C I T Y H E A D L I N E R S

Why Anjolie is upset p23

'I wish I had done SRK's role in DDLJ' p25
Monday, June 23, 2008
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IITians engaged in social work

Graduating from an IIT is a foolproof way to settle into a plush job with a high-paying salary and a number of other such
CEE to educate
teachers on
environment
Course can be taken up by
exciting probabilities. Some IITians have veered away from white-collared jobs and air-conditioned offices to help their educators of any faculty
Ankita Maru
cities see a better tomorrow, say Nishit Chandan and Arundhati Kelkar
T
oday, environmental issues are
I want a clean city. Clean in every SUPPORT FROM DEAR ONES ple are slowly realising that if they the most talked of topics around
Ranjit Gadgil: aspect, not just environmentally, IITians opting for a career change want to make a change in their city, the globe. The Indian govern-
IIT-Kanpur, MSc says Satish Khot, president of the Na- from a cushy job to working for a they are going to have to come to- ment is taking steps to sensitise the
in Physics (1988- tional Society for Clean Cities cause close to their hearts needed gether as a group and work towards new generations towards these
1993). Presently, (NSCC), Pune division. The NSCC the right support and encourage- it, says Satish Khot. When asked issues. One of the steps is supporting
programme deals with problems at the micro lev- ment from their near and dear ones. about how IITians should be encour- institutions like the Centre for
el by motivating people to form neigh- Their decisions puzzled many aged to get into social work, Arvind Environment Education (CEE).
director of
bourhood groups and organisations, around them, but later they got a lot Gupta highlights that IITians know Among other things, the CEE is en-
Janwani and helping them with issues such as of support. which side of the fence is greener, gaged in developing programmes and
slum development, vermiculture, It was not difficult for Ranjit some acutely feel the contradictions materials to increase awareness
Arvind Gupta: IIT-Kanpur, healthcare, literacy, encroachments, Gadgil to take this decision. My in their society and drop out of the about the environment and
BTech (Electronic) in 1975, unauthorised structures and so on. family has a long history of people rat race voluntarily to do something sustainable development.
Presently heading Ranjit Gadgil, an Indian Institute of working for a social cause, so my de- closer to their hearts. Established in 1984 as a Centre of
Muktangan Childrens Technology (IIT)-Kanpur graduate cision was nothing unusual. At the One way to encourage more Excellence in Environmental Educa-
Science Centre and presently the programme direc- tion supported by the Ministry of En-
tor of Janwani says, Janwani works vironment and Forests (MoEF), CEE
Ashok on issues related to better gover- has come up with a course for
Sreenivas: IIT- nance, slum rehabilitation, traffic educationists.
Bombay, Btech and transportation and the general While the government has made
(Computer sustainable development of the city. environmental issues a compulsory
Science) in 1987, The problems that we face today are part of school curriculum, it is im-
PhD in because of the poor administrative portant to ensure that to be able to im-
Computer Science in 1998, set-up, he says. part this knowledge, teachers must
Arvind Gupta is involved with the also have the complete knowledge
Working in two sectors: Inter-University Centre for Astrono- about the subject and be sensitive
urban transport (with my and Astrophysics (IUCAA) to towards environmental issues.
Parisar Urban Transport popularise science by making scien- CEE, in collaboration with the
Group) and energy (with tific toys out of waste materials and Commonwealth of Learning, Cana-
Prayas Energy Group) teaching science through these to da, is offering the Green Teacher Dis-
deprived children. These ex-IITians tance Learning Diploma Course to
Satish Khot: IIT-Bombay, are driven by the thought that they educators and teachers of any subject
BTech (chemical engineer- need to give something back to the who wish to enhance their knowledge
ing) in 1971, IIM-Kolkata society that made them what they and skills in the teaching-learning of
MBA in 1974, are today. IITians to take up social causes is to environment and development. The
Presently, presi- send first and second year students to centre offers this course to sensitise
dent of the THEIR INSPIRATION live in a city slum or a tribal area for and educate teachers so that the new
National Society Something major must have inspired just two-three days. This will directly world is more aware and
these men to choose to serve people expose them to conditions of depravi- environment friendly.
for Clean Cities
rather than get comfortable and secure ty and dehumanisations. This can The course has been running suc-
(NSCC), Pune jobs. Here are some of the reasons: come only through direct personal ex- cessfully for the last four years, cre-
division Ashok Sreenivas, who works with perience and not through lectures on ating more and more well-informed
Parisar Urban Transfer Group and poverty. As they are thinking and teachers.
Girish Sant: IIT- Prayas Energy Group, was inspired to analytical people used to linking cause The one-year long course includes
Bombay, BTech make a difference by using his area of to effect, they will soon find the rea- two compulsory contact sessions of
(Chemical expertise, which are the transport and sons for poverty. Most of them will still about four-five days each, and a five-
Engineering) in energy sectors. He was stimulated to opt to take up cushy jobs with month project. The self-study hours
1986, IIT- join the transport sector on seeing the multinational companies, but some of are approximately 240 (60
Bombay, MTech in 1988, deteriorating conditions of the them will certainly take up more hours/module). The project requires
Presently, trustee of Prayas transport system. meaningful vocations. another 40-50 hours. A set of study
On the other hand, Ranjit Gadgil A file picture of Arvind Gupta giving a demonstration of his scientific toys Sreenivas is of the belief that the ed- material containing modules and
and coordinator for energy
issues says, Living abroad for several years, ucation system is oriented only to- CDs will be provided to the partici-
I was shocked to see the basic differ- same time, having worked as an IT con- ers words to him doing something wards getting a good job and climbing pants. The primary language of the
Uday Bhawalkar, ence between American and Indian so- sultant in the US for seven years has al- meaningful carried him forward. the ladder and should focus on expos- course is English and admissions are
ciety. The question Why cant we have lowed me to ensure a modest, but ade- Her words still inspire and propel me ing the opportunities (not just in terms open till June 30, for the 2008-09
IIT-Bombay,
all the facilities that they have? Why quate financial safety. I often realise to do something worthwhile. All my of money, but in terms of work) in oth- batch. Application forms and the
BTech (Chemical cant we have clean roads, slum-free that many others who want to make life I have lived my passions and got er sectors. More people would become prospectus can be downloaded from
Engineering) in cities, good public transport systems? the same choice as me face resistance paid for them. Few people are as fortu- aware about this. Then, of course, it is www.ceeindia.org and
1973, IIT- kept nagging me. This eventually led and discouragement from family and nate, he says. And in working towards the individuals choice that will deter- www.greenteacher.org free of cost.
Bombay, Phd in me back to India and into this field. friends. I must consider myself lucky his beliefs, Satish Khot has always mine what line he pursues, he says.
1996, Bhawalkar Ecological While Satish Khot says that he had that this is not the case with me, he valued his wifes support in every Ranjit Gadgil is also of a similar belief
Research Institute deals with been inspired since his college days to says. Arvind Gupta takes his inspira- endeavour he has made. that any education that is holistic and Would you like your campus event
bio-conversion to make pollu- do something for the society that he tion from his mothers deep and abid- encourages free thinking is bound to to be featured in DNA? Write to us at
tion into reusable resources prospered in. It was a part of my ing trust in him. When he left Telco, FUTURE BEHOLDS create people that would naturally be punecampus@dnaindia.net
growing up, he says. his uncles did not like it, but his moth- It is heartening to know that peo- attracted to this field.

The American dream begins here. For queries regarding US education, mail our US education expert,
Geeta Pardiwalla at globalstudent.america@gmail.com or globalstudent.america@dnaindia.net

TECHNO TALK
I am an IT engineer with one
MS DOUBTFIRE
record, very good GRE scores, and
keen interest in the programme
the range of $50,000 to $70,000 per
year. It greatly varies from person
Your experience in engineering
consultancy firm will be very valu-
fore applying abroad? Also,
which are the best universities
year experience in software. one wishes to pursue; preferably to person and specialisation. India able when you apply for MBA. for English Literature in the
Last year, I appeared for GRE established through projects or treats entry level engineers from Sometimes work experience is not US? I have scored 87% in ICSE,
and TOEFL as I want to pursue publications or work experience. any country at par with the one merely how long you worked, it is 81% in Class 12, 78% in FYBA
MS (Computer Science) in the If you do not get financial aid, who has got BE/BTech from equiv- also about projects undertaken, and 70% in SYBA. Are these
US. What factors are considered you should target getting teaching alent Indian universities. contribution to growth of the com- marks adequate to get me into a
when applying for financial aid or research aid from the college pany, problem solving skills, team- good university?
aid? Will the recession in the after starting your programme. CAPITAL MARKET work etc. I think it is a great idea to Masha Sha
US affect my chances of getting This means that you have to pay I am a final year mechanical work for a few years. Take GMAT You must complete MA in India
it? If I dont get it from the uni- for the first term and hope to sub- engineering student from Mum- and TOEFL, and identify the col- as a three-year degree is not ade-
versity that I am applying for, sidise the second term without any bai University with a first class. leges you wish to go to and then ap- quate for any graduate admission
how can I get it from some oth- assurances. Recession in the US I wish to pursue MBA in fi- ply. Most MBA programmes cover in the US. After completing MA,
er source? What are the job would hopefully not trickle down nance. I have secured placement capital markets studies. Colleges you may try to get in a PhD pro-
prospects after MS? What is the to cutting off financial aid to in- in an engineering consultancy would recognise your interest in gramme. Youll need to take GRE
average salary of a person who ternational students which is hard firm through campus place- capital market if you do basic pro- and TOEFL before applying. Your
has completed MS in Computer to come by even without recession. ments and I intend to work grammes that NSE offers. admission will depend more on
Science with a US degree in In- Most banks offer education there for two to three years. Will lITERATURE lINK your interest in literature, writing
dia or in the US? loans with more or less same this experience count? Also, I I am currently pursuing capability, publications. Your ICSE
Jason terms. If you choose to get one, have keen interest in capital TYBA in English Literature and and standard XII marks at this
Financial aid is offered by US please read and understand fine markets. Do any universities of- would like to do MA in the same stage are almost irrelevant. Great
universities to most eligible stu- print clearly. Average entry level fer courses in this discipline? in the US. Would it be advisable references can help in getting ad-
dents; with excellent academic salary of an average engineer is in Anonymous for me to do an MA in India be- missions to good universities too.

Sadhana Amte's autobiography Samidha gave me a better insight, says Pawar

Prof translates Amtes memoirs

Anuradha Mane translating the book, I learnt a lot more
about the Amtes struggle and their chil-
The word Samidha, in Marathi means of- dren, she says.
fering for a sacred fire. True to its mean- The book has been published by Ori-
ing, Sadhana Amtes autobiography by ent Longman (Rs295) in March. But I
the same name has been fuelling the in- havent had an opportunity to launch the
spirations of several readers for many book officially yet, said Pawar. Luckily
years now. for her, she got the first copy of the book
So when Pune-based professor Shobha in February and immediately flew down
Pawar, got an offer to translate the book to Nagpur to show it to Baba, who was
in English, she knew it was a rare hon- Shobha Pawar bedridden because of his illness. He
our. And this honour came from none College. The autobiography talks about passed away a week later. If he hadnt
other than the late Baba Amte himself, the life and times of Sadhana and Baba seen the book, I would have felt guilty all
whom Pawar had known for more then Amte, noted social workers who devoted my life, she said.
two decades. their lives for leprosy patients. Their With no financial expectations from
The book had already been translated work is an extension of their love and this work of translation, Pawar will be
into Hindi, so during a visit, Pawar ca- their life is an eternal romance, says donating all the proceeds from the book
sually asked Baba Amte if someone was Pawar who took almost two years to sale to Anandvan, an ashram started by
working on an English translation. He translate the book. Baba Amte to treat and rehabilitate
said no, but immediately asked her if she While Pawar had always heard from leprosy patients.
would do it. Secretly I always wished to the Amtes about the various trials and She only has one expectation, as she
translate this book. But I was too scared tribulations of their life, translating the puts it, I just wish that every youngster
to ask as I didnt know if Baba would find autobiography gave her a better insight would read the book in these times
me fit for the job, says Pawar, who is the into their lives. I was a changed person where moral deterioration, violence and
head of the English department at the SP the first time I met the Amtes. But after corruption are so rampant.