Chennai youth gets UN award for work on sustainability

Saleem Khan, a Biotechnology post-graduate from Chennai has received UN Award for work on environmental sustainability. 

More on this news on the blog where I found it.

Students may do courses in parts in institutes of their choice

University Grants Commission (UGC) had set up a committee on academic reforms. It has suggested a slew of reforms. Its recommendations on credit accumulation and transfer will help students to perrsue courses in segments in universities as per their choice. As per the system, students can also do courses in parts in different departments within a n university. 

The recommendations have come at a time when UGC is planning to launch a scheme to facilitate M. Phil and PhD students to do part of their coursework outside the university where they are persuing studies.

The committee also suggested universities to take feedback from students about peformance of teachers.

Radio by dalit women for dalit women

Algol Narasamma, a dalit woman in Andhra Pradesh (India0 with two children is a normal farm labourer. She is also bulletin producer and reporter of the first ever radio 'by dalit womne, for dalit wome'. Every night at 8pm '904. FM Dalit Mahila Sangam Radio' (Downtraodden Women Union Radio) is tuned in. From daily news, local interviews and informal chats, folk songs to agriculture, health advises, traditional medicines, education etc etc. 90 minutes move very fast. Narsamma had talked to somebody in the mornign. Those people and their kiths and kins are all ears to listen their voices on radio. Many people have purchased mobiles with FM to listen to thsi radio. Network of about hunderd salf-help womens' groups of Deccan Development Society initiated this radio movement. Many activists are very optimistic about this idea. Domestic violence is not a news but if a woman comes out in the open through this radio then it may have a great impact. Current repsonse to this radio indicated how a small innovative experiment can play a big social roal.