The genesis of my intellectual and humanitarian relation with India (the second qualification is of later date) dates back to my visit to Gujarat in 2010 January and 2010 November. Before the date, I was a tourist most probably. Since then I have been in a frequent touch with the scholars in India. The latest proof of it is an invitation to Osmania University, Hyderabad. I think writing more on it will be tautological; so fullstop
Dhulikhel - Airport - Itahari
Contrary to the real plan for the departure set for Saturday,July 16, there was an obligation to leave on Thursday (two days before) due to an announcement of two days' Nepal Bandha. As it happens in unexpectedly early travels and especially in my case, I booked plane ticket at 10 a.m. with a plan to leave University at 1 (as the plane had its schedule at 4; I had to collect the ticket from Antu Hill, a travel agent; and the public vehicle would generally take around one and half hour to reach Kathmandu). But having talked with a faculty, I rescheduled to depart at 2 due to his readiness to hitchhike me up to Kathmandu. At quarter past 2 when I called him, I got to know that the friend already left as he did not see me in the department.
Imagine the condition I underwent; anyway, I rushed to Mahendra Dai to request him for the arrangement of any vehicle. And, as expected he called the driver and asked him to reach me up to Banepa. Calculating the time, I felt that spending for taxi is an unnecessary expenditure. But again as the local bus loved to enjoy leisurely travel, I could not be in tune with its passionate stops; caught taxi, requested the travel agent dai to reach me ticket to the airport. Such a rush but to hear the news that there is half an hour delay in the flight. Finally, Biratnagar airport.
Out from the airport, nearly two dozen rickshaw pullers, there were calls and pulls. Avoiding all, I went a bit further, and found doing a surprising deal with a four-wheeler: he was ready to offer me ride till Itahari at Rs. 100. Can you imagine a ride in four-wheeler at this fare and alone? Impossible but happened. On the way when I initiated the talk, I came to know that he was my father's student some years back. The knowledge then itched me so much that I thought I should not have bargained at the cost of his obligation (actually, he had come to drop a constituent assembly member and waiting for a bait to take only up to Itahari). At home, I handed over Rs. 2 hundred and asked if he wanted to join me for tea. I don't write what his response was as I want you to think over it.
Jogbani- Calcutta
The train bound for Calcutta arrived at the junction on time and provided relief from excessive heat and waiting for around two hours, half an hour of which was used to manage mobile number. (Here, I acknowledge Aadardha Bastralaya dai in Jogbani for helping me get Indian subscriber identity module card)
So cozy the birth proved after such waiting that I started dozing off. Then sleep, and when I woke up, it was Calcutta station!
Assistance, Anger and Angst
Waiting at Calcutta Airport for Hyderabad was not enticing even for three hours. Very simple reason; there was no wifi and any attempt to convince the manager did not work. So, I was left alone, gazing and being the object of the reciprocity; eyes horizontal, eyes vertical, eyes slanting, but to compel the object of my gaze to be the fetish of the panopticon. Hardly could I escape the gaze genetically and culturally inherited as a token of traditional patriarchy (you understand what I mean).
No any delay this time; lucky that I did not purchase Air India or Jetlite. The happiness that upsurged from the Kingfisharian sense of timelessness, however, could not sustain once I had to retrospect the hospitality of Air India. Anyway, the real delight came out of my conversation with Gupta ji next to me; our sense of talk would have envied Cornish Ogre in The Selfish Giant . The best part of it: I became analogous to the "children in the giants' gargen".And Einsteinian sense of time didn't provide space for any Derrida to enter.
Airport Shuttle with Gupta ji- then Begumpet; In between: Gupta ji's around six time mobile call (including his own son) to help me find out Osmania University. Imagine the humanity in the age when there is a nostalgic cry for humanness!
Then, the cab driver who first assured to go on meter, but failing to make it work (if it was intentional?), proposed to drop both of us to the destination (Gupta ji was to get down at Bidhyanagar). But, had he driven hardly 2km, he suddenly hiked the fare against the former deal. What followed then, imagine? Gupta ji got so angry that he threatened to report the case to the police. He was saying- if you had done it in the absence of this guest, I would not have bothered to pay you; but, as you are betraying a foreigner, it creates a bad impression about Hyderabad. The debate would have turned into a fight if I had not requested Gupta ji to stop for my sake. Bidhyanagar. He got down paying his share (despite my request for leaving it to me) and giving me his number with the promise that he would be available if needed.
The auto-man, who later turned to be so promising, reached me to the destination at around 11pm. What happened then was angst, Heideggerian sense of 'existential condition'. Who should I blame? myself? Kingfisher? the organizer? Anyway, I enjoyed the first night; memory, desire and anxiety.
During The Course
The philosophical question that was having boomerang over me during my journey was, what should be my nature during the course (I am sure you agree with me that we make and unmake our nature knowingly and unknowingly). Retrospecting, I find the question natural from the standpoint of a person travelling to another country (though I take India as my second home) and going to get mixed with people from diverse background. To let you know, Hyderabad was bringing around 2 tens people in one space. The most complicating of all elements in this connection was presence of the individuals who had perceived me as 'a serious fellow who loves to be with books'. To tell you the truth, the impression was the consequence of my last visit to India: the only feasible, desirable, and willing option left for me was of seriously studious fellow. (Can you imagine of any other image when you are in an academic space as one of the 4 distinguished scholars from South Asia?)
Might be because of this reverberation, I was a bit different than in the later weeks (to tell you the truth, I did not notice change of any sort in myself). I am really confused here - should I mistrust myself or distrust the friends? Anyway, I must mention (some in quote and some with modified reported speech, you know the level of authorial agency in the second case) what friends remarked, "Khagendra started mixing with all only after a week"; or, the metamorphosis is due to the change in representative from the Organizing body. Not necessary that observations consequent in binaries of truth/falsity. Or, likely that friends had started being Heideggerian ontological thinkers, thinking about thingness of the thing. Alternatively, the change could have been visible due to the departure of Prof. R. Radhakrishnan after the first week. The presence of such a dynamic figure might have put everyone under palimpsest except Anjana as she was so exceptionally good in singing along with her amicable nature, and "Magesh, to use Prof. Radha's replacement" due to his super-openness (not in negative sense) with his friends. Mahesh will definitely excuse me even if I write yellow journalism stuff about him! Hai ki nahi Mahesh. Nahi bola to Tanveer ko bulakar hum dono some mischief karenge camera ke aage!
I think I must apologize for writing so openly; my request to the readers is, you should not be obliged to read it if you feel that I am writing nonsense; and to my friends, you must email me if I have written anything untruthful and unreadable.
Shall write more if you give consent!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Baroda Again
"The place is really magnetic; so, you will be in Gujrat again". The sentence of which I was 'an another end' reverberates in my mind almost a year later in Baroda. The purpose this time is different: primarily, it is for research and cultural understanding. It is a time when many people are in festive mood. The festival, Tihar in Nepal, thus sounds and smells at my back and compelsme to suppress the desire without knowing when it bursts.
Ist Day
Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) always casts skepticism when I enter; the ghost of delay has been a part of my flight experience. So, I had the fear, and it happened. Flying in the sky almost 2 hours late, I frequented the crew to avoid being stranded in the airport in Delhi. And, they did their part to comfort me - assured my transport from International to National airport; and when they knew that there is no possibility to fly, they gave two options: first, fly up to Ahmemdabad and contact airlines office for further travel; and second, wait for the next flight and rest in a hotel. I chose the second.
Second Day
Set for the airport at 8 in hotel reception, the taxi arrived only at nine: you can imagine traffic in Delhi- it is really awesome, and the receptionist was soothing my anxiety. Fine that I did not miss the plane. It took off in time to land in Baroda at 1:00. Then taxi, and hotel, and the Centre; I joined a day late.
Report Submitted to the Centre
Prologue: Imagine a person who is retired and yet actively reading continuously for hours; a person who is a living encyclopedia and yet eagerly listening to young scholars. Statement I am attempting to make here is - If there are scholars in the pure sense of the word, one of them surely is Prof. Prafulla Kar. I am afraid at this point that words might not accomplish their assigned role; hence stop here
Just to restate a few things Prof. remarked that always sounds in my ear:
Teachers these days are more activists than academicians.
You can be a scholar; you can be a human being; but to be both a scholar and a human being is not easy.
The Report
Introduction
The following is the report submitted to the Centre for Contemporary Theory on the completion of Scholar-in-Residence scholarship. The report consists of the activities and accomplishments during the stay (October 31, 2010 to November 29, 2010) in the Centre in particular and the visit for cultural understanding to different locations in India in general.
Discussion
Commitment and Commencement
The goal of the visit was twofold: the first was to read through all the available books on Trauma in the Centre as this is my area of Ph. D. dissertation and the second was to share traumatic rendition of Nepali Maoists’ insurgency. The first goal also consisted of studying the books on violence and insurgency.
Achievements
(Related to the Activities inside the Centre)
During the stay of a month, the following texts, which I read between the paragraphs, provided food for thought. For the convenience, the books are enlisted thematically under different rubrics.
Books on Trauma (Theory)
Cathy Caruth, Trauma: Explorations in Memory; and Unclaimed Experience: Trauma, Narrative, and History. Robert Fine and Charles Turner, Eds., Social Theory after the Holocaust. Didier Fassin and Richard Rechtman, The Empire of Trauma. Daphne Patai and Will H. Corral, Theory’s Empire: An Anthology of Dissent. Ann Chetkovich, An Archive of Feelings: Trauma Sexuality, and Lesbian Public Cultures
Books on Testimony and Memory
Shoshana Felman, Testimony: Crisis of Witnessing in Literature, Psychoanalysis, and History; Writing and Madness: Literature, Philosophy, Psychoanalysis; and The Juridical Unconscious: Trials and Traumas in the Twentieth Century. Ulrich Baer, Spectral Evidence: The Photography of Trauma. Michael G. Levine, The Belated Witness. Andreas Huyssen, Present Pasts: Urban Palimpsests and the Politics of Memory. Michael Rothberg, Multidirectional Memory: Remembering the Holocaust in the Age of Decolonization. Michael Rossington and Anne Whitehead, Eds. Theories of Memory: A Reader
Books on Violence
Herbert Christopher, War of no Pity. Tarun K. Saint, Witnessing Partition. Piya Chatterjee et.al. (Eds.) States of Trauma: Gender and Violence in South Asia. Veena Das et.al. Eds., Violence and Subjectivity
Books on History/ Holocaust
Ernst van Alphen, Caught by History: Holocaust Effects in Contemporary Art, Literature and Theory. Naomi Mandel, Against the Unspeakable. Jill Bennet, Empathic Vision: Affect, Trauma, and Contemporary Art. Theodore Adorno (Rolf Tridemann, Ed.), Can One Live After Auschwitz: A Philosophical Reader. Dominick LaCapra, Representing the Holocaust: History, Theory, Trauma; Writing History, Writing Trauma
Interaction
Along with the readings of textbooks in library, another significant opportunity the Centre provided for is interaction with the Centre staffs on various issues: with Dr. Bini especially about alternative approaches to historiography; with Dr. Mary and Mr. Nishat on collaborative research possibilities.
The most significant of all is scholarly insight from Prof. Prafulla Kar: I found in him fountain for inspiration to young scholars, concern for existing pedagogical reality especially at the juncture when academia is more politically dominated than scholarly guided, anxious of the quality of education when libraries are not attracting substantial number of knowledge seekers, and the need for intertwining scholarship with ‘being a human being’.
Devendra deserves especial thanks for his readiness to assist us whenever required. His promptness along with Nishat’s sense of responsibility, it seems, deserves more scholars’ frequency in the library.
Presentation
Presentation on Trauma Rendition: A Need for Alternative Framework followed by the scholarly observation from Prof. Prafulla Kar and the Centre members counts as another achievement. The presentation deserves especial mention due to Prof. Kar’s insightful input: Prof. Kar’s ontological concern on trauma, “Can happiness not turn traumatic?” put me in an epistemological challenge and has propelled me to widen the scope of my inquiry.
(Related to Activities outside the Centre)
Cultural / Historical Understanding
The sky that perpetually radiated and blasted in Baroda during Diwali festival not only influenced but also surprised me with differences in the ways the festival is celebrated in Nepal and India. The sky in Nepal witnesses such scenes in Diwali only at the possible risk of police surveillance and punishments.
The visit to EME Temple, ISCON Temple, Shiv Sagar, however, reminded me of the similarities that exist between Nepal and India in many respects. Not only are the idols identical but also the devotees and their ways of worshipping are similar. A special mention in the list of places visited is Swaminarayan Temple – the grandeur of the architecture along with the sense of awe that I felt inside must be a microcosm of the all the devotees’ experience. But the question that reverberates in my mind is whether commercialization will dominate the sense of religiosity that these places deserve.
The visit to Mahatma Gandhi’s ashram imparted a reinvigorating sense of his contributions to India and the World compelling me to ponder if his non-violence is still relevant. This issue carries pertinence to me as I belong to a nation which has been trying to come out of the grip of insurgency and counter-insurgency.
Bombay, a place of more fascination to my friend Ashok than me, delighted less with its magnificent structures and the residence of film stars than with the Elephanta Cave. The World Heritage Site provided the sense of both religiosity and cruelty. On the one hand, the majesty of the cave along with the carvings of the Gods’ figures pushed me into the world of the ancient people’s sense of theism, but on the other, the truncated figures of the Gods oscillated me to think of the opposite extreme.
Impression
Remarkably, the Centre will occupy my mind as an appropriate zone for scholars; and Gujrat as the place with amiable people; easily accessible restaurants with hot, spicy and oily food.
Conclusion
Leaving aside the plan for narrating stories of Nepali Maoists’ insurgency among the students and delivering lecture on my area of specialization, the scholarship accomplished all the planned activities. The knowledge acquired due to the provision of scholarship shall always oblige me to acknowledge its director Prof. Prafulla Kar and the Centre family.
Ist Day
Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) always casts skepticism when I enter; the ghost of delay has been a part of my flight experience. So, I had the fear, and it happened. Flying in the sky almost 2 hours late, I frequented the crew to avoid being stranded in the airport in Delhi. And, they did their part to comfort me - assured my transport from International to National airport; and when they knew that there is no possibility to fly, they gave two options: first, fly up to Ahmemdabad and contact airlines office for further travel; and second, wait for the next flight and rest in a hotel. I chose the second.
Second Day
Set for the airport at 8 in hotel reception, the taxi arrived only at nine: you can imagine traffic in Delhi- it is really awesome, and the receptionist was soothing my anxiety. Fine that I did not miss the plane. It took off in time to land in Baroda at 1:00. Then taxi, and hotel, and the Centre; I joined a day late.
Report Submitted to the Centre
Prologue: Imagine a person who is retired and yet actively reading continuously for hours; a person who is a living encyclopedia and yet eagerly listening to young scholars. Statement I am attempting to make here is - If there are scholars in the pure sense of the word, one of them surely is Prof. Prafulla Kar. I am afraid at this point that words might not accomplish their assigned role; hence stop here
Just to restate a few things Prof. remarked that always sounds in my ear:
Teachers these days are more activists than academicians.
You can be a scholar; you can be a human being; but to be both a scholar and a human being is not easy.
The Report
Introduction
The following is the report submitted to the Centre for Contemporary Theory on the completion of Scholar-in-Residence scholarship. The report consists of the activities and accomplishments during the stay (October 31, 2010 to November 29, 2010) in the Centre in particular and the visit for cultural understanding to different locations in India in general.
Discussion
Commitment and Commencement
The goal of the visit was twofold: the first was to read through all the available books on Trauma in the Centre as this is my area of Ph. D. dissertation and the second was to share traumatic rendition of Nepali Maoists’ insurgency. The first goal also consisted of studying the books on violence and insurgency.
Achievements
(Related to the Activities inside the Centre)
During the stay of a month, the following texts, which I read between the paragraphs, provided food for thought. For the convenience, the books are enlisted thematically under different rubrics.
Books on Trauma (Theory)
Cathy Caruth, Trauma: Explorations in Memory; and Unclaimed Experience: Trauma, Narrative, and History. Robert Fine and Charles Turner, Eds., Social Theory after the Holocaust. Didier Fassin and Richard Rechtman, The Empire of Trauma. Daphne Patai and Will H. Corral, Theory’s Empire: An Anthology of Dissent. Ann Chetkovich, An Archive of Feelings: Trauma Sexuality, and Lesbian Public Cultures
Books on Testimony and Memory
Shoshana Felman, Testimony: Crisis of Witnessing in Literature, Psychoanalysis, and History; Writing and Madness: Literature, Philosophy, Psychoanalysis; and The Juridical Unconscious: Trials and Traumas in the Twentieth Century. Ulrich Baer, Spectral Evidence: The Photography of Trauma. Michael G. Levine, The Belated Witness. Andreas Huyssen, Present Pasts: Urban Palimpsests and the Politics of Memory. Michael Rothberg, Multidirectional Memory: Remembering the Holocaust in the Age of Decolonization. Michael Rossington and Anne Whitehead, Eds. Theories of Memory: A Reader
Books on Violence
Herbert Christopher, War of no Pity. Tarun K. Saint, Witnessing Partition. Piya Chatterjee et.al. (Eds.) States of Trauma: Gender and Violence in South Asia. Veena Das et.al. Eds., Violence and Subjectivity
Books on History/ Holocaust
Ernst van Alphen, Caught by History: Holocaust Effects in Contemporary Art, Literature and Theory. Naomi Mandel, Against the Unspeakable. Jill Bennet, Empathic Vision: Affect, Trauma, and Contemporary Art. Theodore Adorno (Rolf Tridemann, Ed.), Can One Live After Auschwitz: A Philosophical Reader. Dominick LaCapra, Representing the Holocaust: History, Theory, Trauma; Writing History, Writing Trauma
Interaction
Along with the readings of textbooks in library, another significant opportunity the Centre provided for is interaction with the Centre staffs on various issues: with Dr. Bini especially about alternative approaches to historiography; with Dr. Mary and Mr. Nishat on collaborative research possibilities.
The most significant of all is scholarly insight from Prof. Prafulla Kar: I found in him fountain for inspiration to young scholars, concern for existing pedagogical reality especially at the juncture when academia is more politically dominated than scholarly guided, anxious of the quality of education when libraries are not attracting substantial number of knowledge seekers, and the need for intertwining scholarship with ‘being a human being’.
Devendra deserves especial thanks for his readiness to assist us whenever required. His promptness along with Nishat’s sense of responsibility, it seems, deserves more scholars’ frequency in the library.
Presentation
Presentation on Trauma Rendition: A Need for Alternative Framework followed by the scholarly observation from Prof. Prafulla Kar and the Centre members counts as another achievement. The presentation deserves especial mention due to Prof. Kar’s insightful input: Prof. Kar’s ontological concern on trauma, “Can happiness not turn traumatic?” put me in an epistemological challenge and has propelled me to widen the scope of my inquiry.
(Related to Activities outside the Centre)
Cultural / Historical Understanding
The sky that perpetually radiated and blasted in Baroda during Diwali festival not only influenced but also surprised me with differences in the ways the festival is celebrated in Nepal and India. The sky in Nepal witnesses such scenes in Diwali only at the possible risk of police surveillance and punishments.
The visit to EME Temple, ISCON Temple, Shiv Sagar, however, reminded me of the similarities that exist between Nepal and India in many respects. Not only are the idols identical but also the devotees and their ways of worshipping are similar. A special mention in the list of places visited is Swaminarayan Temple – the grandeur of the architecture along with the sense of awe that I felt inside must be a microcosm of the all the devotees’ experience. But the question that reverberates in my mind is whether commercialization will dominate the sense of religiosity that these places deserve.
The visit to Mahatma Gandhi’s ashram imparted a reinvigorating sense of his contributions to India and the World compelling me to ponder if his non-violence is still relevant. This issue carries pertinence to me as I belong to a nation which has been trying to come out of the grip of insurgency and counter-insurgency.
Bombay, a place of more fascination to my friend Ashok than me, delighted less with its magnificent structures and the residence of film stars than with the Elephanta Cave. The World Heritage Site provided the sense of both religiosity and cruelty. On the one hand, the majesty of the cave along with the carvings of the Gods’ figures pushed me into the world of the ancient people’s sense of theism, but on the other, the truncated figures of the Gods oscillated me to think of the opposite extreme.
Impression
Remarkably, the Centre will occupy my mind as an appropriate zone for scholars; and Gujrat as the place with amiable people; easily accessible restaurants with hot, spicy and oily food.
Conclusion
Leaving aside the plan for narrating stories of Nepali Maoists’ insurgency among the students and delivering lecture on my area of specialization, the scholarship accomplished all the planned activities. The knowledge acquired due to the provision of scholarship shall always oblige me to acknowledge its director Prof. Prafulla Kar and the Centre family.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Using Collage for Creative Writing
Abstract
The paper argues for the use of collage, an art created through three basic principles – segmentation, composition and suture – in creative writing. Segmentation is an act of wrenching from sources based on the interest and limitations of the artists; composition is an act of pasting wrenched materials either as wrenched or with modifications in the order the artist desires; and suture is an act of adding anything in the spaces that exist in between pasted materials. It is the space where artists can employ subjectivity i.e. emotion or intellect and can be agentive to make the art look coherent. A significant operation that is possible after segmentation and before composition is modification of wrenched materials. The materials can be given either mocking or serious treatment. Based on the nature of selection and treatment to the materials, the technique can create both modern and postmodern texts.
[The abstract is from the paper presented jointly by me and Mr. Tirtha Raj Ghimire in an International Conference held in Gujrat, 8-10 January 2010. The article is published in ELT@I Quarterly.]
The paper argues for the use of collage, an art created through three basic principles – segmentation, composition and suture – in creative writing. Segmentation is an act of wrenching from sources based on the interest and limitations of the artists; composition is an act of pasting wrenched materials either as wrenched or with modifications in the order the artist desires; and suture is an act of adding anything in the spaces that exist in between pasted materials. It is the space where artists can employ subjectivity i.e. emotion or intellect and can be agentive to make the art look coherent. A significant operation that is possible after segmentation and before composition is modification of wrenched materials. The materials can be given either mocking or serious treatment. Based on the nature of selection and treatment to the materials, the technique can create both modern and postmodern texts.
[The abstract is from the paper presented jointly by me and Mr. Tirtha Raj Ghimire in an International Conference held in Gujrat, 8-10 January 2010. The article is published in ELT@I Quarterly.]
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Use of Technology in Teaching: Issues and Problems
There has been a very significant proliferation of literature regarding the use of technology in teaching (Dede, Allen, Muthukumar). Mostly, these writings unequivocally accept technology as the most essential part in teaching, if not a panacea for every problem that exists in teaching. In a sense, a tendency to emphasize on inevitable role of technology in pedagogy to the extent of obliterating human part of teacher by technology part has been very dominant. Even in the balanced arguments, only words of caution for appropriate use of technology seems to be meagerly appearing, “Inappropriately used in the classroom, technology can be used to perpetuate old models of teaching and learning. … Teachers can use multimedia technology to give more colorful, stimulating lectures” (New Horizons). It means there has hardly been any appropriate interest regarding issues and challenges that pertain in technology use in teaching. This paper, based on general model of Public Relations (PR) process developed by Center and Jackson argues that we need to take many issues in consideration so that the use of technology does not become problem.
The four-step process, which finally directs either to intensify or continue or deter or delay the use of technology, brings home an undeniable fact: use of technology is not a panacea; it is spatio-temporal process that is dialectically determined by various components of the class.
Works Cited
Allen, Ethan. Nanoscale Science and Technology. New Horizons for Learning. 29 April 2010 < http://www.newhorizons.org/strategies/technology/allen.htm>.
Center, Allen H. and Patrick Jackson. Public Relations Practices: Managerial Case Studies and Problems. 6th Ed. India: Prentice-Hall, 2002.
Dede, Chris. Testimony to the US Congress, House of Representatives: Joint Hearing on Educational Technology in the 21st Century. New Horizons for Learning. 29 April 2010.
Kumar, Muthu. Learning with the Internet. New Horizons for Learning. 29 April 2010.
New Horizons. Technology in Education. 29 April 2010.
[The argument in this article is based on my contribution as a panelist in an International Conference organized by H. M. Patel Institute, Gujarat, in January 2010. I acknowledge Mr. Hem Raj Kafle and Mr. Tirtha Ghimire for their insights. The paper is available online in http://neltachoutari.wordpress.com/?s=khagendra+acharya.]
The four-step process, which finally directs either to intensify or continue or deter or delay the use of technology, brings home an undeniable fact: use of technology is not a panacea; it is spatio-temporal process that is dialectically determined by various components of the class.
Works Cited
Allen, Ethan. Nanoscale Science and Technology. New Horizons for Learning. 29 April 2010 < http://www.newhorizons.org/strategies/technology/allen.htm>.
Center, Allen H. and Patrick Jackson. Public Relations Practices: Managerial Case Studies and Problems. 6th Ed. India: Prentice-Hall, 2002.
Dede, Chris. Testimony to the US Congress, House of Representatives: Joint Hearing on Educational Technology in the 21st Century. New Horizons for Learning. 29 April 2010
Kumar, Muthu. Learning with the Internet. New Horizons for Learning. 29 April 2010
New Horizons. Technology in Education. 29 April 2010
[The argument in this article is based on my contribution as a panelist in an International Conference organized by H. M. Patel Institute, Gujarat, in January 2010. I acknowledge Mr. Hem Raj Kafle and Mr. Tirtha Ghimire for their insights. The paper is available online in http://neltachoutari.wordpress.com/?s=khagendra+acharya.]
Monday, December 28, 2009
Conference in Gujrat (India)
After my participation in the first international conference held in Haifa (Israel), as a part of my plan for 2009/10, I was searching for another one. The hunt however was not meant for mere second participation - I was also implementing the insight from the conference along with my desire to present paper in another conference.
The formative days for the conference began with my correspondence with Dr. Atanu Bhattacharya, a reader in H. M. Patel Institute, Gujrat. I found his response very quick and always constructive.
For Conference Detail, please visit http://hmpatelconference.blogspot.com
The formative days for the conference began with my correspondence with Dr. Atanu Bhattacharya, a reader in H. M. Patel Institute, Gujrat. I found his response very quick and always constructive.
For Conference Detail, please visit http://hmpatelconference.blogspot.com
Friday, October 2, 2009
Media Strategies for Social Change
Media, as universally is accepted, has potential to transform society.
Having known about a program that would address this issue, I applied and competed to participate in an international workshop on Media Strategies for Social Change. Finally I got selected among 26 participants from around the world: thanks to the Embassy of Israel, especially the Cultural and Information officer Ms. Bandita Parajuli and Mr. Sushil Dhungana, and of course to Kathmandu University.
A portion of the official information from Haifa reads:
A International Workshop on Media for Social change is been held in Haifa, Israel in Cooperation with The National Commission for UNESCO, 19 - 30 October, 2009 During this workshop the participants will analyze the impact of the media on public opinion, politics and setting the political agenda. They will have the opportunity to exchange experiences and ideas on the concepts, programs and methodologies applied in their countries and in Israel.
OBJECTIVES
On completion of the workshop, the participants will have:
-analyzed the role of media as a tool for social change
-examined communication theory and advocacy journalism as tools for changing public opinion
-made an analysis of relevant case studies
-use of media in the participants' countries, using print and video material
-become familiar with the various uses of media in different organizations in Israel
I shall update my experience.
Before the Conference (Just a diary)
One major phenomenon I experienced during the course was Hamlet complexion (to be or not to be), the complexion which had hardly cropped up in my mind in initial phase. It started with my mom's advise to cancel the flight, if possible: I could easily understand her mind that is shaped through the international media - the image of blood, bomb and of course blast but not of beauty both brain and body. (To speak truly, Israeli people are really beautiful, not literally anyway).
Delhi, the first transit turned out to be really awesome not because of airport mismanagement but because of the suffering that another human being was undergoing. To be specific, I met a man from Bangladesh who was in his dream to Iran via Turkey. As my memory reminds, he had paid 200000 Taka to fly to Iran just to meet his brother (really love is painful). His love for brother deserves salute!!!
Poor man!!! no other language than Bangla, and me with very poor Bangla. Just imagine- no man came, nobody showed any concern and he had nothing to do but ask for help with NO MAN. Flight time, my attempt with one request or the other but of no avail (sometime I become a bit philosophical, you know what I mean). And the consequence - hunted mind almost for 7 hrs in the sky and 5 hours during Istanbul transit. What happened to the man? Did he make his visit back to Bangladesh? Very terrible!!! And again confusion - am I acting human?
Turkey to Tel Aviv (very alliterative it sounds thus making it easy) but the problem- the plane had to make two attempts to land (sometime I think attempts are the parts of life to give you going). Finally to Haifa with a lot of expectation from the workshop and of course hunting desire to sleep as it had already been 8 pm!!!
Rest? please wait.
First Day of the Conference
Expectation!!! You have it for either/or- fulfilled or get dumped in the pipeline!!! Imagine, it is fulfilled. What do you do? Expect more?? And then!!! Better if expectations remain in the pipeline, "Heard melodies are sweet and those unheard are sweeter".
A lot of expectations awakened the day: expectation from the course outline, from the friends ...(you understand what I mean). Then the reality: oscillation between the extremes; I mean again Hamlet complexion. You think you should speak and again think you should think more to speak. So, a big chain of thinking just to speak: I bet speaking is not so easy. If you are speaking nonsense, there is no problem - everyone is one way or the other nonsense to speak. But when you have to speak sensible? So, don't you think you are again back to Hamlet?
Damn the Hamlet, Shakespeare's product. But what then? No way out; one would just think one way, work one way and ... collapse.
Am I being abstract? I think not. If so I will try to be concrete.
You know, conference brings a lot - minds/ mis-minds, thinking/nonsense; reason is simple- international workshop is a meeting from different cultures and directions. And you have a few options and consequences- assimilate, you will enjoy; avoid, you will be unsocial; discard, you will be nonsense. It is up to you- finally man is what he does.
What I did is very easy and equally difficult. All the three words, I am sorry it should be two, need to be used for description- enjoyed, became unsocial . I assimilated Prof. Sandra's lecture and of a few more, avoided some just to be unsociably sociable but not the third, at least in case of lecture.
Now comes very pertinent issue i.e. the achievement in terms of knowledge and friendship. Regarding it, I think I am more successful in the second one as knowledge cannot be measured in quantity. I remained in the class with the friends from 21 (Israel included) countries, always amiable. I think the world would be a very nice place if such people gather in every place.
Loveliest of all was Andrew, my roommate from Malawi- really a nice man. His sense of humour, of friendship and what not, they always made me happy. We shared our countries, our feelings and brotherhood. Sometime of course nonsense- we just tried to summarize what happened during the day. You know, one night our nonsense guff awakened some friends untimely. Having no option, we apologized, tried to taste the loudness of our voice outside and finally decided not to talk loud. Sometime, I feel I should write his narration, but again I think it would be very persponal. Anyway, I am leaving this issue to him to write over.
During the Conference
Friday, October 30, 2009
If I get permission from him, I shall write more about Andrew. Now to go to another friend- he is Charles from Cameroon (I do not think you are thinking nonsense as I am writing only about male friends) I shall write about female friends too and I bet it would be more interesting.
In case of Charles too, I should say he is really amicable man; otherwise you cannot imagine me giving invitation to people to visit me. His voice is so melodious that it compelled me to think that he can entice a lot of birds with his voice: I remember Orpheus and Lyre. Having such a melodious voice conjoined with other qualities is really a matter of pride. (you might be feeling that I am being a bit jealous, and of course I am). His story is really enticing, and I bet you expect me to write about it. But as I am his friend par excellence, I cannot betray. Just to mention an interesting event that happened in the pub.
It happened after our visit to McDonald on Saturday (you all remember the service and the food). I still remember the unhappy faces of friends after the bad service in the restaurant. The most unforgettable of all is the escape of some friends to nearby restaurant to avoid McDonald: though I felt unhappy initially, I realized that their avoidance was natural.
Post to McDonald? Again ethical issue disturbs me. Should I write? The answer is both yes and no; but which one should I chose? I am really in dilemma. I expect my friends' response.
Demand for New Language (Dedicated to Luis)
Luis, a very friendly man despite his disgust for another man, did not appear friendly to me initially. Truly speaking, I nearly labelled him phony, but finally discovered him very amicable and equally funny (It made me rethink my first-hand judgmental nature). Finding me in difficulty while talking to Spaniol speaking people, he taught me buenos días, buenas tardes, buenas noches, Mañana, usted es hermoso and some more. At the level of word, it was fine but sentence learning proved to be nearly disastrous. The apocalyptic of all was estas rica mamita (he mentioned that it is very common and explained it as a general complement to a beautiful lady). Finding the sentence not unsound, I uttered it to a friend. You can easily guess the response (I am speaking to people who understand spaniol); but luckily I was not the prey as she understood instantly that it was Luis's job. It took me hardly any time from the response to comprehend that it was near to nonsense. Finding that the best response would be withholding the sentence, I went for that.
Interestingly, Luis is still teaching me Spanish though he is in El Salvador now.
More Later.
Having known about a program that would address this issue, I applied and competed to participate in an international workshop on Media Strategies for Social Change. Finally I got selected among 26 participants from around the world: thanks to the Embassy of Israel, especially the Cultural and Information officer Ms. Bandita Parajuli and Mr. Sushil Dhungana, and of course to Kathmandu University.
A portion of the official information from Haifa reads:
A International Workshop on Media for Social change is been held in Haifa, Israel in Cooperation with The National Commission for UNESCO, 19 - 30 October, 2009 During this workshop the participants will analyze the impact of the media on public opinion, politics and setting the political agenda. They will have the opportunity to exchange experiences and ideas on the concepts, programs and methodologies applied in their countries and in Israel.
OBJECTIVES
On completion of the workshop, the participants will have:
-analyzed the role of media as a tool for social change
-examined communication theory and advocacy journalism as tools for changing public opinion
-made an analysis of relevant case studies
-use of media in the participants' countries, using print and video material
-become familiar with the various uses of media in different organizations in Israel
I shall update my experience.
Before the Conference (Just a diary)
One major phenomenon I experienced during the course was Hamlet complexion (to be or not to be), the complexion which had hardly cropped up in my mind in initial phase. It started with my mom's advise to cancel the flight, if possible: I could easily understand her mind that is shaped through the international media - the image of blood, bomb and of course blast but not of beauty both brain and body. (To speak truly, Israeli people are really beautiful, not literally anyway).
Delhi, the first transit turned out to be really awesome not because of airport mismanagement but because of the suffering that another human being was undergoing. To be specific, I met a man from Bangladesh who was in his dream to Iran via Turkey. As my memory reminds, he had paid 200000 Taka to fly to Iran just to meet his brother (really love is painful). His love for brother deserves salute!!!
Poor man!!! no other language than Bangla, and me with very poor Bangla. Just imagine- no man came, nobody showed any concern and he had nothing to do but ask for help with NO MAN. Flight time, my attempt with one request or the other but of no avail (sometime I become a bit philosophical, you know what I mean). And the consequence - hunted mind almost for 7 hrs in the sky and 5 hours during Istanbul transit. What happened to the man? Did he make his visit back to Bangladesh? Very terrible!!! And again confusion - am I acting human?
Turkey to Tel Aviv (very alliterative it sounds thus making it easy) but the problem- the plane had to make two attempts to land (sometime I think attempts are the parts of life to give you going). Finally to Haifa with a lot of expectation from the workshop and of course hunting desire to sleep as it had already been 8 pm!!!
Rest? please wait.
First Day of the Conference
Expectation!!! You have it for either/or- fulfilled or get dumped in the pipeline!!! Imagine, it is fulfilled. What do you do? Expect more?? And then!!! Better if expectations remain in the pipeline, "Heard melodies are sweet and those unheard are sweeter".
A lot of expectations awakened the day: expectation from the course outline, from the friends ...(you understand what I mean). Then the reality: oscillation between the extremes; I mean again Hamlet complexion. You think you should speak and again think you should think more to speak. So, a big chain of thinking just to speak: I bet speaking is not so easy. If you are speaking nonsense, there is no problem - everyone is one way or the other nonsense to speak. But when you have to speak sensible? So, don't you think you are again back to Hamlet?
Damn the Hamlet, Shakespeare's product. But what then? No way out; one would just think one way, work one way and ... collapse.
Am I being abstract? I think not. If so I will try to be concrete.
You know, conference brings a lot - minds/ mis-minds, thinking/nonsense; reason is simple- international workshop is a meeting from different cultures and directions. And you have a few options and consequences- assimilate, you will enjoy; avoid, you will be unsocial; discard, you will be nonsense. It is up to you- finally man is what he does.
What I did is very easy and equally difficult. All the three words, I am sorry it should be two, need to be used for description- enjoyed, became unsocial . I assimilated Prof. Sandra's lecture and of a few more, avoided some just to be unsociably sociable but not the third, at least in case of lecture.
Now comes very pertinent issue i.e. the achievement in terms of knowledge and friendship. Regarding it, I think I am more successful in the second one as knowledge cannot be measured in quantity. I remained in the class with the friends from 21 (Israel included) countries, always amiable. I think the world would be a very nice place if such people gather in every place.
Loveliest of all was Andrew, my roommate from Malawi- really a nice man. His sense of humour, of friendship and what not, they always made me happy. We shared our countries, our feelings and brotherhood. Sometime of course nonsense- we just tried to summarize what happened during the day. You know, one night our nonsense guff awakened some friends untimely. Having no option, we apologized, tried to taste the loudness of our voice outside and finally decided not to talk loud. Sometime, I feel I should write his narration, but again I think it would be very persponal. Anyway, I am leaving this issue to him to write over.
During the Conference
Friday, October 30, 2009
If I get permission from him, I shall write more about Andrew. Now to go to another friend- he is Charles from Cameroon (I do not think you are thinking nonsense as I am writing only about male friends) I shall write about female friends too and I bet it would be more interesting.
In case of Charles too, I should say he is really amicable man; otherwise you cannot imagine me giving invitation to people to visit me. His voice is so melodious that it compelled me to think that he can entice a lot of birds with his voice: I remember Orpheus and Lyre. Having such a melodious voice conjoined with other qualities is really a matter of pride. (you might be feeling that I am being a bit jealous, and of course I am). His story is really enticing, and I bet you expect me to write about it. But as I am his friend par excellence, I cannot betray. Just to mention an interesting event that happened in the pub.
It happened after our visit to McDonald on Saturday (you all remember the service and the food). I still remember the unhappy faces of friends after the bad service in the restaurant. The most unforgettable of all is the escape of some friends to nearby restaurant to avoid McDonald: though I felt unhappy initially, I realized that their avoidance was natural.
Post to McDonald? Again ethical issue disturbs me. Should I write? The answer is both yes and no; but which one should I chose? I am really in dilemma. I expect my friends' response.
Demand for New Language (Dedicated to Luis)
Luis, a very friendly man despite his disgust for another man, did not appear friendly to me initially. Truly speaking, I nearly labelled him phony, but finally discovered him very amicable and equally funny (It made me rethink my first-hand judgmental nature). Finding me in difficulty while talking to Spaniol speaking people, he taught me buenos días, buenas tardes, buenas noches, Mañana, usted es hermoso and some more. At the level of word, it was fine but sentence learning proved to be nearly disastrous. The apocalyptic of all was estas rica mamita (he mentioned that it is very common and explained it as a general complement to a beautiful lady). Finding the sentence not unsound, I uttered it to a friend. You can easily guess the response (I am speaking to people who understand spaniol); but luckily I was not the prey as she understood instantly that it was Luis's job. It took me hardly any time from the response to comprehend that it was near to nonsense. Finding that the best response would be withholding the sentence, I went for that.
Interestingly, Luis is still teaching me Spanish though he is in El Salvador now.
More Later.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Questions for practice
Dear Undergraduate Media Studies Students,
As per your request, I have posted some questions. The questions, however, do not cover the entire portion discussed in the class. Moreover, they are meant to help you prepare yourself for viva.
1. What is PR? Why is it important in the present scenario in the countries like Nepal?
2. Define the term 'the universe of PR'. Do you agree with Lesley's model of the universe?
3. What does an orginization understand by its public? Do they use the term in any specific sense?
4. The PR plan proceeds in four steps. Elucidate.
5. What is formative research? How is it different from summative research?
6. Describe any two methods of research used in PR.
7. What is content analysis? Why is it important in PR?
8. Media relations is very important in PR. Discuss.
9. What is proactive and reactive strategy? Why is proactive approach considered better?
10. Describe any two models of PR.
11. PR uses insight from multiple disciplines. Elucidates.
12. Discuss any four PR strategies.
13. Define the following tools of PR
a. lobbying b. spin c. press conference d. matte release
14. Public affairs is one of the most important components of PR universe. Discuss.
15. Distinguish PR from advertising.
16. One of the ways to understand the history of PR is referring to Grunig and Hunt's four categories of communication relationship with publics - press agentry model, public information model, two-way asymmetric model and two-way symmetric model. Discuss.
More questions will be uploaded later.
As per your request, I have posted some questions. The questions, however, do not cover the entire portion discussed in the class. Moreover, they are meant to help you prepare yourself for viva.
1. What is PR? Why is it important in the present scenario in the countries like Nepal?
2. Define the term 'the universe of PR'. Do you agree with Lesley's model of the universe?
3. What does an orginization understand by its public? Do they use the term in any specific sense?
4. The PR plan proceeds in four steps. Elucidate.
5. What is formative research? How is it different from summative research?
6. Describe any two methods of research used in PR.
7. What is content analysis? Why is it important in PR?
8. Media relations is very important in PR. Discuss.
9. What is proactive and reactive strategy? Why is proactive approach considered better?
10. Describe any two models of PR.
11. PR uses insight from multiple disciplines. Elucidates.
12. Discuss any four PR strategies.
13. Define the following tools of PR
a. lobbying b. spin c. press conference d. matte release
14. Public affairs is one of the most important components of PR universe. Discuss.
15. Distinguish PR from advertising.
16. One of the ways to understand the history of PR is referring to Grunig and Hunt's four categories of communication relationship with publics - press agentry model, public information model, two-way asymmetric model and two-way symmetric model. Discuss.
More questions will be uploaded later.
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