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Thursday, April 1, 2010

Edition 14: Who is Afraid of Exams


The annual board examinations for class 10 and 12 are nothing new to us. However, as the examination took off this year, they were curiously watched by all concerned. The curiosity of people far exceeded the anxiety of the students. Reason behind this curiosity was the recent spate of suicides of students which was an unprecedented incident for the state of Maharashtra.
As expected, the government and authorities took notice of the trend perhaps taking note of the air of anxiety in the minds of the students. In a bid to reduce exam pressure and bring parity in the evaluation system, the state government has initiated several schemes for students appearing for this year’s SSC board exams. Even the Board of Secondary School Examination also started some schemes to assure the students.
These schemes include starting a helpline, making available the counselling facility and allowing more time to autistic students. These steps undoubtedly marked a good beginning in the direction of encouraging the students. Now, the students and their family have to chip in with their share for
Those students are rare who are not nervous or afraid before the examinations. Even a moderate nervousness is often an advantage if you are to perform at your best.However, there is a thin line between nervousness and anxiety which can cause a lot of damage to the performance in examinations.
Nervousness And Anxiety
Some students experience more burdensome anxiety problems regarding their examinations. It is either when studying for the examination or at the time of writing their paper itself. If the problems are recurring, or if you fail or opt out of an examination several times, the problems can turn into a phobia, forcing you to fear of attending examinations.
Problems with preparation
When preparing for an examination there is possibility that you find it difficult to structure your reading properly, prioritise the reading material, or separate reading time and leisure time. It is probably because of fear or worry. It can be possible that you push yourself too hard and study too much each day.
Problems during the examination
Some students found that they can't remember the material, despite the fact that they have prepared well for the examination. This is possibly out of stress and fear. This can happen during your preparation, or your memory may fail when you have sat down in front of the examiner and external examiner.
Physical symptoms of anxiety
For some students it is enough just to think of the word examination to react with symptoms of anxiety: Rapid heartbeat, outbursts of perspiration, and stomach aches. The physical inconveniences may be so marked that you contemplate all kinds of solutions with the purpose of escaping the discomfort. For instance, by skipping or considering to postpone the examination, considering to drop out, etc.
Reasons of Fear of examinations
Reasons behind the fear of examination can be attributed to many things and the outcome of that fear can also be seen in many ways.
Novelty : Suppose you are new at an institute. As a new student at a higher educational institution, it may be hard to accept lower grades than you have been used to. You might be habituated to be ranked as one of the best and now you are one of the many skilled. This may be experienced as a personal, and not academic, defeat.
Academic :Perhaps your fear of examinations is about having made the wrong choice of study programme, or lack of motivation to do the necessary effort – or simply lack of abilities for some reason. You may fear an examination with good cause, because you are not properly prepared for it.
Inappropriate techniques : If your motivation is high, you may not have learnt to pick up on the material yet because of inappropriate study structuring and reading techniques.
Perfectionism : Many students who fear examinations suffer from perfectionism, and thus often also of performance anxiety. They set extremely high demands for themselves in all matters, and thereby the risk of failure becomes greater, which in turn increases their anxiety. Here it is not enough to look at the examination separately. You must ­­consider the way you look at yourself and others.
Personal problems: If you for a period up until the examination have had any personal problems, like a tragedy in the family or financial problems, it will naturally affect your preparation and examination. It is therefore to be assumed that your fear of examination is not about your incapacity, but the fact that you have not had the necessary inner calm that examination requires.
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The Way Out From Tension
In a bid to reduce exam pressure and bring parity in the evaluation system, the state government has initiated several schemes for students appearing for this year’s SSC board exams.
The state government recently announced to implement the best-of-five policy from this academic year. Students appearing for the SSC board exams will benefit from the scheme as their best five scores will be considered for admission to junior colleges. This means, only the best five scores out of the six subjects will be calculated for a student’s overall percentage.
According to Balasaheb Thorat, education minister for school education, this will relieve students of exam-related pressure. “Other boards already have a similar system in place; this scheme will help our board students in boosting their final percentage,” he said.
To ensure that students don’t lose a whole year, the state government had last year recommended the implementation of the allowed to keep term (ATKT) scheme. However, few benefited from it as the court order approving the process came in October in 2009.
The scheme allows students who have failed in one or two subjects to take admission in junior colleges. They will, however, need to pass the exam in October or their provisional admission will be cancelled.
Another scheme pertains to that of lower mathematics. The idea was mooted in 2006 by the then school education minister Vasant Purke. The state board introduced lower mathematics in Std IX in 2008 and in Std X the following year.
In 2008, the state board started the combined passing method for all languages. Students have to score a total of 105 marks in all three languages, with a minimum of 25 marks in each language.
With oral exams of 20 marks in every subject, a student need not worry about scoring a minimum of 25 marks in any language.

Edition 14: Stress for students




Students are most vulnerable in terms of physical and mental stress. Hence experts always point it out that the stress among school children leads to health problems
According to one experienced teacher, “The greatest fear students have about exams is a fear of failure. They think if they fail the tests, they will fail the course! I teach my students to relax and just do the best they can, to draw on their memory of what's they've learned thus far in class, and it's not the end of the world if they don't get the marks that they expect.
“Many times, a test is a revelation to me as to whether my students have been grasping, absorbing, and understanding what's being taught, and if not, I need to go back to the drawing board and reteach it until they master it.”
That pretty well sums up the thing.
A case in point is a recent report on German radio channel Deutsche Welle. The report written by Sarah Berning says, amidst global insecurities in the job sector and high unemployment among graduates, China is looking for ways to beef up the education system. But many are critical, saying the Chinese system is tough enough on kids.
Competition is a key factor in the Chinese school system and parents push their children to be the best among their class mates. Many say this is rooted in Chinese tradition. Additional classes, which take place after school hours and on weekends have become universal in China, even for pre-schoolers.
And according to findings by Therese Hesketh's study: "Stress and psychosomatic symptoms in Chinese school children", it has been creating problems in the children's mental health.
At the start of this year, the state of Maharashtra was shocked with a series of student suicides. Alarmed at the growing number of school and junior college students taking their own lives in the state, the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education issued directives to its eight divisions across the state to establish counselling centres at the divisional offices and in a few schools and colleges in their jurisdiction.
The board is also contemplating on involving teachers to stop the trend. Since teachers are the ones who constantly interact with students, the department wants them to don the role of a counselor.
According to Rajesh Tope, state higher and technical education minister, “For a batch of 50 students, one teacher can act as a counselor. For this, teachers will also have to be given the necessary training. This would be applicable to all colleges.” In the opinion of the minister, Parents should also be given general counselling to ensure that they don’t pressurise children unnecessarily.
At a recent meeting between the higher education department and teachers, principals, parents, students and NGOs, suggestions were given as to how one can reduce anxiety levels among students. Now it needs to seem how this is translated into reality.
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Secondary Education Needs More Focus
Secondary education is an important phase in a child’s life. It is a period when a student gradually leaves behind his or her childhood and eagerly awaits to become a young man or woman. It is an impressionable age, which means that what the child receives at this age – intellectually as well emotionally -- stays with the person for long years. The child begins to understand the difference between the good and the bad, the right and the wrong.
Hence, secondary education should impart both knowledge and values to children, stimulating their intellectual capacity as also enriching their personality. This will enable the child to grow into a sound and well-balanced personality who can confidently cope with the challenges of life as a grown-up. Both parents and teachers have important responsibility in this regard. Speaking about classrooms, the atmosphere in many schools is not quite conducive to learning as a joyful activity. These days both parents and teachers put too much stress on doing well in exams. This naturally makes studies a boring activity. By their very nature, children are creative, they like spontaneity, and they enjoy whatever they do.

Edition 14 : First Women Doctor of India


Anandi Gopal Joshi (or Anandibai Joshi) was born on March 31, 1865. She was one of the two first Indian women to obtain a medical degree through training in Western medicine. The other one was Kadambini Ganguly, who earned a medical degree the same year, 1886, as Anandibai.
Anandibai was born as Yamuna in Thane in an orthodox wealthy Brahmin family. At her age 9, she was married by her family to Gopalrao Joshi, who was a widower and almost twenty years her senior. After the marriage, the husband renamed Yamuna as Anandi.
Gopalrao worked as a postal clerk in Kalyan. Later, he was transferred to Alibag, and finally to Calcutta. He was a progressive thinker, and supported the education of women, which was not very ­­prevalent in India in his times.
It was common for Brahmins in those times to be proficient in Sanskrit; however, through influence on Gopalrao's mind of Lokhitawadi's Shat Patre, he had regarded learning English well to be more important than Sanskrit. Noticing Anandibai's interest in acquiring education, he helped her receive education and learn English.
At age of 14, Anandibai gave birth to a boy. But the child survived only ten days because of nonavailability of needed medical care. This situation proved a turning point in Anandibai's life, and inspired her to become a physician.
medical career
Gopalrao encouraged his wife to study medicine. In 1880, he sent a letter to Royal Wilder, a well-known American missionary, stating Anandibai's interest in studying medicine in the United States, and inquiring about a suitable post in the U.S. for himself. Wilder offered to help if the couple would convert to Christianity. This proposition, however, was not acceptable to the couple.
Wilder published the correspondence in his publication, Princeton's Missionary Review. Theodicia Carpenter, a resident of Roselle, New Jersey, happened to read it. Impressed by Anandibai's desire to learn medicine and Gopalrao's support for his wife, she offered Anandibai accommodation in America.
While the Joshi couple was in Calcutta, Anandibai's health was declining. She suffered from weakness, constant headaches, occasional fever, and, sometimes, breathlessness. Theodicia sent her medicines from America, without results. In 1883, Gopalrao was transferred to Serampore, and at that time, he decided to send Anandibai by herself to America for her medical studies despite her poor health.
Anandi began her American medical education at the the age of 19, and she was a model student, submitting a thesis on "Obstetrics among the Aryan Hindoos" and graduating with her M.D. on March 11, 1886. Queen Victoria sent a congratulatory message, and with the news of her achievement, Anandi was offered a job as physician-in-charge of the female ward at Albert Edward Hospital in Kolhapur, India.
In the meantime, however, Anandi had contracted tuberculosis -- perhaps worsened by a combination of cold weather and an unfamiliar diet -- and her health was steadily declining. Her friends sent her to Colorado Springs for her health, but she returned without improvement. Nevertheless, she returned to India, receiving a hero's welcome, while the newspapers closely monitored her physical condition. She died on February 26, 1887, in her mother's arms at her birthplace, and was mourned throughout India.
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Opposition And Promise
A physician couple named Thorborn suggested to Anandibai to apply to the Women's Medical College of Pennsylvania. On learning of Anandibai's plans to pursue high education in a Western country, the then orthodox Hindu society very strongly censured her. Many Christians supported her decision, but they wanted her to convert to Christianity.
Anandibai addressed the community, explaining her decision to go to America and obtain a medical degree.She stressed the need for Hindu female doctors in India She also pledged that she would not convert to Christianity. Her speech received publicity, and financial contributions started coming in from all over the India. Prominent among them was then Viceroy of India who contributed 200 rupees to a fund for her education.
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Edition 14: Maya Bankar

Discipline Needed For All
More than 50 policemen were lined up for the bandobast at the police recruitment which is on at the police headquarter ground at Shivajinagar. The policemen as well as candidates who wanted to be one needed water and other amenities but those were not at hand.
Maya Bankar, police inspector (crime branch) was at the ground since 5:30 AM and was tried to fetch the water tanker at the site. However, her calls were either left unanswered or routed to one after another officer. “I am on the verge of frustration calling these people. It seems the only entity having the discipline is policemen,” she said.­
Coming from Nagpur, Bankar has almost completed her year in the city and currently serving at the Shviajinagar police station. She likes the city and said, “The weather as well as people here are friendly. One can not help but like it.”
Joined in the year 1989, Bankar has four more years in the service. She is apalled at the indiscipline and unresponsiveness seen in the other governmental departments. Even of her own departments, she has some reserved opinions. “Yes, there are officers who do not treat the people well. Because of these people, whole department gets a bad reputation. Prsonally, I try to communicate and cosole each person coming to the men in uniform,” she said.­
Recounting one such incident, she said, “Here was a youth of 24 years whose brother was missing for many days. The poor chap tried to knock doors at many places but did not get any help. A lady constable brought the man to me. Immediately, I talked to him and dictated his complaint myself. The man was so overhelmed, he expressed gratitude towards the department.”
Working at Pune, Bankar has put her hand on many important cases during one year. Prominent among them is the gangrape case of a girl near Shivajinagar station. The case was highlighted in media last month. “I investigated the case and arrested all accused in the case. One among them was a handicapped person,” she recounted.
Another case involved that of corruption in a credit society in which all accused were apprehended.
Communication Needed
On the communication gap between police and public, Bankar said, “I always say that no person comes to the police station on his own. The circumstances bring him here. After seeking other avenues and failingthere, he comes to police. The man in distress neeeds sympathy and communication.”
A case in point was a number of young candidates who came for the recruitment. Many of them were not allowed to enter the gates of ground after stipulated time. “I requested my seniors to allwo them to come so that they get a fair chance. These people come from so far places and it is not fair to deny them a chance to participate. The request was approved,” she said gleefully.
Family Support a Must
For the success in the career, the support from the family must come. “I have a daughter who is in UK now. My son is a fire engineer and is working in his own field. Most of my relatives in Nagpur area. They have been supportive to me all along hence I am always ready for the duty. Now living alonehere, I am always disposible for the duties,” she said.
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Edition 14: Help Them Conquer Exam




Stress is inevitable when your children are facing examinations, and it's likely they will become short-tempered and irrational, so how should you react? Experts offers some dos and don'ts.
Faced with numerous written and oral exams, even the most mild-mannered and pleasant teenagers tend to lose any trace of their previous good nature and all hope of reasonable conversation comes to an end. "Was alright" is probably the nearest you will get to a complete sentence until the exams are over. It may, in fact, be the nearest you get to a sentence until they leave university or college.
Stress, of course, is a serious problem for students, and as parents we should try to be as tolerant and supportive as we can at this difficult time. All of us can remember that tight feeling in the stomach just before an exam starts and that sinking sensation when we first turn the paper over.
Similarly we have probably all had that horrible experience when you are revising and nothing seems to be going in, no matter how hard you study. Faced with such pressure it is not surprising that students become totally irrational around exam time.
Typically, students who are working under enormous stress will have difficulty sleeping and will be rather short-tempered. They may also have problems motivating themselves. The task ahead of them may seem so enormous that they just do not know where to start, so they give up. They may struggle to get out of bed, for example, not because of laziness but because they know this will mean they have to face the problem of revising. They are often genuinely scared of starting the day.
What, then, can you?
The main thing to remember is that the only thing that will matter to your child at the moment is the next exam. Everything else is an interruption or an irritation. On this basis, whatever you try and do to help is almost inevitably going to be wrong. Having said this, the mere fact that you are there is reassuring. Given the amount of pressure on them at the moment they need someone to shout at, to scream at or simply to ignore.
As a parent you have elected yourself as their punchbag for the next few weeks, and the best thing you can do is to stand and take it. You might end up in a far worse state than your child by the time the exams are over, but at least you will have earned your A grade in parenthood.
Although it can be extremely difficult to hold back when you see your children under pressure, all you can really do at this time is to be supportive. If you do manage to catch your child off guard in a moment of unexpected sanity, you may want to offer to help them with their work; this will earn you further points of merit, but do not be surprised if your offer is returned with a look that could freeze the River Thames. Keep smiling, count to 10 and remember how nice they were as a baby.
At some stage they will almost certainly come to you for comfort. Even the most accomplished students find at least one paper is more difficult than they thought and get upset over the way they performed. In this situation it is up to you to reassure them that however badly they think they have done, it is in fact extremely difficult to assess your own standard in a particular exam. In many cases, the reason that people think it went badly is because they are only remembering the questions they missed out or got wrong, and have lost sight of their overall performance.
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Ten Exam Tips For Parents
Don’t Nag
It doesn’t help. Keep your expectations out of it, kids have enough of their own. And stay calm. Fear and anger are catching.
Set Goals & Boundaries
Agree a revision schedule and offer to tape their favourite TV shows for watching later. Treats are essential. It helps give them a purpose for getting
Offer Sympathy
They could be your biggest contribution. Take them drinks and make sure they take regular breaks. Offer to test them. Stop them working if they seem
Try Aroma Memory
Pick an oil your child has not used before, one known to improve alertness, such as basil, lime, or peppermint. Use it in a burner while revising. Keep a different oil for each subject. When the exam comes along put a drop of the same oil on a tissue or sleeve cuff. Sniff discreetly and it will help your memory recall the information.
Feed Their Minds
Sugar may give an “energy hit” but it increases stress levels. Give them a bowl of seeds, nuts and dried fruit to eat while studying. Encourage them to drink milk instead of coffee, it’s very calming. Serve them small, regular meals including things like potatoes, pasta, rice, fish and chicken. Make them drink plenty of water. It’s good for the brain.
Build Their Confidence
Maggie Turner says: “Some kids don’t revise through sheer terror. Then if they fail they can blame it on the fact they didn’t revise. Build up their confidence by reminding them of things they’ve done well in, in the past. Others find revision a difficult concept to grasp. Encourage them to see their teacher to develop revision skills."
Look Signs For Stress
Stressed youngsters might be off their food – or overeating. They may be irritable, withdrawn, silent, have difficulty sleeping or be waking early. It’s important to keep a good relationship so they can talk to you about their worries. If necessary get professional help. Most schools have counselors.
Help Them Relax
“Relaxation techniques are very effective,” says Jennie Kramer who teaches stress management at Callington Community College in Cornwall. “Put on some nice music, get them to lie down, close their eyes and breathe deeply while visualising a calming scene such as a deserted beach. Visualising success can really raise self-confidence too.”
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* Make sure your child does all homework and reading assignments. It will help make sure your child is prepared for the test.
* Encourage your child to space out their studying and homework assignments so that they won't be forced to cram on the night before the test.
* If you are anxious about your child's test it's ok, but try to keep cool. Don't make them get anxious about their tests too.
* Encourage your child to do well but don't pressure him/her. You may stress him/her out. It is important for your child to stay relaxed on the test.
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Edition14: Coming of Age of exam




As I went to drop my son to Board examination centre today morning, I was among the many parents following part of what seemed like a procession of vehicles. I saw a mother feeding her daughter while she did her last minute revision, another group of three friends who were being clicked by their mother and then still another set of parents hugging their son with smiles that are only reserved for very special occasions.
I have always wondered about this Indian tradition of board examination and the parents leaving and picking up their children from examination centres. Well, today being a parent of one, it suddenly hit me that a child appearing for board examination is kind of coming of age for the child and the family. A seasoned traveller by habit, I suddenly felt the desire to be around my son while he is preparing for his exam. I decided not to travel till such time the exams are over. I do not remember the last time I had done it. My wife, a teacher and one who does not like to take a break from work for even a single day, applied for five days leave (examination days), a month in advance so that she could drop and pick up her son! Proper arti (prayer) is done on the examination morning with sweet dahi (yogurt) offered as if the dear son is parading off for a war! And the one appearing in examination gets phone calls from all his near and dear ones wishing him luck for his examinations. If all this is not coming of age, then I am not sure what else can it be?
This coming of age is beyond the physical growth and changes in a child. It is about the child getting an opportunity - for the first time in his life to be out of the comfort zones of family and school. Till now, the child had been appearing for all examinations in a known school with known teachers sitting with known classmates and answering questions that are prepared by their subject teachers. With board examination, he goes to a different school that is the designated examination centre, has invigilators whom he does not know, gives test for which the questions have been set by an independent body.
He knew that this is the first set of examinations that will see him stepping into the competitive world. The child knows that he has to now compete with kids outside his peer group to excel. Earlier, he used to take pride in being amongst top three in the class. But now, things require him to compete with kids from across India and world.
And your heartbeats are on the way up till the time the child is out of exam centre. You ask how he did and his answer without a beat and with a smile is that he has done well. And he did it alone. He has indeed come of age. It is a reminder to parents like me that the bird has now grown up and is now getting ready to fly. It is time to celebrate!
The writer blogs at http://blog.abhinav.com
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Reality Show on Engineering Education
Thinking further about the idea of a reality TV show for school teachers in India, I stumbled on Design Kids, a very interesting reality TV show on PBS in the United States, to promote engineering concepts to school children in the age-group of 9-12 years. It would be great to have something like this in India to promote Science and Engineering to children at an early stage to impress upon them the joy and excitement of science and engineering.
Here's how Design Squad, now into their third season, describe themselves,
“ Design Squad is high-energy, high-drama reality TV that lets kids show off their smarts as they design and build working solutions for real-world clients-people who are hungry for clever ideas from a new generation of innovators. From creating remote-controlled flying football targets for Hasbro to dry land dog sleds for the Jamaica Dog Sled Team, the action culminates in the final episode when the top two scorers battle for the Grand Prize: a $10,000 college scholarship from the Intel Foundation.”
...and their educational philosophy.
“The specific educational goals of the Design Squad television series, web site and outreach events are to:
* Increase students' knowledge of engineering and the design process
* Improve the public image of engineering
* Encourage further exploration
Design Squad is more than just a television series.
The Design Squad Web site extends the concepts presented on the show and provides viewers with an opportunity to explore content through the lens of "engineering as problem-solving using science, math, and technology."
Engineers and educators have partnered with Design Squad to help support kids as they try out the ideas first-hand. These real world experiences give kids a stronger understanding of engineering, equip them with science and math skills, and ultimately lay the foundation they need to participate in engineering activities later in life.
Their list of funders and sponsors include the Government, Foundations, Corporations and the Professional Engineering Associations.
Major funding for Design Squad is provided by the National Science Foundation, the Intel Foundation, and the Lemelson Foundation. Additional funding is provided by Noyce Foundation, United Engineering Foundation and other organisations.
The writer blogs at http://prayatna.typepad.com/
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Edition 14: Where Knowledge and Work Meet


He who works, has the real knowledge,’ this is the meaning of the Sanskrit text which has been adopted by the University of Pune as its motto. The line could not have been mora adapt because the institution has truly emerged as not only the place of academic pursuing, but also one that of actions.
Established in 1948, the University of Pune has since become one of the leading centres for research and teaching in the country. The campus is surrounded by placid environs and state of the art facilities providing it's numerous students with an ideal atmosphere to pursue research in various areas of Science, Arts, Commerce and Languages. The University has made a significant impact in various areas of research and teaching, and continues to strive for excellence.
The University of Pune was established under the Poona University Act, passed by the Bombay Legislature on 10th February, 1948. In the same year, Dr. M. R. Jayakar assumed office as the first vice chancellor of the University. Today, his memory lies in the form of vast library named after him.
B.G.Kher, then Chief Minister and Education Minister, Govt. of Bombay, took a keen interest in setting apart a beautiful campus for the University. As a result of his efforts, a campus spread over 411 acres was allocated to the University in early 1950.
Initially the University had a jurisdiction extending over 12 districts of Western Maharashtra. However, with the establishment of the Shivaji University, Kolhapur, in 1964, the jurisdiction of the University was restricted to 5 districts, namely Pune, Ahmednagar, Nasik, Dhule and Jalgaon. Out of these, two districts - Dhule and Jalgaon are attached to the North Maharashtra University established in August 1990.
During the year 1949, there were only 18 colleges affiliated to the University, with an enrollment of over 8000 students. In 1994-95, the University had 41 post-graduate departments, 209 affiliated colleges and 118 recognized research institutions, with an enrollment of 1,70,000 students for both the under-graduate and post-graduate courses.
Vice Chancellors of UoP
Dr. M. R. Jayakar 1948 - 56
Dr. R. P. Paranjpye 1956 - 59
Prof. D. G. Karve 1959 - 61
Dr. Mahamahopadhyaya D. V. Potdar 1961 - 64
Dr. N. V. Alias Kakasaheb Gadgil 1964 - 66
Prof. D. R. Gadgil 1966 - 67
Dr. H. V. Pataskar 1967 - 70
Dr. B. P. Apte 1970 - 72
Dr. G. S. Mahajani 1972 - 75
Prin. D. A. Dabholkar 1975 - 78
Prof. R. G. Takwale 1978 - 84
Prof. V. G. Bhide 1984 - 88
Dr. S. C. Gupte 1988 - 95
Dr. Vasant Gowariker 1995 - 98
Prof. Arun Nigavekar 1998-2000
Prof. N.J.Sonawane 2000-2001
Prof. Ashok S. Kolaskar 2001-2006
Dr. Ratnakar Gaikwad (I.A.S.) 2006-2006
Dr. Narendra Jadhav 2006-2009
Principal Dr. A. D. Adsool (Acting V.C.) 2009-2010
R K Shevgaonkar 2010-
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Now crash course in Marathi
Beginning this June, the university of Pune will offer crash courses in Marathi for the outsiders, including foreigners. The Marathi department of the University has proposed to introduce a number of short-term, job oriented courses at the department from the coming academic year, to attract Marathi as well as non-Marathi students of language and literature.
According to the head of department Manohar Jadhav, “The department will start four part-time diploma courses, which will cover the use of Marathi language for administrative purpose, script writing, book publishing and ‘Learn Marathi’ for non-Marathi speaking people settled in Maharashtra. We have also planned courses in advertisement writing, jingle and copy-writing.”
The part-time courses of six-month durations, will begin from June and will be held in the evening. The detailed syllabus and faculties for the courses are still being worked out. The intake for each course will be 20 students. Admissions will be on the basis of entrance exam and interview, except for the ‘Learn Marathi’ course. Opening a placement cell for these courses is also under consideration.
The department has witnessed lower ratio of students compared to other departments like social and pure sciences during the last few years, he said, attributing it to less job opportunities.
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Edition 14: Put Your Effort Where Time Is


Time management is key to working efficiently. If you use following steps, they'll help get you to a place where you feel less stressed and can be more productive.
Step 1
Figure out where your time goes. Print two copies of the "Where Do I Spend My Time"and fill out one of the charts with your typical weekly routine – be honest!
Step 2
Reconsider the time drains.Did you find that you spend three hours watching TV at night? Or messing with Facebook or Twitter? Did you find that your commute to and from work/errands/school is taking up a lengthy portion of your week?
Consider changing your routine to maximize those hours, and begin a new schedule. Instead of plopping in front of the TV, schedule a couple nights a week for the brain drain and leave those extra hours open for productivity, leisure and setbacks.
Step 3
Schedule productivity. After you've freed up some time by banishing or rescheduling the time drains, mark some "productivity" time into your schedule. If you gain an extra hour in the evening by cutting back your Facebook time, then spend it catching up with what you've been leaving out.
4. Step 4
Schedule leisure. It might sound silly to plan free time, but if you don't do it, you'll take it anyway, putting off the productivity time and pushing yourself back into poor time management. So plan some fun, relaxing things to do in your week. Make time to take a nap on the weekend or read a book.
Step 5
Plan for setbacks. You'll never be able to stop that railroad crossing from pushing you off schedule. Your kids will inevitably throw a temper tantrum as you're trying to get them off to school. Your plumber will arrive two hours late, you'll forget your wallet at home. It happens. But if you plan for the occasional delays, it's easy to recover.
Leave several hours open during your week for "setback recovery." These are the hours you can spend writing thank-you notes, shopping for a last-minute gift, rescheduling missed appointments, etc. If you plan, those disastrous moments won't leave you asking yourself, "Where am I going to find the time to fix that blown tire?" You'll already have it scheduled. And having extra time is imperative to time management.
See? Time management isn't so hard; it just requires a little bit of planning. And yes, you can do it. Take the time right now – RIGHT NOW – and print the charts. Put them in your purse or pocket and get organized tonight. Your sanity, wallet, and loved ones are counting on it!
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Keep Temper and You'll Win
We are all used to it - tapping our pencil, bouncing our knees, wiggling our feet- stressed out right before the big test. When you're writing your paper, it's too late to manage stress physically.
There are ways to help manage your stress before you take the big test.
Set Practical Goals
You may never score perfectly on the SAT, GRE, or GMAT. Drop the image of who you think you should be. Before you head to the testing center, set a practical goal for yourself (none else) before arriving. Practice with a test booklet, so you know what you can and can't do.
Say, "I choose to."
Instead of saying "I have to take this test," practice saying, "I choose to take this test." By focusing on the fact that the test you're taking is set up by your esign, you take ownership of the stressor. That can have a great effect.
Positive Imagery
Obviously, the most relaxing place in the world is not a classroom – all those right angles and hard textures don't make for serenity. But you can transport yourself to a place that is soothing to you from the comfort (or lack thereof) of your desk chair. Bury your toes in imaginary sand.
Repeat a Phrase
Repeat a mantra to yourself. It needs to be something meaningful to you. Try something like, "I can do this,". Choose something positive to tell yourself, and you may just start believing it.
No Negativism
People who aren't happy with their own lives and want to pull someone else down are everywhere. Take a few moments to jot down the negative thoughts planted by others.Write down your rebuttal to those thoughts. As an added stress relief, wad up the entire piece of paper and toss it into the trash right before testing begins