Why will anyone join Tri-Valley University?

I watched the coverage of Tri-Valley University bust in Indian national media to get a sense of meida perspective. I respect Arnab Goswami of Times Now very much and in fact rated him more than Rajdeep Sardesai when they both were at NDTV but in this subject, the way he conducted the debate disappointed me. NDTV's Barkha Datt did touch on the central point but not as much as I liked her to. The central point, in my view, is not whether the students should be tagged with a GPS or not but the point should be, what brains and balls did these students have to choose this school for Masters education.

This is what the website says about the university.

Tri-Valley University is a Christian Higher Education Institution aiming to offer rigorous and excellent quality academic programs in the context of Christian faith and world view. Tri-Valley University's academic programs include School of Engineering (Department of Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering), School of Business and School of Art (School of Trinity), School of Law and School of Medicine. Degree programs in these schools are Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Master of Science (M. S.), Master in Business Administration (MBA), Master of Art (MA), MA in Library Science (MALS), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). Non-degree programs are certificate program and open-enrollment programs.

Our mission is to make Christian scientists, engineers, business leaders and lawyers for the glory of God, with both solid academic professionalism and Christian faith, therefore to live out Christ-like characters, value and compassion in the world, to make an impact and shine as its light. Our Institution Objective is to equip individual with academic excellence, practical skillfulness and spiritual maturity. We advocate Academic Excellence, Character Integrity, Christ-like Compassion, Inclusion and non-discrimination, and Integration-integration of academic professionalism with Christian faith, integration of principle with practical application, integration of career pursuit with spiritual growth.

Who in India or World for that matter will even consider going to a school in a Foreign country to become a Christian engineer? What is "Christian Engineer" supposed to mean? In both NDTV and Times Now debate, a guy of less than my age, who is a brother of a girl admitted into the TVU, complained that US Govt is wrong in how it is dealing with this and Indian Govt isn't doing enough. Did he or his sister do enough when they looked at schools she should be getting into?

Many students from Andhra Pradesh get to US on F1 visa not for Masters education but get a H1B visa subsequently. This has proven to be an easier route to H1B visa than getting in line for a H1B, which has higher rejection rates. Tri-Valeey Univ. had their 95% students from the very Andhra Pradesh that sends good number of students to Ivy League institutes. TVU had pointed to 2 people of Andhra Pradesh origin to be masterminding the whole admission process, which is yet to be proven but I believe that to be near true. When US Immigration and Customs arrested 11 individuals with charges related H1B visa fraud sometime last year, 8 of them were identified to be of Andhra Pradesh origin. People in Andhra Pradesh will have to realize that it is good to have your near and dear in US but that isn't the single most thing a student can do to make you proud.

Parents and Engineering Graduates in AP need to understand that joining a school abroad is a mega deal in anybody's career and there should be every effort put to find out every single detail before shortlisting the school. If not, you should face the consequences; in this case wearing radio collars until deportation!

2010 - The year that was!

3 Months in Minnesota, 3 months in Indiana and rest in Chennai. To sum it up in half a line, 2010 was a better year than expected. I traveled a good deal, spent a good deal of time for sports, read a few books, worked not so hard, got closer to home and experiencing the much written "India's growth story". I am back to reading newspaper in the mornings as a first or second thing, which wasn't part of the routine in states, something that I missed all my years in US. I like reading hard copy any day over the electronic version.

Professionally, I have done a few good things this year but something isn't right; there are very many things bothering me these days. I have definitely transformed from a guy full of complaints to someone with a justification to all that goes on around me. If you talk to my old bosses, you will consistently hear of my complaints. I started seeing things from the other side so much that everything makes so much sense to me these days. I am fully aware that such extreme justification only causes inaction and something definitely needs to be done to correct it. But, I may find reasons for odd things but I certainly started to dislike most that happens around me and when I realize that I can't do much about it, it just bothers me a great deal. Circle of influence by Mr. Covey comes to my mind.

Something exciting happened about 2 months ago. I had the rare privilege of sitting across my MD&CEO for a 20 Minute chat along with 15 other people and it just felt great  and cool to share the table with CEO. I am hoping that 2011 opens up great opportunities to do some exciting work and of course get noticed of for all the good work!

We are expecting a baby in about 3 months from now and that would make 2011 a special year. I am for a boy and all others are hoping for a girl. So, hoping for very best! It feels so strange to be called DAD. It is more respect, responsibility and I am not sure what other things the job description brings to the table. I am so looking forward to next 3-4 months. Considering all that is going on both on the professional front and personal front, I can see next 3-4 months being very exciting. I will report more on that sometime down the line.

2010 was full of events and blogging opportunities were many but I didn't write as much for many reasons. I will get more frequent with blogging both here and the tech blog. I am not making any resolutions as such other than getting better at reading, writing and speaking. It is really hard to execute all of them well.

I wish you and your family a great year ahead! Live life to the fullest!!

Amul's creative team had this to say!

For more cartoons, visit Amu's website.

Attitude of National Media and the Nation towards CWG 2010

At last, India managed to open the CWG games as per the schedule after all the corruption charges, delayed projects, lack of cleanliness and many other issues. BBC reported that there were lot of boos when Kalmadi took stage, which seems to be the only bad press so far of the opening ceremony. I liked the only video posted on youtube of the opening ceremony but wasn't as impressive as what everyone else is. Hindustan Times reported that it is time to put all the negativity behind and get behind games. Really?

I am surprised as hell to see the change of tone on the CWG Games in just couple of days. The whole media is appreciative of the opening ceremony, athletes are only praising the facilities, nation is positive and social networking sites are filled with positive comments. I haven't seen one bad comment in facebook or youube on the games after the opening ceremony. Games got such a bad press in last 2 months that I thought games would get delayed or canceled. What caused this sudden change in the attitude of nation, media and athletes themselves? I couldn't find a single reason for this change. Lalit Bhunod, Secretary General Organizing Committee, always maintained that games would be great and remembered for years to come. Was he right on that? Did a good ceremony erase all the charges that media brought up in last 2 months?

Ketan posted in his blog that UPA left CWG corruption controversy to be in news only to avoid/minimize the media coverage on the nuclear liability bill and other issues like inflation, Kashmir etc. I am not a conspiracy theorist and I will not go that far as ketan did but I do see a point in his blog. It is fair to wait and see what Govt does with the corruption allegations after the games. I am very very surprised at the way this games is covered by both national and regional media and the way educated youth reacted to games.

The second to headline of glittering ceremony was a survey that concluded that Rahul is the face of CWG 2010. Almost all news papers carried it.

"The latest survey conducted by the philanthropic arm of the industry lobby founded that the Congress General Secretary, Rahul Gandhi is the most favourite face for CWG 2010. The survey was conducted among 10,000 students, ahead of the Oct 03-14 Commonwealth Games. 72 percent of the respondents said Rahul Gandhi is the most honest, straightforward and trustworthy leader."

Rahul had nothing to say about the games and nothing whatsover to get nation to support the games, at a time when games was getting all the bad press but he now can represent the games better than anyone in India, as per the 7,200 students. Only retards can vote for the dimple star. Media, both regional and national, reported this news item as first/second in their web version. Is it anyway related to the larger plan of projecting him as the next Prime Ministrial candidate? Manmohanji wants to handover any day the yuvaraja is ready. May be, yuvaraja is ready.

We need shows like "The Daily Show with John Stewart" or "The Real Time with Bill Maher" or a comedian like George Carlin to tell it like it is. Hope, someone does something soon. Until then, cynicism will only grow excepting those 7,200 retards!!

AP Residential Schools Entrance Examinations are challenged !!

There is quite a bit of political action in Andhra Pradesh but in the midst of all that, news of putting entrance examinations in abeyance came as a huge surprise to me. This year entrance examinations for admission to residential schools have been put on hold as the Central Govt. ordered State Education Department not to have entrance examinations citing that the entrance examinations for primary education violate 2 specific acts - "The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act", 2009 and "Commissions for Protection of Child Rights",2005. Act in full can be downloaded from here. For 653 schools in the state that admit near about 50000 students, the entrance examinations have been put on hold. Central Govt. argues that the entrance examination at that level (Std IV and Std V) is restricting education to a few and the act outlines that the education should be Free and Compulsory to all.

Great visionary, Mr. P V Narasimha Rao brought about a legislation in 1972 to form the Andhra Pradesh Residential Educational Institutions (APREI) Society , which is an autonomous body with State funding. The State Government started 3 schools under the society and then expanded to 2 schools per district, one for Boys and other for Girls. Also, there have been so many reserved schools for backward classes added in recent years. Caption for schools under the society was "Thamasoma Jyotirgamaya" (Enlighten Darkness). The concept of the school was taken from "Gurukulam", schools in epic stories in ancient India, where in students and teachers lived together away from civic life.

I myself studied in a state sponsored Residential School from Std.V to X and I feel tremendously proud to have got admitted to a school like that at an early age and in the process avoided all the burden my parents would have had to carry otherwise in providing resources for such quality education. Those were tough times for my parents financially and they worked hard day in and out and I am certainly happy that I did not add much to their daily struggles. We had two levels of entrance examinations, one at the Mandal level and other at District level for getting admitted into residential school. Students of Std IV and V can take the entrance examination. Only 36 best students made it to the Class V and another 36 students, who ranked best in Std. VII exams in the district took admission into Std. VIII.

State funds these schools and state should be given full freedom to choose how they want to admit students into these schools and administer the schools. What role does centre have in state sponsored schools? Some Govt. officers are of the opinion that they should pick students randomly and fill the classes. How outrageous is that? The quality of education is not just because of the school system but the students in themselves and if students are picked randomly, it would make sure that the quality of education is degraded to the education levels as that of Govt. High schools. State Govt. spends lot of money on providing accommodation, food, sports equipment apart from education for students admitted in these schools and randomization is just silly and foolish.

Centre administers Jawahar Navodaya Vidayalayas across the country and I am eager to know what they do with admissions into those schools. I wonder how something this significant slip away from being reviewed by some intellectuals before making it public.

Hope, Central Govt. amends the act or leaves this decision to state education department so that the status-quo is maintained. It has worked out well for many years and the schools have produced thousands of successful students across the state and it is no time to mess with this.

Update -- News today is that the examinations are canceled. This is done 6 days before the examinations. I would not have survived this kind of a shocker in my 4th Std. and I feel for all those kids. This is just crazy and I am just mad at those officers, who made this possible.

I read through the act and gethered some news items that indicate the cost of implementing this. It is just mind blowing. 34,000 Cr. per year and 12 Lakh more teachers, just for samplers. Teacher's recruitment in Andhra Pradesh has always been political and this is just a way for Congress to systematically destroy the nation and still gain the votes to win elections.

Separate statehood for Telangana.. What if formed?

I have been thinking of posting on the subject of recent developments in the state of Andhra Pradesh for quite sometime but couldn't find all the time the subject needs. I am one of those who think it doesn't matter as much even if the separate state is formed but the drama that has been on display in the last few months is a reassurance to the thinking that our political leadership has nothing in mind other than power. One party after another and leader after leader showed what it means for them one way or the other. All this was in the works but erupted within 100 days after the death of YSR. Yes! Of course! Congress leaders from Telangana had no control of anything when YSR was leading but became increasingly powerful at national level with YSR out of their way. Now, Telangana leaders from all parties are united and also there have been some understanding between Congress and TRS in the closed doors. KCR started or staged his agitation with full support from Telengana Congress leaders and some leaders from Telangana region even went on to reason that KCR worked as a colleague in earlier Govt and they by all means want to save him from loosing his life. Really? Because he had worked with the Congress, they want to save his life. Isn't that a testimony to where Congress ranks loyalty?

I was thinking of publishing all of the major events that unfolded in this latest campaign for separate statehood just for some historical perspective but I couldn't get to convert the draft to final post in reasonable time. Here is a brief summary of major events.

27th Nov'09 - Greater Election Results - Congress wins 52, TDP - 45, MIM - 43, BJP - 5, PRP - 4 and Independents - 4. {Side note - TRS decides not to contest after long deliberations. Needs no analysis to conclude that TRS needs to do something after the results, if it wants to remain as a notable party in the region.}

28th Nov'09 - KCR discusses with TRS leaders on the move to "Fast unto Death" campaign for separate statehood

30th Nov'09 - KCR gets arrested in Siddipet while leading a rasta-roko and police transfer him to Khammam

1st Dec'09 - KCR is given juice by Doctors and the picture gets flashed in all regional TV channels, which create anger amongst OU student unions and unions threaten to take up the cause for Telangana themselves. TRS is worried that they loose the credibility if student unions take over and KCR announces to continue the indefinite hunger strike.

7th Dec'09 - CM, Rosaiah, meets KCR and requests him to call off the strike

9th Dec'09 - Doctors announce that KCR's health has worsened and make an announcement that they can do nothing to improve his health condition. National level leadership intensifies discussions and lobbying continues for centre's intervention in the matter.

10th Dec'09 - Home Minister, Chidambaram, makes an announcement that Assembly will pass resolution and also requests state government to drop all cases booked, during the 2-week long campaign, against all TRS leaders, students and others. KCR calls off hunger strike and his son and daughter make appearances in media to explain that KCR is responding well and will appear as soon as he becomes fit to do so.

11th Dec'09 - Rayalaseema and Andhra MLAs submit resignations and go on strike in many parts of coastal and seema regions

13th Dec'09 - KCR talks to his friend, well known media person, Burkha Dutt and clarifies that state resolution is not necessary for the formation of state and praises Sonia and PM for their leadership {side note - Praise is more for saving his life and of course the political life}

14th Dec'09 - Lagadapati sees an opportunity become leader of Congress and makes an announcement to go on strike for Samaikhandhra and later in the day gets arrested in Hyderabad Intl Airport

16th Dec'09 - Jagan joins TDP MPs in Loksabha in supporting Samaikhandhra and clarifies later on that he joined TDP only because he couldn't let TDP take credit for Samaikhandhra movement. Congress leaders from Telangana openly criticise Jagan and wants Jagan punished by high command for joining TDP MPs in Loksabha.

17th Dec'09 - Chiranjeevi joins Samaikhandhra movement and 2 PRP MLAs from Telangana region submit resignations and decide to float PRP Telangana party.

21st Dec'09 - Lagadapati escapes from General Hospital, Vijayawada and seen running into NIMS hospital after getting out of an autorikshaw. The 2-day drama is staged by Lagadapati to prove to the people that hunger strikes in the modern times is not difficult by any means.

23rd Jan'10 - JAC (Joint Action Committee) is formed for separate Telangana and Prof. Kodandaram unanimously gets elected as its leader and all parties join hands with JAC to intensify the campaign for Telangana

5th Jan'10 - Centre discusses with representatives from 8 political parties for consensus on the issue of separate statehood and releases a statement that due consultations would follow.

13th Jan'10 - Kavitha (daughter of KCR), who was known for running beauty saloons in Hyderabad now gets into political groove and announces a boycott of upcoming Jr. NTR starrer, Adurs, in Telengana region, stating producers of movie and Jr. NTR's dad (Harikrishna) are for United Andhra. Producers go ahead with the release of movie and question the authority of Kavitha. Kavitha gets elevated as Leader of Telangana Jagruthi, a social sector organization as per their website (http://telanganajagruthi.org/)

15th Jan'10 - Movie producers insure the movie and save themselves from incurring losses and also accuse Kavitha of sending mediators with a demand for 2 Cr. from producers.

28th Jan'10 - Mr. Chidambaram announces that a committee would be formed to study the issue in detail and submit its report and JAC organizes marches against the announcement

3rd Feb'10 - Home ministry announces the Committee of 5 members, lead by Mr Justice B N Srikrishna to study the separate state demand

12th Feb'10- Central Govt. announces 7 point Terms of Reference of Srikrishna Committee on Telangana issue and also requests committee to submit its report by 31st Dec'10.

16th Feb'10 - Congress withdraws support to JAC, stating that JAC is acting on the orders of KCR and his family

13th Mar'10 - JAC expels TDP in all well knowing that TDP is all set to go out of JAC. TDP sites that KCR is busy maligning TDP and its leadership and ignoring Congress, which in their opinion created the situation as exists.

Sri Krishna committee continues to gather different material on the state of affairs after the formation of separate Andhra Pradesh and assures that the report would be submitted on time. All political parties have met the committee and submitted their views and recommendations.

In the entire campaign, more than 300 people committed suicides across Telengana region and Politicians in Telangana are only responsible for this madness. Politicians in their speeches called for sacrifices and poor (literally, poor) students responded hoping that their deaths will bring separate statehood and their lives will turn around. I wondered how suicide killers are motivated at times but this episode in one way made me to understand how easy it is for some cults (politicians in this case) to play with the sensibilities of poor youngsters at a level that ultimately makes them to put an end to their own life.

I should also mention the role of Congress in this whole episode. They committed to separate Telangana in the CMP of UPA-I but didn't bother to even attempt anything for or against in their first term. UPA-II did not take up anything and caused this mess to take place in the very first place and then adding to all the misery, they under estimated the possible reactions and unprepared to the challenges before making poorly structured statements.

Other national parties, BJP pledged again for separate Telangana where as CPI and CPM at state level are not in agreement with their leaders at national level. Regional parties on the other hand are in a very bad fix. TDP wants to be a formidable party in both the regions irrespective of future developments. PRP doesn't have as much strength but are marching for United Andhra and I am deeply sad at Loksatta's leadership on this subject. I was all for Loksatta launching itself as a political party but in my view, JP did not play any role to turn events from one direction to another in this entire debate. JP's vague responses on what should be the response of Govt. and other complex questions during this entire 6-7 months time strengthened the popular belief that he is still a bureaucrat than a politician and I do not see himself transforming anytime.

So far, the camapaign has caused so much pain to the people of Hyderabad in particular but we as Indians pick up our lives and move on. We have got so used to all of it and nothing affects us anymore.

Finally, what if the separate state is formed? In my personal opinion, nothing worst happens to the people of Andhra Pradesh. The checks and balances in the system take care of many things but some politicians in both regions can gain more control of the system, which means more dividends to them. New politicians would emerge in the new state in particular and would rob as much as they can. India has seen such politicians emerge in recent times and this new state would be no exception to creating some in its credit. I have nothing to believe that the final solution would be unfair to either side. Central Govt. has experience with creation of new states in the last decade and I am sure it can create an acceptable separate Telangana state as well. Some have been arguing that people from Andhra would not be tolerated in Telengana state but my question is, is it possible in a democracy like India? Telangana still has to operate under the Indian constitution and state will have to be responsible, answerable and accountable to constitution, people, courts and many more in the system. So, for people to fear any bias, is baseless if not ludicrous.

I fear nothing for whatever happens but warn people of both regions to find democratic ways to protest and do not fall prey to the politicians.

So much at stake.. Jagan wants to call the shots badly!

I have come across this incredible presentation on the worth of YSR Family, posted in Telugu Desam official website, and I did some research on the web to validate as much as I can and it seems they got their facts right. Even if they are right about one case, it is just incredible and insane.

For the complete presentation, you may refer to the below link.

http://www.telugudesam.org/tdpcms/scams/bhoomulu/sakshi/latest/ys_scam_powerpointpresentasion.ppt

YSR argued in assembly that he did not become a Mogul overnight but his family had a fortune. In fact, he argued that he paid taxes when he was in school. It is true that his family was rich and had connections with mining companies in Bellary and Gulbarga and Subba Reddy made lot of money legitimately and otherwise. In Andhra, it is YSR family calling the shots and Gali family in Karnataka. Media is just taking notes from these families. YSR openly said that he needed a channel to promote Congress party in Andhra and that is the reason why he got his son to start Sakshi. How stupid is that to say even if it was true?

Media's responsibility is to investigate and ask politicians the tough questions but if media itself is owned by the very politicians, nothing can protect the society. It is sad! It is just astonishing how the faimly's fortune grew over 3-4 years. It makes great sense why Jagan wants to call the shots. YS Jagan needs to have the power to safe guard all his earnings either directly or indirectly. We all have to understand what the poor Jagan must be going through. Stakes are really high! Go Jagan, Go!