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Vijayawada’s Maruthi Theatre – the first in AP -Jayaram Sridhar

Vijayawada was the first city in the undivided State of Andhra Pradesh where a movie theatre was built. Did you know Vijayawada was the first city to build a movie theatre in the State? Way back in 1921, Pothina brothers – Sreenivasa Rao and Ganapati Rao Patrudu constructed ‘Maruthi Talkies’ in the One Town area, which screened movies right from the silent era.

Maruthi Talkies was the only theatre that catered to the needs of the movie buffs in the early 1920s until movie halls like Durga Kala Mandiram and Jai Hind came up in Two Town area in the late 1920s and 1930s.“I still remember watching a silent movie – Draupadi Vasthrabharanam in Maruthi Talkies. I remember the ticket was Kani (one-sixteenth of a rupee),” recollected octogenarian Padmasree Turlapati Kutumba Rao, former chairman AP Grandhayala Samstha.Sharing an interesting incident, Mr Rao said that the film, when released had Bheema (of Pandavas) without a moustache in one scene. “The makers failed to realise the faux pas and completed the film without the twirling moustache on Bheema’s face. People refused to visit the theatre as the character was without a moustache. Somehow the operator meddled with the negatives and came out with a moustache (though not a menacing one) to draw the crowd. In fact, the theatre folks went around neighbourhood beating of the drums to announce “Bheemuduki Meesalu Ochindiaho (Bheema got back his moustache!),” said Mr Rao.Senior columnist late Andavalli Satyanarayana said that popular mythological films used to be screened at Maruthi. “The best of NTR and ANR films used hit the screen and the balcony ticket rate, if my memory is correct, was Rs.1.50 in the 1940s,” he said.
He also recollected the role of Prasad Brothers (of Challapalli) in establishing theatres like Saraswathi and Leela Mahal in the 1940s. “Saraswathi used to screen Hindi films and Leela Mahal beamed English films. Kavi Samrat Viswanatha Satyanarayana used to watch the English films at Leela Mahal regularly,” reminisced Mr Satyanarayana.Senior citizens still remember the hall turning into a smoking den as there were no restrictions on smoking in a movie hall.Movie promotions were done only through wall posters. They used to occupy every inch of walls available in the city.The release of a new movie was announced by through a loud-speaker-fixed rickshaw which travels across the neighbourhood announcing the movie. Kids would run behind the rickshaw to collect pamphlets of the film of their favourite hero. 

The shifting of film distribution from Vijayawada to Hyderabad and the constant technological changes in the tinsel world made several theatre owners give up film business. “Maintaining a movie hall is not that lucrative nowadays.Many theatres are making huge losses as the patronage from the moviegoers is on the wane. That is the reason why many landmarks are getting gradually erased, paving the way for commercial and residential complexes,” said V. Subba Rao, an exhibitor.Maruthi Theatre screened the first colour film-ever produced by Telugu film industry “Lavakusa”.Along with Maruti, theatres like Jawahar (Vijaya Talkies), Lakshmi (Swarna Complex),  Leela Mahal, Saraswathi,  Sesh Mahal, Eswar Mahal (Radha Theatre) and Venkateswara Theatre were consigned to history and many (old theatres) are in the pipeline to meet the same fate.

What Happened on the Day of Ranga Murder? Jayaram Sridhar

When Vijayawada became Beirut on a Boxing Day


Thirty-two years ago, in the month of December,  Vijayawada drew the attention of the world for all wrong reasons.The then emerging city witnessed a terrible incident which triggered mayhem and methodical destruction of the city which was built by its denizens – brick by brick. The brutal assassination of Congress MLA Vangaveeti Ranga in the wee hours of December 26, 1988, sparked unprecedented riots.

The ‘Boxing Day’ occurrence packed a punch to the city and for nearly two months the normal life came to a standstill.The thoroughfares, after the holy night of Christmas, resembled a battlefield and properties worth crores were destroyed. Unable to digest the brutal murder of their leader, supporters and sympathisers of Ranga targeted theatres, shopping malls, bars, restaurants, business complexes, government offices, bus depots and public and private vehicles and set afire. Liquor shops were the primary targets of the mob and the ‘spirit’ was used to fuel the fire. While some preferred drinking it on the roads, the others used the liquid to ignite.

The poisonous effluvium emanating from the fire engulfed the city for several months and the nostrils inhaled harmful gases. The business community was the worst-affected for the arsonists broke open several shops on Karl Marx Road, M.G. Road and Besant Road and the loot found its way to the streets. Branded suiting and shirting were cut to pieces sold for a song. Beneath every rickshaw seat there were radios, transistors, tape recorders, iron boxes and other electrical products sold for peanuts.It looked as if the people of Vijayawada were keen on destroying their own city. Community feeling clouded the common sense.

For the city that did not show little interest in insuring their properties, the incident came as an eye-opener. Many turned paupers when their uninsured shops went up in smoke. Some wily loss-making businessmen burnt their own shops to claim the damages though.Engines were removed from the four-wheelers and the chassis were set afire to dupe the insurance companies. Soon after the city’s return to normalcy, the shop keepers made a beeline for insurance companies to insure their properties.Panic-stricken locals stayed indoors as shoot-at-sight orders were issued. Indian Army and CRPF stepped in to help the police restore normalcy. The burning images of  Alankar, Kalyana Charkaravarthy, Jai Hind theatres, the smouldering Roy Tyres, the shattered peacock bar and restaurant, the ransacked Mangaldeep and Raymond’s showrooms are still fresh in the minds of the people.Roy Tyres opposite Annapurna theatre was on fire for many days as firemen faced hardships to douse the flames. In fact, the thick cloud of smoke drew the attention of curious onlookers for many days.Greedy looters did the unthinkable as they dropped the stolen objects like television, refrigerators and washing machines in the canal fearing arrests by police.They were living in small houses and they had no room to hide the loot. It was a sight to see when authorities fished out the rusted consumer durables from the canal soon after normalcy returned to the city.

The lawlessness saw the loss of life in Uppalapati Srihari Rao, a promising doctor who was lynched by the mob as he was carrying a gun. For the first time, a gun boomed in city when a house owner fired at the wanton elements which threatened to harm him in Patamata Lanka.The city, since 1988, has witnessed no major incident barring the state’s bifurcation struggle.

Hotel Manorama (of the 1970s)

Sridhar Jayaram

Hotel Manorama was the undisputed king of the Vijayawada during late 60s and 70s, until Hotel Khandari International made its entry in 80s. Everything associated with Manorama was class and elegant. It was a niche hotel those days preferred by the rich and powerful.It was/is (even now) beautiful both in looks and behaviour. What l really liked was its name in red letters in italics, travelling upwards, appearing prominently on its facade.

Rewinding the tape

Hotel Manorama, the two-star hotel is in the business for well above two decades and is a household name among Vijayawadaites. This majestic nine-storied hotel near the busy bus terminal was financed by Andhra Pradesh Financial Corporation and Syndicate Bank with an initial capital of Rs. 25 lakhs in 1968.
Manorama has the widest car parking area. As many as 18 cars can roll in and about 40 two-wheelers can be parked.
The airport is just 22 km, the railway station only two km and the bus terminal is literally at a stone’ throw. Stated modestly with 30 rooms, it has grown up to 69 rooms now,It has a 12 a/c double rooms, 30 non a/c rooms, five a/c single rooms, 10 non a/c single rooms, plus deluxe and ordinary suites – two apiece.All the rooms are well furnished with wall-to-wall carpeting sober shades on the walls and channel music with closed-circuit televisions. There is a foreign exchange counter, bankcard facility and cars for hire to go around the city and nearby historical places.
In the Manorama shopping arcade, a variety of magazines, book, cosmetics and gift articles are available. A pan and cigarette at the entrance of the bar was meant for smoking Joes.
The regular clientele of the hotel is business executives who come for conferences and business meetings, film personalities who visit the city as it is the nerve centre of the Telugu film industry.

Anupama Restaurant
Anupam restaurant is the place for a quick bite, with its new look and delicious food, it is far emerging as the favourite restaurant among the locals.
A plate of idlis costs Rs 2.50 and a pot of coffee R 2.50. It serves continental, Chinese, Mughalai and Indian delicacies,
Andhra thali cost Rs. 10 and a North Indian thali with chapatti and puri costs Rs. 13.
Anupam special has something extra for the customer. A couple of extra curries, fried rice, and vegetable cocktail make the meal more than special,
The restaurant also has thirst quenchers, delicious shakes and a variety of sandwiches and ice creams.

Madhuvan
Madhuvan is the place for the ‘spirited’ lot. The underground bar and restaurant with dim lights and soft music puts one into the ‘mood’
A premium brand of whiskey or brandy costs Rs. 22 per peg and a chilled beer were around Rs. 24. Madhuvan also has its own munching specialities chicken dishes, seas foods and veg delicacies.

(Inputs by hotel Managing Director late Pernenkil Chandrasekhar, a good friend of mine).

Let’s Celebrate Post

Krishna Mohan KS

9th October World Post Day

The 9th of October is celebrated as the World Post Day every year to bring awareness on the role of Post in everyday lives of people and businesses, contributing to the global socio-economic development. The Universal Postal Union (UPU) was formed in 1874 and to mark it’s anniversary, the Universal Postal Congress declared the World Post Day in 1969. All the150+ UPU member countries are encouraged to organize events and activities such as introduction or promotion of new postal products and services, organization of open days at post offices and mail centres and postal museums. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the UPU and the Government of Côte d’Ivoire have decided to postpone the  27th Universal Postal Congress scheduled to take place in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, in west Africa from 10 to 28 August 2020. 

More than Mail

“The year 2020, however, was the year that the postal industry showed the world its resilience, its determination, and the invaluable role it plays in every society. We showed we are more than mail” said the Director General of UPU, Mr.Bishar Hussein.

Though the postal services date back to the several centuries BC, in the form of messengers serving the Kings, the first known postal document was found in Egypt belonging to 255 BC.

Bouquet of Services

The Department of Posts, Government of India, currently offering an array of services with a brand “India Post” while adding one after the other eversince its inception in 1858. The range includes Philately, Army Postal Service, Electronic Indian Postal Order, Postal Life Insurance, Postal Savings, Banking and ATMs, Data Collection, E-commerce delivery, Speed Post, ID Cards for proof of residence, Railway Mail Service, Post office Passport Seva Kendras, Aadhar Enrollment and Updation, Western Union (FOREX) and Savings Cash Certificates. Under the Project Arrow launched in 2008, the DoP is focusing on improving branding, information technology, human resources and infrastructure. Multipurpose counters were introduced in post offices to improve customer service and staff productivity. The number of post offices have significantly increased from 23,344 in 1947 to 1,55,015 in 2016 spreading its wings to every nook and corner of the country (90% of them located in rural areas).

Great Britain was the first to introduce the adhesive postal stamp “Penny Black” in 1840 used in a public postal system.

Pandemics and Beyond

The Posts, having a vast network of over 6.5 lakh offices and 53 lakhs of staff globally, has the capability of delivering services to anyone and anywhere across the world providing essential social and financial services during the pandemics and beyond as well. While the Covid-19 turned into a pandemic, postal operators around the world introduced new and creative means to deliver critical PPEs, testing kits, medications and ensuring that the children received their educational materials for online classes. World Post Day is a appropriate day for all of us recognize the great sacrifices made by the postal operators and their staff especially during the pandemic and to pay tributes to those who lost their lives in the line of duty. The mails kept moving inspite of the airline stoppages, border closures, outbreaks in sorting offices and logistical issues.

[email protected]

#worldpostalday #postalday #pandemic #UPU #universalpostalunion #universalpostalcongress #postalstamp #postalservices #departmentofposts #morethanmail #messenger #abidjan

American Hospital-Where many Vijayawadites opened their eyes -Sridhar Jayaram


Many denizens are of the view (even now) that there is some connection between Vijayawada’s decades-old American Hospital and the United States of America.But the fact is, this healing place has nothing to do with the ‘land of liberty’.It acquired the name because it was built by a white and in those days white meant America. Bump into anyone and ask for the address of the hospital they will guide to perfection as it is in the healing business for more than seven decades especially for the poor, needy and the under-privileged. Even in the era of hi-tech and super speciality healthcare, this hospital stands tall for care and compassion. Built by St. Ann’s Society from Switzerland the hospital on MG Road was christened as St. Ann’s Hospital but the interesting fact is like the rest of the world, the staff would prefer to call it as “American Hospital”.The hospital owes its origin to Sr. Elizabeth Affenranger, a christen missionary nun from Switzerland, who came to India in 1927 and worked for more than a decade at the government headquarters at Machilipatnam serving the poor
.In 1940 at the request of the Bezwada municipality, Elizabeth with a group of nuns, Sr. Natalia, Sr. Teresa, Sr. Anna, Sr. Emma Gabel, built the hospital brick by brick with meagre funds at Bezwada.Those days’ patients were dependent more on the government hospital alone. This is the first private hospital of Vijayawada, says Dr Nambiar, a senior-most physician, who served the hospital in the 70s and 80s.The hospital, which was started with 40 beds, gained huge popularity among the denizens, in a short span of time. For the neighbouring villages, it was a God sent boon.Though the hospital has a wide range of special treatment facilities, it acquired an enviable reputation and popularity among the public for maternity and pediatric cases, In fact, many Vijayawadiates opened their eyes at the hospital.There used to be just two hospitals – America Hospital and Government Hospital. The gradual mushrooming of the corporate hospital took some sheen out of this missionary-run hospital but still, there are many who prefer to see their child open his or her eyes here.”It is like passing on a legacy – mother to daughter; daughter to her daughter. A good number of flourishing present doctors owe their success to the disciplined stint they had at St. Ann’s Hospital which exemplifies punctuality, orderliness, empathy and warmth,”  says G Phani, a city chronicler.
The hospital, with around 50 permanent and consulting has increased bed capacity 350 in early 2000.It conducts several clinics regularly and has a well-equipped laboratory.It is still one of the best hospitals with an equipped intensive care unit for premature babies.The hospital built a new outpatient department in 2000 to meet the increasing demand. Presently a portion of the hospital was renovated to meet the future demands.

TIDBITS:Dr Burghall took up multiple tasks and performed several surgeries along with Dr Satyam.It was Dr S Ramakrishna, who installed the first ICU in the hospital.Doctors like Mrs Satyam, Sneha Latha and Lalitha Kumari excelled as gynaecologists.

NOT JUST A NURSE
This German Lady – Sr. Emma Gabel- epitomizes the soul of American Hospital. She along with Sr. Elizabeth laid the foundation stone of this hospital in 1940 and lived close to a hundred years.Until she breathed her last, she cared for and loved her fellow brethren. Living with others was her motto.For those who knew her, it is hard to imagine St. Ann’s Hospital without the grand old lady of Vijayawada at the entrance of the sisters’’ quarters with her right hand raised to bless each and everyone irrespective of sex, age, caste and creed.Many still remembered how mothers with their little ones would surround her wheelchair begging her to lay her hand on their children’s heads.Some compare her with Florence of Nightingale and some to Mother Teresa, for she was more than just a nurse. 

DIGNITY OF THE DEAF – Krishna Mohan K.S, [email protected]

23rd September International Sign language Day

The United Nations promotes international awareness and action on various issues by creating Special Observances. This is done by assigning a theme or topic for designated international days, weeks, years or decades. These are powerful advocacy tools to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems.  Commemorating the date of establishment of the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) in 1951, the UN General Assembly has proclaimed 23rd September as the International Day of Sign Languages in order to raise awareness on the importance of sign language in the full realization of the human rights of people who are deaf. This is also to support and protect the linguistic identity and cultural diversity of all the hearing impaired people and other sign language users. The WFD is a federation of 135 national associations of deaf persons, representing approximately 70 million deaf people’s human rights worldwide. The International Day of Sign Languages was first observed in 2018.

September 21 to 27, 2020

The World Federation of the Deaf has given a daily theme for the International Week of the Deaf to be observed in September 2020 upon which every society has the responsibility to respond and propagate.

  • Languages
  • 22nd Inclusive Sign Language Environments
  • 23rd Sign Languages Are for everyone!
  • 24th The Legal Recognition of National Sign Languages
  • 25th Equal Opportunities for All Deaf People
  • 26th Deaf Leadership
  • 27th I sign for Human Rights!

Vital Statistics

According to the World Federation of the Deaf, there are approximately 72 million deaf people worldwide of which over 80% live in developing countries. Collectively, they use more than 300 different sign languages. The UN Secretary-General António Guterres told at the annual conference on the Convention of Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2019, that disability inclusion is not only a fundamental human right but also is “central to the promise” of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development. Early access to sign language and services in sign language, including quality education available in sign language, is vital to the growth and development of the deaf individual and critical to the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals.

Yet another language!

Sign languages are natural languages by themselves and are structurally distinct from the spoken and written languages. An international sign language is also available, which is used by the deaf in international meetings and also while travelling and socializing. With limited lexicon and less complex compared to natural sign languages, the international sign language is considered a pidgin. The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities obligates states to facilitate the learning of sign language and promote the linguistic identity of the deaf community. It recognizes and promotes the use of sign languages as equal in status to spoken languages.  If sign language is considered a mere gesture, the deaf children will be deprived of a language, and would not be able to define their own lives.

Raise your hands

The United Nations promotes international awareness and action on various issues by creating Special Observances. This is done by assigning a theme or topic for designated international days, weeks, years or decades. These are powerful advocacy tools to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems.  Commemorating the date of establishment of the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) in 1951, the UN General Assembly has proclaimed 23rd September as the International Day of Sign Languages in order to raise awareness on the importance of sign language in the full realization of the human rights of people who are deaf. This is also to support and protect the linguistic identity and cultural diversity of all the hearing impaired people and other sign language users. The WFD is a federation of 135 national associations of deaf persons, representing approximately 70 million deaf people’s human rights worldwide. The International Day of Sign Languages was first observed in 2018.

September 21 to 27, 2020

21st Sign languages

22nd Inclusive Sign Language Environments

23rd Sign Languages Are for everyone!

24th The Legal Recognition of National Sign Languages

25th Equal Opportunities for All Deaf People

26th Deaf Leadership

27th I sign for Human Rights!

Vital Statistics

According to the World Federation of the Deaf, there are approximately 72 million deaf people worldwide of which over 80% live in developing countries. Collectively, they use more than 300 different sign languages. The UN Secretary-General António Guterres told at the annual conference on the Convention of Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2019, that disability inclusion is not only a fundamental human right but also is “central to the promise” of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development. Early access to sign language and services in sign language, including quality education available in sign language, is vital to the growth and development of the deaf individual and critical to the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals.

Yet another language!

Sign languages are natural languages by themselves and are structurally distinct from the spoken and written languages. An international sign language is also available, which is used by the deaf in international meetings and also while travelling and socializing. With limited lexicon and less complex compared to natural sign languages, the international sign language is considered a pidgin. The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities obligates states to facilitate the learning of sign language and promote the linguistic identity of the deaf community. It recognizes and promotes the use of sign languages as equal in status to spoken languages.  If sign language is considered a mere gesture, the deaf children will be deprived of a language, and would not be able to define their own lives.

Raise your Hands…

It’s time for everyone to acknowledge and recognize the importance of preserving and propagating sign languages as part of linguistic and cultural diversity. They are crucial for expressing oneself, connecting with others and participating in all aspects of socio-economic, political and cultural domains.

WE CAN’T BUY HAPPINESS- Daamodhar JN

Health is happiness.Yes.Without health,there is no happiness.For happiness,both mind and body have to be healthy.When we live,without the consciousness of body,it is health.This is how,all species in the world live,except human beings.This state will assure permanent happiness.People go in search of happiness,every where.They have not realised the fact,that this can not be found externally.
We think that,we can buy happiness,with money.But,that is like bubbles in water. We get mislead by momentary pleasure.We die like,insects caught  in the oil sheet kept,near a lamp.We continue to die like that only.There is a proverb,which is as follows”Good and bad,do not come to us,by actions of others.”That means,good and bad are our own creations.We have not realised the truth, in this proverb.We have learnt this superficially.Hence,we have neglected.

Our body should be filled with life energy.This is needed for the effective fuctioning of both internal as well as external parts.For complete health,the cleanliness of both body as well as mind are needed.For cleanliness of body,our intestines have to be clean.For cleanliness of mind,our thoughts have to be clean.Without the above two,we can not get,complete health.One is dependent on the other.
The life energy,which is present in our body,helps the functioning of both  body as well as mind.By this continuous functioning,life energy is expended.We have to try and reduce the expenditure of this life energy.We have to be frugal in this expenditure.Our life energy is very careful in maintaining our body clean.Foreign matters,unwanted for the body ,are evacuated every now and then.Our life energy has the capacity to prevent, foreign matters which spoils our health.

In the creation of nature,we have been filled with happiness.We have not realised this fact.We do not enjoy that happiness.Thiruvalluvar,a Thamil Poet,born two thousand years ago,wrote as follows
“When there are good things available,why talk bad.That is comparable to eating,raw fruits,when ripe ones are available”We are aware of this fact.We might have read this,many times.But we have not realised that.Even though,we might have realised to some extent,we have neglected the same.The other side of neglect is carelessness.The combination of both is indifference.Yes,we have become indifferent to our happy life.
For unhealthy life,body does not co-operate.For non co-operation of body,the sickness of internal organs are responsible.The reason for non co-operation of internal organs is that,they have not been supplied with the required nutrition.Lack of nutrition, is due to non availability of life energy filled food.The reason for this is lack of right knowledge.Whenever our body is affected with an illness,our mind gets affected.Mind is nothing but,bunch of thoughts.Mind always depends on our body only.Hence,whenever our body is not healthy,mind also will not be healthy.		6:14 AM (4 hours ago)

BEWARE OF PSEUDOSCIENCE -Krishna Mohan K.S [email protected]

We have witnessed how leaders talk in public that the theory of evolution is wrong, that the first transplant and plastic surgery dates back to Ganesha, that the aeroplanes, missiles and cell phones too were sculpted on the temples from which the scientists across the world copied! Such misinformed talks in the guise of nationalism and religion are a serious threat to the scientific thinking.  Promoting cow urine as a cure for any ailment including cancer, claiming herbal cure even for Covid-19 and claims of immunity boosters against Corona are glaring examples of how the public (literates and illiterates alike) is being misled in the name of ancient science. Sadly, the people in power, religious leaders, celebrities, the self proclaimed god-men and the so called scientists endorse these views for their own benefit causing a great irrevocable damage to the society and generation next. Quacks are having a field day with these.

Of late, there is a big wave  of conspiracies and superstitions being promoted as legitimate science. Regrettably, these are being promoted as nationalistic thoughts and patriotic ideologies! Any person who talks in a scientific and rationalistic manner is being branded as traitor or anti-national. Further, the Hindutva tag is being added to such superstitious thoughts which triggers the right wing activists to propagandize these to every nook and corner of the country in as many ways as possible especially through the gross misuse of the social media. Galli to Dilli (Streets to Delhi) as it is popular these days, every so called leader started fostering pseudoscience which includes beliefs, theories, or practices that have been or are considered scientific, but have no basis in scientific fact. Science has taken a backseat even in the National Science Congress while the world is watching reflecting a shabby image of our great scientific community and has turned it into a laughing stock. Discussions on Hinduism, its lost glory with the advent of science and so called ancient science in religion have become the order of the day in several mainstream science forums.

Lacking rationale!

It is weird and depressing that highly reputable institutions such as the IITs and some Universities have included courses on unscientific and irrational subjects such as Vaasthu, Astrology, Numerology and Palmistry. Self proclaimed experts in all these domains are encashing on the insanity by inducing fear in the minds of people and claiming magical remedies. Neither the government, nor the regulatory bodies prevent such persons / organizations from giving huge budgeted advertisements. If this trend continues, the day is not too far off in promoting occult practices as science through institutions! No religion preaches or promotes superstitions for sure. But, some people take advantage and exploiting in the semblance of religion to propagate such irrational customs which becomes a part of the culture of that region over a period of time and turns into a practice. Therefore, it’s time for the scientific community to take lead to build scientific temper in the society by conducting awareness programs and campaigns. Yes, the road ahead is not smooth as it only a minority group thinking rationally which has to face the challenges to change the majority.

Build Scientific Temper

The root cause for the acceptance of all such unscientific and pseudoscience theories and discussions lies in the manner children are being brainwashed and conditioned right from childhood. They are not given the freedom of thought and expression right from infancy. They are compelled to follow illogical customs and traditions without questioning why and how in a scientific manner. Initially snubbed by parents and grandparents at home, they are not allowed to question anything either at school or college too! This is followed by the community around which vilifies and labels the person who questions as anti-religious, anti-national, atheist, etc. In short, everything except scientific thinking. What a gory state of affairs!!

#pseudoscience #beware #unscientific #irrational #misinformed #rationale  #superstitions #exploitation #illogical #conditioned #brainwashed #scientific temper

COVID’S NEW CHALLENGE TO LEARNING – Krishna Mohan K.S [email protected]

The education system in India over a period of time, drifted from knowledge based to marks based system. This has driven the parents to push their wards into the rat race robbing their childhood joys. This led to the emergence of the so called corporate educational institutions fleecing money from the eager parents. Overcrowded classrooms, unhygienic washrooms, poorly ventilated hostels, no playgrounds became the order of the day.

Parents now aware of children’s Hidden talents

Thanks to the Covid19 norms, all these came to a grinding halt. Many parents realized that their children would not be safe in packed classrooms and hostels. Since schools and colleges could not be reopened post summer vacation, all the students had a unique opportunity of enjoying the extended holidays at home with family as parents too were available due the lockdown. Many children started exhibiting their hidden talents which perhaps parents were not even aware of!

Exploration of Family Bonds

Some of them explored the online platforms to learn new skills. Many families explored the old and forgotten traditional indoor games which engaged and entertained the entire family. All these built the much needed family bonds which otherwise slowly vanished while children were either sent to corporate hostels right from childhood or sent to tuitions early in the morning and till late in the evening.

Comparison disturbs your Child

In the meanwhile, some overenthusiastic parents started pushing children to take various online courses irrespective of their interest and use. This once again led to undue pressures on many more students who were forced to take up similar online courses though reluctantly. The online classes introduced by some of the schools and colleges, soon overpowered the little joy of staying at home and having fun. Parents started comparing their wards’ online classes with others.

Beware of Digital Divide

This created a huge digital divide as a majority of the teachers and students are not geared up for the sudden onslaught of online classes. The managements of the institutions put tremendous pressure on teachers to prepare online content failing which their institution would be considered outdated! Majority of the teachers who are not even familiar with most of the features of a smart phone, are now stressed up in the competitive struggle of making presentations, video lessons indoors and outdoors, editing them, adding audio and video effects and adding virtual reality and augmented reality.

Imparting lessons in a completely online and impersonal manner is perhaps a first time experience to over 95% of the teaching community. On the other hand, students too are equally under pressure in deciphering what their teachers are trying to impart as they have never experienced learning from home under the watchful eyes of their parents which is certainly demanding. Connectivity issues with the broadband and mobile phone networks are like rubbing salt on the wound!

Connecting Issues

Perhaps it is time for all the bigwigs of the education departments at the national level to brainstorm and bring a sea change in the education system per se. This should not be done in a hurry and haste ofcourse! Yet, they should not miss the bus. Half this academic year 2020-21 is almost gone. Let this entire academic year be put on a moratorium!! Let the top academicians, scientists, industrialists, entrepreneurs and experts from various domains  share their thoughts on building a knowledge and skill based education system.

Renewed Learning experience -need of the hour

Let the entire curriculum be revamped with global standards to suit the current trends in industry, business and agriculture. In the meanwhile, let the students enjoy learning new skills of their choice through online or offline or mixed mode learning.  Let this year be a kind of sabbatical year for all the students giving them the much-needed freedom to think while imbibing values into them! This freedom would enhance their self-consciousness and bring in responsibility. Never again will the government get such an opportunity to restructure the education system in toto and creating the necessary infrastructure for a renewed learning experience!

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