(Following is the review of the Indian movie “A Wednesday” written by Pramod Joshi, Electronics 1979. He can be contacted at: pramodkjoshi@gmail.com.)
“A WEDNESDAY” – Watch it any day!
This here is a movie that anybody living and producing films in India could have made – but didn’t. A movie that starts out slowly, even incoherently, but like a slowly uncoiling anaconda, bares its fangs late in the day and consumes you with a quick, visceral gulp of a climax. You are left gasping for breath, and the gentle ending that follows the climax is the only soothing balm for your pulsating heart beat. Neeraj Pandey - no Satyajit Ray or Shyam Benegal - the debutante director of the movie is clearly a common man’s director (pun intended, as you will find after watching the movie!), weaving together the lives of ordinary men and women going about life in a sprawling metro, connected by a common thread – the uncertain, tentative fear of the unseen hand of terrorism.
I guess it takes some guts to make a movie with two aging, or shall we say well-aged, thespians and no heroine, no item songs, no car chases and no six-pack abs. Anupam Kher, playing Prakash Rathod, the Commissioner of Police, is the protagonist on the right side of law. Or is he? Naseeruddin Shah, playing you-know-not-who, is the counterfoil on the wrong side of the law. Or, again, is he? The delicious ironies in the eternal “battle” of the good and the evil are brought out several times. Is the threat of deadly force in the hands of an encounter specialist, played convincingly by Jimmy Shergill, good or bad? Is the sensationalist TV media’s news-hungry reporter, played not so convincingly by Deepal Shaw, doing the right thing by collaborating with a terrorist? The viewer, if keeping a sharp eye on the screen and a keen ear on the dialogues, will find himself treated to a veritable feast of reason and flow of soul. The action is not loud, yet fast-paced. The dialogues, despite the setting of the police station and the underworld, do not degenerate into foul-mouthed four-letter terms of motherly and sisterly endearment. Like all good movies, the viewer is still left with some open questions, and can mull them over for a good aftertaste, and give in to a sense of fulfillment much later.
A Wednesday is a movie that has a few surprises, taut screenplay, masterly acting by the two protagonists, decent acquittal of their roles by all the others in support, and last but not the least, a director who thinks his way through. If you are in the mood for a purely fun ride with songs and dances, comedy sequences or heroic stunt-baji, avoid this movie like the plague of terrorism it seeks to highlight. On the other hand, if your idea of a good cinematic experience is a well-executed idea that connects at a deeper level than a BAH or a SIK, plunk your money down on “A Wednesday”. Any day!
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Review of the movie “A Wednesday” by Times of India
(This informative review about recently launched Google browser ‘Chrome’ is provided by Abhishek Khanna, Mechanical 2007. He is part of volunteer team for maintaining our website, www.itbhuglobal.org. Abhishek can be contacted at: abhishek@alumni.itbhu.ac.in) ____________________________________ Google enters the browser war Google Inc. has launched its own Web browser Chrome on September 2. Like other services of Google it has also got a great reception according to Chief Executive Officer Eric Schmidt. Several million downloads were reported in the first week. The browser is aimed at competing with Microsoft's Internet Explorer and Mozilla's Firefox. The browser wars are on as Microsoft launched IE8 and Mozilla on the other hand launched Firefox 3.0. Chrome was essential for Google to prevent itself from any kind of loss in traffic due to change in default settings of IE and Firefox.
Google and Firefox partnership
Till now Google was supporting Mozilla for its Firefox. Mozilla earns from the advertising partnership with Google and is the second largest used browser with a market share of over 10%. In spite of the good partnership, Mozilla's independent nature was a threat for Google in terms of its search market share as Firefox has default search engine as Google. Mozilla Corp. had made clear in the past about breaking this partnership if it hampers its independence.
Features of Chrome
Traditional tabs of Firefox and IE have been replaced by tab buttons on the top of the window.
Users get to see thumbnails of 9 most visited Web pages
It comes with a privacy mode window, any activity done in that is not logged in the computer
'Omnibox' is the new name of the address bar of Chrome, it is an auto complete kind of box which also provides suggestions from Google
Chrome regularly keeps downloading list of suspected harmful sites
Each application has its own window and memory, therefore it will prevent crashing of whole browser due to one application
Our institute participates in the digital library program (INDEST-AICTE Consortium) to subscribe and access online technical journals. The program is very useful for our faculty, students and particularly research scholars.
Cooperation amongst institutions for sharing their library resources has been practiced for decades. However, the mode of cooperation has been transformed with the infusion of new information technology. The emergence of the Internet, particularly the World Wide Web (WWW) as a new information delivery medium, triggered proliferation of Web-based full-text online resources. An increasing number of publishers use the Internet globally to offer their publications to the international community of scientists and technologists.
The libraries and information centres, as heavy consumers of electronic journals and online databases, will benefit greatly from this technology-driven revolution. The proliferation of electronic resources in a networked society has resulted in the development of “shared subscriptions” or “consortia-based subscriptions” to journals everywhere in the world. Shared subscriptions to electronic resources through consortia of libraries is a feasible strategy to meet the pressures such as diminishing budgets, increased user demands, and rising costs of journals.
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We are pleased to state that during the calendar year 2007, our institute is ranked first in the Usage Statistics of IEL (IEEE/IET Electronic Library) Online. This is based on AICTE supported 60 engineering colleges. The figure shows total number of Journal articles accessed by each institute during the period Jan-Dec 2007. For complete list of journal publication accessed by colleges during 2006 and 2007, refer the attached files. Also the list of colleges with Usage Statistics of ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers) 2007 Online is attached.
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Message from Dr. Navin Upadhyay, Library-In charge, IT Library:
With the majority of scholarly journals now electronically available, many libraries are canceling print subscriptions in favour of electronic access. In addition, a growing no. of Peer -reviewed journals are available without a subscription fee as a result of the world wide open Access movement. Main Library, IT BHU is providing access of more than seven thousand online journal subscribed through INDEST consortia and UGC -Infomet and all the online journals, databases are linked with introduction on the library web page. This year we have added the following E- Resources.
Online Journals, Standards subscribed by Main Library, IT BHU (2008-09)
Approximately 60 PCs are available in the library with one hour power backup of online UPS. Library has created its own Internet Website with the help of volunteer students which is supporting TPO forum and providing access of Indian Standards. A National Book Fair was organised by the Library in the month of Feb.2008 in which 18 National and International Publishers/distributors displayed their latest editions of Books. Approx. 1500 books costing Rs. 40 Lacs were purchased on the basis of recommendations of students and faculty members. The library has extended its timing till 9 PM on the request of students.
Table 1: Ranks of Colleges/Universities based on Usage Statistics of IEL Online
Jan – Dec 2006
Jan – Dec 2007
Rank
College/University
User Statistics
Rank
College/University
User Statistics
1
Government College of Tech, Coimbatore
155,200
1
IT-BHU
220,977
2
Anna University
116,645
2
Anna University
99,388
3
Jawaharlal Nehru Tech University
76,654
3
Thiagarajar College of Engineering
51,999
4
B.M.S. College of Engineering
67,247
4
Jadavpur University
41,497
5
IT-BHU
64,197
5
UCE-Osmania University
33,653
6
Thiagarajar College of Engineering
61,991
6
Jawaharlal Nehru Tech University
25,311
7
Jadavpur University
38,585
7
Bengal Engineering and Science University
24,975
8
UCE- Osmania University
33,345
8
Delhi College of Engineering
24,619
9
Delhi College of Engineering
28,894
9
Walchand College of Engineering
21,589
10
Pondicherry Engineering College
24,664
10
Guru Nanak Engineering College
20,486
It can be seen from the above table that our Usage Statistics for IEL Online increased in 2007 and we stood first, while Usage Statistics by other colleges declined.
Table 2: Ranks of Colleges/Universities based on 2007 Usage Statistics of ASCE Online
Jan – Dec 2007
Rank
College/University
User Statistics
1
Government College of Engineering, Pune
9,155
2
Shri G.S. Institute of Technology & Science
8,253
3
Maharashtra Institute of Technology
6,628
4
Annamalai University
6,200
5
Yeshwantrao Chavan College of Engineering
5,969
6
Maharashtra Institute of Technology
5,277
7
Banaras Hindu University Varanasi
5,114
8
Pune Institute of Engineering and Technology – (Formerly- Government College of Engineering)
4,490
9
Mepco Schlenk Engineering College
3,859
10
Nirma Institute of Technology Ahmedabad
3,717
It can be seen from the above table that there is a scope for increasing our Usage Statistics for ASCE Online Journals.
Attachments
For IEL Online 2006 User Statistics, please click here
For IEL Online 2007 User Statistics, please click here
For ASCE Online 2007 User Statistics, please click here
The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has set-up the "Indian National Digital Library in Engineering Sciences and Technology (INDEST) Consortium" on the recommendation made by the Expert Group appointed by the ministry under the chairmanship of Prof. N. Balakrishnan. The Ministry provides funds required for subscription to electronic resources for (37) institutions including IISc, IITs, NITs, IIMs and a few other centrally-funded Government institutions through the consortium headquarters set-up at the IIT Delhi. Besides, (60) Government or Government-aided engineering colleges and technical departments in universities have joined the Consortium with financial support from the AICTE. Moreover, the INDEST-AICTE Consortium, as an open-ended proposition, welcomes other institutions to join it on their own for sharing benefits it offers in terms of highly discounted rates of subscription and better terms of agreement with the publishers. All electronic resources being subscribed are available from the publishers’ Website. The Consortium has an active mailing list and a Web site hosted at the IIT Delhi.
The INDEST-AICTE Consortium is the most ambitious initiative taken so far in the country. The benefit of consortia-based subscription to electronic resources is not confined to 38 major technological institutions in the country but is also extended to all AICTE-accredited and UGC-affiliated institutions.
4) Indian National Digital Library in Engineering Science and Technology (INDEST): A Proposal for Strategic Cooperation for Consortia-based Access to Electronic Resources
The Trust was registered in Oct 2007 and a website www.mahamanamalaviya.org was launched. More details have been filled up in the website. Trust objectives are given in the Pamphlet sent here with.
In Jan 2008, Vice Chancellor of BHU agreed to our request and announced a Publication Committee with Prof. Chandrakala Padia (H.O.D Political Science) as the convenor. He has also allotted a working space and infrastructure for the meetings of the Committee.
Convenor of the Publication Committee has been authorised by the Trust to employ an assistant for routine work and also research assistants to start the work of collecting resource material for the Complete Works of Malaviyaji.
While the main objective is to publish the Complete Works of Malaviyaji by 2011 (to coincide with his 150th birth anniversary), the Trust has taken up the work of publishing a Pictorial Book (coffee table type) on Malaviyaji by Dec 2008.
Internationally famous Roli Books Delhi has been entrusted for printing and publishing the Pictorial Book.
Many experts were requested to write on specific topics of Malaviyaji's life and contributions in various fields. The initial draft of the Pictorial Book is under scrutiny.
Many rare photos of Malaviyaji have been obtained. However we will be looking out for more photos even till the beginning of the printing process. Therefore your help in getting more photos from any source would be appreciated.
Dr S. K. Maini (Founder Chairman of Reva Group of Companies, Bangalore), 1950-1954 Benco is the Managing Trustee and our Prime Mover. Shri K. K. Nohria and Shri Ganga Sharan Agarwal and many seniors are actively involved in the Trust.
Mr. K. Chandramouli (Mechanical 1963), convenor, is extending voluntary full time support to Trust. He is General Editor of English Publications and a member of the Publication Committee announced by Vice Chancellor.
Following is the general appeal to all of our alumni, by Mr. K. Chandramouli, Convenor, Mahamana Malaviya Trust.
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Dear Shri:
You are well aware of the significant contributions of the Founder of our Alma Mater - Banaras Hindu University. However, a few words to recapulate Mahamana Madan Mohan Malaviyaji’s contributions in several fields will only be to express our deep gratitude to him.
Contributions of Mahamana Malaviyaji are spread over in fields like Freedom Movement, Journalism, Education, Social Welfare, Hindi and Dharma. In fact, he was a leading figure for about 50 years in all the above fields, standing tall amidst other stalwarts and leaders of his time. He was recognized as one of the Founding Fathers of Modern India, due to his farsighted vision and his commitment and conviction to realize his Dream. His thoughts and ideologies are relevant today and can be the basis for inspiring / moulding the younger generation.
The above points were discussed during the 3rd International BHU Alumni Meet held at BHU on 6th & 7th January 2007. The Alumni, who had gathered there expressed the urgent need to spread Mahamana Malaviyaji’s contributions and ideologies and decided to set up a Forum with the specific objective of publishing the ‘Complete Works of Mahamana Malaviyaji’.
I am now glad to inform you that ‘Mahamana Malaviyaji Trust’, registered in October 2007, has initiated several steps to achieve the expressed objective of the BHU Alumni. I am enclosing a Pamphlet of the Trust to give you a brief idea of the activities so far and future plans.
I take this opportunity to invite you to join in a noble cause as a Major Donor/ Trustee. The Trust values your personal involvement in any capacity.
Comments from energetic, computer savvy youngsters from our Alma Mater are welcome to improve the website to make it more interesting and interactive.
Please forward any photos, speeches, news items, etc. about Malaviyaji.
While the Trust is happy that some more Alumni have joined the Trust in the capacity of Trustees / Members, we expect much bigger participation by Alumni in India and abroad in this project of paying our respects to the founder of our Alma Mater.
IT-BHU can definitely play a very big role in propagating the Trust activity and in increasing its membership, Trusteeship and in getting any photos, documents about Malaviyaji or in leading us to persons who may help us in collection of resource material.
I would be grateful if more Alumni get interested in this Project. Let us all pay our humble respects to our Founder Mahamana, who has made us what we are today. A few quotations in the pamphlet do not underline his greatness; it requires many volumes to describe his true contributions and his relevancy in this Modern age. We appreciate the enthusiasm of IT-BHU in taking up so many worthwhile projects, but let us not forget to homage to our Founder.
The website is a collection of photos and articles about Malaviyaji. It includes biography and quotations for Malaviyaji, history about Banaras Hindu University, details about 2007 distinguished alumni award by BHU, etc.
To view a booklet, containing details about Mahamana Malaviya Trust, click here
(Forwarded by Sandeep Kumar Garg, PhD student, Computer Science and Engineering Department. Email: Sandeep@alumni.itbhu.ac.in)
An 'E-Resource Awareness Program" was held in the BHU Central library on Aug 20, 2008. It was co-organized by the Elsevier, Science Direct. Very useful lectures were delivered by the persons from Elsevier, Science Direct. It was inaugurated by our VC. Ex-VCs of some other universities and heads/other officials of BHU were also present in the occasion. Research scholars and faculty of IT-BHU were also present. The program included lecture by Elsevier, Science Direct. There were lectures on: library collection and services, UGC-Infonet E-Resources, E-journals, e-books, databases in BHU library and lecture on web of science.
Lectures by Elsevier, Science Direct were especially useful. The lectures showed that BHU is not only number one in central universities on using research papers, but considering whole, BHU it is also number one even in all IITs, even though we have less access available than available in IITs.
Dr. A K Srivastava, Deputy Librarian conducted the proceedings and Mr. B N Singh, Deputy Librarian offered vote of thanks.
On the awareness programme Mr. B N Singh, Dr. M. Anandamurugan, Mr. Vivekanand Jain and Mrs. Sneha Tripathi spoke on various aspects of the topic before a large gathering.
Dr. Panjab Singh is a world renowned agriculture scientist. He was vice-chancellor of Banaras Hindu University from May 2005 to May 2008. Currently he is involved with FAARD (Foundation for Advancement of Agriculture and Rural Development) foundation. The foundation, which was started 3 years ago, with New Delhi as its main office, has opened another office at Varanasi. Dr. Panjab Singh will work from Varanasi office. The organization looks after upliftment of rural poor by involving in improving rural agriculture, education and employment of rural youth, among others.
We are forwarding the message received from Dr. Panjab Singh:
(Dr. Panjab Singh)
Having completed my studies in India and USA, I have been with the Government of India for long four decades (1968-2008) and served in Universities, Institutes and other Scientific Organizations, both at the national and international levels. This indeed has given me a wide range of experience of working with various systems within and outside the country. Today I look back 40 years of my past life with great satisfaction. Having acquired this, I now consciously plan to devote next 10-15 years with rural masses specially the weaker ones (deprived of Education, Economy and Social Status) and attempt to bring them up through social and technological interventions. I feel that a lot needs to be done and believe that a lot can be done. What we need to do is to identify areas of interests and set priorities and work on partnership mode with the rural population. My dream would be to make them technically and socially competent and empower them to earn their own respectful living in their rural settings.
Foundation for Advancement of Agriculture and Rural Development (FAARD), popularly known as FAARD Foundation which I am associated with has its focus on these issues and intends to train, habitat and sustain young men and women with different enterprises of their choice. We need to built on human capital and use them as light house in generating and using indigenous and non-indigenous technology/knowledge. Approach will be to inculcate technological entrepreneurship and enhance productivity for sustained livable income.
Our mission is to "Improve living status of Rural Population in their own settings through Technological Interventions following a holistic approach towards Agriculture and Rural Development".
Our objective is to increase productivity and income through appropriate and gainful engagement/employment (self or by others) indigenously. The approach will include:
Establishment of education and training institutions in rural settings for imparting non-formal education especially to weaker sections of the society and women for building their entrepreneurial skill and competence.
Assessment of technological needs, identification of technologies, refinement, localization and dissemination among rural messes for increasing agriculture productivity and income.
Promotion of measures to check degradation of rural environment and natural resources (Land, Water, Biodiversity etc.) and improve their management through technological and social interventions.
Promote Self Help Groups (SHGs) and help set up Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) by generating resources from Govt., Private Sectors and Society and use it on non-profit mode to promote employment and income increase.
Help provide market access, improve product quality through technological interventions, make inputs and resources available for agriculture and agro- industrial development.
Organize need based trainings, workshops, seminars, field days, exhibitions and technology demonstrations on selected sites for acquainting rural masses with latest technological development.
Provide consultancy services in areas like agriculture, livestock development, environment, hygiene, health, resources management, product quality, value addition, market interventions, education, ICT etc. for holistic development.
Create ICT network and impart training for capacity building of rural educated youth and preparing them to avail new job opportunities.
FAARD Establishment
FAARD started functioning from its office at Ahimsa Bhawan, F-125, Lado Sarai, Mehrauli, New Delhi in year 2005. In 2008 it has opened a branch office at Saraswati Kunj, Naraianpur (Dafi) – Varanasi. We are in process of setting a separate office in Varanasi with reasonable infrastructure. We also intend to build an institution of rural importance in the rural setting to generate rural youth potential and provide guidance to them on plethora of avenues available today. The foundation right now has a ten member Board of Trustees and will have an Advisory Board with about 25-30 members from different walks of life from India and abroad. We are building a third tier of rural work force as core groups, and self help groups (SHGs) and networking FAARD activities with governmental and non-governmental organizations, farmers organization and others existing in the region.