Sunday, August 28, 2016

When can we call a happening 'newsworthy'?

The following elements make an occurrence or happening be aptly considered as news:

1. Timeliness
The sooner the better!News should be new- that which is not yet known. Even news with a short span of life will stay relevant for sometime-till there are new developments or an entirely new news story vying for attention.

2. Proximity
Neighbourhood matters, community matters. So anything happening in the vicinity will have an impact on our routine lives. It has the most immediate impact!

3. Conflict
Conflicts point to issues, attitudes and possible solutions. Whether in discussions or on ground, conflicts attract our attention and prompt us to form opinions. More informed readers, may ask who does 'we' or 'our' refer to. In a heterogeneous world, we respect conflict as a manifestation of equality and democracy...

4. Possible Future Impact (Progress or Consequence)
An occurrence or happening in the present moment may prove to be a watershed period or turning point in the development profiles of certain countries.Chinese aid to African countries in form of loan will make the experts hypothesize about future orientation of African countries and greater polarization on international scene.

5. Prominence
The event must feature someone renowned, well-known or popular for it to be considered newsworthy. PM Modi's appearance at a neighbourhood kitty party will make waves.

6. Human Interest
Stories on lives of humans or focussing on objects, allies, values precious to humans. These may move us with pathos or build hope in humanity. That highlight the delight in the common.

7. Shock/Bizarre Value
News stories that are odd and excite curiosity.

August 4, 2016: Expert Lecture on Ethics of Media and Journalism by Professor Virender S. Chauhan




Professor Virender Chauhan, Founder of Radio Sirsa delivered a lecture on Role of Media in creating social harmony at the university. Profesor Chauhan is currently the deputy Chairman of Haryana Granth Akademi - a unique initiative of the incumbvent government to promote readership of scriptures and lore having global significance though regional origin.

Professor Virender informed the audience that like Project Guttenberg that gives online access to the rich Western literature, this maiden project of the government of Haryana will give access to valuable literature having roots in the folk tradition and classical litearture emerging in the region.

He invoked a passion for books in the audience in an interactive session in which a volley of questions from the dias kept the audience busy and amused. The thought-provoking lecture invited the audience to consider issues on national safety and social harmony bringing fresh perspective to bear on important matters.


The worthy Registrar Professor Sanjay Sharma presented a bouquet to Prof Chauhan who looked flamboyant in his patent Rajasthani turban instilling liveliness in the atmosphere. His talk was appreciated for demonstrated understanding of power dynamics as he sought to shed light on some aspects of recent Jat agitation in Haryana.

Apart from a lively audience of young students , the dignitaries included Dean , FET Dr Sandeep Grover and enthusiastic faculty members including Professor Arvind Gupta.

Dr Pradeep Dimri proposed the Vote of Thanks in chaste Hindi.

It was a delight to conduct the session, though time was a constraint as the issues needed intense churning and the programme ended with a hope that similar events will be organized to thresh out solutions to the nation's persisting concerns.

Saturday, August 27, 2016

FDP Series Coverage on RENEWABLE ENERGY -Report by Chanchal, MA I(Journalism and Mass Communication)

Horoscopes, Eclipses and Shape of the Earth 



Keynote address by Dr T. Venkateswaran

Eyes twinkled as students learnt the ‘mantras’ and methodology of science (excuse the paradox)from pundits of science.

As the Department of Electrical Engineering holds its six-day workshop from 22 Aug to 27 Aug on Advanced Renewable energy in YMCA University, students get their ‘hands-on’ and ‘minds-on’ on a variety of techno-science topics.

The worthy registrar Dr Sanjay Sharma urges the students to explore the frontier zones where boundaries get blurred.

This was the auspicious occasion of inaugural ceremony of the faculty Development Programme convened by Ms Rashmi Chawla and Dr Pradeep Dimri of Depertment of Electronics in alliance with Vigyan Prasar aimed at popularizing science.

A string of activities were undertaken and kits were provided(from solar kits to radio kits) fostering research and development acumen amongst teachers and students .

Scientist T. Venkateswaran, Department of Science and Technology(DST) ,New Delhi delivered the keynote address. He was welcomed on the occasion by Hon'ble V.C Dr. Dinesh Kumar and Chairperson of Electronics Department Dr. Munish Vashishath. 



“I don’t believe in horoscopes, nor the claim that 

eclipses cause birth defects!”


- Dr. T. Venkateswaran, Vigyan Prasar



“Lock the students up with machines that have broken down- you will find them fixed-that’s learning. Gadgets are not there for mystic worship-dismantle them, reassemble them, repair them-discard the boxes, expose the circuit”




-Dr. Dinesh Kumar, Vice-Chancellor


In an interactive lecture, Dr. Venkasteswaran discussed the “Shape of Earth”beginning with the mind-boggling  question regarding the curious fact that though we inhabit earth , we have accomplished the feat of observing it from outside –first, in thoughts and now, in reality from satellites.

The Shape of Earth is described in divergent ways by Puranic Cosmography, Ancient Indian geography or ‘bhugol’, and modern science books.After initial thought-experiments and methods using shadows and eclipses, observations by voyagers and explorers, the human scientific evidence in the form of telescopic images and now satellite images have done much to dispel myths but added more riddles than were resolved.

Facts keep changing as we learn details and one methodology assists or counteracts another.
Natural phenomena present an endless mystery which science helps unravel like a grand jigsaw with a new dimension added to each day and for each one.

Dr. T.V. Venkateswaran was presented a memento on the occasion with a wish that the drive to popularize scientific inquiry take impetus as the university participates in it.

Workshop by Vigyan Prasar : A Report by Samprita Kuncolinkar of MAI(Journalism and Mass Communication)

Those who trust their work will bag a job , but those who trust themselves will offer jobs to others!"-Dr Irfana, Vigyan Prasar


                           
Every Enterprising students is a FutureEnterpreneur     

Department of Electronics Engineering is holding a short term programme at YMCA University from 22nd August to 27th August on recent advances and entrepreneurship in renewable energy. On the 3rd day which is 24th August a workshop was conducted on radio kit by Vigyan Prasar (DST).

The event was covered by Credence a media solution which is a weekly news channel for Rajya Sabha TV, Vigyan Prasar. Mr. M.S Saini (COO of Credence Media), Jyoti Singh (Assistant director program of science faculty), the reporter and interviewer and Mr. Sanjay (cameraman) covered the event as they also taught the media students of YMCAUST  'the ropes of the trade'.
                                                     
                                               
The two interviewed the students of the electronics engineering department to know about their views in the radio transmission program. They also shot videos of the students working in groups and also individually on the radio kits to show their efforts. They also interviewed Dr. Irfana Begum (Project Officer- Vigyan Prasar Department).

In her interview she emphasized the need to teach about the new advances and 'state-of-the-art'  in the field of science and technology to students and the teachers both, so the students can receive a better understanding and stay informed.

She gave credit to the University for extending a hand for this joint venture with Vigyan Prasar for more awareness and knowledge for students. The telecast of the video will be done on RSTV on Saturday at 11-11:30 A.M in English language and 11:30 to 12 A.M in Hindi language.





Inspiring words by Dr. Irfana Begum

On the 3rd day of the programme of recent development and entrepreneurship of renewable energy at YMCA the students got a chance a chance to interact with Dr. Irfana Begum who is the Project officer (EDUSAT) of Vigyan Prasar, Department of Science and Technology.

Dr Irfana enlightened the students with the motive of the programme held by the department and shared some tips on the ways to achieve success in the field of mass communication. 

Dr. Irfana is a prolific writer and has worked with Dainik Jagran since her 6th grade for 4 -5 years. She writes in Hindi, English and Urdu and has published various books like 'ganit and khel', ' dharti hili' and more. 

She explained the link between the renewable energy and its relevance with entrepreneurship. She asserts that the energy needs to be accessible to all the public at cheap and affordable rates. Therefore, the scenario offers an opportunity for power to be brought to the market with startups or business skills. 



She further enumerates the skills one needs to have as an entrepreneur- like leading power, communication skills, readiness to face any difficulty, skills to cope up with financial crisis and other such life and business related issues.

Later she shared her experience of being a science student but accidentally getting into the field of journalism. She inspires the students with her personal experiences of success with parental support.

She briefs the students about the roles of a mass communication student to excel in this field including- being confident, having good eye contact, having command over language, good vocabulary and word choice and habit of reading a lot of books. 

“Jo apne kaam pe yakeen karta hai vo naukri karta hai aur jo khud pe vo business karta hi"-



These were her ending words in the small chat we had with her which moved a lot of students on a personal level to work in the field of mass communication and also she successfully created awareness amongst the students about the advancements and entrepreneurship. 

Friday, August 19, 2016

Rapunzels at RIO: The Indian Girls let their hair down!


Beti Bachao! Beti Padhao! Beti Khilao!International Khiladi banao!

Our daughters deserve to go out and enjoy the sun and yes, even sweat on the turf!
Don't go by the icon, it should have sported a pony tail or piggy tail or plaits or just pixie hair- as it is the Indian girl again who outshines the boys-the PRINCE CHARMING(s)...

Wrestling at RIO: Sakshi wrestles to get a bronze and opens India's Olymic account!

The damsels have rescued the nation from a humiliating show and utter 'distress' at the Olympics, though no knight in the shining armour or knickerbokers or even 'jhangia' could do the feat.

Relief and joy is what the girls bring home along with Silver and Bronze!




Beautiful Badminton at Rio: PV Sindhu pumps her fist!



Kudos to the unstoppable-Sakshi Malik and PV Sindhu!Our Rapunzels can let their hair down and rest on their laurels for a while now!

Thanks coaches and fathers of these ladies as you believed in these 'women of substance...errr... and mettle' 

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Globe- trotter Arrives at the Universe-city! YMCAUST August 17, 2016

Finally, the university had a globe-trotter arriving here. YMCAUST was the destination for Dr Deepti Singh Gupta, travel writer and photographer when she had a surfeit of ideas on ‘Travel Trends and Careers’ to share with aspiring journalists and amateur photographers. Deepti Singh Gupta has just held an exhibition of her travel photographs at the India Habitat Centre. Her work has found mention in national dailies like Deccan Herald and Pioneer.

The students were kept mesmerized by the spectacular landscape photography, impressive silhouettes and ethereal profile in her artwork.  The whole panorama of contemporary media practices was laid out for the media aspirants to explore and understand. Her talk probed a range of subjects from marketing strategies using microblogging and new media to travel writing ‘mantras’ and pitfalls.

Deepti Singh’s write- ups as well as travel photographs have featured in celebrated magazines like Lonely Planet magazine and site, National Geographic and National Geographic Traveller, Economic Times ‘Traveland Times of India travel site –‘Happy Trips’ while she has  also curated photo exhibitions of her travel images under the name 'Postcards From Paradise'. This freelance photographer set up a travel blog in 2013 and remains an avid blogger documenting and tweeting her travel tales @GlobalPitara.

The prestigious Art Nouveau Gallery held an online exhibition of her selected artwork in December 2015. Currently her artwork can be accessed at the internationally acclaimed Saatchi Art. She has been invited to deliver Travel Talk at the very popular Oxford Bookstore.

An environmentalist by education with a doctorate in Botany, but a traveller in spirit and soul, she was interviewed by Hindustan Times and also wrote for HT City lately.

She has served as President of a Rotary Club for two consecutive years and remains associated with social concerns of the town.

Dr Rajkumar, Dean & Chairperson, Humanities & Sciences was present on the occasion. Dr Taruna Narula welcomed the guest.



Saturday, August 13, 2016

Animation Practice by Veena Rawat


Fashionista brand of fever?


Oh, my friend Ganesha!-Save our rivers from sludge, refuse now to be submerged?


Bless the Races at Rio: Discover the Hanuman! 


Anxious Eyes


You may snatch away Kejri's broom but can you take away Rahul's geeky phone? 

A leopard can't change its spots:the wilderness, the animal farm that human's inhabit


Warmth of friendship



When in need: any God will do!
A god in need is God indeed!
Religious secularism


Soliloquy or Monologue?-Can't hear, can't tell...


Cartoon Farm


Toothful-Truthful!



Fitness Freak-where did the gym disappear?




Gossip makes the World go round!



Like Mom-in-law, so daughter-in-law: more Indianized than Indira!

Friday, August 12, 2016

A Take on GST : Article by Anshul Garg

                      जी.एस.टी  बिल  पर राय
  जी.एस.टी से वस्तु और सेवा कर (जीएसटी) पर संविधान संशोधन बिल को कैबिनेट मंत्रियो की मंजूरी मिलने के बाद शुक्रवार को लोक सभा में भी पेश कर दिया गया है इसके साथ ही देश भर में जीएसटी को लागू करने की राह आसान हो गई है
                                                                               जीएसटी लागू होने के बाद वस्तुओं और सेवाओं पर अलग-अलग लगने वाले सभी कर एक ही सामान का  कर हो जाएंगे।
इससे पूरे देश में वस्तुओं और सेवाओं की कीमतें लगभग एक हो जाएंगी। मैन्युफैक्चरिंग लागत घटेगी, जिससे उपभोक्ताओं को वस्तुए  सस्ती  हो जायगी |

क्या है जीएसटी

जीएसटी एक वैट है, जो वस्तुओं और सेवाओं दोनों पर लगेगा जीएसटी दो स्तरों पर लगेगा | केंद्रीय जीएसटी होगा इससे पूरा देश एकीकृत बाजार में तब्दील हो जाएगा और ज्यादातर अप्रत्यक्ष कर जीएसटी में समाहित हो जाएंगे।
क्या होगा फायदा
केंद्र के स्तर पर यह केंद्रीय उत्पाद शुल्क, सेवा कर और अतिरिक्त सीमा शुल्क और राज्य स्तर पर वैट, मनोरंजन, विलासिता, लॉटरी टैक्स और बिजली शुल्क को मिला  कर लगेगा  अलग-अलग टैक्स की बजाय एक टैक्स लगने की वजह से चीजों के दाम घटेंगे और आम उपभोक्ताओं को फायदा होगा|
                                                                              सरकार की टैक्स वसूली की लागत भी घट जाएगी जीएसटी दर पर सरकार ने  खुलासा नहीं हुआ है ज्यादातर देशों में यह 14 से 16 फीसदी तक है
क्या निकला रास्ता

 जीएसटी में शामिल करने के बावजूद केंद्र इस पर तीन साल तक टैक्स नहीं वसूलेगा।  राज्य तीन साल तक इस पर टैक्स वसूल सकते हैं। केंद्र ने सीएसटी का भुगतान बंद होने पर राज्यों को होने वाले घाटे की भरपाई के लिए इस वित्त वर्ष में 11000 करोड़ रुपये देने का वादा किया है अल्कोहल और तंबाकू पर टैक्स उगाही राज्य ही करेंगे