Tuesday, December 30, 2008

A Message for all Friends from the Teaching Community

Dr Randy Pausch has become a great role model for teachers , students and parents . He has also become an inspiration for cancer patients around the world. I have watched his video many times on YOU TUBE and also played it in my workshops for College Teachers .We need many such teachers who can guide and motivate the youth looking for role models . Iam sure Dr Pausch will continue to inspire people around the world for a long period of time.We wish all the best for his family.

TIME Magazine
There were times I couldn't bear to watch. But then there were others when his exuberance — physical and spiritual — made it easy to convince myself it would never happen, and so I would call up Randy Pausch's Last Lecture on YouTube and watch it with my children, receive the gift he was giving us and reject the idea that it would come at an ultimate price: that Pausch would indeed die one day of pancreatic cancer, as he did this morning, at the age of 47.


You cannot change the cards you are dealt. Just how you play the hand.

With his child's smile and nimble brain and breathtakingly simple instructions tumbling out one after another, Pausch made the infernally complex machine that is modern life look like anyone could put it together if they just had the right tools and the crib sheet. Come on, he seemed to say, you can do this; I have the secrets, and I'm giving them to you, for free.

Don't complain. Just work harder.

Luck is truly where preparation meets opportunity.

When his cancer was diagnosed in August 2006, doctors said he had maybe a few months. He went through an aggressive course of treatment, surgery, chemotherapy; but a year later the disease had spread to his liver and spleen, and he was told it was terminal. A popular computer-science professor at Carnegie Mellon University, he delivered his "Last Lecture" on September 18, 2007. It was a university tradition for popular professors to think hard about what mattered most to them and distill their ideas as though they had only one message left to give to the generation that followed. Randy Pausch was the first for whom the exercise was literal.

Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted.

It became a YouTube sensation, viewed many millions of times by people charmed by his easy manner, engaged by his lively insights into work, science, exploration, in awe of his complete lack of self-pity. He was the picture of health, with his thick dark hair and Muppet eyebrows, dropping to do push-ups on the stage, a defiant portrait of life with its edges all sharpened. Every sentence was soaked in gratitude, and listening to it could make you flinch at every time you'd whined or cheated or quit.

The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out; the brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. The brick walls are there to stop the people who don't want it badly enough.
You wondered whether, all across the country, children were whipping out the brushes and paint while parents stood resignedly by, remembering the pictures he showed of his own bedroom growing up, covered in doodles and math problems and rocket ships, and honoring his injunction.

"If your kids want to paint their bedrooms, as a favor to me, let 'em do it."
Last October Pausch appeared on Oprah, and his audience widened even further. He testified before Congress for better cancer-research funding. He got 10,000 e-mails recommending possible therapies. He spent a day hanging out with the Pittsburgh Steelers, which he'd mentioned as his own childhood dream. ABC News did a prime-time special in which we got to meet his wife Jai, his three young children, watch them playing and planning for what lay ahead.

In April his book, The Last Lecture, swooped high on the best-seller list; his wife called it a "manual" for their family.

Wise men have said they're not scared of death, but they're a little scared of dying. Death is just a mystery; but dying is the journey we don't want to take, and he used it to lead the living to a new place. It was as though he already knew more than he should, had dipped a ways into eternity and brought some pieces back for the rest of us to use in whatever ways and for whatever time we can.

The end of the lecture, it turned out, was just the beginning.

Did you figure out the head fake? It's not about how to achieve your dreams. It's about how to lead your life. If you lead your life the right way ... the dreams will come to you. Did you figure out the second head fake? The talk's not for you. It's for my kids.

Best Indian Blogs List from Digital Inspiration

Amit Agarwal, one of the most popular technology columnists and blogger suggests some most useful Indian Blogs .The list contains veteran bloggers as well as young writers.I thought it is useful.


My Favorite Blogs from Digital Inspiration

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Economics Rocks!

Economics rocks
Posted On Saturday, December 27, 2008 at 12:54:13 PM Times of India

By Sujatha Subraman
Adi Godrej, Chairman of Godrej group of companies, inaugurated the inter collegiate economics festival at Chembur recently. Arth Manthan the annual economics festival was held at Chembur Trombay Education Society’s NG Acharya and DK Marathe College. The main highlights of this unique festival based on economics included a two-day Maha Debate competition on leadership and a global leaders meet on the topic of how to save our planet.

Director of Godrej group of companies, Adi Godrej being felicitated at the economics festival
Besides elocution on the agrarian crisis, the festival also included an exhibition of the latest books on economics and business management. Songs and skits based on economics were novel attempts aimed at enhancing students’ interest in economics by bringing the subject to life.

Speaking to CG Plus, Prof Amita Lal said, “This festival was started in 2001, when the concept was unheard of. This year, keeping the recent terror attack in mind, we settled on a low key affair avoiding entertainment elements like dance and music shows. We didn’t even erect a pandal for this year’s event.”

Speaking on the occasion, chief guest Adi Godrej remarked, “I have heard of music and other festivals, but a festival based on economics is something new. Economics plays a crucial role in shaping political and civil society. Therefore understanding the subject is a pre-requisite for the electoral process.”

He also touched upon India’s strengths in the various sectors from agriculture to industries which propel the country to march towards economic development despite the meltdown. Speaking about the need for changes in certain areas, he expressed his concern over the plight of primary education. “Most of the children from the rural areas do not study beyond class five; this situation needs to be rectified,” he stressed.

Dr D M Muley, the college principal, while addressing the gathering termed the festival as a forum for industry-academia interaction. “During this annual event several eminent personalities have spoken on various economic issues. Over the years Arth Manthan has inspired many other colleges to introduce similar festivals. Arth Manthan was presented to eminent academicians, university administrators and authors at the International Developments in Economics Education (DEE) conference organised by the Higher Education Academy (UK) in Cambridge on September 6-7, 2007,” said Muley.

Prof Shashi Panicker, the brain behind this festival stated, “We often complain of drawbacks in the education system like large and overcrowded classrooms but little is being done to improve the situation. This festival was introduced to enable the students to think like economists. We have also formed Economics Clubs in the colleges so that students can debate and discuss current economic issues.

Friday, December 19, 2008

A success!

The 8th Annual economics Festival was held on 16th and 17th.Though it was decided to organise the festival as a low key affair considering the situation in Mumbai,students participated from all over Mumbai and made it a grand success.About 50 colleges including the IITMumbai, University post-graduate departments participated in various innovative events.
Ruia College won the trophy for best College winning maximum prizes followed by Acharya and Marathe College.
Students found all events very different and the most popular events were Economics songs with 37 entries and quiz contest with 30 entries from different colleges.
Shri Adi Godrej inaugurated the festival by giving a detailed account of Indias journey since the beginning of planning.
He also outlined the task before us to make India stronger by maintaining the growth momentum.He seemed to be very confident about the ability of our economy to bounce back and expressed confidence that the economic slowdown will be over in about 7-8 months.
This festival is organised with objective of making the youngsters think like economists so that we can create "Leaders in Economics".By looking at the success of the festival we are very confident that our mission will be successful.
I owe the success of this festival to all my young friends from diffent colleges who have tremendous potential.I also owe a great deal to The State Bank of India for extending their support for the festival.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

The 8th Annual Economics Festival

The 8th Annual Economics Festival -Arthmanthan was inaugurated by Mr Adi B Godrej, Chairman, Godrej Group of companies . In his excellent talk he gave an overview of the changes in Indian economy since liberalisation and what needs to be done in the coming days and months by the government to sustain the growth momentum. He expressed confidence that Indian economy will not be affected much due to the global slow down. He was of the opinion that inflation will come down to the low levels about 4-5% in the next few months and industrial production will pick up soon.He assured the anxious listeners consisted of Economics teachers, NGO's,students and media representatives that the slow down in industrial production is temporary.
EVENTS at The Economics Festival of Mumbai
YES WE CAN! The Maha Debate
(Round One: 16th December – 11 am) (Final Debate: 17th December – 8:30 am)

Round One: There will be two rounds in this competition. In round one on 16th December, you have to speak your heart out on any one of the three topics given below for four minutes.

Theme for Round One: LEADERSHIP – Young India is crying out for change!
— Topics:
o Can we produce a Barack Obama in India?
o Can a system of Presidential democracy solve India’s problems?
o Youth should enter politics – we can change the system!
o What does young India seek in a leader?

Final Debate: 10 best speakers – fiery, passionate and sincere - will qualify for the Maha-Debate. Here they will be split into two teams for the final event, which will be held on 17th December. Topics will be given on the spot.
Last Date for submitting entries: On or before, 7th December

Global Leaders Meet

(16th December – 2pm)
The participating teams will play the role of economic advisers of the various world countries allotted to them in advance. The agenda at this year’s meet is ‘Save our Planet’.
Key areas of discussion include:
§ Worries
§ Sustainable development
§ Disaster management – dealing with natural calamities
§ Renewable energy – making it viable
§ Suggestions to India for protecting its environment

Well, you have to truly represent the country allotted to you; that could mean dressing up like them and speaking a bit of the native language too!

No. of Members per team: 5 (One Team per College) (Call 9324818296 for allotment of your country)
Last Date for submitting entries and allotment of countries: On or before, 7th December
The team can choose speakers from among themselves. Each Team will have about 15 minutes to present at the final event using Power Point.
Quiz
(16th December – 12 pm [Elimination] & 3pm [Final])
Both are separate events. Quiz Wiz is for Degree College while Junior Quiz is for Junior College
Topic: Current Economic Issues
No. of Participants: 5 students per team (No limit on number of teams from one college)
Last Date for submitting entries: On or before, 7th December
For Junior Quiz, please get in touch with Prof. Arvind Srinivasan at 9323465377
Book Exhibition
: (16th & 17th December)

The Book Exhibition will include a wide range of books on Economics and Management. Some of the most popular textbooks and reference books used in foreign universities will also be displayed.

- The Essay Competition – Chak De India!
No limit on entries
Maximum 2000 words
Essays should be Hand-Written on A4 size paper.
Last Date for submitting Entries and Essays: On or before, 7th December
Announcement of results: 1 pm on 16th December

! Topics:
§ Preparing for Olympics: Can we learn from China?
§ An Olympics Gold medal, why does it seem like a distant dream…
§ I have a plan to revive sports in India

Elocution Competition (16th December – 1pm)
Meri desh ki dharti, soona ugale, ugale here moti…
Elimination Round:
q Is writing off loans a solution to the agrarian crisis?
q How can we have a second green revolution?
q Tackling the global food crisis
q Demand for food grain is rising: How can India feed the world?

Final Round: Topics will be given on the spot.

Speeches can be in English, Hindi or Marathi
Maximum No. of Participants: 5 per college Duration of Speech: 5 mins
Last Date for submitting entries: On or before, 7th December
Evaluation on the basis of Delivery Style, Substance and Body Language.
Business Plan
- What an Idea Sirji ! (16th December – 1 pm)
A salute to the spirit of Indian entrepreneurs! Entrepreneurship lies at the heart of a successful economic model. Hence we need to revive the spirit of entrepreneurship which existed in India.

Do you have an idea, an interesting business plan, or do you have the knack of sniffing out business opportunities?? Well come ahead and present your idea, the business model and the action plan to make your dream a reality.

Are you willing to challenge the way we do things? Do you love taking risks? Put on your thinking hats and come up with a business plan specifically catering to needs of Indians.

Last Date for submitting entries and Business Plan: On or before, 7th December
The Business Plan must be hand-written or typed neatly on A4 sized paper and should not exceed 2000 words. Final Presentation has to be made in PowerPoint
Presentation on: 16th December
One team of three members (No limit on number of teams per college) Duration: 10 minutes per team
Cartoon Comp.
Last Date for submitting entries and cartoons: On or before, 7th December (No limit on entries)
Announcement of Results: 1pm on 16th December
Cartoons on white chart paper of 22” X 28” size with each participant’s name, class and college written at the back of the Poster/Cartoon.

Topic: AAMDANI, ATHANNI, KHARCHHA, RUPAIH
Students from various colleges can use this platform to express their concerns over INFLATION… Money hai to Honey Hai!

DRAW’ EM UP: Poster Competition
Students have to prepare Posters, which will be displayed during Arth-Manthan at the Poster Exhibition.

THEME: TERRORISM - AN OBSTACLE TO ECONOMIC GROWTH
Last Date for submitting entries and Posters: On or before, 7th December (No limit on entries)
Annoucement of Results: 1pm - 16th December
Posters must be made on white chart paper of 22” X 28” size with each participant’s name, class and college written at the back of the Poster/Cartoon.

Students have to submit recent paper cuttings, photographs, cartoons etc. from newspapers and magazines on the given theme. These have to be pasted on A4 size foolscap sheets, neatly arranged in a file. ‘Cut, Copy, Paste’ from the Net not allowed!
News You Can use!
Theme: OUR PLANET IS MELTING!
The cut – outs could include issues relating to all aspects of global warming.

Last Date for submitting Entries and submission of Cut-Outs: On or before 7th December
No Limit on number of entries
Results of the competition will be announced at 1pm on 16th December
Ad-masters Comp.
“Jaago Re…” (17th December 9 am)
In this event participating teams will be given a product each, for which they have to prepare and present a logo, jingle and television advertisement.
No. of Participants: Maximum 2 teams per college (5 participants per team)
Last Date for submitting entries: On or before, 7th December

ECONOMICS ... It’s Rockin’...!!! (17th December – 10 am) FOR JUNIOR AND SENIOR COLLEGE STUDENTS
Ever wished Eco classes were as interesting as your favourite song...
Here’s your chance to make economics more fun... Prepare your own economics song and we’ll offer you the mike to sing out loud!!!
Songs on the global financial crisis, inflation, Adam Smith or Marshall, on promises made by finance ministers, on demand and supply, diminishing marginal utility etc. Well of course you have the option to set tunes on latest Bollywood hits!
For inspiration, you can check out interesting videos on economics at You-Tube or other Internet resources!
Songs can be in any Language – English, Hindi or Marathi
Last Date for submitting entries: On or before, 7th December (No limit on number of entries)
Budding Economist
(17th December– 10 am)
Theme: Global Financial Crisis
Students have to submit Reports and make Presentations on any one of the topics given below:
— Behind the Global Financial crisis: who is responsible?
— Is it the Death of Capitalism? Where is Adam Smith’s Invisible Hand?
— Providing an Alternative to Wall-Street: Opportunity for Emerging Economies like India and China
— The Global Financial Crisis: The Fallout
— Rethinking Economics: Is it Time for Reform of the International Financial System?
— Fighting the Global Financial Crisis - Lessons for India
— Fixing The World Economy

Last Date for submitting entries and topics: On or before, 7th December
Submission of Report at the event: (Reports must be hand-written or typed neatly on A4 sized paper and should not exceed 2000 words.) Final Presentation has to be made in PowerPoint
Duration: 10 minutes per team
Maximum No. of Participants: One team of three members (Maximum two teams per college)

Wah Bhai Wah! (Economics Skit Competition)
(17th Dec. – 11 am)

You can select any one of the topics mentioned below and prepare a skit on it. You will be judged on various parameters including presentation of the issue at hand, innovative thinking, acting skills, effective use of props, costumes, music. Here’s your chance to get funny, witty or satirical and to bring out that actor in you!
q Power Crisis in Maharashtra
q Jagoo Re! – We can fight corruption
q Only God can save India from its corrupt politicians
q No life without mobile
q Diminshing marginal utility for the aam aadmi

Last Date for submitting entries: On or before, 7th December
No. of Members per team: 5 (Max. Two Teams per College) Duration: 10 minutes per team

Prof. G.S. Panikar
M: 9324818296
Email: arthmanthan@gmail.com


Please check the website for more details like photographs, press reports, participation forms…
: www.arth-manthan.com

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Report on The Economics Club meetings

To step up…
Posted On The Times of India, Friday, November 28, 2008

…is what the student members of the Economics Club have learnt from the current economic meltdown. The students are now aiming at enhancing their skills and changing their lifestyle to curb the unnecessary expenditures
Financial turmoil, economic meltdown, crashes in the stock market, slump in the IT industry, are some of the major issues confronting our economy.
20-odd college students meet regularly at the Economics Club located in Mulund east to discuss the impact of financial crisis on the lives of students
Keeping this economic scenario in mind, we paid a visit to the Mulund based Economics Club located in Mulund east where the 20-odd college students meet regularly to discuss the impact of such a crisis on the lives of students.
The students of this club follow one mantra "Economize or you will agonize" in their daily lives. They have already come up with some cost cutting measures which has enabled them to curtail their expenses.
This club was initially formed in 2001, by Shashi Panikar, a Mulund-based Economics teacher. Talking about the objectives of the club Panicker informs, "Our main objective was to make the students and parents aware of the various avenues available in the field of Economics and Finance.
This was done by providing information about the various courses both in the country as well as overseas. Arth Manthan, an exclusive festival based on Economics was conceived to make the subject student centric. Events in this festival also includes skits and songs based on Economics. Last week the club in association with Forum of Free Enterprise organised a seminar on Global Financial turmoil and the Challenges in India at RA Podar college," he reveals.
"The impact of financial crisis is a major problem for the students because simply put it means salary cuts and fewer jobs for the youth.
On the positive side it also means students can utilise this layoff time to enhance their skills, educational qualification so that they are better equipped to face the new world once the economy revives," states Saylee Katkar, HR Management student, who is currently a member of this club.
Her friend Vrushali Patankar, who is majoring in Economics from Ruia college admits, "Being a member of the Economic Club has made me see things on a positive note. We have gathered information on the causes and effects responsible for the present financial crisis. We are not bogged down because we know that it is a business cycle therefore the economy will once again reach its peak."
Meanwhile these students have already started thinking of ways to save on their pocket money. Anjali Nair and Mohini Golesar both Std XII students from Kelkar college state, "This crisis has made us more mature. We have realised the value of money, we are not blowing it away on unnecessary expenses," informs the duo.
Likewise, walking short distances thus saving on the auto fare, avoiding lavish treats which also means sacrificing visits to the expensive coffee shop outlets/ popular food chains are some of the practical measures adopted by other members like Jeomy Alexender, Rohit Rana and Sagar Jain all from Vikas college. Prathamesh Dixit, another Std XII student from Kelkar college states, "We can always postpone our celebrations.
Even while watching a movie, it is better to pool in the money together and purchase a DVD instead of wasting the money by buying individual tickets at the multiplexes," he reasons.
One of the major worry in the minds of these students is finding sponsors to fund the inter collegiate festivals scheduled to be hosted this year at their respective colleges. "We will have to get creative and think of innovative ways to host the events incase we do not get the required sponsorships," they chorus.

We have gathered information on the causes and effects responsible for the present financial crisis. We are not bogged down because we know that it is a business cycle therefore the economy will once again reach its peak- Vrushali Patankar, a member

Arthmanthan 2008- The Economics Festival of Mumbai

Economics to be Fun at Arthmanthan (The Indian Express)
Mumbai, November 9:
Economics will come in a more fun-filled, exciting avatar on December 16 and 17, when N G Acharya and D K Marathe College hosts its annual economics-based festival Arth-Manthan. This is the city’s only festival that has a theme, events and seminars that revolve solely on one of the most seemingly inscrutable subjects there is.
With thirteen events spread over two days, organisers believe if economics is put across to students interestingly, as is the case with their events, the subject will not be considered as dry as it is made out to be. “Economics is perceived as a very boring subject, with tough jargons and a more theoretical than practical approach. We try and make it more interesting by having events where the themes in the subject are brought out through song and drama competitions,” said Rajesh Mahanty, a second year Commerce student at NGADKM, and a member of the organising committee.
This year, the festival will revolve around four main themes: the agrarian crisis, global warming, the financial crisis and what the organisers call a leadership crisis. “We decided it was important to examine why we don’t have a transparent, dedicated, uncorrupt leader,” said G Shashi Panikar, an economics professor and a guiding force for the festival, along with professor Amit Joshi from Swami Vivekananda College, Dombivli and D M Muley, principal of the host college
Among the events to be held at Arth-Manthan this year are the Maha Debate, where contestants will debate on whether or not India can produce a Barack Obama and what India seeks in a leader; a Global Leaders Meet, where participants from various colleges will come representing various countries and their environmental issues and Business Plan. In this event, the team with the best entrepreneurship plan will win.
“This is one of the most innovative festivals I have seen. Imagine explaining economic terms in a song, which is part of an event held each year,” said Saylee Katkar, a participant from Ruia college who participated in Arth-Manthan last year. The festival had also attracted international attention when in 2007, it was presented at the International Developments in Economics Education (DEE) Conference organised by the Higher Education Academy (UK) in Cambridge. Among the economists and academicians who have spoken at the festival in the past are G N Bajpai, Ex-Chairman SEBI, Shri Minoo Shroff, president, Forum of Free Enterprise and Sharad Joshi, founder, Shetkari Sanghatna.
While it started out with 12 participating colleges in 2001, Arth-Manthan now has over 60 colleges participating in various events and records a footfall of 5000 each year. The festival also has a book exhibition as part of the events during the two days, in order to help students and teachers update themselves with the best of books available around the world.

My Blog List

Econ Fest 2008

Econ Fest 2008
Mr Adi Godrej at the Inauguration Ceremony

Econ Fest 2008

Econ Fest 2008
Inter- collegiate Quiz

My Fav books

  • The world is Flat by Thomas Friedman
  • Principles of Economics by Ben Bernanke
  • Micro Economics by Michael Parkin
  • Principles of Economics by Mankiw
  • Arthur Hailey-Money Changers, Hotel, Wheels, Final Diagnosis
  • Barack Obama , The New face of American Politics
  • Undercover Economist - Tim Harford
  • Freakonomics
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