostly finds it a grey concrete jungle with only a few patches of green. Osmania University campus, part of one such green zone, has remained untouched by the ravages of growing urbanisation. The undisturbed part of the campus is virtually an island of micro habitats. Sixty percent of the 700 acres of campus land is today home to different kinds of flora and fauna. A 2007-11 study reveals that of the 1,300 species found in Hyderabad, 1,100-plus spe-cies of plants are found in the university, accounting for about 85 per cent of the city’s biodiversity. Also, the campus is home to 30 species of dragonflies and damselflies; about 65 species of butterflies; and 11 species of amphibians, of which three were recorded for the first time in Hyderabad. In addition to these, the campus hosts 21 species of reptiles including three poisonous and nine non-poisonous varieties
Lantana sps
Viper snake (Idaboia russelii) Asian pied starling along with five species of lizards, according to C. Srinivasulu, Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology, O.U.. “We have lots of species of insects and earth worms. We have a wonderful diversity of butterflies, dragonflies and varieties of micro organisms,” Prof. C. Srinivasulu revealed. “Forty species of spiders are reported from OU. Out of these, 12 are reported for
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Test your campus quotient >>7
On a cold winter’s >> 8 night...
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Educational institutions need wellness centres to tackle stress Syeda Zahara Jabeen
Life of Pi - a review
the first time from Andhra Pradesh and one species of spider recorded in India for the first time is also from OU.” While 137 different species of birds were found in the first scientific research done during 1993-1995, the present figure is about 112-114 species. “There is a decline in the birds because we have lost the aquatic habitats. All the duck species that have been
recorded earlier have totally vanished,” he said. It’s not just birds. “Earlier we used to have monkeys, langurs, jackals and foxes but because of urbanisation they have all disappeared,” he said. In terms of other life forms, the campus hosts 16 species of mammals including seven of bats, four of rats, one each of shrew and squirrel.
De-stressing sessions in the corporate world, yoga, meditation and counseling sessions have become commonplace among people groaning under the modernday urban pressures. Students pursing higher education are also not left untouched by these pressures but the higher education system is not adequately equipped to address the psychological upkeep of students which is as critical as their intellectual development. Osmania University is a case in point. There are very few colleges in the varsity which have a formal platform or body dedicated to mental wellness. A quick reality check in colleges reveals that very few colleges have groups of students and teachers who try to provide moral support and advice to students in terms of resolving their everyday challenges. But the problem is that the students and teachers who come together for this initiative are not professionally-trained. Hence, they cannot appropriately grapple with the multiple problems that plague the students who come for help.
Dealing with relationships, peer pressure, increased competition is challenging and complicated
Secondly, groups like these operate at a very informal level and not many people within the college know of their existence in the first place, says a faculty member in one of the local colleges. Several teachers of Osmania University feel that the need for formal institutional intervention in wellness has increased against the backdrop of the Telangana movement, students appearing for competitive exams, inadequate job opportunities and introduction of the semester
system. In this milieu, students have to accomplish their shortand long-term goals in a short time frame, with little scope for other self-development activities and hobbies. “Needless to say, stress levels are mounting. And academic pressures are just one side of the coin,” says a Professor. The youngsters of today are dealing with far more complex problems than their previous generations. Dealing with relationship issues, peer and social pressures and of course increased competition in every field of life is challenging and complicated — and in many cases youngsters need help from professionals to effectively deal and learn from these challenges,” adds Suchitra, a student. Taking cognizance of these factors, the Ministry of HRD has framed guidelines, particularly
calling for institutions to have some mechanism to counsel students. Can teachers be of some support in this direction. The answer is perhaps yes, provided teachers empathise with the students and spare some time trying to understand the concerns / fears and anxieties of students. The biggest problem facing youngsters is that spending so much time on social networking sites and electronic communication, does not allow them to meaningfully connect with people in their immediate physical environment. Also, not many have the ability to self-introspect and find peace and contentment in their given circum-stances and individual abilities, says a Clinical psychologist. Consequently, academicians can make a small beginning by initiating measures whereby students discover themselves, learn to appreciate their individual worth and connect with others better. This can be done in class room sessions, workshops in which students are encouraged to express what they like and don’t like about themselves and their friends.
2 | OSMANIA COURIER
OSMANIA COURIER Registered with the Registrar of Newspapers for India. No: 8132/62 Reported and edited by the students of the Department of Communication & Journalism, Osmania University. Published monthly except during vacation. News and views expressed in the journal do not necessarily represent the official view of the University. News & Features Fatima Raheem, Syeda Zahara Jabeen, Suman Dhayal, Priyanka Ambatwar, Sneha Verghese, Shahnaz Begum, Taher Hussain, Vaishnavi Soumya Rachapudi and Srinivas Takore Photography Mohd. Azharuddin, Srinivas Takore, Taher Hussain Illustrations Sneha Verghese Layout & Design Sneha Verghese Syeda Zahara Jabeen Editorial Guidance Prof. K. Stevenson B. Ramakrishna Editor (Editor responsible for selection of news under PRB Act, 1957) M. Srinath Reddy Head, Department of Communication and Journalism, Osmania University, Hyderabad. Printer Director, University Press and Publications, OU. Statement about Ownership The following is the statement about ownership and other particulars about Osmania Courier as required under the Registration of Newspaper (Central Rules) 1956. Form IV 1. Place of publication: Department of Communication & Journalism, Osmania University, Hyderabad 500007 2. Periodicity of publication: Monthly (except during vacation) 3. Printer: Director, University Press & Publications, OU. 4. Editor: M. Srinath Reddy 5. Names and addresses of individuals, partners and shareholders holding more than one percent of the total capital: Osmania University, Hyderabad 500 007. I hereby declare that the particulars given above are true to the best of my knowledge and belief. - Editor
CRITICAL EYE
DECEMBER 2012
No place for women? It’s high time each person understood his/her duties as a responsible citizen to make India a safer place for women
Fatima Raheem
A
re women safer today than in the past? The gang rape of a 23-year-old in the country’s captial, the assault on a young girl in Guwahati a few months ago, and dozens of other incidents of rapes, acid attacks, eve-teasing and mobbing of young girls on the streets serve as an eye-opener for those of us who feel that women today are safer in our country than in the past. Hardly can one find a girl who hasn’t experienced eve-teasing on the streets. But the most invisible and unreported atrocities against women today happen inside homes and workplaces. Many girls and women continue to be deprived of their basic rights like education, nutrition and equality, though the situation seems to be changing slowly. But why are women targeted? Women today are excelling in virtually every field and making a mark for themselves. This could be making the men feel left behind and insecure. As a result, chauvinistic men are resorting to extreme measures to satisfy their ego. In this race of egoism, they have forgotten their ethical and moral values. They have crossed all limits of decency and insult a woman by degrading her self-respect or by assaulting her, or by mental torture and end up driving them to suicides. And what is the impact of
OPINION these incidents on women? They tend to lose confidence and confine themselves to the walls of the house and parents find it hard to send their girls outside for fear of being attacked or harassed. But what are the men up to? They have become silent spectators of these incidents. They just stand like a puppet, watching the other men commit heinous crimes on the streets. Instead of rescuing the women, they themselves run away from the spot or inform the police after the crime has been committed. They come back and start tweeting and posting sympathetic statements on social networking sites and
blogs, and even condemn the attacks. But why don’t they act in time and save the victim from being traumatised? Women have been subjected to violence since ages and many social reformers like Raja Rammohan Roy have fought for women’s rights in the past. But that is not enough as post-Independence the same trend seems to be continuing. Though we live in a modern era, the concept of men dominating everything has been continuing even in the 21st century. The legal system that exists in our country is not doing enough in favour of these women. The accused are getting away with the crime easily after being imposed with some penalty and warning, after which they are
Why Haryana scripts success Appreciation and encouragement are the key to success in sport, writes
Universities set to get common calendar Fatima Raheem In a welcome move, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked all the national universities to follow a uniform academic calendar. This would mean the schedules for admissions to examinations to results would be synchronised across the country.
Suman Dhayal
S
uccess of the Indian athletes in the London Olympics 2012 has injected a new energy and enthusiasm into the youth of this country. But the exceptional performance of north Indian players, especially of those from Haryana, raises the question as to why players from the state fare better than others in sport. Can this performance be related to their genetic ethnicity or food habits? After careful consideration of the geographical location and food habits of north Indian states, there appears to be no indication of any particular influence on these factors on the performance of athletes of that region. Also, a look at the background and interactions with local people reveals that a majority of the population are ordinary people living in villages. Their poor financial status and declining education level may have forced them to look for alternative ways to secure jobs. In such circumstances it is very difficult for a hard-working person to choose a field related to higher education or to open a business and succeed when corruption level is increasing. These adverse conditions have
free to commit other sort of crimes. This sets a bad example as others too follow their foot steps thinking they can come back easily as there is no one to keep a track on them and question them. The law and order should be strictly maintained and rigorous punishment should be imposed on the criminals, so that it serves as a lesson for others and hopefully, they will think twice before harassing women. It’s high time each person understood his/her duties as a responsible citizen and to make India a safer place for women to live peacefully and happily. And even the women should be brave and bold enough to lodge a complaint with the police as soon as possible and should stand up to protect themselves and their integrity, fight for their rights, question the judicial system. Only then will the idea of ‘women’s empowerment’ have a meaning in the true sense.
Haryana!s pride: Vijender Singh, boxing champion inspired them to choose sports where they can prove their talent by putting in sincere efforts. It is the general observation of common people that in sports they can become unique by showing their performance which requires only a few years of hard work to achieve success. The second important factor is the publicity being given to success stories in sports. These factors are common to most of parts of the country, but one factor unique to Haryana is the state government which assures a permanent job for medal winners in any international sporting event. It has been also observed that studying hard for several years does not guarantee a job or success whereas sport can be explored as an extra curricular activity. This has created a posi-
tive atmosphere in the society which motivates the youth to opt for sports. It is a common belief that motivation and inspiration helps to achieve success but these two are not effective until there is appreciation for the work well done. In Haryana, appreciation for the traditional sports from the society and government helps ordinary youth to take part in these activities. Therefore appreciation is a crucial factor to achieve success and attain excellence. Lastly it can be emphasised that appreciation works as a morale booster and evokes positive feelings towards society and nation. So let’s come together and show our appreciation of every step of our youth towards success in their chosen field. Jai Hind!
Nearly 40 per cent of the universities have given their nod to the proposal. If it is accepted and followed by all the universities, then it would help solve a few major problems of the students – mobility across the states and ease of changing universities. Also, students would not need to wait long for the results and would be able to join the best of the industries and jobs without any time constraints. But this regulation does not cover professional courses like MBA and MCA. The proposal comes as a boon to students as there will be no more delays in the results and more options to choose from.
DECEMBER 2012
CAMPUS EXPLORER
Shortcuts never help scribes, says Paranjoy
‘Farm reforms must to plug developmental gaps’
Syeda Zahara Jabeen and Fatima Raheem
Priyanka Ambatwar
"C
orruption in media is as old as the media itself, but not all the journalists are corrupt," said eminent journalist, Paranjoy Guha Thakurta at the 10th Prof S. Basheeruddin memorial lecture, held at the Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI), Banjara Hills. He said that supreme court should allow PCI to set strict guidelines for media.He said that journalists were the most trusted in the past and sadly journalism which was supposed to be a mission has now become for commission. The reason is, unlike America there are no strict guidelines in our country.He referred the PCI as 'toothless tiger', which cannot growl or whimper. He says there should be a statutory body which can operate independently to regulate media ethics. On a question about why there is so much corruption in media, he said in days when corruption is widespread then one should not be surprised if media also catches the trend. But he says there is
OSMANIA COURIER | 3
Paranjoy Guha Thakurta still hope as one out of hundred refuse to take bribe. Talking about 'paid news' he says laziness among the journalists could be the reason. His advise to the young journalists is to take the difficult road not short cuts so that at the end of the day one could sleep peacefully. Mr. Thakurta, along with his colleague K. Srinivas Reddy made a documentary related to illegal mining of ironore.The lecture was organized jointly by Department of Journalism, Osmania University and ASCI.
OU blooms in biodiversity
Developmental disparities among regions or states within the country are a result of longstanding economic and social processes, according to Sanjaya Baru, economist and former media advisor to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Such gaps require “agrarian transformation and the growth of a modern economy.” Dr. Baru was in campus to deliver the Burgula Ramakrishna Rao Endowment Lecture on ‘Regional Enterprise and Regional Leadership in India’ recently. In his prepared lecture, Dr. Baru said that the persistence of inter-regional variations in development has been an enduring aspect of India’s economic development in the past century. The grievances over such disparities spur regional sentiments to the forefront of political debates. “More often than not, such movements – and the response to them – focus on statehood and bureaucratic solutions to economic backwardness,” he noted. Digging into history, Dr. Baru described how there had been a marked regional variation in the development of private enterprise and industrial development in British India. Local enterprise was more active in peninsular India, especially on the west coast and in the Madras presidency, while European capital was entrenched mostly in the Bengal presidency. These variations in the growth of mercantile and money-lending castes might have also contributed to current disparities, he
In the final analysis, it is as integral parts of the country that different regions can best hope to realize their full potential for growth
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pointed out. As a solution, he suggested that the development of regions and of the national economy as a whole had to be viewed as parts of a single process. “The progress of the national economy will be reflected in the rate of growth realised by different regions and, greater develop-
ment of resources in the regions must contribute towards accelerating the rate of progress for the country as a whole,” he said. Dr. Baru also warned against excessive emphasis on the problems of particular regions and attempts to plan for their development without relating their needs to the requirements of the national economy. “In the final analysis, it is as integral parts of the country that different regions can best hope to realize their full potential for growth,” he said. However, he acknowledged the role of public sector outlays in the development of infrastructure, conservation and development of natural resources and in the entry of a State into any industrial or other productive activity.
Physics Prof. develops sensing device for DRDO Courier Bureau
Osmania ground skimmer Diplocodes trivialis (Continued from Page 1) The highlight is a new species of plant that has been discovered based on specimen from the campus – Ledebouria hyderabadensis. The discovery is credited to Dr. M. Venkataramana, an alumnus of the Department of Botany, Osmania University.
A new plant species, Ledebouria hyderabadensis, has been discovered based on specimen from the campus The campus, in addition to being home to a variety of living organisms and plants, also acts as lung space. For instance, the campus and its lawns are flocked by morning joggers , walkers and the health conscious. The campus environs helps in water percolation as over 70 per cent of the area is open which enhances the water table. It is reported
that our University is two degrees cooler than Tarnaka and lead level, pollution level and sulphurdioxide levels are also low. University authorities have embarked in an afforestation programme and landscaped the campus which is helping in preserving bio diversity. A lab in the wild The wildlife biology lab, the only one in the State set up in the Zoology Department is headed by C. Srinivasulu , Assistant Professor, who revived the functioning of the lab in 2007 after it was closed down for a short period. In 1993, he joined as a student and has been doing the documentation of Zoology in collaboration with the Botany Department of Floral studies. Suggesting measures to preserve the Biodiversity on campus, he said that each one should take responsibility and ensure that there is no exploitation of the existing resources. One should be aware of several legislations, including the WALTA act in Hyderabad which clearly states that all living organisms are to be preserved.
Prof. C.P. Vardhani, Assistant Professor at the Department of Physics, Osmania University, and her PhD student P. Nagaraju have developed photonic integrated optical devices and components, commonly known as power splitters, and handed over 25 units to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on November 9. The Rs. 49.5-crore project was awarded by DRDO in 2009 to the team with Prof. Vardhani as the principal investigator. She said: “The splitters were designed using Silicon on insulator platform, and simulation was done at the University’s Physics department labs. We got it fabricated at CSIR-Central Electronics Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-CEERI), Pilani, as per the requirements of DRDO.” The device, meant to be used as part of missile technologies, serves the purpose of sens-
Letters to the Editor are welcome and may be sent to oucourier@gmail.com
Prof. C.P. Vardhani (left) presenting a package of power splitters to A.K. Gupta, Director, IRDE (second from right). ing, and enhances the optical sensing capacity with less loss and at a low cost. Prof. Vardhani became the first woman scientist to develop the device when she handed it over to Mr. A.K. Gupta, Director, Instruments Research & Development Establishment, a DRDO
All articles from this issue as well as new ones can be read online. Visit: osmaniacourier.wordpress.com
lab, in Pune recently. Prof. Vardhani told Osmania Courier that she had applied for a patent for the work and said she was “hoping to get it soon.” As part of her work, Prof. Vardhani has travelled to United States, Czech Republic and the Netherlands.
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YUVA TARANG 2012 A spectrum of colours Quick talk
Fatima Raheem
hestra. “I am participating in folk orc th good Hyderabad is a good place wi m food, especially the biryani fro the 17th t tha say Bawarchi. But I still ended in att youth festival which I have Mangalore was better."
O
smaina University presented a colourful picture as students from various Universities converged on the campus for the First Central Zone Inter-University Youth Festival, 'Yuva Tarang - 2012', from November 16-20. Dressed in their traditional attire, the group came in singing and dancing accompanied by drum beats. In what looked like a mini-India, the youth from 20 Universities took out a procession from Andhra Mahila Sabha to Arts college The fest was a platform to showcase the students' talent and diverse culture of the participating regions, which included Eastern Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Telangana. Over five days, 302 teams competed in 25 events ranging from classical and folk dances to martial arts. The four venues of PGRRCDE Auditorium, Tagore Auditorium, Mekaster Auditorium and Science College Auditorium throbbed with music and energy as the youth slug it out on stage. The judges were drawn from a variety of fields and included music composer Ustad Zameer Ahmed, Ms. Aradhana K. Shastry from Hyderabad, Prof G. Venkateshwarulu from Tirupati, artist Lakshman Aelay from Hyderabad, among others.
Gandhi Krishi Sheetal Soni, B.Sc., Indira Vishwavidyalay
“ Iam performing pawra folk dance. It is a marriage dance by a couple... The people here are very warm. Everything is just superb right from accomodation to food to arrangements and transportation. Overall, I would say this is just awesome." Aishwarya
“I like the warm nature of people here and this festival is far better than the one I attended at Guntur. The arrangements too are good.” Rachan Babu, Kakatiya University
which is the !Our group performed Naga dance, only for 10 ticed prac I significance of Manipur. is e anc orm days. And as far as the perf me result For ent. perc concerned we gave our 100 doesn"t matter.! Rakesh Singh, Lakshmi Bai National ior. University of Physical Education, Gwal
Dressed in their traditional attire, the group came in singing and dancing accompanied by drum beats
Syeda Zahara Jabeen
Gaiety, fun mark folk dance competitions Sneha Verghese The Folk/Tribal dance competition that was held as a part of Yuva Tarang-2012 at Osmania University on 19th November spelled fun and enjoyment for the participants and the audience. The folk items presented by the participating universities, ranging from purely traditional forms to unconventional but thought-provoking ones, were a visual treat for all present. The first prize was bagged by Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University, Amaravati, the second prize by Rani Durgavati University, Jabalpur, and the third prize was shared by three universities - Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya, Khairagarh, Chattisgarh, Bastar Vishwavidyalaya, Jagdalpur, Bastar, and Raja Mansingh Tomar Music & Arts, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. Aishwarya, a part of the winning team, said, “We practiced for over a month to give this performance. Finally, all that hard work has paid off.” The Koli dance that was performed by students of Raja Mansingh Tomar University, incorporated the message “Save
Marine Life” into its choreography, giving a new twist to the folk form. Sonalika, a participant, said, “The Koli is the dance form of the Koli fisher folk of Maharashtra and usually showcases the elements of fishing and the sea.” Students of Kakatiya Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) performed the Sambalpuri dance of Orissa. Dressed in the traditional Pasapalli sari and attractive head ornaments, the students looked colourful and pretty. Manali, a participant, said,
“This dance is performed by the tribal populations in the evening as a means of relaxation.” “Everybody is friendly and cooperative here and the campus is really beautiful”, said Smaroki, another participant. “However, we found the food a little spicy for our taste”, she added. Mahima Sethi and Chitra Nair, from Jiwaji University, Gwalior, were part of the team that performed the Languria dance. They praised the arrangements made by the University for their accommodation.
The Koli dance by Sonalika Bansal (above) and others from Raja Mansingh Tomar Music & Dance University stole the show.
YUVA TARANG 2012 DRUM BEATS, ROARS, CLAPS …
We are the champions!
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The trio behind Yuva Tarang - 2012
Prof. B. Laxmaiah Dr. Surya Dhananjaya Dr. Umesh Kumar Dean, Student Affairs Youth Welfare Officer Organising Secretary
Syeda Zahara Jabeen Sparkling trophies, flashing cameras, cheers and smiles from every corner – this was the scene at the Tagore auditorium as the five-day ‘Yuva Tarang 2012’ came to an end on November 20 After days of competitive performances and sport at four venues, it was time for the nearly 1,000 participants from 20 Universities to cheer the winners. In the overall ranking, Rashtra Sant Tukadoji Maharaj University, Nagpur, topped the list with the winners trophy. The runnerup trophy was shared by Sant Gadge Baba Amaravathi Univer-
sity, Nagpur, and Raja Mansingh Tomar Arts and Music University, Gwalior, respectively. Ms. Vinita Pandey, who hosted the function, summed the mood well in Hindi: ‘Hum akele hi chale the, log judte gaye aur karwan banta gaya.’ As for the champions, the Western vocal team of Osmania University won the first prize and another team won the third prize in classical vocal. There was a special performance of taekwondo by J. Babulal of MCJ (I year). The guests at the function too didn’t disappoint the excited students. For those who believe in
CHAMPIONS CULTURAL PROCESSION 1. Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur, Chattisgarh 2. Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya, Khairagarh, Chattisgarh MUSIC TROPHY Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Maharashtra
DANCE TROPHY Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University, Amaravati
LITERARY TROPHY Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University Maharashtra
THEATRE TROPHY Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University, Amaravati FINE ARTS TROPHY Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University
OVERALL CHAMPIONS: Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj University Nagpur RUNNERS UP 1.Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University, Amaravati 2. Raja Mansingh Tomar Arts & Music University, Gwalior.
the saying ‘whatever happens, happens for the good,’ there was the tale of poet and lyricist Teja. He said he had always wanted to study in Arts College, OU, but that it remained a dream. “There was something else waiting for me. I was destined to be a part of the University as a guest of honour, which is a great honour for me,” he said amid huge applause and whistles. Osmanians took pride in the success of the event, for which they worked day and night. “This is what our trophy is!” said one referring to the function, and suggesting they are looking forward to host more such events.
Tagore Auditorium, one of the venues of Yuva Tarang, at night. Pics by Md Azharuddin & Srinivas Takore
REVIEWS
Where history and myth intertwine The book’s mocking tone and irreverence towards history is what makes it enjoyable
BOOK Sneha Verghese The Great Indian Novel is unabashedly and unapologetically undiplomatic, coming from a diplomat like Shashi Tharoor. And it is impressive. A political satire, this fictional work beautifully blends the grand epic of India, The Mahabharata, with the freedom struggle and India’s first three decades post-Independence. This book de-glorifies both our epic heroes and the leaders of our freedom struggle. Important figures from Indian history are resurrected in the form of mythological characters of the Mahabharata. Several events from history are also thrown in, albeit with fictional names and places. Though it is presented as fiction, the reader can make out. Tharoor spins a yarn that, though familiar, keeps the reader glued to the pages, eager for the next creative inter-
The Great Indian Novel Shashi Tharoor Penguin, Rs. 299 pretation of a historical chapter. The story begins with Ved Vyas, who describes India as “a highly developed country in an advanced state of decay” dictating his memoirs to his assistant, who is a slightly modern, humanised form of Lord Ganesh. Starting with the story of his own
birth, he recounts the events in the Mahabharata, with Bhishma pitamaha or Gangaji bearing resemblance to Gandhiji, Nehru as the blind Dhritharashtra, and Mohammed Ali Jinnah as Karna. Draupadi, the heroine of Mahabharata, is portrayed as the spirit of India or “Bharat Mata”. Events like the Bibigarh Massacre and the Great Mango March, for example, will no doubt be read as the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre and the Dandi March. The story traces the birth of the Indian democracy and ends with Ved Vyas waking up to a modern India. Mocking in its tone and unorthodox in its narration, this treatise of prose interspersed with poetry is a combination of history, myth, romance, wisdom, wit, pathos and humour, with a high dose of double entendre. Some may find it outrageous, but its irreverence towards history is what makes this book an enjoyable read.
DECEMBER 2012
Style meets convenience Gadgets
6 | OSMANIA COURIER
Blue Microphones Tiki
This tiny yet sleek retro styled USB microphone is the one stop solution to the poor quality laptop mic problems that most of us face. It boasts of human hearing intelligence technology that focuses on desired sounds, minimizing background noise and knowing when to mute altogether. Tiki has two modes - an Intelligent Speech Mode that highlights your voice in a conference call while also minimizing unwanted and competing background noises; and a Natural Recording Mode that captures a wide range of sounds from vocals to acoustic guitars to help record high-fidelity audio with exceptional clarity.
Price – Rs.3000 approximately .................................................................................................................
Galileo for iPhone 4S
Seriously SPECTACULAR Introducing Galileo – a revolutionary iOs controlled iPhone platform which has a full-fledged 360 degrees infinite rotational capacity. It has a wide range usage from photography, cinematography to social networking and video conferencing. Galileo serves as a tripod and helps you shoot interesting shots while you pan or tilt up or down, and turns its head around. It helps in time-lapse, panoramic and virtual tour photography. It comes with a rechargeable lithium polymer battery which at times can also serve as a charging station for your iPhone or iPod. Best of all, it gives you freedom to integrate its functionality into existing apps or even create a brand new app. Its use is not just limited to Apple products; Galileo can be integrated with any other hardware.
Price: Rs.6320 approximately ..............................................................................................................
LOGITECH K310 Washable Keyboard Shahnaz Begum Life of Pi is one of the most beautiful movies with elements of drama, action, adventure, fantasy, mystery, suspense. The film is inspired by Yann Martel's prize-winning novel of the same name, and stars Suraj Sharma as Pi Patel, Irfan Khan as the older Pi, Ayush Tondon as young Pi, Tabu as Pi's mother, Adil Khan as Pi's father, and Rafe Spall as the writer. Director Ang Lee (of Brokeback Mountain, The Hulk, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) shows the talent of an artist in turning this enchanting tale into an incredible adventure film. He manages to balance serious elements with a fantastical story while making it all look truly spectacular. The movie begins with writer (Rafe Spall) visiting an adult Pi after hearing that the man had "a story that would make him believe in God." The story begins in Pi's younger years focus-
The young actors in the film did a great job and capture the soul of their characters ing on his curiosity about multiple religions, which irritates his
MOVIE pragmatic father. Life takes a hard turn for Pi when as a young man he is in a freighter with his family bound for America to sell their collection of zoo animals. Later, when life shrinks to the space of a life boat holding a band of animals and a hungry tiger (Richard Parker), it takes a new character. Each day for Pi becomes an exercise in survival – finding food, catching rain water, staying away from Parker’s claw. He marks his days on the side of the boat, numbering
sunsets with a knife slowly he trains the tiger – only his mastery over the beast will keep him alive. As the boat floats through days and weeks and months, a bond develops between Pi and Parker. They have no doves to search for land. The young man of many faiths must endure a trial of survival alongside his animal companions, learning many things about God and faith. Pi comes to believe that they float in the cup of God's hand, and perhaps He will carry them home. The young actors in this film did a great job and capture the soul of their character and touch heart in wonderful way. Life of Pi is unlike any movie – it is beautiful and ugly, profound and problematic. Life of Pi (2012) Directed by Ang Lee Starring Suraj Sharma Irrfan Khan, Tabu, Rafe Spall Running time: 127 minutes
Here is a quick fix solution for hygiene enthusiasts who want to keep their keyboards away from finger grime or stay risk free from coffee or water spills on the keyboard. Logitech launches its unique K310 washable keyboard which can be washed under running tap water. It has been outfitted with tiny drainage holes that help in quick drying. Besides, the keys are laser printed and UV coated to prevent them from wearing off. However,, this unit is not wireless, which means you will have to ensure it is nice and dry before you plug its USB connector in. Another point to remember, the keyboard can hold its breath in up to 11 inches of shallow water if the water level rises below the suggested 11 inches, you may probably have to get back to your good old smutty keyboard which you replaced it with!
Price: Rs. 2500 approximately TAHER HUSSAIN
DECEMBER 2012
LEISURE
It!s a mad, ad world Sneha Verghese When Sachin and Kapil Dev first coerced me into being a part of their secret energy in the early 90’s, I never thought that I would be duped in a similar fashion all through my life by many others who smiled at me from the idiot box. I was convinced that my hair would bounce up and down like a ping pong ball once I used the shampoo with “fruitamins”, but I just ended up with a bad hair day at school. My attempts to outsmart my college rival by applying “Fair and Lovely” backfired when she remarked, “Why the white paint on your face?” The fancy for a white face was soon replaced by one for white teeth, and a “Close-up” with a toothpaste made me blow endless bubbles to find the non-existent soulmate in a crowded market place. The doctor then advised me not to blow bubbles, balloons, or even any candles on my birthday cake. And while waiting at the bus stop on my birthday, along came a really handsome guy. Seeing the potential for a “Shubh Aarambh” moment, I
frantically searched my bag for a Dairy Milk chocolate. By the time I found a piece (halfdeformed by the weight of my books), the guy had boarded a bus with another gal hand in hand with him. To add insult to injury, an ink bottle in my bag spilled over onto my new dress, and the lady next to me smiled and said, “Daag achhe hote hain, beta”. And if I thought I was the only one ‘commercial’ly carried away, I was wrong. My mother who used Santoor soap glared at me every time the ad came on TV, because I had never got a first rank in class (leave alone a scholarship!) I cursed the ad makers
for making life difficult for the kids of Santoor moms. The only time an ad came in handy was when I could wheedle my way out of drinking the numerous health drinks by arguing that it was only boys named Rahul or Rohan who could grow taller, stronger and sharper (I’ve always wondered why all the health drink ads use the same names in all their ads!) Now I’ve had enough of ads. Enough of being persuaded. Enough of being manipulated. Enough of being brainwashed. Enough of …… …………..Oh wait! Is that an ad for a new mobile? “Mann mein laddoo phootaa…..!!!”
Wah Hyderabad Wah !!!
Syeda Zahara Jabeen * It is a city where the distance is measured in minutes (The place is just 10 min away) *In case of power failure people knock at neighbors door to confirm that its a usual power cut and there is no problem with their fuse. * A GHMC garbage can is used not only for dumping trash but also serves as a land mark (Take a left turn from here, their house is opposite to garbage can)
Know your campus Vaishnavi Soumya Rachapudi
* Out of three meat shops one will be owned by a person named "Jhangir". * The best place of boys to unwind at night is "Chabutra". * If two guys needs to have a private conversation they endup at a local hotel and or-
ders a single cup of tea and divide it (1/2) and now comfortably sits until the matter is discussed. * The word "Parsun" (Day before yesterday) is used to mention any event (even if it happened several months ago). * If a house-wife needs something from the local store, she calls the neighbor's child to get the product (No matter her children are sitting nicely at home). * Most of the ladies from the neighbouring houses gather and consider it their right to call a sales person moving in the locality only to see the product and bargain. (Anyhow he will not charge us just for checking out the product and if we happen to purchase it from a shop sometime then the shop owner will not be able to fool us with the price).
Invisible Fingerprint Streptomyces osmaniensis (soil bacterium)
Where is the windmill located on campus?
Answers: 1. Nine, 2. 1849 (2012), 3.Streptomyces osmaniensis (soil bacterium), 4. 160 species of plants, 5. 3698, 6. Two, 7. History Department, 8. Biomedical Engineering department, 9. Rs.14 lakh, 10. It is in the premises of the University College of Technology.
1 How many ways are there to enter the campus? 2 What is the rank of university internationally? 3 What is the bacteria named after Osmania University? 4 What is the number of flora species present in botanical gardens on campus? 5 What is the number of international students pursuing courses in Osmania University? 6 How many water tanks supply water to the campus? 7 Which is the oldest department in the University? 8 Which is the youngest department on campus? 9 What is the cost of electricity consumed by the campus per annum? 10 Where is windmill located on the campus?
OSMANIA COURIER | 7
Sneha Verghese I left my prints on window panes, On white-washed walls and seats in trains, On squeaky clean floors and verandahs tidy, On freshly washed clothes and posters gaudy. I left my mark for all to see, And stealthily watched my victim’s fury in utmost glee; A mixture of muck, dirt and grime, Always dismissed as a child’s prank, never a crime. I made a smudge with my greasy hand, On every place that was left unmanned; To be caught in the act, I was too quick, And was never suspected of the dirty trick. Yet, years hence, on the day I fled the scene, Leaving no mark or smudge even to an eye keen, I thought that my clean hands would leave no hint, But was caught because of an invisible fingerprint.
“Starving for size zero, no good” Syeda Zahara Jabeen Every girl now-a-days is trying her level best to look as slim as possible. Thanks to our film stars. From running to slimming centres to sweating it out in gyms, they can go to any extent to lose those extra kilos. Girls as young as 18 are ready to undergo surgeries in order to get that dream look. According to new Stanford study young girls who diet are more likely to become obese. One dangerous affect of dieting is Anorexia. According to
http://www.free-fad-diets.com, “About 50% of anorexia nervosa patients engage in self-induced vomiting and/or the abuse of laxatives.” Starving to get that perfect look is passé. Girls have now found a new way to avoid hunger pangs on one hand and to maintain that figure on other. They force themselves to vomit soon after they eat. This seems to be the ‘in’ thing. By seeing such trends, there is a need to change the saying, ‘Health is Wealth’ to ‘Health is Beauty’!
Following their favourite celebrities on-screen, there is a craze among girls to look good and perfect. Girls should understand that it is their profession that demands the actresses to look that way. It does not mean that one should go for crash diets. If an actress opts for a certain diet, one should understand that it is done under strict medical supervision, and their looks depend up on the role they play. For instance, Zarine Khan puts on weight for her role of a princess in the movie ‘Veer’. Why
don’t girls follow her? But when Kareena Kapoor opted for sizezero, girls blindly followed her. There were many cases of girls developing complications due to vigorous exercising and starving. There is high social pressure on girls as many mothers want a slim-trim bride for their so-called eligible boys. It’s another matter that the boys themselves are as round as potatoes. Check out any matrimonial website or pick up any newspaper’s matrimonial column. And at last we should always remember that beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder.
On a cold winter’s night... Stills by Taher Hussain and Mohd. Azharuddin
t is their bed The pavemen
Blossoms in th
...
e dark...
All smiles...
By the warmth of a bonfire...
No place to park for the night POLITICAL BAROMETER
- By Srinivas Takore
I believe it is acceptable for political parties to select candidates on the basis of caste and religion, rather than their competence and commitment to public service
48%
22% 12% 6%
12%
Indian politicians are capable of meeting the country!s challenges of removing poverty and improving the living standards of poor poeple.
40%
12% 0% Strongly Agree
Agree
40%
8% Can!t say
Disagree
Strongly disagree
Waiting for customers
Kicking his way to success Syeda Zahara Jabeen and Fatima Raheem
B
ack in 2003, J. Babulal was like any other student of Zilla Parishd High School in Marthala who would learn Taekwondo as part of his extra-curricular activities. Only in Intermediate he started taking it seriously. One tiff with co-passengers in the bus changed his mindset for the sport. For almost two months he searched for an academy and finally he met Master M. Devi Das. He would wake up at 4 am and walk 9km for a bus to his destination. Daily he would practice there for two hours. This continued for a year. “Initially neighbors in my village would make fun of me, they would say this Laddu, going for practice at 4am, its hilarious,” he recalls. He would go to college till afternoon and after that he would work.
For graduation he came to Hyderabad and joined City College. Here he used to go from Dilsukhnagar to KBR park with no penny in his pocket, where
he met Jayanth Reddy, fourtime Guiness World Record champion and trained under his guidance. Later, he says he started his own academy, JBL Taekwondo Academy where he trains poor kids without any charge. On learning that this is an Olympic sport and can make him richer by Rs. 3,00,000 he started taking it more seriously. Unfortunately he couldn’t make it to the Olympics. His most memorable day was in 2009 when he boarded his ‘first’ flight to Hong Kong. Apart from winning various championships in Hong Kong, Malaysia and Thailand, he set the Limca World Record for 150 kicks/min, without dropping, Babulal wants sports to be free from politics and looks forward to start one more academy. His biggest dream is to win an Olympic medal.