There is a very strong urge among young parents to put their children in different kinds of school right from 2-3 years. The notion is that if children don’t start early, they might be left behind. But left behind in what? In competing with other similar children, will be the often repeated answer. You can…
Education matters despite policy neglect! ‘Kaju katri khao, teacher’, said the student ( will you eat cashew sweet ?), Teacher asked, ‘from where did you get this?’ and took one piece. ‘A rich man had died today’, replied the student. He used to work at cremation ground in Surat. And Bina Rao has been providing…
I am often asked: if an innovation does not scale, is it any good? Such questions are a product of a mindset that does not recognize the legitimacy of niche specific needs. Let us take the case of District Dhimaji, Assam ( where ULFA was born) where iron content in water is very high. The…
Celebrating soliloquy amid endless chattering Today in the age of endless conversations, chatter, social media exchange; how do we celebrate dialogue with oneself? I m asking this question because I see that not many people are able to handle success which comes through efforts of many; some are not able to handle responsibility bestowed upon…
Politics of sugar, subsidiarity principle and whither innovation Many social segments of the country are feeling that their voice is perhaps not being heard adequately. This could also be a consequence of lack of clarity about the major policy shifts. In some areas, we are continuing with the same policies even if change…
Festival of Innovation: an ode to odd balls Indian society is celebrating the power of grassroots politics, purposeful innovations and pursuit of inclusive development through an entrepreneurial upsurge. There are not many countries in the world where creative and innovative school and college students and grassroots innovators are invited to stay at the President’s house…
In One of the first Indian state to declare itself as organic, finding clean mountains and stone pathways is not surprising. In fact there were more dustbins in the mountainous tracks near Lum village than in the plains. The result is that one does find plastic wastes near the settlements, scattered as they are. A child…
In an attempt to understand what makes a good teacher, colleagues at the Honey Bee Network were asked what attributes made a teacher effective. The following list is a compilation of views expressed by our colleagues Who considers both positive and negative sides of students Who engages with parents of students as well when needed…
President Obama’s visit has led to considerable expectations about what US can give to India during the forthcoming summit meeting between the Prime Minister Modi and the President Obama. The usual discussion about technology, more access for our programmers and software engineers, nuclear agreement and such other areas have already been commented upon by the…
During 1831 – 33, the first edition of Benares Illustrated by James Prinsep was published having outstanding illustrations of the ghats, the temples and other striking objects. In his forethought, Prinsep paid a tribute to William Augustus Brooke, Chief Judge of Appeal for his endearing alike to ‘the Hindoo, the Moosulman and the Christian inhabitants…