People Web International

By Manashimaya Duttagupta

Mahalaya marks the advent of Durga Puja, the most auspicious occasion of the Bengalis, in India. The stay of Goddess Durga on Earth is only four days long. But Mahalaya starts before seven days with the chanting of ‘Mahisasura Mardini’ at dawn. ‘Debipaksha’ starts from this day. Goddess Durga is invited on Earth by the chanting of “Jago Tumi Jago”. Early at dawn people go to Ganga and pray for their demised relatives while standing in the water. This entire process is known as Torpon. The festival of Mahalaya is very important for the Bengalis. At noon the rituals are brought to an end. New clothes and sweets are offered by the devotees to their forefathers.

Debipaksha
Debipaksha is the duration of the fifteen days from one new moon to the full moon which comes next. Goddess Durga is depicted as “Dashapraharana-dharini”. It means that each of her hands hold ten special weapons presented by ten different Gods for killing “Mahishasura”

The Story
Mahishasura was a demon who had threatened gods to throw them out of heaven. He terrified all staying in the heaven and was a big threat to the existence of the entire universe. He was indomitable due to a boon bestowed upon him by Brahma. He had gained this after a hard meditation. None of the Gods and Goddesses be it Indra, the king of the Hindu gods, or be it Kumara, commander of the armies in heaven, could defeat him. Being helpless the gods asked Vishnu to help them.

Vishnu first took the form of Narasimha and then that of Varaha, but failed to defeat Mahishasura. Shiva opened his third eye, which could destroy all the three worlds, to set free the fire of disaster. But that was also in vain. Suddenly then Brahma brought out a lightning stream from his mouth and Goddess Brahmi appeared on a swan with books of knowledge in her hand. Similarly Indrani, Kaumari, Vaishnavi, Varahi and Shivani came into being. They combined with each other and the beautiful Goddess Durga arose. All the gods gifted Durga with ten different weapons and then she prepared for the fight riding on a lion. After a great battle, Mahishasura was defeated by the Goddess when she stroked the demon’s heart with her trident.

There after, it is said that the gods then bestow upon this Supreme creation their individual blessings and weapons. Armed like a warrior, the goddess rides a lion to battle with the Mahisasura. After a fierce combat the 'Durgatinashini' is able to slay the 'Asura' king with her trident. Heaven and earth rejoice at her victory. Finally, the mantra narration ends with the refrain of mankind's supplication before this Supreme Power:

"Ya devi sarbabhuteshshu, sakti rupena sanksthita Namasteshwai Namasteshwai Namasteshwai namo namaha."

Goddess Durga visits her parents place that is on this earth with her children every year and stays here for five days and then she leaves this place, that is the earth till the next year. Her stay on this earth gives happiness and prosperity to everyone.

.. A Landmark Composition
“Mahisasura Mardini” is a remarkable piece of audio drama matchless in Indian culture. Though the theme is mythical and the mantras Vedic, this program is a landmark composition. It's scripted by Bani Kumar, and narrated by Birendra Krishna Bhadra. The enchanting music is composed by none other than the immortal Pankaj Mullick, and the songs are rendered by famous singers of yesteryears.

As the recital begins, the serene morning air resonates with the long drawn sound of the sacred conch shell, immediately followed by a chorus of invocation, melodiously setting the stage for the recitation of the Chandi Mantra.

Since the early 1930s, Mahalaya has come to associate itself with an early morning radio program called “Mahisasura Mardini” or “The Annihilation of the Demon.” This All India Radio (AIR) program is a beautiful audio montage of recitation from the scriptural verses of “Chandi Kavya”, Bengali devotional songs, classical music and a dash of acoustic melodrama combined into one gives the listeners a melodious program. The program has also been translated into Hindi set to similar orchestration and is broadcast at the same time for a pan-Indian audience.

Late Sri.Birendra Krishna Bhadra whose voice still echoes through the radio  with his wonderful recitation on ‘Chandi Kavya’.

He worked for the All India Radio, India's National Radio broadcaster

This program has almost become synonymous with Mahalaya. For nearly six decades now, the whole of Bengal rises up in the pre dawn hours, 4 am to be precise, of the Mahalaya day to tune in to the “Mahisasura Mardini” broadcast.

With the advent of Mahalaya, Navratri starts, ‘nav’ means nine and ‘ratri’ means night. There are many stories related to the conception of’Navratri’ like all Indian festivals. All of them are about the Goddess Shakti (Hindu Mother Goddess) and her various forms. These  days are dedicated (Goddess Durga). Her various incarnations – Kumari, Parvati and Kali are worshipped. They represent the three different classes of womanhood that include the child, the young girl and the womanhood. Other days of the festival season are also dedicated to Lakshmi (Goddess of wealth and prosperity), dressed in gold and mounted on an owl and finally to Goddess Saraswati (Goddess of Knowledge), dressed in milky white and mounted on a pure white swan. The festival culminates on ‘Mahanavami’.Sweets are made in every home and distributed amongst neighbours and relatives. On the tenth day the idol of Goddess Durga is immersed in the lake and in some places Ramnavami is also celebrated. After which people visit their relatives’ and friends places to share their joy and happiness with food and celebrations. With the celebrations that lasts for five days as Durga Puja and in some places for nine days as Navaratri, it has become a social festival rather than merely a religious one.

-by Manashimaya Duttagupta, PWI Reporter National Capital Territory Delhi
October 2011
Contact: nct.delhi@peoplewebinternational.com

By Manashimaya Duttagupta

People’s power has won. Anna Hazare, the man behind the second freedom struggle of India, has swept the whole nation in support of his crusade to pass the Jan Lokpal Bill in the parliament. It was his “fast unto death” that captured the attention of Indians across the globe and millions of people, various groups, organizations, students, senior citizens, thronged the Ramlila Maidan, New Delhi to be a part of the whole crusade.

As the fast came to an end with all the opposition parties supporting the Jan Lokpal Bill and finally the government’s approval to pass the Bill on the twelfth day of his fast, with Parliament agreeing “in principle” to consider the contentious suggestions of the activist and his aides under the conventional parliamentary process of lawmaking, millions of people from all walks of life, came to the streets to celebrate not only in Delhi but in other states, towns and even villages. On the thirteenth day of his fast, when Anna  Hazare broke his fast , at 10.20 am drinking coconut water mixed with honey from the hands of Simran and Iqra, the two small girls, five year old and eight year old respectively., there was drum beating, flags waving, and chants of Vande Mataram, Bharat Mata ki Jai and Inquilab Zindabad at the maidan. In the evening people gathered at the India gate to celebrate the day at the call of Team Anna. Several thousand jubilant supporters gathered amid the beating of drums, dancing and singing patriotic songs. There was a candlelight vigil by some groups at the India Gate in the evening. The people rejoiced the whole day and the evening till midnight celebrating their victory as they described it as “victory of Jan Shakti” mobilized by Anna. There was no stage, no speeches and no leaders –just people. Placards wishes “Happy Independence Day” as tri-coloured kites with Anna’s name welcomed the people. Over 5,000 people had gathered at the historical monument to celebrate the “victory” of the anti-corruption movement on Sunday.

The 33 hunger strikers broke their fast about 20minutes after Hazare did, drinking  lemonade behind the stage. After his marathon 12 day fast on the Lokpal issued, activist Anna Hazare was admitted to the Medanta Medicity hospital on Sunday, where his condition is reported to be stable and under observation. While the activist was being taken to the hospital, thousands of people came out on the streets to get a glimpse of him. Many others gate crashed into the hospital premises delaying his admission.

On the 13th day as Anna Hazare in his speech said that his agitation will continue, about the right to recall and reject, he explained that the right to demand a re-election if they vote for none of the candidates. The crowd let out a roar of approval. He also said about his future plans – on the farmers, labourers.

Parliament’s resolution on Saturday led Anna Hazare to end his fast. Having rejected the government’s version of the Lokpal bill Anna Hazare’s team had demanded nothing short of the passage of its own version, called the Jan Lokpal Bill, when Hazare’s indefinite fast began on August 16. Government’s hara-kiri in arresting Hazare and putting him in Tihar jail – leading to an outpouring of support from the masses – only resulted in the civil society grouping hardening its position even further, as it put a deadline of August 30 within which it wanted the Parliament to convert the Jan Lokpal bill into a law.

What it finally got was just a revolution conveying the “in-principle agreement” of both Houses of Parliament to the three contentious provisions that the Anna camp definitely wanted to be included in the Lokpal bill – to include the lower bureaucracy within the ambit of the Lokpal establishment of Lokayuktas in states through the Lokpal bill, and a citizen’s charter for all government employees. There is no certainty as to whether the final bill, as recommended by the standing committee, would have the Prime Minister within the purview of the Lokpal, a key demand Lokpal bill – to include the lower bureaucracy within the ambit of the Lokpal bill, and a citizen’s charter for all government employees. There is no certainty as to whether the final bill, as recommended by the Standing Committee, would have the Prime Minister within the purview of the Lokpal , a key demand at the start of the agitation, though the government is said to have relented on this count.

Anna Hazare described Saturday’s development as only a “half victory”. “The complete victory is still to be won,” he said from the stage at Ramlila grounds after receiving a letter from the Prime Minister and a copy of the Parliament’s resolution from Union Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh.

Kisan Baburao Hazare, a former soldier in the Indian Army, a Gandhian by belief, outlook and practice, a quintessential traditional Indian by looks and mannerism managed to inspire thousands of Indians globally, the ultra-modern Indians. Some say “The Anna Hazare fast” can be described as the first real “social networking movement” in India. The model village as contemplated by Gandhiji was brought in reality by Shri Anna Hazare at Ralegaon Siddhi, a village in Ahmednagar district in Maharashtra by his dedication. He began his social activism from Ralegaon Siddhi where he successfully led a movement against alcoholism and made it a model village. His campaign was instrumental in the Right to Information Act in Maharashtra, which is considered one of the best RTI acts in India.  He was awarded Padma shri and Padma Bhushan.

Meanwhile sources in Team Anna confirmed that it was important to keep the momentum of the fight against corruption going. “While addressing the crowd at Ramlila Maidan, Anna had asked the youngsters to dedicate some of their time to work for the betterment of their country. We now want to channelise the power of the youth,” said the source.

-by Manashimaya Duttagupta, PWI Reporter National Capital Territory Delhi
September 2011
Contact: nct.delhi@peoplewebinternational.com

By Manashimaya Duttagupta

What is ART ?  If we go for the general definition of art, it is the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture. It encompasses a diverse range of human activities, creations, and modes of expression, including music, literature, film, sculpture, and paintings and photography. We can also put it in a more simple explanation as something which gives our eyes pleasure, something decorative, beautiful whether by creation of human beings or product of deliberately arranging elements in a way to affect our senses and emotions. For much of its history, philosophy was not merely a theoretical discipline but a way of life, an "art of living”, considering the fact that how we live life like a big canvas having colors of essence.  This way we, our life and the world of art move on. Our world is in true sense an Art in itself. The history of painting reaches back in time to artifacts from pre-historic humans, and spans all cultures. The oldest known paintings are at the Grotte Chauvet in France, claimed by some historians to be about 32,000 years old.

They are engraved and painted using red ochre and black pigment which shows animal forms like horses, rhinoceros, lions, buffalo, mammoth, or humans often hunting. There are examples of cave paintings all over the world-in France, India, Spain, Portugal, China, Australia etc. There are many common themes throughout many places where paintings have been found; implying that the imagined creations have similarity of purpose and value. Various assumption have been made as to the meaning of the paintings had, to the people who made them. Prehistoric men painted animals to "catch" their soul or after having created them in the painting it would become easier for them to hunt them more easily. The paintings became the expression of how they viewed their natural surroundings. Some of these are found in India. Examples are Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka, rock painting, Stone Age India.

The economic success of a country is deeply intertwined with its ‘capabilities’ for carrying out certain innovation of technologies that can compete at the state-of-art level in the world market. Therefore we have art since the world came into being. Humans found art everywhere at every stage of their entity. Since then pre historic, historic, medieval art, renaissance, impressionism and expressionism, neo classicism, romanticism, romanticism to modern art, modern art and contemporary art, showed its movement or style with a specific common philosophy or goal.

These art movements were followed by the artists for some restricted period of time. Then came the concept of post modernism in visual arts refers to that period where modernism leaves off. The term refers to visual arts, novel ideas and architecture and sometimes literature. In music it is more common to speak about genres and styles.

The present art scenario presents a series of various art forms, installation, abstract, realistic, semi-realistic, figurative, symbolist etc.. The expressions of the artists are shown in these forms.

The installation is a new born term yet it may cover a huge range of things. Installation art can be either temporary or permanent. Artists have constructed Installation art works  in exhibition spaces and galleries, as well as public- and private spaces. The genre incorporates a very varied range of everyday and natural materials, as well as new media such as sound, video, performance, internet and the immersive virtual reality.  Installation art came into prominence in the year 1970.

With the new technology over the years, artists are more able to explore outside of the boundaries which they had never been able to do in the past.. The media used are more experimental and bold; they are also usually cross media and may involve sensors, which plays on the reaction to the audiences' movement when looking at the installations. By using virtual Reality as a medium, immersive virtual reality art is probably the most deeply interactive form of art. At the turn of a new century, there is a trend of interactive installations using digital, video, film, sound and sculpture. The artists have created a new virtual world on their own  through different social and art related interactive sites where they participate in various discussions using their creative images through photographs, videos etc.

Visual artists of present arena are successful in their own sphere. They have a vision to follow and are engaging themselves into creation and expression of their thoughts across the boundaries and connecting within themselves towards some new ART movement.

-by Manashimaya Duttagupta, PWI Reporter National Capital Territory Delhi
19 June 2011
Contact: nct.delhi@peoplewebinternational.com

By Anita Mathew Perumal, PWI Reporter Tamil Nadu

A Sanctuary for Indian Arts – TFA, established in 1981 built on a sublime foundation of Love, Faith, Dedication and Vision carries forward the legacy of their spiritual Guru and the founding fathers.

One of the founding members of THE TEMPLE OF FINE ARTS, Late Mr.V.K.Sivadas, an artiste from Kerala, who gave away his dancing anklets, promised his parents never to dance again and travelled to Malaysia way back in 1952 to look for a job and earn his living.

Was it destiny or Irony that took, late Mr.V.K.Sivadas all the way from Gods Own Country, Kerala in South India to Malaysia? Despite promising his father, very reluctantly on the request of his friends and with much persuasion performed during an Indian festival in Serdang, Malaysia. That was the day, his destiny was being sculpted as he was enthralling the audience with his one and only passion, Indian classical dance. Among the audience, was the father of 10 year old Vatsala. Mesmerised by his performance, Vatsala’s father requested him to take lessons in dance for his daughter. And thus began a new journey for, the teacher, the student, and the art lovers and for the country.

During my recent travel to Kualalumpur, I was fortunate to meet Mrs.Vatsala Sivadas, wife of Late Mr. V.K.Sivadas. She is recognised as one of Malaysia’s living heritage treasures for her contribution to Art and culture. This title was awarded to her in the year 2009.

When Vatsala was 15 years of age and a young dancing beauty, Sivadas and she decided to get married. It was soon after, THE SIVADAS VATSALA DANCE TROUPE was formed and they together charmed audiences in Malaysia and Abroad. Some of their most popular choreographies were the Peacock dance and Shiva Parvathi.

While all this was happening, there was another dancing couple in Malaysia, Late Mr. Gopal Shetty and his student, Radha who also got married almost around the same time and formed their own troupe and was teaching and performing like Sivadas and Vatsala. They have been friends since the 50’s and still continue to be friends and the 2 pillars of THE TEMPLE OF FINE ARTS.

In the year 1972, was their first encounter with the spiritual Guru Swami Shantananda Saraswati who travelled to Malaysia for his discourses. A great lover of  Indian classical dance and music, Guru Swami Shantananda Saraswati completely taken aback by the potential and sincerity of these two dancing couples to teach and communicate the values and traditions of the Indian culture through Art, convinced the two couples to get together and start an academy and have all their students under one roof. Both the couples disbanded their individual troupes and with immense blessings, support and guidance from their spiritual Guru formed THE TEMPLE OF FINE ARTS with 30 students in the year 1981. Unfortunately after a couple of years, both Vatsala Sivadas and Radha Shetty lost their husbands and  a few years later, both of them decided to move on and continue doing what they love.

Almost 30 years since, THE TEMPLE OF FINE ARTS has moved its base from a humble beginning to a very aesthetically designed multi storey building in a very prominent locality in Kualalumpur and houses several dance and music studios, 500 seater performance hall, recording studio, library and other amenities. An institute that started in 1981 with 30 students today has over almost 1000 students being trained in various styles of dance and music.

The faculty has 30 very qualified instructors imparting our ancient Art forms and ensuring the young generation of today would stay focussed on the great values our forefathers and teachers taught us. The teachers and students have some outstanding productions to their credit, some of which are Ramayanam, Lady White Snake- a Chinese folk tale, A Mid Summer Night’s Dream and Taj Mahal.

The legacy continues and THE TEMPLE OF FINE ARTS with the support from a lot of well wishers strives very hard to fulfil the vision of their spiritual Guru, Swami Shantananda Saraswati.
The directors of the Temple of Fine Arts, Mrs.Vatsala Sivadas, Mrs.Radha Shetty and Mrs.Thava Malar Gunaratnam along with the trust members are very proud and happy to have made the dream a reality. TEMPLE OF FINE ARTS also has within the building premises -ANNALAKSHMI, a vegetarian restaurant which is completely under the care of dedicated volunteers and guests are not charged for the meals. The guests are however free to donate what they wish. They also have an in-house souvenir gift shop- LAVANYA ARTS, a travel agency- HAMSAVAHINI and their own design and communications facility – HANSA COMMUNICATIONS. The newly built building is open for tourists and is a must visit when one is in Kualalumpur, Malaysia.

What is even more credible is that within these few years THE TEMPLE OF FINE ARTS has spread its wings to Singapore, Australia, and Ceylon and has also brought back a branch of the academy to Chennai and Coimbatore in South India where the style and tradition originated. THE TEMPLE OF FINE ARTS is recognised by the Government of Malaysia and will be officially inaugurated by the Prime Minister of Malaysia in July, 2011.

For more information on THE TEMPLE OF FINE ARTS, log on to: www.tfa.org.my

-- by Anita Mathew Perumal - PWI Reporter Tamil Nadu -tamil.nadu@peoplewebinternational.com
25 April 2011

By PWI Reporter Central India

The Bastar District in Chattisgarh is also known as the “Kashmir Of Central India.”

Home to various tribes like the Gonds, Marias, Abhay Murias, etc, the facets of tribal life are witnessed in varied forms, in places like the Kanger Valley National Park and Jagdalpur.

There are Bastar Tribal Tour Packages devised by the tourism department. The tribal communities are heterogenous and they live in groups in well defined territories. Agriculture and forestry are their main sources of income.

The Halba tribes are farmers, the Marias are the hill experts; the Bhatras are the advanced tribes, the Dholars the cow farmers and the Dhruvas the warriors. Singing and dancing are their way of life and they are by and large uneducated.

Though the socio economic status of the tribals is below the national standard, the government is trying hard to alleviate their lot by promoting tribal crafts. Middlemen eating into the profits are making the overall recovery process slow. Though the pro poor schemes have not reached the tribals, the tribal products are finding their way in international markets, and there is a ray of hope.

Overall Bastar provides the streak of irresistible adventure for the tourist, and travelling to this area is an immense pleasure.

Contact: central.india@peoplewebinternational.com

By Manashimaya Duttagupta, PWI Reporter National Capital Territory Delhi
 
Honor Killing is defined as a death that is awarded to a woman of the family for marrying against the parent’s wishes, having extramarital and premarital relationships, marrying within the same gotra or outside one’s caste or marrying a cousin from another caste.

The word awarded is used here because the very name suggests that. Personally, I think and believe that it shouldn’t have been honor killing because the name in itself has the two words which basically are widely different in meaning. When a person is killed as a punishment, the term “honor killing” should not have been used with the word honor rather it should have been ‘disgraceful killing’ because it is an act of vengeance, usually death committed by male family members against female family members who are held to have brought dishonor upon the family.

At times, a woman can be targeted by her own family members for variety of reasons including refusing to enter into an arranged marriage, sometimes victim of a sexual assault, seeking divorce – even from an abusive husband. The mere perception that a woman has dishonored her family is sufficient to trigger an attack on her life.

The loose term ‘Honor Killing’ which should be strongly condemned and criticized, applies to killing both males and females in cultures that practice it. Male persons can also be the victims of honor killings by members of the family of a woman with whom they are perceived to have an inappropriate relationship.

In the Indian society, particularly in North India, women are regarded as a personal property. In some states like West Bengal, honor killings ceased about a century ago and are non-existent in South India and Western States of Maharashtra and Gujarat. The Indian state of Punjab and Haryana is known for incidents of honor killing.

The recent 2010 shocking incident of honor killing in the National capital where a couple and a woman were murdered by their own brothers/brother-in-law condemn and think that activism is needed to reform the prevalent system from the root.

The story goes as Monica, a Gurjar had married Kuldeep, who was a Rajput, and their families did not approve of the alliance. Both of them belonged to the Wazipur village of Delhi. Shobha, Monica’s sister, on the other hand had a relationship with a boy of another caste and had reportedly helped her sister to elope with a man belonging to another caste.

According to police, the accused Ankit Chaudhury, Mandeep Nagar and Nakul Khan murdered their sisters Monica and Shobha and brother-in-law Kuldeep for bringing dishonor to their families by marrying outside their community. Their relatives often criticized them that their sisters have found their partners from a different caste and therefore there was a lot of pressure on them and that’s why they did this.

The brutal crime that’s being committed in the name of honoring their family values infact has brought dishonor to their own family, their community and their country. When will they understand that love, peace and friendship amongst human beings by crossing all barriers of national and international race, culture, caste, religion will in true sense make them humane and will free them from the shackles of their narrow thoughts, making them more richer and morale in a democratic country like India.

Contact: nct.delhi@peoplewebinternational.com

By PWI Reporter Central India

INDIA - The case to compensate the Bhopal Gas disaster victims had been decided, but after twenty six years, claims are still being settled. The compensation arrived at was 1 million rupees for those killed, half a million rupees for those crippled and one third million rupees for those who had developed partial disability. The paltry sum meted out to the victims has provided little relief.

In December 1984, a large number of people died after a poisonous gas leaked out from the Union Carbide factory. Meanwhile the Government has sought the extradition of the former Union Carbide Chief, Mr Warren Anderson from the US. The Indian Government plans to make do the shortfall, on additional claims over and above the four hundred seventy million dollar settlement between the Union Carbide and Union Government deal in 1989. Protests took place in  Madhya Pradesh, during the visit of US President, Mr Barack Obama’s visit to India.

Though the permanent effects of the disaster are not estimable, there are over 4000 people still visiting health facilities, after so many years, for gas related ailments. This is truly a case of justice delayed, which is justice denied.

Contact: central.india@peoplewebinternational.com

By Anita Mathew Perumal, PWI Reporter Tamil Nadu

CHENNAI, INDIA - The entrepreneurial urge, driven by his passion and sense of commitment brought Mr. Valliappan Raju from Botswana back to Chennai. With a mission in mind it took him two years to set the ball rolling.

Media Arts & Science College is the only dedicated college in India to have a degree program in Animation, Gaming and Film Studies with collaboration from both, an Indian University and an International University.

With no capital in hand, no venture capitalist funding, Mr. Valliappan Raju, the Director of MASC took this bold step with the support from his family and his bankers to lay the foundation for this college in the year 2008.

The young generation of today is bubbling with knowledge and creativity. The founding member inspired by the talent and enthusiasm of these youngsters and also convinced of the great demand all over the world for professionally qualified Animators and Gaming Developers decided that MASC will not just be another academy but instead will be a college for Media studies.

MASC is associated with Manonmanian Sundranar University in Tirunelveli, Tamilnadu, which is recognised by University Grants Commission, Govt. of India and National Assessment and Accreditation Council. The degree awarded by the university is valid globally. The degree programmes at MASC offers integrated programs with their partner Universities abroad.

The college initially started in the year 2008 and offered only animation training that year but  in the year 2009, MASC opened doors to the Degree, Post graduate and diploma courses in various disciplines: Computer Arts and Media, Gaming, Film studies and Animation Arts.

MASC is an English medium, co-educational college with state of the arts facilities. They have both local and international faculties and have also implemented EDUSAT, video conferencing aided learning to assist in the interactive sessions.

MASC has a high quality curricula and the method of teaching is of international standards. The total number of students for the graduate and diploma courses is 120 and the ratio of lecturer to student is 1:20.

The post graduate course in film studies has a strong support of the film fraternity in Tamilnadu. Both, the post graduate and diploma students will undergo their internship with leading international animation studios with whom MASC has signed up.

MASC has also signed an MOU with the University of Wales, Newport in the United Kingdom whereby the students have an opportunity to extend their education if they qualify prescribed credits. Both the universities allow their students for a global exchange programme.

The majority of the students are from outside the city of Chennai. By November, 2012, the college will move over to a bigger campus with residential and other recreational facilities, all provided within the campus.

MASC is a unit of Rama Nama Educational Trust and is supported by a very aggressive Advisory and Governing Council of personalities from the field of Education, Media and Advertising and the Films.

Today, with a growing demand world over for qualified Animators and Gaming Programmers, MASC is all geared up to bring forth the best in this field.

For more details on MASC, log on to www.masc.asia

-- by Anita Mathew Perumal - PWI Reporter Tamil Nadu - tamil.nadu@peoplewebinternational.com

By PWI Reporter Pune

I was just hoping all of you to recall my earlier article, where I had specially mentioned about my marvelous experience of the 1983 World Cup which India had won. Today, after 28 years, it gives me immense happiness to share the 2011 World Cup, which the Indian cricket team has got for its country, yet it was again a festival time for me and my fellow mates, to celebrate this unique moment with utter most respect and excitement. What a feeling…..

The last two months were a time, where every individual was breathing cricket. All the offices, restaurants, clubs and homes were busy with the “Star Sports” channel, and to top up my statement every hotelier has really minted a good amount of money on booze and food. They displayed a giant LCD which attracted the crowd to just chill and enjoy the matches. The most breathe taking match was the match between India and Pakistan, Oh! It was kind of a sport war between these two countries and the Indian win was a party night for the small, big and the old. I have a great regret for the people who lost their life, during the world cup matches. The cause was due to rash driving and negligence to reach home early. My suggestion to all is ‘respect your life”, be a sport freak, but not at the cost of your life.

Life goes on, time heals all the scars and wounds, and saying this I wanted to update you’ll on the IPL cricket season which has just begun. It has again spread the cricket virus among the big and small. The summer vacation has begun for the school children, and they have a quality time to dedicate for the ongoing matches.

 I wish I could get my childhood again.

-- by PWI Reporter Pune - pune@peoplewebinternatinoal.com

By PWI Regional Reporter Central India

MADHYA PRADESH, INDIA - An e-governance centre will be set up in Madhya Pradesh under a 560 Million rupee grant from the Indian Government. The Union Minister Of State for Commerce and Information Technology, Mr Sachin Pilot said,” All villages will be connected through a high speed broadband network under the scheme.”

Under the e-governance scheme, land lease, records, land plans, and no objection certificates will be computerized. There will be financial inclusion of banking, insurance, telecom and entertainment services as well. The proposal is aimed to include rural services such as agri/ farm inputs & prices, weather forecast, and public grievance redressal systems, to enable speedy electronic delivery of information to the masses.

-- by PWI Regional Reporter Central India - central.india@peoplewebinternational.com