The Daily Indian

Sure, many poor students come to JNU for a degree. But then, JNU offers them an array of fee exemptions and scholarships

Sutanu Guru

Many of you must have barely read or heard about the latest shenanigans stalking Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) — the Mecca, Medina, Vatican and Chaardham of Left wing civil service aspirants masquerading as activists and wannabe academicians. One student even earned his 15 minutes of fame by threatening to jump to his death.

Many student leaders have been rusticated for disrupting the sale of prospectuses for the academic year 2009-10. They, and their supporters, have declared war on the JNU administration. Why? Three ostensible reasons. First, JNU wanted to ‘commercialise’ the campus. Second, it wanted to install electricity meters in hostel rooms. Third, it increased the cost of the prospectus by a ’staggering’ Rs.80 to Rs.200 each. This hike comes after 10 years. When student leaders launched an agitation, JNU announced that there will be no electricity meters and no ‘commercialisation’. It also announced a free prospectus for a candidate below poverty line. But the student leaders were adamant. They insisted that ‘poor’ students cannot afford Rs.200. The stalemate continues.

This brouhaha reveals two deeply disturbing things about India — the farce that is higher education in India and the shameless manner in which middle class Indians crave for freebies. Of course, the political class happily exploits both to suit its ends; ensuring that ‘quality’ higher education becomes a slave of ‘patronage’ and the real poor of India get lemons; while the middle class and the rich walk away with all the freebies (subsidies). Take JNU as the classic example of these symptoms. Are the student leaders serious when they say that aspiring students cannot afford to pay Rs.80 more for a prospectus? Out of curiosity, I went to the JNU website and checked out the fee structure. Hold your breath; even you can’t believe this happens in India!

If you are a B.A (Hons), M.A, M.Sc or M.C.A student in JNU, the total annual fee that you pay is about Rs.330 — inclusive of fees for sports and cultural activities, I-card, Library use, et al. That works out to less than Rs.30 a month. If you are an M.Phil, M.Tech or Ph.D student in JNU, the total annual fee is a princely Rs.355 or so; still less than Rs.30 a month. This island of ”academic excellence” and bastion of socialism also has many fine hostels where the admission fee is a mind boggling Rs.5. The annual fee, including electricity, water and other facilities for a student opting for a single room is about Rs.700. That works out to less than Rs.60 per month. So you have a JNU student pursue higher studies at less than Rs.100 per month — including a stay in the hostel use of library, newspapers, electricity and what not.

Sure, many poor students come to JNU for a degree. But then, JNU offers them an array of fee exemptions and scholarships. What about the thousands of middle class Indians who come to JNU? Are you telling me that they cannot afford to spend more than Rs.100 a month on higher education? That’s akin to middle class Indians saying they can’t afford to pay Rs.150 more per month for an LPG cylinder. Is this the ”freebie” demanding middle class that will Lead India? You must be joking.

(Sutanu Guru is Managing Editor of Planman Media)

Last month, the Obama Administration made it clear in no uncertain words that the companies which are recipients of money under the Troubled Asset Regulation Program (TARP) as part of the financial stimulus package will have to abide by the new restrictions imposed on outsourcing of work to destinations like India.

For many in India, it was nothing but an obnoxious move on the part of a dogmatic Obamasque US administration seeking the easiest (but definitely counter-effective in the long run) way to fix the problems of the US economy rather than dealing with the real structural problems plaguing it. Intriguingly, however much one might criticise Barack, the reasons for which Obama has taken this path are the same that come into play when Indians or Chinese thump their chests when companies of their country’s origin go out and handsomely acquire a US or a Europe based company. The string that binds both Barack and us is fanatic economic nationalism, for our respective countries of course.

Quite some time since the homo sapien race decided to exit forests and to materialize the concept of society, the concept of ‘he’, ‘his’ people and ‘his’ land have always been more important than ‘they’, ‘their’ people and ‘their’ land. Evidently, this philosophy hasn’t changed much till date. So, from the era of hostility between Sparta (present day Greece) and Troy, when Achilles decided to fight for his bête noire Agamemnon, the Spartan king, because Spartan ‘pride’ was at stake, to the era of the British, French, Dutch and Spanish empires, when they often fought prolonged and violent battles keeping imperial interests in mind, it was all the same nationalistic fervour in play.

In fact, the time-line between the beginning of the First World War and the end of the Second World War and furtheron after it, has been the most intriguing period in terms of the transformation of nation states into nationalistic states. While four established empires — namely Russian, Ottoman, German and Austro-Hungarian — were washed away by the tides of the First World War, this period also witnessed the emergence of the violent form of ethnic nationalism which almost destroyed the world with the rise of the German Nazis and their fanatic obsession with the obliteration/subjugation of Jews and in fact anyone who — according to them — was not a pure Aryan.

Incidentally, the way Hitler galvanized a disparate Germany, which was humiliatingly defeated in the First World War, into a reckoning force vindicated the fact of how potent a force the war-cry to resurrect the lost pride of fatherland (or motherland) could be.
Nazis became a spent force for good after the defeat of Germany in World War II, but ethnic nationalism continued. Oddly, that the Jewish State succeeded to an extent against all ‘odds’ and emerged as a pioneer in high end technologies is also proof of how nationalism drives the fanatic passion to not only survive, but consolidate and fortify.

Had it not been for the ethnic pride and the quest to wipe the humiliation of the past, Japan and Germany wouldn’t have had such incredible resurrections (both economic and political) in just a few decades’ time to become the second and third largest global economies respectively, their decimation in the Second World War notwithstanding.

Hyderabad, 29 May 2009: The net sales for the quarter that ended on 31 the March 2009 registered an increase of 2% to Rs.1936 crore against Rs.1894 crore during the 4th quarter of last year for NMDC. Profit after tax achieved is Rs.1021 crore as against Rs.1017 crore during the 4th quarter of last year.

NMDC Limited achieved this for the year ended on 31 March 2009. The Audited Financial Results for the year 2008-09 is on record by the Board under the chairmanship of Sri Rana Som, CMD of NMDC today.

ANNUAL RESULTS

NMDC registered a significant growth of profit after tax for the year ended 31 March 2009, which stands at Rs.4372 crore when compared to Rs.3251 crore in the previous year, i.e., an increase of 34.5% over the previous year.

The Company’s turnover for the year 2008-09 registered an increase of 32.4% to Rs.7564 crore in comparison with the last year’s turnover of Rs.5711 crore. Comparing the performance on the criterion of Profit Before Tax with that of the previous year, the PBT rose from Rs.4947 crore to Rs.6648 crore, registering an increase of 34.5%.

The Company’s Board recommended a final dividend of 118% i.e Rs.467.84 crore in addition to the interim dividend of 103% i.e Rs.408.36 crore already paid, totalling 221% i.e Rs. 876.20 crore for the year 2008-09.

Iron ore production achieved for the year 2008-09 is 285.15 lakh metric tonne (LMT) as against previous year’s 298.16 LMT, a reduction of 4.3% and Iron Ore sale achieved is 264.72 LMT as against the previous year’s sale of 281.84 LMT, a reduction of 6%. The Company achieved a domestic sale of 226 LMT of iron ore as against the previous year’s sale of 244 LMT and total export of iron ore during the year was 39 LMT as against 38 LMT in the previous year, an increase of 3%.

NMDC clocked a creditable performance considering the recessionary trends in industry said Kumar Raghavan, Executive Director, Corporate Communication, NMDC.

By Leella Rani Dondapati

If one could well clock back in time, definitely to the sumptuous legacy of Khansamaas (Chef) of Nawaab, to savour their exclusive food one would surely say, let’s get on with it…

An authentic food festival is on in the city of Hyderabad to transport you to the times of Awadh Nawab’s at the Bombay Palace, Hampshire Plaza Hotel. This Awadhi, Lucknowi food extravaganza works up its creativity to whisk your palate to a grand feast of Non-Vegetarian and Vegetarian. A vivacious, exquisite Awadhi cuisine is all set to mesmerize your palate as the Hampshire in Lakdikapul, Hyderabad is tuned to a perfect ambience. Badam ka Shorba, Subz Shorba, Shai Tukra, Lasangee Kheer, Lab-e-Mashooq, essentially the highlight of the spread. “Six days old in the city, it is a hit with the Page Three and corporates, the show is all open for a Dinner Buffet at Rs. 355 that well sits comfortably in royalty,” shares Vincent Renold , Manager, Sales & Marketing, Hampshire Plaza Hotel.

I bet, Kababs like Galouti, Mahi dum kabab and Kakori, renowned Awadhi Pulav , khormas and sheermals steal the mind of any food enthusiast. A distinct factor of this cuisine, it is whipped out with the proportionate spill of the grounded spices, here nuts beget the pride of spices. Which is why when you tang in a dish rich in quality, aroma but not heavy on your stomach you would certainly agree that you have come to the right food corner to get a feel of aesthetic and delicious dishes. A favourite food corner for the Nawabi family…However it is not restricted to any class so to speak…On in the premises till the 31 of MAY, the festival moves to Green Park Hotel in the city next week. Indeed this festival is attracting foodie in good numbers. Gung –ho about this, Hotel Hampshire is all keen to pitch in many more such festivals to the delight of the Hyderabadi palate. Mid-night buffet is already a permanent feature here in Hampshire open till wee hours of the morning. Come June, a few more such events are lined up in the same property. Can’t you afford to miss out?!

Softly lit Bombay Palace entertains a Hindustani classical music from Sultan Mohammed Mirza’s “Live Ghazals” that enlivens the evening for the audience who get to activate their palate. The man in charge for the exquisite Awadhi cuisine, Chef Mujeeb Ur Rehman hails from the family of Khansamaas of Awadhi Nawabs. Armed with a PGD in marketing and management, spinning out elaborate dishes that compete to the tastes of traditional Lucknowi Nawabs is a child’s play for him. Do you believe , ten Food Festivals were conducted in Mumbai alone in the last 6 months and ‘THE CLUB’ in Mumbai frequently sports his culinary artistry. With an experience of conducting 200 shows till date in and around the country, Rehman adds, “We as a family are akin to the culture and tradition of Nawabs of Awadh, the reason we picked up the treasure trove of varied recipes from the clandestine clan… an authentic food fare that comes with this legacy is rich in calorie and taste as well.” Though the cuisine traversed various influences in the last 100 years, soul of it comes intact at this fiesta.

Any more from the dynasty to the interests of the food buff. Chef, Rehman says, “we got a lot of interesting dishes and soon we will introduce in our forthcoming festivals.”

A Few Dishes – KOFTA MOALLAYE AJMAYE, SABUT MURG KE KEBAB, BEEZAVI SEEKH KEBAB, AWADHI MURG CHARGA, BAIGAN SADAATALI, ALOO CHAAP, FITRI ROTI, NAAN-E-TANAK . Now, IS FOOD DIVINE? Well check it out with Rehman, the CHEF in command.

FEW RECIPES MENTIONED BELOW.
MAHI DUM KABAB: Recipe

Ingredients for 1 Kg Preparation
Fish-1 KG, Garlic & Ginger paste -30 grams, Salt- Add to taste, our recipe spice- 20 gms, curd-50 gms, Brown Onion paste- 50 gms, Garam Masala Powder -10 gms, Yellow Chilli -20 gms, Cardamom powder-10 gms, Lemon juice-6pc, Coconut powder- 20 gms and mitha ittar -1 drop.

Marination:
Lemon juice, Ginger and Garlic paste, Salt marinate with fish and put in refrigerator for 20 minutes. After freezing mix rest of the spices and drop of mitha ittar in it, make as space in the middle of the and spread the fish around it. Arrange a big burning coal and pour the desi ghee on the burning coal and close the lid for 15 min. After that tawa fry in ghee or oil.

Korma Dum Biryani
Ingredients:
Ghee -200 gms
Green Cardamaom – 4 to 5 pcs
Cloves – 4to 5 pcs
Ginger paste -10 gms
Garlic Paste -10gms
Mace Powder -5gms
Attar-4 to 5 drop
Cardamom powder 5 gm
Yougurt- 100gms
Milk- 50ml
Saffron- 1gm
Lamb- 10 gms
Red Chilly powder- 10gms
Salt- to taste
Basmati Rice -1kg
Onion -50 gm
Mint- A bunch
Coriander – A bunch

Method:
Lamb Korma: Heat ghee in a vessel till hot, add green cardamom and cloves. Fry they splutter. Add sliced onion sauté till it becomes golden brown, add ginger and garlic paste in it and (stir vigorously it tends to stick at the bottom). When the fat leaves the side add the lamb along with salt and cook. Bhono it over a slow fire for a two good hours ( add little water time to time in case it sticks at the bottom. When the lamb is almost done add mice powder, Cardamom powder ,Yogurt, red chilly powder and cook the lamb till it is tender.

Rice: Add ghee in a vessel add the green cardamom, clove let it splutter, and boil the rice in it. Use hot water to cook the rice till it is almost done.

For the Biryani: In a lagan arrange the lamb with the curry at the bottom and add ghee, brown onion , garam masala, chopped mint and coriander. Layer rice on the lamb korma. Add attar and saffron on it. Seal the cover with a tight fitting lid and cook over very slow heat for fifreeen minutes in dum.

Lab-E-Mashooq (Veg Kebab) Less Rich Kebab
1. Green Lentil 1kg
2. Refined oil 100gm
3. Turmeric 10gm
4. Ginger paste 50 gm
5. Garlic paste 50gm
6. Mace powder 3 gm
7. Attar 1 to 2 drop
8. Cardamom powder 5gm
9. Saffron 1 gm
10. Red chilly powder 30gm
11. Salt to taste
12. Sandal Powder 5gm
13. Bay leaf 5gm
14. Roasted Channa 100gm

Method:
Firstly, put green lentil on karhai for roast with refined oil. Upon that come back on normal temperature then put it for boil with sufficient amount of water with bay leaf, ginger, garlic paste, turmeric, saffron, red chilly powder and salt for 30 Minutes.

Then drain the water and use mixer for mincing, 2-3times then become a fine paste of lentils. Mess with hand properly and put the powder of rest spices like sandal powder, mace powder, cardamom powder etc and 1-2 drops of Attar. Prepare patty according your choice and make it tawa fry with very small amount of refined oil or pure ghee.

By Leella Rani Dondapati

Clearing the haze over Zaheer Khan’s availability for the World T20 Championships, skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni today disclosed the pace spearhead had not fully recovered but was expected to be fit for the opening match against Bangladesh.

“Zaheer Khan is not one hundred per cent fit, but we hope he would be fit by the time of our first match (on June 6 at Trent Bridge),” Dhoni said in his pre-departure media conference.

“We are hoping he would get fit by the 2nd or 3rd (of June),” he added.

Doubts had cropped up about Zaheer’s availability for the World Championship when he stayed back in South Africa even after the conclusion of IPL for a treatment to his injury.

Zaheer, who played for the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League, suffered the injury on his bowling shoulder while diving to stop a drive off Royal Challengers Bangalore batsman Robin Uthappa in Johannesburg.

He underwent a scan that indicated some inflammation and the team management said the injury was not as serious as was thought before the scan. But he did not take part in the remaining matches of Mumbai Indians.

Brazilian beauty Gisele Bundchen has topped the list of top-earning models compiled by American business magazine Forbes.

Twenty eight-year-old Bundchen who is at the top rank with earnings to the tune of USD 25 million from numerous campaigns including those for brands like Versace, True Religion jeans and Dior.

‘The world’s top earning model’ is based on estimated earnings of models from June 2008 to June 2009. Four Brazilian models have found a place in the rankings.

“… Modeling industry has been hard-hit by the economic crisis, but the value of the beauties at the top is as strong as ever,” the magazine noted.

Bundchen is followed by 35-year-old Heidi Klum of Germany with an estimated earning of USD 16 million. The majority of Klum’s earnings are driven by her TV and endorsement career. The model has endorsement deals with Diet Coke, Volkswagen, McDonald’s and LG, the report said.

The 35-year-old icon Kate Moss placed on the third spot with an earning of USD 8.5 million, followed by another Brazilian model Adriana Lima who earned USD eight million.

At the fifth position is Doutzen Kroes, the face of cosmetic company L’Oreal, and she raked in USD six million. Twenty eight-year-old Alessandra Ambrosio of Brazil is also ranked fifth.

Islamabad, May 29: A Chinese built FT-7 jet aircraft of the Pakistan Air Force crashed over civilian areas near Mianwali, a major city in Punjab, injuring six people.

The fighter was on a routine training mission when it crashed, but both the pilots bailed out safely, the Pakistan Air Force said in a statement here.

The plane crashed 40 kilometres south of Mianwali damaging three houses. The injured were evacuated by a special C-130 aircraft to a military hospital in Rawalpindi for treatment, it said.

“On the instructions of Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force, the PAF will fully compensate the damage occurred on ground and provide free medical facilities to injured persons,” it said.

A board of inquiry has been ordered by Air Headquarters to determine the cause of accident, the statement said.

Pakistan Air Force has a big fleet of Chinese aircraft, including F-7PG and A-5s. It has recently acquired fourth generation medium-range, JF-17 or thunder jets which are being manufactured jointly. These aircrafts have so far not made any public appearance.

Besides these, the Pakistan Air Force has US-made F-16 fighting falcons and French-made Mirages.

Mumbai, May 29: Good GDP growth numbers and hints at oil price deregulation set the tone for the stock markets, with the bellwether Sensex soaring 329 points to nearly a nine-month high of 14,625.25 today.

Going up for the third consecutive day, the Bombay Stock Exchange 30-share barometer reached a level not seen since September 10, 2008, as bulls tightened their grip on the market with Petroleum Minister Murli Deora’s statement on oil price deregulation strengthening expectations of economic reforms.

The market also cheered a stronger-than-expected growth rate of 5.8 per cent in the last quarter of 2008-09 and 6.7 per cent for the fiscal, despite global recessionary trends and dismal performance in the domestic manufacturing sector.

The broader 50-share Nifty of the National Stock Exchange also spurted by a whopping 111.85 points or 2.58 per cent to close at 4,448.95 from its previous close.

Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) have been aggressive buyers this month. According to provisional numbers on the NSE, FIIs bought shares worth Rs 1,860 crore, taking the total inflow till May 27 to Rs 17,643.50 crore.

The healthcare sector, however, was down as bluechip Sun Pharma fell 8.24 per cent.

There was hectic buying in mid-cap and small-cap stocks, pushing up the indices by 2.46 per cent and 3.01 per cent, respectively.

New Delhi, May 29: Within minutes of assuming charge as Minister of State for Railways today, E Ahamed announced a special train from Delhi to Kerala, his home state, saying people there have been complaining of poor rail connectivity and availability of seats.

“People have been complaining of neglect to Kerala. There is no proper connectivity to the state and there are no seats available in trains,” he said.

I have discussed this issue with Railway Minister Mamta Banerjee today and we decided to run a summer special train to Kerala from June onwards,” he told reporters.

He said the train schedule and it days of operation would be worked out.

Ahamed said people have also complained of tardy progress of various ongoing projects, like doubling of tracks and electrification.

“People have much expectations from Railways and addressing their grievances would be our objective,” he said.

Ahamed, who was the former Minister of State for External Affairs, said he would “work to the best of my abilities” for better functioning of Railways.

Sobbing South Koreans jammed Seoul’s streets on Friday for the funeral of former President Roh Moo-hyun, whose suicide last week has turned him from failed leader to lightning rod for criticism of his successor.

The death has underscored the deep political divisions in South Korea’s young democracy and there were reports of clashes with riot police in the center of the capital, where an estimated 150,000 people had gathered to watch Roh’s funeral procession.