Urvashi Sarkar

Thoughts, stories and ideas.

Tag: education

  • Advocates of a secure life deplore my uncertain existence

    Illustrations: Rishabh Arora

    Published in Tehelka Magazine. 22 September 2012

    What happens when a journalist quits her respectable job of two years with a respectable newspaper and a barely respectable salary for higher studies? I originally assumed I would spend a quiet and uneventful two years pursuing Masters in international relations. The family acquiesced with my decision, thus making the initial transition possible. I expected no major troubles, given my decision to finance myself for the duration of study.

    A year into the course, and despite initial family approval, I find myself repeatedly justifying my transition, especially to the older generation (venerable elders), who can’t quite figure out why I want to study.“Kya karoge itna padhke?” a venerable family elder asks me with amusement and cynicism. My suggestion that I am studying because of interest in the subject is sceptically received. The other suggestion that I have returned to the classroom for newer ideas is met with dubious looks.

    The frequent debates about the direction my life is taking are usually summed up by the “what’s next?” question. “Maybe I’ll get a job or I’ll study further,” I answer. The venerable elders favour work. I counter that it isn’t easy to always effect a transition.

    One day, I casually announce plans for an MPhil. Shock and awe is followed by “You don’t want to live in educated poverty forever, do you?” I stay silent. “If you want to become a professor, then it’s not a problem. But they don’t earn very much, do they?” Sixth Pay Commission, I venture, but the elder continues: “You should be comfortable in life and settle down.”

    Nothing wrong with being comfortable, of course. But can’t I do it at my own pace and terms?

    As I harp on my intent to pursue MPhil, the venerable elders yield. Apply abroad, they suggest. ‘Abroad’ is pitched as a vague, rarefied space, a guarantor of rich rewards. “What if I don’t want to study abroad because it makes sense for me to study here?” I demand.

    Knowing the venerable elders, it will take a lot of convincing and impassioned arguments before I’m allowed to have my way. I dare say I have mostly had a largely free hand with regard to career and education choices. But then I turned 25, the age when sirens begin to wail in middleclass households. After bouts of stormy confrontations, I manage to fend off marriage, only temporarily though, till the next proposal generates another noisy bout.

    The prospect of MPhil makes the elders jittery. I am half jokingly told: “By the time you finish your MPhil, you will be an old hag and nobody will marry you.” Strangely, the return to academics is also dubbed as “running away from life!” On the contrary, I find student life tougher than work life. I haven’t broken my ties with journalism yet and continue to write and report. This juggling act can be fairly chaotic; I find myself pitching stories in the midst of examinations. Freelancing is not a reliable option in terms of pay or punctuality of pay.

    Life as a Masters student has been liberating. I have met like-minded women and men, been taught by inspiring teachers and gained critical insights into things that were otherwise accepted unquestioningly. Myths are being busted and new beliefs are being formed. I also get time to travel, courtesy weekend holidays, summer and winter vacations; albeit on shoestring budgets. Academics after work experience also means I can make several meaningful connections between theory and practice.

    Advocates of a “safe and secure” life might deplore my uncertain existence. But I’ve found it liberating to cast away the claustrophobic security net and explore, notwithstanding my critics.

    Read the original article: http://old.tehelka.com/advocates-of-a-secure-life-deplore-my-uncertain-existence/

  • “DU admission offer at Rs 80,000”

    Published in The Hindu. 24 June 2011

    Hoping to cash in on the eagerness of students to get admission in one of the coveted colleges on the North Campus of Delhi University, a strategically placed notice in the Arts Faculty premises states that students wanting admission on the North Campus should call a particular mobile number.

    The Arts Faculty is the venue for registration of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes candidates for admissions and also for a couple of other courses and is packed with student aspirants many of whom have come from outside the Capital.

    A call to the number resulted in a bizarre conversation. A man calling himself ‘Sameer’ offered admission for B.A. Honours History in a leading college on the North Campus for Rs. 80,000 saying that the student’s name would appear in the “second or third cut-off list”.

    “Admission will be through the staff quota and sports quota. The money charged from the student will mainly go to “professors” and for making certificates for admission through the sports quota,” he said, claiming that all colleges accept donations.

    The man, who claims to be a student of M.A. in Political Science in the university, sounded brusque and businesslike but did not attempt coercion.

    “I will not force you in case you are not convinced. I already have the documents of 60 students. These documents include photocopies of Class X and Class XII mark sheets, an electricity bill for address proof and must be signed by the student’s parents. The originals are not needed,” he said.

    “These students are looking for admissions in St. Stephen’s College, Miranda House, Hans Raj College, Hindu College, Shri Ram College of Commerce and others. They are also seeking admissions in South Campus colleges such as Sri Venkateswara College, Zakir Husain College which can be arranged at a lesser cost.”

    Reasoning that cut-offs are going to rocket this admission season, ‘Sameer’ quoted a sum of Rs. 1,80,000 each for admission to two prestigious colleges on the North Campus.

    “The down payment is Rs. 15,000 and the rest can be paid after admission,” he said.

    When contacted, Dean of Students’ Welfare Prof. J. M. Khurana cautioned: “Students are advised not to fall into such traps. These are nothing but humbug. Moreover, the rules for staff quota admissions are very stringent. Only the wards of university teaching and non-teaching staff are eligible for admissions. Colleges individually decide the relaxation which is given to this quota and it is usually about one or two per cent in every course. The employees also have to submit a letter signed by the college Principal and Registrar stating they are university employees.”

    Read the original article: https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-newdelhi/du-admission-offer-at-rs-80000/article2075686.ece

  • Mixed reactions to university getting minority status

    Published in The Hindu. 23 February 2011

    Mixed reactions greeted the granting of minority institution status to Jamia Millia Islamia by the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions on Tuesday.

    While for many, this is a historic moment for the university, others are opposed to the minority status.

    Former Jamia Teachers’ Association secretary and a petitioner in the matter, Prof. Tabrez Alam said: “We are feeling reassured that the minority status of Jamia has been maintained by the Commission. We have always contended that the inherent nature of this university which was established by members of the Muslim minority community in 1920 is that of a minority status institute. The Commission has also agreed to this.”

    “Initially we had to grant 22.5 per cent reservations for the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes. We will no longer be required to do so and we will be able to provide up to 50 per cent of seats in all courses for students belonging to the underprivileged Muslim minority community,” he added.

    Since the institute cannot have more than 50 per cent reservations, the provision of 25 per cent internal quota for those who have passed their qualifying examination from Jamia now stands to question.

    Jamia Minority Status Coordination Committee convenor Mohammad Iyas Malik also welcomed the announcement.

    “The first benefit is for the Muslim community which is educationally and socially backward and needs uplifting. Muslim students will now have more access to quality education. However, a secular milieu will also prevail,” he said.

    On the other Jamia Teachers’ Solidarity Association has said on its website: “Jamia was envisaged as a space of higher learning and critical thinking against the insularity and isolationism of all kinds. The demand for minority status vitiates that glorious history of Jamia as a secular inclusive space and will push the university towards ghettoisation.”

    Jamia Vice-Chancellor Najeeb Jung when contacted said: “The declaration does not actually change things much for Jamia. The university already has 51 per cent Muslims. The main concern for some is that this move will change the secular ethos of the university. Jamia is a liberal and modern university. This declaration increases the onus on the university to stick to its secularist and nationalist credentials.”

    Photo: jmi.ac.in

    Read the original article: https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-newdelhi/Mixed-reactions-to-Jamia-getting-minority-status/article15455082.ece

  • Aligarh college girls make history of sorts

    Photo: Shiv Kumar Pushpakar

    Published in The Hindu. 20 January 2011

    The Aligarh Muslim University Women’s College, established way back in 1906, was forced to come into being 5 km away from the Mohammedan Anglo Oriental College (M.A.O.C.), later renamed AMU, as M.A.O.C. Principal William Archbold felt “female education was injurious to the health of the M.A.O. college”.

    Cut to 2011, students from the undergraduate women’s college took part in the AMU students’ union (AMUSU) elections here on Wednesday for the first time in the history of the university’s student union.

    The excitement in the air was palpable as scores of girls lined up in serpentine queues to cast their vote, eagerly brandishing their voting identification slips and identity cards.

    “Women too must have a say in the election process. It is heartening that girls from our college are contesting the elections for the first time,” said Sanae Rabbi, an arts student, as her friends nodded in agreement.

    Principal Bilquis Nasim Waris said: “Five girls are contesting the elections from the [women’s] college; two each for the posts of AMUSU vice-president and cabinet member, and one for student representative to the court.”

    The elections are taking place after more than four years.

    Voting took place for the posts of union president, vice-president, honorary secretary, 10 cabinet posts and 11 varsity court positions.

    The women’s college, usually out of bounds for men, barring university authorities, faculty and staff, opened its doors partially on Wednesday to admit male Press members with some hesitation. Male students were strictly barred from entering, and for about 15 minutes security personnel shut the entrance gates as some male students tried to enter the premises.

    “We are not allowed to interact with the students. How will they know about us as candidates? We would also like to see if proper voting is taking place inside the college, but we are not being allowed to enter,” complained a male presidential candidate.

    A total of 11 girls are contesting the elections — one each for the posts of president and honorary secretary, two for vice-president, four for cabinet and three for the AMU court. Of the total 18,500 voters, 6,500 are girls.

    However, the girls did not seem very optimistic about their prospects. “The girls are not voting in a united manner,” admitted a girl voter. “Still, we cannot vote blindly for someone just because it happens to be a girl. We will vote for meritorious candidates.”

    Honorary secretary candidate Naheed Mustafa said: “The votes are being split. Girls are not voting for female candidates owing to various reasons. The boys will not vote for us as they are unwilling to accept female post-holders. There will be no point in our having contested elections if we do not win.”

    Read the original article: https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/Aligarh-college-girls-make-history-of-sorts/article15525245.ece

  • Gender audit gives thumbs down to Delhi University

    Photo: Wikimedia Commons

    Published in The Hindu. 16 September 2010.

    Curriculum and classroom teaching in Delhi University at the post-graduate level does not reflect adequate gender sensitivity, a gender audit conducted by the University’s Women’s Study and Development Centre has revealed.

    As per the post-graduate level gender audit report, though most of the Humanities and Social Sciences disciplines do have gender components in their syllabi, it is inadequate and teacher participation in workshops and seminars on gender issues is “rather low.”

    The data for the audit was gathered from December 2008 to February 2009. The audit was performed to “assess how far the policies and practices of the university are conducive to promoting gender equality”.

    According to the report, women in the university are not satisfied with university facilities. The most common complaint was about inadequate number of toilets for women which were also badly maintained. Demands for more common rooms for women and greater security in the campus were also cited.

    The report recommends introduction of full-fledged degree courses on gender issues, better security for girls on the campus, more and better toilets for women, hostels for girls, compulsory gender courses for students of all disciplines and workshops and seminars on gender issues. The study takes note of Delhi University’s Ordinance XV-D as an “important step”. The construction of two hostels for girls by the University, initiation of the construction of a new girls’ hostel, establishment of a crèche and the beginning of the process of registration of paying guest accommodation for girls also find mention in the report.

    Many of them

    A larger number of female students are enrolled for science, mathematics, commerce, environment biology, humanities and social sciences as per the report which says: “Male students outnumber female students only in law, management and technical courses. It may be that male students prefer joining professional and job-oriented courses after school. The study shows that there are more boys than girls in professional courses.”

    The study finds that male teachers outnumber female teachers at the level of Professors, Associate Professors and Assistant Professors at the post-graduate level. Though the number of female teachers has risen since 2003, in many departments there are no women teachers at the level of Associate Professors and Professors or their number is negligible.

    The report notes that “since the number of women lecturers is rising, it is probable that in the coming years the number of women at senior levels will also rise. Also since more girls than boys are joining Ph.D. programmes, it is likely that more girls than boys will come forward to teach”.The representation of women office staff in the University is also very poor.

    About teaching and research output the report states that “most of the respondents felt that there is no significant difference between male and female teachers. However, some said that men are able to get research fellowships and grants more easily than women.” Female students and teachers also indicated that they were comfortable with male teachers/colleagues.

    Read the original article: https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-newdelhi/Gender-audit-gives-thumbs-down-to-Delhi-University/article15949737.ece

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