Miss Fresh Face of North East contest a major draw for youth

Guwahati, Sep.18 (ANI): With the growing number of fashion conscious youngsters present in the northeast region of the country, the fashion and beauty industry is gaining popularity here.

This was recently noticed when Miss Fresh Face of North East 2009 contest was held in Guwahati and it received an enthusiastic response from people of the region.

Dabur Gulabari organized the Miss Fresh Face of North East 2009 for which a model hunt was conducted across colleges and institutes in the region to discover fresh new faces from the northeast.

The organisers of the contest received an overwhelming response with over 700 entries of which 150 girls were short-listed for the auditions.

After extensive screening and audition, 18 participants were selected for the Grand Finale.

It was a unique way of spreading awareness among the beauty conscious women of the North East and provides them a platform to enter the world of mainstream modelling.

“Northeast is full of talent. We don’t get into big celebrities. We take fresh faces from the common public and make them a celebrity. We want to associate with fresh talents and bring them to the national platform so that they can grow,” said Dyas Anand, the organizer.

“It is gradually increasing and I believe that it will go on increasing and the reputation will also keep on going up as good upcoming models are also there. I feel it is very good,” said Bidisha Baruah, the winner.

Bidisha Baruah, a resident of Guwahati, was awarded one-year modelling contract with Dabur Gulabari and a cash prize of rupees 50,000.

The first and second runner-up, Wanda Mary of Shillong and Nabanita Sarma of Guwahati also received cash prize of rupees 30,000 and rupees 20,000 respectively. By Peter Alex Todd (ANI)

Researchers operate biomedical robots from different locations worldwide via Internet

Washington, September 18 (ANI): Experts from the University of Washington and SRI International have jointly developed a new software protocol, to standardize the way biomedical robots are managed over the Internet.

Nine research teams from universities and research institutes around the world recently made a successful demonstration of biomedical robots operated from different locations in the U.S., Europe, and Asia with the help of the ‘Interoperable Telesurgical Protocol’.

In a 24-hour period, each participating group connected over the Internet, and controlled robots at different locations.

The tests performed demonstrated how a wide variety of robot and controller designs can seamlessly interoperate, allowing researchers to work together easily and more efficiently.

The demonstration also evaluated the feasibility of robotic manipulation from multiple sites, and was conducted to measure time and performance for evaluating laparoscopic surgical skills.

“Although many telemanipulation systems have common features, there is currently no accepted protocol for connecting these systems. We hope this new protocol serves as a starting point for the discussion and development of a robust and practical Internet-type standard that supports the interoperability of future robotic systems,” said SRI’s Tom Low.

The protocol is expected to allow engineers and designers that usually develop technologies independently, to work collaboratively, determine which designs work best, encourage widespread adoption of the new communications protocol, and help robotics research to evolve more rapidly.

Its early adoption may encourage robotic systems to be developed with interoperability in mind, and avoid future incompatibilities.

“We’re very pleased with the success of the event in which almost all of the possible connections between operator stations and remote robots were successful. We were particularly excited that novel elements such as a simulated robot and an exoskeleton controller worked smoothly with the other remote manipulation systems,” said Professor Blake Hannaford of the University of Washington. (ANI)

Workshop on use of textiles in agriculture to begin today

New Delhi, Sept 18 (ANI): The Ministry of Textiles and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) will jointly organise a workshop on use of textiles in agriculture here today.

Over 100 delegates from various sectors like agriculture, the State Governments, agricultural universities, forest departments and institutes will attend the workshop.

The technical textiles are used in agriculture to fabricate shade-nets, crop-covers, mulch-nets, anti-hail nets, bird protection nets, fishing nets and greenhouse covers. The use of these items is very limited in the context of Indian agriculture.

The objective of the workshop is to sensitize stakeholders about myriad applications of technical textiles in agriculture and environmental engineering.

It will also create awareness amongst the stakeholders about the benefits of these items.

The workshop will also focus on various rules/legislations that need to be amended to facilitate the use of these textiles in various applications.

Technical textiles products used in the agriculture are known as Agrotech and those used for environmental protection are called Oekotech.

The major applications of Oekotech are for landfill waste management. It includes products used to prevent leakage of municipal or hazardous waste in landfills and suitable use of waste.

The consumption of these technical textiles products remains limited despite their perceived benefits.

With rapid urbanisation, the waste management has become major issue in India and Oekotech applications provide an effective way of managing the waste in an environment friendly manner. (ANI)

With lifestyle diseases on the rise, healthcare should be future focus: Ansari

Ranchi (Jharkhand), Sep.10 (ANI): Vice President M Hamid Ansari on Thursday said with the number of lifestyle diseases increasing, healthcare facilities should be strengthened to meet future demands of the country.

“The facilities we have is sufficient for now, but not sufficient for future,” Ansari said while dedicating the new HCG Curie-Abdur Razzaque Ansari Cancer Institute (C-ARACI) to the nation.

He said there has been huge progress in healthcare in the country, but the increase in new diseases has also kept in tandem with the improving system.

“There weren’t too many diseases 50 years ago. But now there has been an increase (in diseases) following changing lifestyles and diagnosis of new diseases,” he added.

Ansari said development of the health sector was crucial in maintaining the happiness index.

“A healthy person is a happy person. An ailing person, howsoever rich, is an unhappy person,” Ansari said while lauding the contribution of non-governmental institutes like Ranchi’s C-ARACI in developing health care facilities. (ANI)

Army confers Honorary Brigadier Rank on Dr ArvInd Lal

New Delhi, Sep. 4 (ANI): Dr. Arvind Lal, Chairman and Managing Director of Dr. Lal Pathological Laboratories, has been awarded the Honorary Rank of Brigadier by the Armed Forces Medical Services.

President Pratibha Patil, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, granted this award to Dr Lal in recognition to his outstanding contribution in the field of health care.

Dr Lal, alumni of the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), is a pioneer in bringing Laboratory services in India at par with the Western world.

Dr Lal also worked as a Demonstrator (Lecturer) in the Department of Pathology in AFMC.

In 1977, Dr Lal took charge of the Pathology Laboratory founded in 1949 by his late father.

Dr Lal has revolutionized laboratory medicine in the country by introducing new tests, instruments and ICT systems i.e. Information, Communications-Technology systems.

A member of many expert and advisory bodies set up by the central and state governments and on the panel of several professional bodies and institutes, Dr Lal has served as a pathologist to many present and past Prime Ministers of India.

Conferred with the Padma Shri award by the President this year, Dr Lal is also a recipient of the Indira Gandhi Solidarity Award in 1994, Delhi Ratan Award in 2005, Lifetime Achievement Award in Medicine in 2003 and the International Business Council Award 1994. (ANI)

New ultrasensitive electronic sensor to speed up DNA testing (corrected)

Washington, Sept 1 (ANI): Singapore scientists have developed a new ultrasensitive electronic sensor that would speed up DNA testing for disease diagnosis and biological research.

The novel electronic sensor array would be rapid, accurate and cost-efficient.

According to lead researcher Dr Zhiqiang Gao, from Singapore’s Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN), the Nanogap Sensor Array has shown “excellent” sensitivity at detecting trace amounts of DNA.

“By saving time and lowering expenses, our newly developed Nanogap Sensor Array offers a scalable and viable alternative for DNA testing,” said Gao.

The biosensor translates the presence of DNA into an electrical signal for computer analysis.

The distinctively designed sensor chip has the ability to detect DNA more efficiently by “sandwiching” the DNA strands between the two different surfaces.

“The novel vertical nanostructure design and two different surfaces of the sensor allow ultrasensitive detection of DNA,” said Gao.

“This sensitivity is best-in-class among electrical DNA biosensors. The design of the sensor also took into consideration the feasibility of mass production in a cost-effective way for expanded usage,” the expert added.

Presently, human DNA is detected through the use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which while effective, is also expensive, cumbersome and time-consuming for widespread use.

Although effective, tests involving PCR may not be optimal for situations such as a pandemic outbreak.

The biosensor captures DNA strands more effectively. This is possible because the two surfaces of the sensor are coated with a chemically treated “capture probe” solution through an electrochemical technique specially developed by IBN.

This allows DNA strands to “stick” more easily to the sensor, resulting in a faster and more accurate analysis.

“This new biosensor holds significant promise to speed up on-going efforts in the detection and diagnosis of debilitating diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular problems and infectious viruses,” said Dr Jackie Y. Ying, Executive Director of IBN, one of the research institutes of Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR).

“We aim to make healthcare accessible to the masses with early disease diagnosis as the critical driving force behind the research we undertake here at IBN,” she added.

The study appears in Journal of the American Chemical Society. (ANI)

International Medical Center to be developed at IIT Kharagpur

Washington, August 19 (ANI): Officials of the University of California, San Diego Health Sciences and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur have signed a historic preliminary agreement to collaborate in the development of an International Medical Center (IMC) at IIT Kharagpur.

This agreement – marked by a signing ceremony in Kharagpur, West Bengal, India – is the beginning of a strong educational, research and clinical partnership between UC San Diego Health Sciences and IIT, Kharagpur.

IIT, Kharagpur is the first and largest of the IIT chain of higher education institutes in India that focuses on engineering and technology.

The goal is to jointly establish a state-of-the-art medical center at IIT Kharagpur, which will be the first of its kind between a US University and an Indian Institution.

“This exciting partnership is an extension of UC San Diego Health Sciences’ traditional core mission – to provide excellent and compassionate patient care, advance medical discoveries and educate future health care providers,” said Mounir Soliman, MD, MBA, executive director of UC San Diego Health Sciences International.

“The establishment of an academic medical center to include the best in clinical care, as well as undergraduate and post-graduate programs in medical education, will be a perfect partnership – bringing together the strengths of both institutions,” he added.

According to Professor Damodar Acharya, director of IIT, Kharagpur, “In addition to IIT’s strong education and research focus in engineering and the sciences, we also are keenly interested in medical science and technology, including biotechnology, imaging, drug development and other important areas of medical research.”

“The collaboration is believed to be among the first between an IIT and a public US university in the field of medical education and research,” he said.

“The aim is to initiate technology leveraged medical education and research to provide holistic health care for the entire life cycle at affordable cost to underprivileged, poor and tribal population of the region,” he added.

The agreement describes the two institution’s collaborative plan to build a 300-bed, state-of-the-art hospital on land provided by IIT, Kharagpur. (ANI)

Radio Pakistan’s Dalit propaganda exposed

Abohar, July 14(ANI): Radio Pakistan, in its recent Punjabi Durbar programme, has said Scheduled Castes (SCs) children are being denied admission in schools in India, but nothing can be further from the truth.

Shyam Lal Arora, the district president of the Recognised and Affiliated Schools Association, Punjab termed the report false and malicious propaganda.

“The Dalits are not being discriminated or ill treated here in India. The Dalit children have been given equal rights and status in every school, college, office and department. Pakistan is making such statements to create tension in this country,” said Arora.

“In villages also, Dalit children are being given admission without any discrimination. Pakistan’s statement that the Dalit community is being stopped from taking water from community taps in the country is completely wrong. Here, people of all religions and Dalits take water from the same tap,” Arora added.

Pakistan is trying to create a divide in this country by asserting that casteism is dominant in India.

Radio Pakistan’s propaganda on casteism in India stands exposed by the fact that since independence, the Indian Government has taken several initiatives to improve the socio-economic and literacy conditions of the less-privileged in the country.

For instance, the strategy of the Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan (SCSP), which was evolved in 1979, is one of the most important interventions through the planning process for social, economic and educational development of Scheduled Castes and for improvement in their working and living conditions.

As far as reservation of seats in educational institutes are concerned, the Central Government has reserved 27 per cent of higher education seats, and individual states have been given freedom to legislate further reservations.

In 2008, the Supreme Court had upheld the law that provides for 27 per cent reservation for Other Backward Castes (OBCs) in educational institutions supported by the Central Government, while ruling that the creamy layer among the OBCs should be excluded from the quota.

This shows that the caste system as it existed in the past has been formally abolished.

Radio Pakistan, therefore, needs to study the Indian Constitution before airing baseless allegations about India. (ANI)

MAT ~ MAT 2009 ~ MAT 2009 Education Test Date 6th September 2009 ~ Management Aptitude Test 2009 ~ Management Aptitude Test on 6th September 2009 at www.aima-ind.org

MAT ~ MAT 2009 ~ MAT 2009 Education Test Date 6th September 2009 ~ Management Aptitude Test 2009 ~ Management Aptitude Test on 6th September 2009 at www.aima-ind.org

MAT – Management Aptitude Test is conducted by All India Management Association (AIMA).

MAT Score is acceptable even to certain other Institutes for considering admission of candidates for Post Graduate Degree / Diploma programmes, besides the above Institutes, subject to specific cut-off marks and other admission parameters.

Test Date – 6th September 2009 (Sunday)

Reporting Time – 9.15 A.M

Test Time – 10.00 A.M – 12.30 A.M

Eligibility for MAT : Graduate in any discipline from a recognized university. Final year degree course  students can also apply.

How to Apply for MAT 2009 Exam :

To obtain MAT Bulletin and Application Form by post, send a Demand Draft of Rs.1050/- to AIMA-CMS, drawn in favour of “All India Management Association” payable at New Delhi alongwith two self-addressed slips/adhesive stickers. Send your request to The Manager-CMS, All India Management Association, Management House, 14, Institutional Area, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110 003.

OR

Obtain MAT Bulletin and Application Form on cash payment of Rs 980/-(Nine Hundred Eighty only) at AIMA counter at Delhi (Tel:- 24653382), select Bank of Baroda (BoB) Branches, AIMA Nodal Centres and other outlets .Bank of Baroda Branches (Click Here), AIMA Nodal Centres and other outlets.

Important Dates for MAT 2009 Exam :

Last date of Availability of MAT Bulletin: 10 August 2009 (Monday)
Last date for Receipt of Filled form At AIMA, New Delhi : 13 August 2009 (Thursday)

Note:

Forms with Bulletins for 06 September 2009 MAT will be available for sale from first week of July 2009. Details of Participating Management Institute, Test Centre Cities and Sales Outlets will also be available from first week of July 2009.

Candidates may also view/download the MAT Score from AIMA website http://www.aima-ind.org/ after 3 weeks from the date of the test.

Candidates may clarify queries regarding MAT Score, if any, at e-mail : rgusain@aima-ind.org

For more details visit – http://www.aima-ind.org

JBT Results ~ JBT Study Results 2009 ~ JBT CET 2008 ~ JBT CET 2008 2nd Education Counselling ~ JBT CET 2008 Provisional Study Merit Education List ~ hpeducationboard.nic.in

JBT Results ~ JBT Study Results 2009 ~ JBT CET 2008 ~  JBT CET 2008 2nd Education Counselling ~ JBT CET 2008 Provisional Study Merit Education List ~ hpeducationboard.nic.in

Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education has declared Provisional Merit List of State JBT CET 2008 for 13 Private Institutes for 2nd Counseling on Date 30/06/2009

This Merit List is available on -

http://www.hpeducationboard.nic.in/pdf/2009JBT2NDCOUNSELING.pdf

Other Links -

Underprivileged Malay-Indian students to get educational aid

Ipoh (Malaysia), July 4 (ANI): In a bid to provide study assistance to underprivileged Malay Indian students, the Parek government in Malaysia has decided to include three private colleges in their list of colleges and universities, which are eligible for educational aid.

Earlier, a large number of Malay-Indian students could not afford to study in the three institutes of higher learning-Asian Institute of Medicine, Science and Technology (AIMST), and TAFE College-as they were deprived of assistance from the state government.

“The three colleges were not included in the list and as such, the students from the community faced financial difficulties to enrol in courses,” the New Strait Times quoted Perak Menteri Besar Zambry Abd Kadir, as saying.

“We do not discriminate. The students can be from any race but they would receive the aid if they meet all the conditions, including their family financial background,” he said after a meeting with Perak MIC officials here yesterday.

The educational aid was among several issues discussed during the meeting.

“We asked the state government to include TAFE and AIMST as a large number of Indian students applied to study in the two colleges,” Perak MIC chairman G. Rajoo said.

“We are happy that Zambry has considered the plight of the poor Indian students and happy that the state government has agreed to give out the aid to students to enrol in the three colleges which would lessen the financial burden of the families,” he added. (ANI)

Chandigarh, an important fashion destination

Chandigarh, June 26 (ANI): Chandigarh has emerged as an important fashion destination from market as well as promising designers’ perspective.

Fashion has taken centre stage in the region following the setting up of several fashion technology institutes like NIIFT, IIFT and IIFD in and around Chandigarh. These institutes provide talented young designers an opportunity to make their mark in the rapidly growing industry.

Top models recently sashayed down the ramp in Chandigarh in outfits created by budding fashion designers. The show full of style and glamour got an excellent response.

Apparel industry leaders, renowned fashion designers and marketing gurus were all there to pick best out the best designer. There is great enthusiasm in the industry despite the global meltdown.

“Because of the recession that impact is there on garment industry but its not that much that have affect on IT sector because in garment industry, they want fresh / young designers to come and show their talent because now a days new generation is so practical and these designs itself shows that it’s a very practical collections of the industry demands the young designers from us and they want us to send our students from GMT, who have learnt the garment manufacturing techniques, who have learnt the designing section. Students from the apparel merchandising also they want from us,” said Shamir Kaur, Principal of International Institute of Fashion Technology, Mohali.

Punjabis are becoming more fashion conscious. And, the NRI influence has played a major part in triggering this off.

Budding designers are now keep in mind the desires and aspirations of their well-heeled customers in Punjab and across India. From ethnic to contemporary, there is tremendous scope to explore.

Models who have performed in Chandigarh say that the city has arrived on the fashion scene due to high-level of fashion consciousness among girls and boys here.

“Chandigarh has improved a lot in terms of fashion. The young designers who are coming from Chandigarh are simply amazing, the kind of collection that they have got. The shows that I do here for two best institutes, I think their collections are amazing. They are becoming better year after year, so talent in Chandigarh is growing and its world class. I feel that its high time that Chandigarh’s designers should be a part of India Fashion Week and I also suggested last time when I came here that there should be a Chandigarh Fashion Week. If somebody offers me, I will be there to choreograph the show. A Chandigarh Fashion Week showcasing the collection only by Chandigarh and Punjab designers,” said Kaushik Ghosh, Fashion Choreographer.

The upcoming Fashion Technology Park in Mohali displays the rapidly expanding global fashion market.

The boom necessitates a streamlined and synergized organization of talent and resources in the Fashion and Lifestyle sectors. The Indian fashion industry is in the process of building future brands. And Punjab’s contribution in this direction is creditable. By Sunil Sharma (ANI)

Increase in number of psychological ailments in Jharkhand

Ranchi, May 19 (ANI): Increasing number of cases of people suffering from psychological ailments has been recorded Ranchi.

Mounting tension of studies, limited number of technical and professional institutes, unemployment, consumerism and cutthroat competition are causing enormous pressure on people from different walks of life.

Such pressure is increasing the anxiety and tension among people.

The Ranchi Institute of Neuro Psychiatry and Allied Sciences (RINPAS), one of the oldest mental hospitals in the country has recorded a sharp rise in the number of mental patients.

In the last eight years, the number of such mental patients has increased thrice.

According to the experts, mental patients are mostly among the poor sections of society, farmers and rural people. They say that the sole reason lies in anxiety and pressure, which occurs due to excess intake of alcohol and drugs.

“When a person is sitting idle, his mind starts working a lot and he keeps on thinking which increases tensions and problems. During the time of merrymaking for the farmers after the cutting of crops, celebrations are done with food and drink. People indulge themselves in alcohol and drugs and thus it becomes the prime reason behind the increasing number of patients,” said Amul Ranjan Singh, Head of Psychiatry Department, Ranchi Institute of Neuro Psychiatry and Allied Sciences.

Most of the patients come from Bihar where unemployment and dissatisfaction are the prime cause of anxiety and tension among the farmers. Students hardly have any facilities for higher studies and youth are unemployed.

Ironically, Bihar does not have a single hospital for such mental patients.

The director of the RINPAS feels that government should start concentrating on the medication of mental patients as their numbers have started increasing in Ranchi.

“Mental patients can be treated but it needs a long period of medication. In that case, there should be one unit in every hospital of an area or district from where these patients can get medicines. Government should now also concentrate on the medication of such mental patients the way it concentrates on other chronic illness,” said A K Naag, Director, RINPAS.

Mental illness is still considered a taboo in India. By Girija Shankar Ojha(ANI)

Radio Pakistan comes to the aid of Dalits in India

Abohar, April 28 (ANI): Instead of looking at its country’s depleting reputation in the world for being a haven for terrorists and the Taliban in Swat Valley, Radio Pakistan’s prime concern is the welfare of lower caste people in India.

In the latest Punjabi Durbar programme, Radio Pakistan has alleged that people belonging to the SC (Scheduled Caste) and ST (Scheduled Tribes) in India are subjected to inhuman treatment in India.

The programme has alleged that upper caste Brahmins don’t allow the lower castes to pray in temples or fetch water from their wells.

The allegations have been dismissed as baseless by Dr. Kuldeep Singh of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).

“Pakistan is trying to create divisions in the country by asserting that the concept of casteism overpowering India. As the district head of Bahujan Samaj Party I want to say that the system of casteism is the issue of the past. At present, in Bahujan Samaj Party people of different castes like Brahmins, Thakur, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Jatt Sikh to the people of lower castes like schedule castes and schedule tribes work together for the betterment and the progress of the country,” said Dr. Kuldeep Singh.

“I want to ask Pakistan about its system of casteism, where people are fighting one another. Such conditions will not be there in any other country of the world,” said Dr. Singh.
“At a time when India and Pakistan were united, the situation was very bad. Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar wrote our Constitution, which came into force on 26th January 1950. Since then the concept of casteism has been reduced to a great extent. He created a feeling of togetherness and brotherhood in the people of different castes and helped them in getting their rights.”

The broadcasters of Raido Pakistan need to study the Indian Constitution before airing baseless allegations about India. It must remember that that all Indians, irrespective of caste, creed, and religion have the Right to Equality.

In Uttar Pradesh, the people irrespective of their caste or creed or without any pressure of any community elected their leader Ms. Mayawati.

Moreover, people of the lower castes, today enjoy reservation in almost all government jobs and education institutes across the country. (ANI)

We need to undertake challenge of providing gainful employment: Ansari

New Delhi, Apr 28 (ANI): Vice President M. Hamid Ansari on Tuesday acknowledged an immediate need to undertake the challenge of providing gainful employment to millions of youth, who are in need of it.

Addressing the ‘JRD Tata Young Entrepreneurs Awards’ at the Conference on ‘Entrepreneurship – A Solution to Youth Unemployment’ organised by Bharatiya Yuva Shakti Trust, here today, Ansari said: “We need to comprehend the dimensions of the problem of youth unemployment.”

Ansari pointed out that the Planning Commission’s Working Group on Labour Force and Employment Projections for the Eleventh Plan, in its report in September, had predicted that in the ten years from 2007 to 2017 there would be 93 million new entrants to the labour force.

Recommending entrepreneurship to solve the problem of such a huge influx of labour, he said, “This challenge can be better met by diversifying the sources of employment in innovative ways. One of these is to encourage the young people to become entrepreneurs and start more micro enterprises in rural and non-rural areas and run them successfully.”

Ansari further opined that entrepreneurship can be nurtured only through broad-based and multiple sources of sustenance. Civil society organisations and industry bodies play a major role in it, he said.

Concerned over the condition of under-privileged, minority and marginalised communities, who according to him continue to face the “glass ceiling of entrepreneurship”, the Vice President said that the problem needs to be overcome through impersonal affiliations of the type that prevails in many developed countries and has, in fact, taken shape in relation to our premier technical and management institutes. (ANI)

Guru G. Gourakishor, the master of Manipuri martial art form

Imphal, April 24 (ANI): Guru G. Gourakishor Sharma was recently conferred the coveted Padamshree award for 2008-2009 to honour his lifetime contribution to Manipuri Martial Art, Thang-Ta.

Born into a family having a long tradition of martial arts, the Manipuri martial art, “Thang-Ta” came naturally to Gourakishor, who since childhood developed deep interest in this art form.

Trained under the shadow of his father Late Gurumayum Sanajaoba Sharma and various eminent Manipuri gurus, Gourakishor has participated in various festivals and tournaments.

Gourakishor has dedicated his life to the propagation of the art form, and started a school -’The Huyen Lallong Manipur Thang-Ta Cultural Association’ in the vicinity of his home at Keirao in Imphal in 1958.

Gourakishor has established the institute as a leading center for promoting Manipuri art and culture.

The Padma award is a recognition for his tireless efforts to preserve Thang-Ta.

“I’m very happy to receive this award. The art of Thang-Ta in Manipur has been on the verge of extinction but today with the acknowledgement of the Government in the form of this award, the art will be saved and revived. This is the only reason that I’m so happy,” said G.Gourakishor Sharma, Padamshree awardee.

Gourakishor efforts have been recognized at various levels and honours have come to him regularly.

The late Maharaj of Manipur, Shri Bodhachandra Singh, awarded him a Gold Medal. Manipuri Sahitya Parishad gave him the title of ‘Kala Ratna’ in 1985 for his outstanding contribution to the field of “Thang-Ta”.

He is also the first person to receive the prestigious Sangeet Natak Academy award in 1983. ourakishor is associated with cultural Organization of Manipur like Manipur State Kala Akademi, Department of Art and Culture, Government of Manipur and Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy. He has also he taught “Thang-Ta” in various institutes in the state.

His efforts have provided an opportunity for the youth of the state to contribute to the art form. Gourakishor many students have taken part in festivals in India and abroad as well.

“My father has built a platform for us to move ahead with regards to this art form. Through his achievement, the younger generation can benefit a lot. Thereafter, they can take Thang-Ta to an International level,” said G. Bisheshor Sharma, Gourakishor’s son.

“I’m so happy for my father as he has bagged a prestigious award. It’s a joyous occasion for all of us,” said G. Lakshana, daughter.

Guru Gourakishor has published books on the indigenous tribes of Manipur like the Aimol, Maring and Chiru and also written scripts for plays such as Govinda Nirupan, Chahi Taret Khuntakpa (Seven years of Devastation) and Haokhong Shimaikhu.

His achievement in preserving the rich culture and tradition of the state sets an example in the Manipuri society worthy of emulation. (ANI)

Recession-proof education sector beckoning PE, VC funds!

Despite the fact that the global downturn has virtually hit every sector of the economy, the education sector has largely escaped any major blows; and is beckoning private equity (PE) and venture capital (VC) funds!

According to a “Private Equity Pulse – Education” report by Venture Intelligence – a research service tracking private equity and M and A activity in India – the PE, VC investors are targeting the domestic education firms, after they have noticed a huge potential in the education arena.

Talking about the inclination of the investors towards the recession-proof education sector, Venture Intelligence CEO Arun Natarajan said: “In the current uncertain economic environment, the attractive and predictable rates of return of the education industry, is serving as a magnet for PE investors.”

Statistics indicate that more than 80 percent of fund managers are considering the option of investing in education companies in the coming months. While the education sector has, thus far, seen investments of nearly $300 million; the latent market size for private institutions is expected to be a whopping $40 billion!

Moreover, there has been a clear shift in the education-related investment activity. While it earlier centered on the outsourcing aspect, the present focus is on training institutes offering a domestic market opportunity – as is apparent from the recent investments by Gaja Capital partners, Helix and SAIF.

Indian students flocking to New Zealand

Chandigarh, April 9 (IANS) Indian students continue flocking to New Zealand for higher education and the number has increased by 300 percent in the last six years, says a diplomat from that country.

‘India is a big market of talented students for us. Their number has considerably increased. I do not think recession can stop Indian students from coming to New Zealand,’ Cliff Fuller, New Zealand’s trade commissioner in India, told IANS.

According to Fuller, the percentage of Indian students enrolling in New Zealand institutes has increased nearly 300 percent in the last six years.

‘In 1998, only 150 Indian students enrolled. This figure rose to 1,500 in 2002. In 2008, we registered 6,000 new enrolments from India,’ Fuller said.

He said it was difficult to give the exact number of Indian students in New Zealand. ‘We have the number of newly-enrolled students. It is very difficult to tell the exact number of Indian students studying there.’

He said Punjab was the biggest market for New Zealand institutes.

Education contributed substantially in the economy of New Zealand as it figured among the top five contributors to the country’s economy.

Fuller said bilateral trade between India and New Zealand was nearly $500 million per year now. ‘There is a vast potential to increase business in the fields of IT, software, industrial exports and CNG industry.’

Fuller was in the city to participate in the education fair organised by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) and Education New Zealand, a government-funded organisation. Around 25 New Zealand institutes participated in the fair.

‘The best part of our education is that we also grant a one-year search visa, which is generally not available in case of other countries. After getting a job, one can also apply for two-year work permit,’ said Chris Bond, a representative of a management institute in Wellington.

New Zealand woos Indian students with education fair

New Delhi, April 5 (IANS) Hundreds of students, clutching brochures and study certificates, thronged the day-long New Zealand Education Fair held in the capital Sunday.

Parents with their children, groups of school-going teenagers and graduates sauntered through the stalls put up by 25 participating institutions and universities.

‘I am here with my father and sister. I have brought along all relevant documents. I want to do a business management or accounts course. I like what I have seen here – I am definitely going if I get through – and they (the universities) say I qualify,’ said Neha Mehta, a first year B.Com student.

Neha, a resident of Ghaziabad, said she thought New Zealand was full of opportunity, and that she had worked out a basic plan with her agent here.

‘I feel that New Zealand can offer me great prospects, I can even work there initially,’ she said.

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NTZE) and Education New Zealand Sunday organized the education fair in the capital hoping to woo Indian students with its niche set of courses and ‘study – leisure environment’. The fair will also be held in Chandigarh April 7.

Many present appeared amazed that New Zealand, perceived mainly as a tourist destination, could be an education provider interested in Indians students.

NZTE officials said that in the year 2005 there where 2,000 Indian students in New Zealand. The numbers have increased to 6,000 students as of March 2009.

‘With the interest we have seen here I am sure the numbers could double this year,’Cliff Fuller, New Zealand’s trade commissioner in Delhi told IANS.

‘Mostly the interest generated is via word of mouth. We have many students from Punjab. Even in other parts of the country we have a great response,’ Fuller added.

Fuller said that Indian students were mostly interested in business and IT related courses, travel, hospitality and media and design.

‘Education visas for New Zealand are fairly easy to get. In fact since most of the universities and institutes there communicate with students via our 21 local agents in India – the process of application is very simple,’ Jugnu Roy, NZTE business development manager, said.

The fair also drew a lot of interest in niche courses like viti culture (wine tasting), hospitality management, plant science and horticulture, food technology and sports management.

While New Zealand hardly offers any scholarships, officials said that low student living costs and higher standard of living in New Zealand will attract scholars from India.

Ignou to offer engineering courses

NEW DELHI: With over 10 lakh students registering for the AIEEE in 2009, up from 8.62 lakh in 2008, it may not be possible for all to get a seat in
existing engineering colleges. Keeping the shortage of seats in mind, Indira Gandhi National Open University (Ignou) has collaborated with Chennai-based Sri Angala Parameshwari Education Trust (SAPET) to offer certificate, diploma and degree programmes in various engineering branches including, civil, mechanical, electrical engineering, electronics and communication technologies and computer science.

The programmes, which will commence from January 2010, will help students who have completed their class XII with physics, chemistry and mathematics (PCM) and are interested to pursue engineering but have not got opportunity to study in the conventional institutes or engineering colleges.

The diploma holders in engineering subjects will also be given lateral entry to the third-year in any engineering disciplines.

“The new programmes will also help bright students who fail to get admission into engineering colleges due to weak socio-economic conditions or lack of awareness or non-availability of higher technical institutions in areas they live,” said Latha Pillai, pro-vice chancellor, Ignou.

According to SAPET officials, the programmes will follow the need-based assessments of the industry, profession and service sectors. Adviser to the SAPET, Premendra Raj Mehta said: “The programmes and their courses will be prepared according to the needs and demands from the industry. Students can enter at different levels and credits will be offered to them from what they already studied. The programmes will offer four levels of entries out of six years. Students can enter after passing out class X, the ITI exams, class XII, acquiring a multiple diplomas and also B Sc degree. The programmes are being restructured offering vertical mobility.”