The Hindu : New Delhi News : Mobile menace all the way

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Dec 16, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Mobile menace all the way

THE MOBILE menace is clearly not limited to schools alone. Much before the much talked about DPS episode happened, the Capital's higher education institutions had begun to feel the pinch. With most students carrying a mobile to college these days, the constant ringing of phones in college corridors and mobile conversations across the Campus area have been the order of the day.

Although many colleges banned the use of mobile phones insides the college long back -- especially while the classes are on -- the step seems to have had little effect on the student community. Even in places like St. Stephen's where notices were put up as far back as the admission season, the abuse continues unchecked.

"Although we have not really put up a notice banning use of cell phones, we do discourage the use of mobiles phones while students are inside the college. Usually they are asked to switch off the phones during the class timings as it can be distracting and disturbing,'' accepts Kirori Mal College Vice-Principal Virendra Kumar.

But what has begun to worry most colleges is not just the extensive use of mobile phones on the campus but the increasing number of harassment cases involving the use of cell phones.

"We were a little concerned after some girls came and said they were receiving lewd messages on their phone and getting blank calls made by other students. Since then we are a little more strict and have asked students not to use phones inside the premises,'' says Mr. Kumar.

For most colleges, making the announcement is not the difficult part, but implementing it is. Teachers feel involving parents will be an important step, what with most children receiving the mobile from their parents.

Why students need to carry a mobile to college or school is a question everyone is asking on the campus now. It may help parents keep track of their children and staying in touch with them, but if recent incidents are anything to go by, then technology is clearly not helping parents or teachers keep a check on children the way they would like it to be.

***

THE XAVIER'S Labour Research Institute (XLRI) has taken yet another leap forward by tying up with quite a few prestigious international institutions for their student exchange programmes. From the Asian Institute of Management, Philippines, to Malardalen University of Sweden, the programmes will begin for the batch of 2004-06, with selected students from both sides getting to spend a term in the partner college.

According to Vikram Dhunta, Secretary, Program for International Student Exchange (POISE), "the exchange programmes commence with AIM Philippines and Malardalen University of Sweden among a few more in the US and Europe will enable about 10-15 students each year to avail of the benefits."

With the B-school clearly making a big attempt to reach out to major international institutes and build bridges, XLRI has till now had collaborations with the Loyola Business School, Chicago and Eichstaett University, Germany that saw faculty visits as well as joint research and publication efforts.

In fact, as part of its effort to strengthen its international alliances, XLRI had set up a student committee, POISE (Program for International Student Exchange) in 2003. This was done to encourage student initiatives to build international contacts.

"XLRI's exchange programme will enable its students to gain an international perspective and understand the cultural implications of management problems, which are indispensable in the globalised economy today, thus increasing the value of its business education manifold," adds Dhunta, Secretary of POISE.

The much vaunted Asian Institute of Management (AIM) is the first Asias institute to receive the European Quality label and thus become a member of the European Foundation for Management Development, while the Malardalen International Master Academy (MIMA), Sweden, is part of the Malardalen School of Business, renowned in the area of international marketing.

***

WHEN IT comes to dramatics, this is one college that has always managed to hold its own in Delhi University. With one of the best drama societies on the Campus, Lady Sri Ram College has been nothing short of a talent ground for many budding actors and writers. And this past week saw the Dramatics Society of the college stage "Mira" as part of its annual public production.

Originally written in English by Gurcharan Das and translated into Hindi by Balwant Tandon, the play was directed by well-known film and theatre personality M.K.Raina who is a former NSD graduate. Known for his plays such as "Kabira Khada Bazar Mein'', "Karmawali'' and "Lower Depths'', he was honoured with the Sanskriti Samman in 1980 and the Sahitya Kala Parishad Award in 1981 among other honours.

The play "Mira'' was re-invented in the contemporary mould through a stylised treatment of the story with dances, lights, and costumes.

Lakshmi B. Ghosh

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

New Delhi

News Update

Stories in this Section